Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-08-11
THE BOUNDARY TREAIY.

OF Commerce. the following notice OF the
treaty relative TO the Northeastern Boun-
Diary, recently concluded at Washington.
The explanations accompanying !, impart
to il much interest
THE BOUNDARY TRRaTY. To-day the
Treaty for the adjustment oil the North
Eastern Boundary will probably 90 the
Senate. There is no doubt, we believe,
that it will be promptly ratified. Still less
have we any doubt that it ought to be rat
flied. The compromise is honorable to
both parties aud lis terms are as favora-
BILE to the United States as could be rea
sonahly expected. What these terms ale,
is now ascertained with tolerable exact
ness. Tire St. Johns is TO be the North
ern boundary Of Maine, from the point
where it enters the acknowledged terrific
ry OF New Brunswick, as far westward as
the mouth Of the ST. Francis or N. West
branch Of the St. Johns; thence il fol.
lows said branch to The mouth Of the Sec
ond considerable lake called Pohenaga-
nook and thence in straight line TO
the source Of the n. w. branch of Con-
nectcut river. This line runs in nearly
5. w. direction, and gives us consider
able slice of territory on the N. w. from.
tier Of Maine, which we never claimed !;
and also the disputed territory at the
Northern extremity Of Now Hampshire.
Then we get, according 10 ths Portland
Argus, strip Of land about three. quar-
tiers of a mile wide along the whole North
ern frontier of Vermont together with
Rouse's Point on the river Sorel, in the
State of New York. an important posi-
ton in military point Of view, and where
formerly we erected great stone castle,
designed to command the entrance to Lake
Champlain. Subsequently it was ascer.
tanned that this Point was within the terri
tory Of Great Britain. On the other hand
we relnquish, according to the Augusta
Age, narrow strip Of territory on the
Eastern frontier Of Maine, the line from
the Monument at the head Of ST. Croix
river, being made to run to Mars Hill, "a
mile Oh two west oil the old linG,) instead
Of due North
From Mars Hill a new departure is Ia
ken due North TO the 81. John. The oh.
ct OF this variation is probably two fold,
viz. first, to prevent a certain number of
Tories who supposed they were settled in
the British dominions, from reverting to
The United States; and secondly, (Which
is the main point, to promote the security
Of the British military road along that
frontier. THIS small strip is all the un-
disputed territory which we relinquish,
while Great Britain, on her part, reln-
pushes considerable tract on the N. W.
frontier Of Maine, which we never claim.
ed, including Lake Meganlic, and the head
waters of the river Chaudiere, which emp
ties into the St. Lawrence the strip
bove M ntioned, along the Northern from
tier Of Vermont, and Rouse's Point 10 n.
York. Also it is stated that Lord Ash.
burton has made other concessions. (not
however of great importance along The
said frontier. as far West as the Lake of
the Woods.
OF the disputed territory, including that
in New Hampshire, we get about two.
thirds in quantity, and much The best part
IN point of quality. The disputed land,
which we relinquish, is almost all Of II
bove the latitude Of AZ degrees, (Which is
higher than the latitude of Quebec,) and
of course is too far North 10 be worth
much for cultivation. Ii is, besides, very
much cut up by mountains and lakes -
England would care little FOR it, except on
account Of its geographical position,-ly
ing as it does between Canada and New
Brunswick, and thus, if belonging to
another power, greatly embarrassing the
communication between them. To us il
has no such value.
In the next place, we get, by virtue of
the Treaty, the free navigation of the ST.
John to its mouth, with the further priv-
lege Of carrying lumber and other pro-
duce from said river to the United King
dom or the British dependencies, on the
same terms which they would be entitled
to if the produce Of the Colonies. This
is an important matter, end will give
great advantage TO the lumber of The ST.
John and its Southern tributaries (of which
the Aroostook is the largesD over that of
other portions of the United States. If
exported in American vessels, this lumber
will stand on the same footing as if ship
peu Ut any oluer poInt Vi tue y. states.
Of course it can be brought to New York
or other American ports in American yes.
sells, without restraint. But it will haId-
ly come here, while enjoying such privi
lege in the British possessions.
The only other point, is the pecuniary
indemnity TO Maine and Massachusetts,
which possessed joint proprietorship OF
the soil of the disputed territory, if ours,
and the former Of which possessed also
the right OF sovereignty. The indemnity
for the right OF soil is $3.50, 900 to each
OF the two States, and for tho right of
sovereignty, what it cost Maine TO defend
it,-in other words, The expenses OF the
Aroostook war,--amounting TO about
$500, 1000. Making total ofnbout $780,
600 TO Maine, and $l50,000 10 Massa.
chusetts. This money is to be paid by
the United States. England could not
pay 1t with any toerable grace, and she
has therefore chosen 10 provide for ndem-
nifty in other forms.
Such, as we understand them, are the
leading features Of tho new Treaty. It's
advantages are not all on our side; vet il
Is a far and liberal compromise, and ought
by all means to be ratified by the Senate.
IL would indeed be melancholy result, if