Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-09-16


so well observed This rule that have not even comnn
nca,ed to YOU a volume Of additional con'rovers'a'
matter which brought with me, and mnch OF ~h'ch
would II controversy were cur object De oil no hcons
derabe weight and Importance IL wnu'd De w .''e
event cnlv oT The failure of this negotiation, winch
will no. anticipate, that we should aga'n oe dtiYeh IN
10 the aby rin from which 1t our purpose 10 escape
and that taing interpret strictly the "cras OF Tue
Treaty we should be obliged TO search again INTO con-
tempoaueous occurrences and opn,ons Tor pthc'p'es
of construction which mig ht shed light on the actua
intentions OF the parties
Our success must, on the contrary, depend on the
reciprocal admission, presumption, that the royal ar
ber was so far right when he came 10 the conclusion
which others had 10 before hun, that The treaty
of 1883 was not executabe according to its strict ex
pres on and that therefore one Tor agree
men, by compromise The only point upon which
thought il my duty 10 upon any thing Ike con
troyersy is that referred in my letter OF the lJIh IN
stant and Gid TO rescue my government ana 'hyse
from an imputation of unworthy motlves anu uie
charge tina: they had set up claim when 'hey kne"
be unfounded, from mere considerations OF Poiicy OF
convenience The assertions of persons IN my posi-
lion, on subjects connected with their diplomatic d"-
,rs are naturally received by the world with some eau
lion; but trust that you Will believe me "neh assure
Won that should not be The person 10 come heie oh
any such Grand
do not pretend nor ha ve ever thought the clam
OF Great Britain, with respect TO tins boundary, any
more than the claim of America 10 be unattenceu win
dficu tes The claims have been consiceFec ny I'M
martial men OF high authority and unquesoned ability
10 be equally attended, and therefore, itis that TINS
is question for compromise, and 1t is TINS comPro
mise which il has become our duiy TO enoea'or 10 ac
compllsh.
will only here add the most solemn assurance,
which would not lightly make that after long and
careful consideration of all the arguments and 'niet
ences direct and cfcumstantnl bearing on Tue whole
of this truly difficult question, IS my settled cohVic
ton that this was the intention of the parties TO the
Treaty of reace Of 1888 however imper'ecty those IN
,entons may have been executed, to leave 10 Great
Britain, by their description CT bouncaErs tue whoie
Of the waters of the river St John
The length Of tbs Sc preliminary observations re-
ouires perhaps some apology, but nov proceed 10
comply with your application TO me to state me prnc-
ples and conditions which appears To me tha inns
compromise, which II Is agreed we sh0uiu "''e'P''
should be founded
Few boundary is in fact to be traced between the
State Of Name and the province OF New brunswick;
In doing this reference must be had to the extent ana
value of the territory dispute but as general Pfh'
cnle we canno, do better than keep in mind the IN
,snon Of the trainers Of the first Treaty of peace IN
1883 as expressed in the preamble to the provisional
article in the following words: 'Whereas reclpfocai
advantages and mutual convenience are ionnd ny e1,
perence 10 form the only permanent iounoation OF
Dcace and friendship between > 1tes, &c. nave ON
u former occas on explained the reasons winch nave
inJnced the British Government to MAINTAIN tne'r
RIGHTS in this controversy beyond any apparent vaue
IN the object in dispute, 10 be Tie estaniishihg gcou
boundary between our two countries 30 as to prevent
collision and dispute, and an unrestricted commuh''
cation and connexion OF our colonies WIN each o'hef
Farther IL is desired 10 retain under the lurlsdctoh oil
each Government respectively such nhao'ah's as nave
for n length of time been so living, and 10 whom
transfer OF alleceEce might be painiul or Distressing
These are briefly the objects we have IN view ana
which we must seek 10 reconcile 10 pacsical o'
vision of the territory in dispute. Great britain mas
no wish OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for any general purpose OF
Increased dnminons end you must he sa'islsd ny the
;be:s v with which have protested myself ready to
a, questions Of boundaries IN other quarters ~6ere
cons; ra,,ons Of particular convenience or hiness
o, u,ich, farther prove this by calling your at
Ion on 10 The fact that OF the land Likely 10 come 10
as ~ any practicable settlement, nineteenth parts o.
il are ro.l It's position and quality, wholly worthless
II can support TO population, ii grows even little hn
Der OF value and can be OF no service put as oeuhoa
nv for two distinct Governments
In considering on the map division OF The territory
in question: this remarkable circumstance must De Re
in mind that division Of acres br their NUMBER woui'
bea yery unequal di9isor Of their value Inc SCUM
or,on If this territory The valley Of The Aoos,ook
,s renresen,ed 10 be Of the mos, BEAUTIFUL ana mos
fertile tracts Of land in this part OF the CONTINENT ca
pable Of HE highest state Of cultivation ana covered
h fine timber: while The Northern portion, wan .b'
exception of that smali part comprised wthh lhe va
dawuska settlement, is Of the miserable description
Ia re stated II would be no exaegeraion 10 say lna
one acre On tie Aroostook would he OF Innch NOR
value Than ten acres North Of the St. John. iher
would be, therefore, no equality IN making o'V's'o
OF acre for acie-
Gut. although remind you of this circumstance,
ao snll yrn suotiu nave me suVanIase IN TN
settlement both in the quantity and quality oil thi
land All wish Is, TO call tins tact IN PROOF OF ny Of
seron that the object Of Great Britain was oinpiy
,Inim that which was essential 10 her, and would forr
convenient boundary, and 10 leave all the more ma
teul advantages Of thus bargain 10 the State ct Maine
now come 10 the more immediate application c
these princoles 10 4 definite lGe Of boundary: an
laokoo a, the map wi,h reference he sole objec,
Great Britain as already described, the line OF the )
lnhns from whc the North line 81 the st Crox strike
IT, up some OF its Sources, seems evidently t" gu
both parties, with the exception which shall present
jy mention. .
Tf, line throws the waste and barren tract to G
Hritain and the rich and valuable lands 10 Maine; bu
il makes good boundary, one which avoids coiso
and probable dispute and for The reasons stated, "
should he satisfied with it, fit not for the peculia
circumstances Of settlement formed on both sides
the ST Johns from the mouth Of the Madawaska D
that of the Fish River.
The history and circumstances Of this settlement
nre well known TO you 1t was originally forme
from the French establishment in Acadia and has bee
uninterrup:edIy under French or British dominion, an
never nndc. any other laws The inhabitants iav
professed great nrpreh enson Of being surrendered
Great Britain, and have lately sent an earnest petIo
10 the Qaeen, deprecatng that being done.
Farther, this settlement forms one united commun't
all connected together, and lvirg some on one an
some on The other side Of the river, which forms 80
of high road between them
/, Seems selc evident that no more nconvenien lin
Of boundary could well be drawn than one which d
vides in two existing municipality, nconvenier
rs we'll 10 the inhabitants themselves as TO the at
thoritics under which they are to live There woul
lie evident hardship, might say cruelty, IN separatln
this now happy aud contented village, TO say nohin
Of the chickering's and probable collisions likely 10 ar's
from taking in this spot the precise line OF The rive
which would under other circumstances satisfy US =
Indeed, should consider such separation oi thes
industrious settlers, hy placing them under separa'
laws and governments, most harsh proceeding an
that We should thereby abandon the great object "
should have in view, Of the happiness and convenenc
OF The people and fixing boundary The least likely
occasion future strife
dwell on this circumstance at some length, in just
fca,ion of the necessity am under Of departing I
this incon siderable extent from the marked line Of lib
river ST Johns. What line should he taken 10 cove
LII. .lor- I'M