The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-24

the Legislature would have been regarded a. no less
imperative; this duty being distinct FROM and indie
pendent Of that devovng upon the Legislature when
convened The responsibility of further action now
tests with you; by whom have doubt, It will he
met and discharged with that camness, prudence and
deiberaton, required less by your own high repu-
iatlon, than fidelity to your constituents
Whatever may be the claim, however, OF The Gene-
raj Government as TO Its power through indirecuoh'
it does not claim the power of ceding directly, any
portion of territory or OF directly agreeing 70 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 ehecting
that object.
The British Government also is now prepared to
PROPOSE for SO l am disposed to regard the matter,
what may be thought to be " a just and equitable
equivalent" for portion OF that which she has here
tofore claimed as her own. Ii this is not going as
far may deem the honor of the State requires,
it certainly is far less Objectionable than most that
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 adjustment. If it is to be said has been SAID,
that the treaty line must necessarily be agreed upon
that the case is so involved in doubt and difficult
ty that the only equitable way of resolving 1t is by
splitting the difference" and dividing the territory
IN some agreed proportions such propositions, not
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 know to be just-and al
ter the course that has been pursued IN regard TO
we have conviction not to be shaken, that we could
not honorably relinqush 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 in other territory pri-
veges of navigation &C. for portion OF this terrific
ry, as am at present disposed to believe do not see
why this vexed question may not thus be put for ever
at rest And it 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 Commissioners
by the Legislature, with such powers as just view
of the would seem to requre-and not wishing
to avoid my share of responsibility, cheerfully re-
commend that course.
1t 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 usEwhat
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 OF
extra session of the Legislature but we shall have
shown to sister States and the world, that have
ing Just cause, we were disposed to adopt liberal
and fair course in conducting it-and that, though
and ardent in the maintenance OF our rights
we were not obstnately bent on course tending to
increase irritation, bring about hostities 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 re-
fused to invest the General Government with pow
er similar to that solicited. 1apprehend, how
ever that recurrence to the proceedings referred
to it, it will be found that the proposition was then I'M
derstood to be, that the Executive Of the Unite
States should be clothed with unlimited power of
fixing aud conventional lne-and that we were
not to wait fof propositions from the British Govern
ment, but were to volunteer them on our part.
Governor Kent, in his special message to the Lee
gislature of March Ia, 1885, says: "The grave and
important question therefore presented to your con-
sderation, as you will more fully perceive by the
documents referred to, is, whether you VIII clothe
the Executive of the United States with the unlimited
power of fixing new and conventional line" And
again eff direct proposition had come to us,
through the General Government, for specihc line
of boundary yielding to territory or privileges OF
navigation equivalent to the unsettled territory winch
might cede to them, it would certainly have pre-
sented the question to us in different aspect But
the question is, as ] understand it, whether we
shall take the lead in abandoning the treaty and vol
unteer propositions for linc."
The proposition then presented, as understood by
the Governor and Legislature, was entirely different
from the one now to be considered; and of course
tne resolve auopted ny Tie LeSisatuio d, 'ii"' 'o
cannot justly be regarded committing the present
Legislature this point, 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 earnest hope
that your deliberations will be confined to that object
and, that, as much despatch will be made, as may be
consistent with due elaboration; thereby paying
respectful regard to the strong expectations Of the
people on the score Of economy
JOHN FAIRFIELD.
Council Chamber, May Is, 1912