New-York daily tribune., 1842-09-03
The Treaty Correspondence.


portion of the volsminous correspondence between
Lord AsHBVRros and DANIEL WEBSTER with re-
ference to the treaty between England and the
United States, which las jsst been concluded. AS
its publication in full is out of the question we
present the following summary OF its principal
points,
l. Lord Asnburton writes to Nr. Webster sta
ting that he believes both agree that good can
arise from resor,ing to the intermiRable discus
sion or the general ground on which each party
consider their claims respectively TO rest. The
present attempt must rest on compromise OF the
insurmountable difficulty since argument and
arbitration have both been tried and both have
failed He proceeds 10 correct the public misaP-
prehension that the whole of the Boundary con-
troversy arose as early in 1914, that be-
fore that period the line as claimed BY Maine
was acknowledged by Great Britain, and that the
subsequent claim was avowedly founded on motives
of interest. To refu,e this imputation he examines
the discussions that preceded the treaty of Ghent,
and refers to documents written in 1902, by Presi-
dent (then Secretary Madison, and President Jef-
ferson in 1903, quoting from them expressions that
show the Boundary at that early day to have been
matter of dispute He concludes by saying tina,
the position maintained by Great Britain is be-
lieved to be founded in justice, and deaes that
they have been determined i'll their pretensions by
policy and expediency. He says he is ready to
ter upon the negotiation as soon as this Govern
mcnt is prepared.
II. Mr. Webster formally replies that he is ready
and will be happy to have an interview on the SUBJ
ject with his Lordship.
Ill Lord Ashburton acknowledges the receipt of
Mr.. Webstcrs note and proposes to meet him at
the Department Of State at specified time.
". Mr.. Webster accepts the invitation.
V. Lord Ashburton states, in compliance with
an invitation from Mr.. Webster at q conference,
his views of the case and the expectation of his
Government, although he is aware he exposes
himself to some disadvantage by so doing He
reminds Mr.. Webster Of the circumstances under
which ne has been induced to undertake the nego-
citation as evncing his ardent desire for AMIGA
bic settlement of the questions in dispute the sue
cess of which .'must depend on the reciprocal ad-
mission, or presumption that the royal arbter was
so far right when he came 10 the conclusion which
others had come to before him, that the treaty of
1888 was not executable according its strict
preston, and that the case was therefore one for
agreement by compromise He gives his most
solemn assurance that he believes the claim of
Great Britain to be well founded, and proceeds to
state the conditions on which the compromise
should be founded. In fixing the boundary line
his Lordship thinks regard should be had to the
intention of the trainers of the first treaty of peace
in 1888, as expressed in the preamble to the pro-
visional article in the following words: Whereas
reciprocal advantages and mutual convenience are
found by experience to form the only permanent
foundation of peace and friendship between States,
&c.; and says that the objects of the British Go
vernmcnt in maintaining their rights in this matter
are to establish good boundary which will prevent
collision, and to retas under the jurisdiction Of
each government their present inhabitants. He
disavows all wish ofaggrandizcment and says that
there would be no equity in making division of
acre for acre--as some parts OF the land are much
more valuable than others. Still he is willing to
Weld this, and says that g the line of the ST. John
from where the North line of the St. Croix strikes
it, up to some one of its sources, seems evidently
to suit both parties in all respects" with slight
exception the British Government, he says,
would be suited with if it were not for the trans
fer which would thus be made of some of the in
habitants from British to American Jurisdiction
He leaves to Mr.. Webster the suggestion of line
deuiating from the ST John, on this account, and
no
obvious interests of the people," The boundary
line of New Hampshire, Vermont and New-York,
though it has been decided in favor of the claim of
Great Britain, he is willing to yield to the United
states-thus giving up Rousses Point. Though
prepared to treat of it, he abstans froa reference
10 The North Western Boundary. He is willing to
engage that on the final settlement of all the Uni
ted States Boundary difficulties all the lumber pro-
duced in the tributary waters of the ST. John shall
be admitted duty free-but objects to making St.
John free port. He concludes by saying:
have now stated, as | was desired to do, my
views of The terms on which it appears to me that
this settlement may be made. 1t must be sutti-
ciently evident that have not treated the settle
ment in the ordinary form of bargain when the
party making the proposal leaves himself some
thing to give up.
The case would rot admit of this, even if 1
could bring myself to act. 1t would have been
useless for me to ask what | know could not be
yielded, and I can unfeignedy say, that even if
your vigilance did not forbid me to expect to gain
any undue advantage you, should have no
wish to do SO. The treaty we have to make will
be subjected to the scrutiny of jealous and crt-
cising public, and it would i'll answer its main
purpose of producing and perpeiuatiog harmony
and goood will if its provisions were not consid-
cred by good and reasonable men to make just
and equitable settlement of this long continued