Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-09-16
MESSAGE

have the satisfaction TO communicate IN the
Senate the results of the negotiations recently had
In this city with the British minister special aud
extraordinary.
These results comprise,
LIST. Treaty to settle and define the bounda-
res between the territories OF the United States
md the possessions OF her Brittanic Majesty in |
North America, for the suppression fthe African
slave trade, aud The surrender OF criminals fugi |
tlves from justice in certain cases.
z. A correspondence on the subject OF the in |
reference of the Colonial authorities of the Brit
ish West Indies with American merchant vessels
driven 10y stress of weather, or carried by vic
lence into the ports OF those colonies.
81. A correspondence upon the subject OF the |
attack and destruction of the steamboat Caroline
4th. correspondence on the subject of i'm
pressmenL
the Senate, it will terminate difference respecting
boundary which has long been subsstiug between
the two governments--has been the subject of
several Intellectual attempts at settlement, and has
sometimes led to great irritation, not without dam
ger OF disturbing the existing peace. Both the
United States aud the States more Immediately
concerned, have entertained no doubt of the va
ldity of the American title to all the territory
which has been in dispute: but that title was
controverted and the government Of the United
States had agreed to make the dispute subject of
arbitration One arbitration had been actually
had, bnt had failed 10 settle the controversy aud
il was found, at the commencement of last year.
that a correspondence had been in progress he
tween the Two governments for joint commits
sion, with an ultimate reference to an umpire OF
arbitrator, with authority to make u fiua decis-
ion.
That correspondence however, had been re-
tarded by various occurrences and had come 10
no definite esut when the special mission of Lord
AshburtOn was announced. This movement on
the Oi ENGLAND nffnrdad in I'm Ind n
the Executive, a favorable opportunity for max
ing an attempt to settle this long existing contro-
versy by some agreement or treaty, without fur
Their reference to arbitration. 1t seemed entirely
proper that il this purpose ware entertained, con-
sultation should he had with the authorities OF the
states of Maine and Massachusetts. Letters.
therefore, Of which copies herewith commu-
ncated, were addressed TO the Governors OF those
states, suggesting that commissioners should be
appointed by each OF them, respectively, to repair
10 this city aud confer with the authorities of this
government, on line by agreement or comprom-
Use, with equivalents and compensstions. This
suggestion was met by both states in a spirit of
candor and pStriotism, aud promptly compiled
with Four commissioners on the part OF Maine,
and three on the part Of Massachusetts, all per
sons Of distinction and high character, were duly
appointed aud commissioned and lost no time in
presenting themselves ut the seat of the Govern
ment OF the United States. These commission.
ers have been in correspondence with this gov
eminent during the PERIOD of the discussions ;
have enjoyed its confidence and freest commune
cations have aided the general object with their
counsel and advice and in the end have unaa.
imousy sgnifed their assent TO the line proposed
in the treaty.
ORDINARILY, il would be no ensy task to reconcile
ard hing together such variety Of interests in
matter in itselfdifiicult and perpexed but the ef-
forts of the government in attempting TO accom-
l,sh IL; dacirnI,le nl,iacf hnye hppn sacnnbpd
and sustained by spirit Of accommodation and
Cancellation on the part fthe states concerned, TO
which much of the success OF these efforts is as
crbed.
Connected with the settlement of the line Of
the Northeastern Boundary, so far as it respects
the states Of Maine aud Massachusetts, is the con.
iinuston OF that line along tic highlands 10 the
northwesiernmost head of Connecticut river
Which OF the sources Of that stream is entitled 10
this character, has been matter of controversy
and of some interest to the state of New liamp.
shire. The King OF the Netherlands decided the
main branch TO be the norlhwesernmest head of
the Connecticut. This did not satisfy the claim
of New Hampshire. The line agreed to in the
present treaty follows the highlands 10 the head
of Halls stream, and thence down that river EN-
bracng the whole claim of New Hampshire, and
establishing the title 10 100000 acres ofterrilory,
more than she would have had by the decision OF
the King of the Netherlands.
BY the treaty Of 1893, the line is to proceed
down the Connecticut river to the 45h degree OF
north latitude, and thence west 10y that parallel
ill il strikes the ST. Lawrence. Recent eXalnina-
tions having ascerlaned that the line heretofore
received the true line of latitude between those
points was erroueous, and that the correction OF
this error would not only leave on the British side
considerable tract of territory heretofore sup
posed 10 belong to the states of Vermont and
New York, hut also Rouses Point, the site of O
military work Of the United States, it has been
garded rs an object of importance, not only &c
establish the rights and jurisdiction OF those
states, up to the line which they have been con
sidered to extend, but also to comprehend Rouses
Point within the territory of the United States
The REIMBURSEMENT by the British Government O
all the territory south of the line heretofore con
sidered TO be the true line, has been obtained
and The consideration for this reinquishnent is tc
enure by the provisions Of the treaty 10 the states
of Maine aud Massachusetts
The line of boundary, then, from the source o
the 81. Crox to the st. Lawrence so far as Main,
and Massachusetts are concerned, is fixed by
their own consent and for considerations, beinl
the privilege of transporting the lumber and agri
cultural products grown and raised in Maine, OF
the waters OF The ST. Johns and its tributaries
down that river TO the ocean, free from imposition
or disability. The importance of this privilege
perpetual in its terms, TO n country covered a
present by pine forests Of great value, and mucf
ment, is noia matter upon which the opinion O
intelligent men is likely 10 be divided
So iaI as New Hampshire is concerned, IN,
treaty secures all that she requires, and New Horl
and Vermont are quoted TO the extent Of thei
claims and occupations. The difference which
would be nude in the northern boundary of thes
Two States, by correcting the parallel Of latitude
may be seen in Tanners Maps 1885, new Atlas
Maps Nos. and 9.
From the intersection Of the 18th degree o
north latitude with this 81. Lawrence, and alon
that river and the lakes to the water communica
ton between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, III
line was definitely agreed on by the Commission
ers Of the two Governments, under the 9th articl
OF the Treaty of Ghent But between this las
mentioned point and the Lake of the Woods, tn
Commissioners acting under the 9Th article O
that treaty, found several matters of disagreement
and therefore made no joint reports to their re
spective governments. The first of these was Su
gar Island or ST. Georges Island, laying in lh
st. Mary's river, or the water communication be
tWeen Iakes Huron and Sunerior. Nv the ura