The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-12
LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF
STATE TO THE GOVERNORS OF MAS
SACHUSETTS AND MAINE.

SACHUSETTS AND MAINE.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 18th April, 1912.
Iohis ETeeheney JOHN FAIRFIELD
Governor Of Maine:
| Your Excellency is aware that previous to March,
1871, 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
an ultimate reference to arbtrators 10 be appointed
by some the soveregns of Europe in case arbi-
traton should become necessary. Onhe leading fea-
lures OF Convention for this purpose, the two Go
vernments were agreed, but several matters of de-
tail the parties differed and appear to have been inter
changing their respective views and opinions, projects
and contemporaries, without coming to a final ar
rangement down to August 1910. Various causes,
not necessary to be explained, arrested the prog
res of the negotiation at that time and no conslde-
| rabIe advance has been since made in it.
| 1t seems to have been understood on both Sides
that arbitration having failed, The duty Of
the two parties proceed to institute another, accord
/
treaties and the President has felt il to be his duty
| unless course should DO proposed to
cause the negotiation to be resumed and pressed to
its conclusion. But have to inform
your ExceIency that Lord Ashburton, Minis
ter Plenipotentiary and Special, has arrived at
the Seat of Government of the United States,
charged with full powers from his sovereign
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 such terms and condi-
tions and with such mutual considerations and equi-
valents, may be thought just and equitable; and
that he is ready to enter upon negotiation for such
conventional line 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-
prety of their cooperation, to certain extent and
in certain form, in an endeavor to terminate con-
troversy already Of so long duration, and which
seems very likely to be still considerably further
protracted before the desired end of final adjust
men shall be attained unless shorter course Of ar
irving at that end be adopted, than such as has
heretofore been pursued, and the two Govern
ments are still pursuing.
Yet, without the concurrence OF the two States
whose rights Immediately concerned, both
having an interest in the soil, and Of them in the
jurisdiction and government the duty Of this Govern
ment will be to adopt course, but, in com
pliance with treaty spulations and in furtherance 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 10 any settlement of the question by these
means Such delays great and unavoid,-
BILE. 1t has been found that an exploration
and examination OF the several lines constitute
work Of three years. L he existing commission for
making such exploration under the authority of the
United States, has been occupied two summers, and
very considerable portion of he work still remains TO
done. II Joint commission should be appointed
and should go through the same work, and the CON :
missones should disagree, is very possible and an
arbitration that become indispensable, the
arbitra might find it necessary 10 make an explo.
ration, and survey themselves or cause the be
these causes, operating to postpone the final decision,
be added the time necessary appoint arbtratoTs and
for their preparation leave Europe for the service,
and the various retardng incidents always attending
such operations eight years constitute per-
haps, the shortest period within which can look
for final result Ia the meantime, great expenses
have been incurred, and further expenses cannot be
avoided 1t is well known that the con rovetsy has
brought heavy chuges upon Maine herself to The
remuneration proper settlement; of which, she cal
not be expected to be Indifferent
The exploration by the Government of the 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-
bic estimate OF the whole expense likely to be in
CURED before the controversy be settled by albi
traton; and our experience admonlshes that even
another 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 so 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 it must fulfil that agreement unless another mode
for settling the controversy should be resorted to with
the hope of producing speeder decision The
President proposes then, that the Governments of
Maine and Massachusetts should seyerally appoint
commissioner or commissioners, empowered to confer
with the authorities of this Government upon con-
yentional llne 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
OF proceeding, or some other which shall express
assent beforehand seems indispensable, if any ntgo-
tiatlon for conventional line is to be had since if
happily treaty should be the result of the negoa-