The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-24

the Legislature would have been regarded as no less
imperative; this duty being distinct FROM and indie
pendent Of that devolvng upon the Legislature when
| convened The responsibility of further action now
tests with you; by whom, have no doubt, il will be
met and discharged with that calmness prudence and
deliberalion, required less by your own high repu
taton, than fidelity TO your constituents.
Whatever may be the claim, however of the Gene
raj Government, TO its power through indrection
II does not claim the power of cedng, directly, any
portion of territory, OF directly agreeing TO any
other line of boundary than that described IN the
treaty of 1888 Yielding to the correctness OF our
pos ton in this respect, the General Government! now
asks this State for authority thus TO settle the existing
controversy and invite her cooperation IN ehecu"e
that object.
The British Government also is now prepared to
propose, for so am disposed to regard the ma''er,
what may be thought to be ga Just ana equi,aplc
equivalent" for portion OF that when she mas mere
tofore claimed as her own. II THIS Is not gong as
far may deem the honor oil she oia'e reques
il certainly is far less Objectionable than most una
we have been accustomed to receive from that quar-
ter.
If any thing less than this is intended, am per-
suaded that nothing will be accomplished IN the way
of an djustment If il is to be said, has been said
that the treaty line must necessarily be agreed upon
OR that the is involved in doubt and difficult
ty that the only equitable way of resolving II is by
splitting the difference" and dividing the territory
in some agreed proportions such propositions, II mol
regarded absolutely insulting would not, am con
fdent be favorably listened to by single citizen OF
the State. The treaty line know to be practl-
cable one-our claim to the whole territory EN-
braced within that line we know to be just-and al
ter the that has been pursued IN regard TO l
we have conviction not to be shaken, that we could
not honoraby relinquish part to obtain an undls-
puted right to the remainder. But if Great Britain
is prepared to substantially yield the point of title
and offer fair equivalent, Ill other territory, prl-
vieges of navigation, SC. for portion OF tins terrific
ry, am at present disposed to believe, do mol see
why this yexed question may not thus be put for ever
at rest. And il is difficult to perceive how Maine,
in thus consulting her interest would compromise her
honor.
Entertaining these views am free TO say, that
think favoraby of the appointment of COMMISSIONS
by the Legislature, with such powers as Just view
of the would seem to require--and not wishing
to avoid my share of responsibility, cheeriully re-
commend that course.
II may be that have formed too favorable OPT
Mon of the present disposition of the British Govern
ment, and that totally unreasonable, and OF course,
unacceptable proposition will be made to us--what
then Would it necessarily follow that we had erred
in appointing commissioners and placing ourselves
in attitude to learn what the proposition would be!
We shall, to be sure, have incurred the expense oil
an extra session Of the Legislature but we shall have
shown to sister States and the world, that nave
ing Just cause, we were disposed to adopt iioerai
and fair course in conducting it-and that, though
strenuous and ardent in the maintenance OF our rights,
we were not obstinatey bent on course tending TO
increase irritation, or bring about hostlles between
the two countries Let what would be the result,
Maine would stand, as she has heretofore stood,
blameless
But it may be objected that the Government OF the
State has heretofore decided this question, and
fused to invest the General Government with pow
err similar to that now solicited. apprehend, how
ever that recurrence to the proceedings referred
to it, it will be found that the proposition was then I'M
ha hat ha Exa n
States should be clothed with an unlimited power OF
fixing new aud conventional line-and that we were
not to wait fol- propositions from the British Govern
ment but were to volunteer them on our part
Governor Kent, in his special message to the Le-
gislature of March Ia, 1898, says 1.-The grave and
important question therefore presented to your
sideration, as you will more fully perceive oy the
documents referred to, is, whether you VIII clothe
the Executive of the United States with the unlimited
power of fixing new and conventional lne.' Ana
again ''lf direct proposition had come 10 US,
through the General Government, for SPECIFIC line
of boundary yielding to us territory or privileges OF
navigation equivalent to the unsettled territory whch
might cede to them, it would certainly have pre-
sented the question to us in different aspect But
the question now is, as understand it, whether we
shall take the lead in abandoning the treaty and vol
unteer propositions for new line "
The proposition then presented, as understood by
the Governor and Legislature, was entirely different
from the to be considered; and OF course
cannot justly be regarded as committing the present
Legislature on this point or in any degree impeding
its free course of action
| cannot close this communication without respect
fully reminding you that this session has been called
for specific object and expressing an earnest hope
that your deliberations will be confined TO that object;
and, that, much despatch will be made, as may be
consistent with due deliberation; thereby paying a
respectful regard to the strong expectations of the
people on the score of economy.
JOHN FAIRFIELD,
Council Chamber, May H. 1912