Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-01
MESSAGE,

accompanying Treaty with Great
Britain.
have the satisfaction to communicate
to the Senate, the results of the negotia-
lions recently held in this city with the
British Minister, special and extraordina-
nv. These results comprise
LIST. A Treaty to define and settle the
boundaries between the territories Of the
United States and the possessions of her
Britannia Majesty in North America, for
the suppression of the African slave trade
and the surrender o. criminals, fugitives
from justice, in certain cases.
I'd. A correspondence on the subject Of
the interference of the Colonial authori-
ties of the British West Indies with A
merican merchant vessels driven by stress
OF weather, or carried by violence, into
the ports of those colonies.
Sd. A correspondence upon the subjec
Of the attack and destruction ofthe steam
boat Caroline.
4,h. A correspondence on the subject
of lmpressment.
If this treaty shall receive the appro-
baton of the Senate, it will terminate n
difference respecting boundary, which has
long subsisted between the two govern
ments-has been the subject of several
Intellectual attempts at etlement, and
has sometimes led TO great irritation, not
without danger of disturbing the existing
peace. Both the United States and the
States more Immediately concerned, have
entertained no doubt of the validity OF the
American title TO all the territory which
has been in dispute; but that title was
-eentroverted, and the government oil the
United States had agreed to make the dis
pute a subject of arbitration. One arbi-
tration had been actually had, but had
failed to settle the controversy; and 1t was
found. at the commencement Of last year,
that a correspondence had been in pro-
gress between the two governments, for
Joint commission, with an ultimate refer
ence TO an umpire or arbitrator, with au-
,horitv to make a final decision. That
correspondence, however, has been re-
tarded by various occurrences, and had
come to no definite result when the spe-
cial mission of Lord Ashburton was an
nounced. This movement on the part OF
England in the judgment of the
Executive, a favorable opportunity tor
making an attempt TO settle this long ex-
lsting controversy by some agreement or
treaty, without further reference to arbi-
tration. 1t seemed entirely proper that,
if this purpose were entertained, consul
,ation should be had with the authorities
of the States of Maine and Massachu-
sets. Letters, therefore, OF which copies
are herewith communicated, we're address,
ed to the Governors of those States, sug-
gesting that Commissioners should be ap
pointed by each of them, respectively, to
repair to this city and confer with the au-
lhorities of this government, on a line by
agreement or compromise, with It's equiv
alents and compensations. This sugges-
ton was met by both States in spirit of
candor and patriotism, and promptly CON-
piled with. -Four Commissioners on the
part OF Maine and three on the part OF
Massachusetts, all persons Of distinction
and high character, we're duly appointed
and commissioned, and lost no time in
presenting themselves at the seat OF the
government of the United States. These
commissioners have been in correspon-
rlence with this government during the
neriod of the discussions-have enjoyed
! confidence and treest communications;
il I'VE aided the general object with their
counsel and advice-and in the end, have
unanimously signifed their assent TO the
line proposed in the treaty.
Ordinarily, it would be no easy task 10
reconcile and bring together such varle-
" of interests in matter In itself dltfi-
rnIt and perplexed; but the efforts of the
government in attempting TO accomplish
mis- desirable object, have been seconded
md sustained by spirit of accommoda-
.lnn and Cancellation on the part OF the
States concerned, TO which much OF the
success of these efforts IS to be ascrlbed.
Connected with The settlement OF the
iue of the Northeastern Boundary, so far
* it respects the States OF Maine and
u ssachusetts, is the continuation OF that
me along the highlands 40 the northwes-
rtnmost head OF Connecticut river.
yhlch of the sources OF that stream is
nitIed to this character, has been matter
i controversy and of some interest TO the
ate of New Hampshire. The King of
J Netherlands decided the main branch !
be the northwesternmost head of the q
Connecticut. This did not satisfy the r
:lAim OF New Hampshire. The line a. i
'ssed 70 in the present treaty follows the C
highlands to the head Of Halls stream, a