Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-05-27
iNIDiN PRBSS
MAINE LEGISLATURE.

,"U -, ,mmutee, consisting Of nine
e yO ,.hc part Of the Senate and ID
"o" NV - Of tho House. Mr. Cavanagh is
80 ~. !! Of the committee.
~, message was accompanied by the
-, of Mr. Webster, Secretary Of State,
III has been already published. The
vernon in his message states the purport
4 the communication mado to him by the
Secretary of State by order Of the President,
and proceeds to present his views Of the
question submitted. He alludes to the fact
that the alternative to settlement by a me-
gotiation for conventional line proposed by
tho general government, is the submission Of
the question to another arbitration, which |
tho State of Maine has demonstrated against,
and he believes will continue to demonstrate. !
This fact lie says should be taken into con-
s;dcration by tho Legislature, in deciding on
the question whether they will give their as
sent to direct cession of territory for an
equivalent. He is of opinion that if any
thing less is intended by the Representatives
Of Great Britain, than the offer Of a just and
equitable equivalent for that portion Of coun-
try which that country has heretofore CLAIM
ed as her own, nothing will be accomplished
in the way of an adjustment. But if Great
Britain is prepared TO treat on these terms,
by offering fair equivalent for territory TO
be coded, in other territory, privileges of
navigation or other advantages, he does not
sec why the question may not he thus put at
rest forever. lie therefore thinks favorably
of the appointment of commissioners, and
cheerfully recommends the adoption of that
course. The Governor expresses an earnest
hope that the legislature will confine them
selves TO this object of their session, and that
they will come to a decision with as much
despatch as is consistent with due delibera-
ton.
The following extract embraces the whole
Of the message, with the exception of the
formal part, and the recapitulation Of the
purport of the letter ofthe Secretary Of State,
which is familiar to our readers.
With this request have deemed my duty to com.
ply and now submit for your consideration the mat
tors presented in the communication aforesaid.
This step has not leen taken without mature de-
liberation. The expense ut an extra seselon--the
busy season OF the yGar-he danger of divided and
distracted CounCisas well as other considerations
bearing upol the polut, have not been overlooked
Eut weghty as they are, Il, has nevertheless seemed
to me, that should not have been justified in refu-
eng TO give the people an opportunity through their
Representatives TO iertan and decide question Of
so much importance as the one now presented, And
whatever might have been ny individual opinions as
to the ultimate action that should be had the duty Of
converting the Legislature would have been regarded
as no less lmperave; this duty being distinct from,
and ndspenden2st n that deyolvng upon the Leg sla
action now rests wit. I'd; by whom have no
doubt it will lie met and discharged with that calm-
ness, prudence and dolberaon, required no less by
your own high reputation, than fidelity to your con-
stituents.
Thoqneston presented for your consideration i. not
aparty question but is, emphaticnlly State ques.
ton-onc in which the whole people are interested,
and on which their opinions and wishes should he
truly reflected The subject Of the Boundary has ever
appeared to me 10 constitute a common ground frnm
which party policy and party sres should be setlu.
lousy excluded, and on which no other contention
or rivalry should be witnessed than that which natu
rally springs from an ardent zeal in the cause of the
Stale That the question Immediately before YOU i,
not Tree from embarrassment and difficulties, is mani
fest, and 10 equally clear that calm dispassonnte
consideration only can lead to satisfactory results.
When we regard the ccarness of our title to the
territory IN conference.-the frivolous and unbound
ed pretensons Of the british clam-the long and
vexatous delay that has been desgn,dy effected
the frequent nvasions and occupation Of our terri
tory-the devastation of Irresistible arrest and
Imprisonment of cur citizens there is danger that an
honest indignation may lead us to overlook many i'm
portant CONSIDERATIONS necessary TO discreet and
sound decision.
1t is due therefore to the subject that we view it in
other lights. One ALTERNATIVES now contemnIated i,
General 10 nh ,v,;n,
OF the question to another arbitration. Against this
Maine has ever demonstrated and eeve, will con-
!lnue to demonstrate. We cannot perceive the diff
ference so far az authority is concerned between do
ing a thing directly and indirectly. If the General
Government has no power to cede directly any nor
ton OF the territory of this State neither has il the
power to accomplish the same thing through the
forms Of an arbitration. But right or wrong in our
poslton-succcssfu or oherwise as we NAV be here
alter IN maintaining tive see, as MAJ ter of fact
that the General Government is determined to al.
tempt the exercise of such power and thus once
more leopard our territory unless some other mode
OF adjustment be agreed upon. That this should he
seriously considered in coming to decision, is oh
vious.
Whatever may be the claim, however, of the Gen
ernl Government, as to its power through ndrecton,
ii does not claim the power Of ceding, directly any
portion OF our territory orof directly agreeing TO any
treaty Of 1888. Yielding to the correctness of our
position IN this respect, the General Government now
nsks this State for authority thus TO settle the exist
ing controversy and invites her cooperation in effect
ing that object.
The British Government Also is now prepared tc
PROPOSE for So am disposed to regard the matter
what may be thought to be "a Just and cpuitah,
equivalent" for portion Of that which she has here
tofore claimed her If This not going as ia
some may deem the honor of the State requires
certainly is far less Objectionable than most that ",
have been accustomed TO recey from that quarter.
Ifany hing less than this is intended am persuad
ed that nothing will be accomplished in the way O
an adjustment. II 1t is to be said as has been aid
that the treaty line is mprdcticabie, and therefore,
new line must necessarily be agreed upon--or tina
the case is so involved in doubt and difficulty that III
only equitable way Of resolving it is by splitting tn
difference and dividing the territory in some agree
proportions, such propositions if regarded as alb
soluiely insulting, would not, am confident, be "a
vorably listened 10 by single citizen OF the Stas
The treaty line we know to be practicable one-ou
claim to the whole territory embraced within ths
line we know to be just-and after the course tina
has been pursued in regard to il, we have a convic
ton not 10 be shaken, that we could not honorabl
relnquish part to obtain an undisputed right to III
remainder. But If Great I3r tain is prepared TO sui
stanally yield The point Of title and offer us ia
equivalent, in other territory, privileges of navea ol
&c. for portion Of this territory, as an, at preser
dis osed to believe, do not why this vexed que