The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
CHARGES D'AFrAIREs.

LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF
STATE TO THE GOVERNORS OF MAS
SACHUSETTS AND MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 18th April, 1912.
TO his Ercsllency JOHN FAIRFIELD,
Governor Of Maine:
Your Excellency is aware that previous to March,
l04l, negotiation had been going on for time
between the Secretary of State of the United States
under the direction of the President and the British
Minister accredited to this Government, having fol-
its object the creation Of joint commission for set
ting the controversy respecting the Northeastern
boundary Of the United States, with provision for
ultimate reference to arbtrators, to be appointed
by some of the soveregns of Europe, in arbi
traton should become necessary. On the leading fea
lures OF Convention for this purpose the two Go
vernments agreed, but several matters of de-
tail the parties differed and appear 10 have been inter-
changing their respective views and opinions, projects
and contemporaries, without coming to final
rangement down to August, l04O Various causes,
not necessary to be explained arrested the prog
of the negotiation at that time, and no conside
rabIe advance has been since made in it.
1t seems to have been understood, on both sides,
that arbitration having failed it the duty of
the two parties to proceed to institute another accord
ing to the spirit of the Treaty of Client, and other
treaties; and the President has felt be his duty,
unless some new course should be proposed, to
the negotiation TO be resumed and pressed to
its conclusion. But have now to inform
your Excellency that Lord Ashburton, Minis
has r;yoJ
the Seat of Government of the United States,
charged with full powers from his sovereign
to negotiate and settle the different matters in discus
sion between the two Governments. have further
to state to you that he has officially announced to
this Department that, in regard to the Boundary
question: he has authority to treat for conventional
line, or line by agreement on such terms and condi-
tons, and with such mutual considerations and equi-
valents, as may be thought just and equitable; and
that he is ready to enter upon negotiation for such
conventional line so soon as this Government shall
say that it is authorized and ready, its part to
commence such negotiation.
Under these circumstances, the President has felt
it to be his duty to call the serious attention of the
Governments of Maine and Massachusetts to the
subject and to submit to those Governments the pro-
in certain form, in an endeavor to terminate
troversy already of SO long duration, and which
seems very likely to be still considerably further
protracted before the desired end of final adjust
ment shall be attained, unless shorter course Of
irving at that end be adopted, than such as has
heretofore been pursued and as the two Govern
ments are still pursuing.
Yet, without the concurrence of the two States
whose rights are more Immediately concerned both
having interest in the soil, and of them in the
jurisdiction and government, the duty of this Govern
meDt will be to adopt no new course, but, in COM
pliance with treaty stpuations, and in furherance OF
what has already been done, to hasten the pending
negotiations fast as possible.
But the President thinks it highly desirable
object to prevent the delays necessarily Incl.
dent to any settlement of the question by these
means. Such delays great and unavoida-
ble 1t has been found that exploration
and examination of the several lines constitute a
making such exploration under the authority of the
United States, has been occupied two summers, and
very considerable portion of the work still remains to
done. If joint commission should be appointed
and should 60 through the same work, and the com
mssioneus should disagree is very possible and an
arbitration on that account become indispe nsabe, the
arbra' ors might find it necessary to make explo-
ration and survey themselves the same to be
done by others, of their own appointment. If to
these causes operating 10 postpone the final decson
be added the time necessary to appoint arbtrators and
for their preparation leave Europe for the service,
and the various rearding incidents always attending
such operations eight years constitute, per-
haps, the shortest period within which can look
have been incurred, and further expenses cannot be
avoided. 1t is well known that the controversy has
brought heavy chrges upon Maine herself, to The
or proper settlement of which, she car
not be expected to be Indifferent.
The exploration by the Government of tho United
States has already cost hundred thousand dollars,
and the charge of another summers work is in pros
pect. These facts may be sufficient to form proba
BILE estimate of the whole expense likely to be in
cured before the controversy can be settled by abi
tation and our experience aduonlshes us that even
anothe r arbitration might possibly fail.
The opinion Of this Government upon the justice
and validity Of the American claim has been express
sed, at so many times, and in many forms, that
repetition of that opinion is not necessary. But the
subject is subject in dispute The Government has
agreed to make it matter of reference and arbitration
and must fulfil that agreement unless another mode
for settling the controversy should be resorted to with
the hope of producing speedier decision. The
President proposes then, that the Governments of
Maine and Massachusetts should severally appoint
commissioner or commissioners, empowered to confer
with the authorities of this Government upon
venonal line, or line by agreement, with its terms,
conditions, considerations, and equivalents, with an
understanding that no such line will be agreed upon,
without the assent ofsuch commissioners. This mode