The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-02
From the August1 Ne Age.
THE NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

The discussions in the Legislature have terminated
in the passage of Resolves providing for the appoint
| ment of Commissioners to negotiate settlement OF
the n +. Boundary question, upon principles which
commanded the nearly unanimous assent of both the
| Senate and House.
We propose to state briefly the points upon which
the debates have turned and which will appear more
| fully when they shall have been reported
Our title to the ESQ caled) disputed territory having
been long matter of controversy, part of it hav
ing never been under actual jurisdiction, and an
arbitration, involving more or less of hazard TO our
rights, being in prospect many persons were inclined
to think expedent adjust the question upon prin-
| cipes of compromise. In other words, they were
willing to yield up portion of The territory, for the
sake of ending the dispute to the remainder Or at
any rate, they willing 10 yield portion for a
con sderaon less thanits value, regarding the adjust
ment of the que ton, important consideration in
itself An opinion of this kind, it is but candid TO
admit, is not without many strong in it's
favor, and has long been entertained by very
many, entitled to respect for their sagacity and pa
triOtIsm
Ga the other hand, our rights being in themselves
So clear and perfect, having been 30 long, with SO
much forttude and under many difficulties main
tained and honor bling essentially involved in
an unwavering adherence to them; vastly greater
number of persons determined to insist upon
them in the fullest and at all hazards Willing
for the sake of peace and indeed believing ii to be for
the true interests of the Stale, to assent to modca-
ton of the lne for the advantage of both parties and
upon principle OF an exchange OF Territory anu
privileges they protest. against the doctrine OF COM
promise. They would treat upon other basis than
a substantial acknowledgment of the line of 1888,
and yield nothing within that line, without ample
and honorable equivalent beyond it. In the compre-
hensive language of Mr. Osgood, of Portland, they
would assent to exchange in the spirit Of peace,
| but yield nothing for the sake of peace"
The debate in the Legislature turned upon these
opposing opinions.
The Resolves reported BY MI Kavanagh, although
hair
frmed belief in the justice of title did not
! theess, require Commissioners to insist upon
substantial acknowledgment oft, but would have per-
mtted them TO adjust the question upon the principle
O.. compromise to which we have adverted provided
always, they assented to adjustment which, in
their opinion was inconsistent with the honor and
interests oil the State. The amendment moved by Col
Bradbury: of Calais, and which was in the end sub
stantiaIy adopted, embraced the opposing principle.
And the Resolves now stand our title is insisted
upon absolute and perfect, and the withdrawal Of
the British claim is not to be- regarded as any consde
ration or equivalent, for any cession OF territory
which may be made.
We have thus far given only own opinion of the
true meaning and construction ofthe Resolves report
ed by Mr.. Kavanagh and have not intended to say,
that such was designed to be their meaning, or that
| ALL or even majority of those, who sustained them
against the amendment of Col Bradbury, entertained
the views which we believe (pcrhaps enormously
that those Resolves actually embraced. On the con-
trary, it was supposed by many that they quail
fed and controlled by their Preamble as to be in sub
stance what Col. b. and his friends desired them
be, and on that ground, they resisted amendments
unnecessary. And we may be permitted 10 add that
we have reason to know, that the Chairman of the
Committee on the Boundary Mr.. Kavanagh) had
no desire to resist the principles of Col BIS amend
ment, and the unanimty with which he was selected
as one OF the Commissioners, is gratifying proof that
the friends Of that amendment never disrusted the
substantial soundness of his views although differing
from him in the mode of their expression.
Another question raised in the debates, whe-
ther the Legislature had the power cede away the
territory of The State, to assent to conventions
lne which of necessity involves the idea Of cession
Of those who finally voted against the Resolves,
the greater part were governed by belief that the
power did not exist and many who voted for them
did SO with doubts 10 the power, less
| siderable
Ia conclusion, justice 10 ourselves requires to
say that we We're opposed personally both the cal
Ing OF the extra session, and to the appointment
Comns -ioners and tn s. not because we are az erse
10 the idea of conventional line, but because
no evidence that line will be Offered to US, which
we can honoraty accept. Nevertheless, looking t.,
the undoubted manifest alton of pub ic opin in ia
vor OF trial of the experiment. and considering, thai,
even, IT aboriive, It will demonstrate disposition
to adjust the ques ion upon fair and honorable
we Can have no hesitation in saying that both he Go,
vernon and Legislature have taken that course which
duiy dictates, and which the people will approve
And may The Disposer of events grant it issue,
of lie fri