Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-15


qure perhaps. somo apology, hut now proceed 70
comply With roar sprlscstion 20 mo 10 stete the
principles and conditions on wheh hsppears to me
that this compounds which u segrced We should
auemp, should be founded.
| A new boundary is in fact to be traced between
the State OF Maine and the province Of New Bfuns-
wick. ln doing this. reference must be had to the
extent and value Of the territory in dispute, but
general principe. not do better than keep
, in mind the intention oil the trainers OF the hssl
treaty OF peace in 1888, expressed in the pream
bic to the provisional article in the following words;
I"Whetcas reciprocal advantages and mutual con,
venience are found by experience 10 form the only
permanent foundation of peace and friendship be
tween States." SC. have on former &C .ason
explained the reasons which have induced the Brit
tsh Government 10 maintain their rights in this con
troversy beyond any apparent value IN the object
in dispute, to be the establishing good boundary
between our two countries, as to prevent collision
and dispute, and an unrestricted communication
and eonnexion OF our colonies with each other
Further, is desired TO retain under the Jurisdiction
| OF each government respectively, such inhabitants
as hare for length of time been living, and to
whom transfer OF allegiance might be painful or
distressing.
These arc briefly the objects we have in vew
and which We must now seek TO reconcile 10 a prac
teal division Of the territory in dispute. Great
Britain has no wish OF agsra ndizement for any &c.
neral purpose OF increased dominion, and you must
be satisfied by the lberay with which have
ptofessed myself ready to tfeat questions of boun
dasies in other quarters where considerations Of
! particular convenience fitness occur. | might
| further prove this by calling your attention TO the
fact, that OF the land likely to come to us by any
pracuole settlement nine Tennis parts Of h are,
| from its position and quality, wholly worthless =
IL can support no population, it grows even little
| timher OF value, and can be Of no service but as
| boundary, Tor two distinct Governments.
In considering on the map division Of the terri
tory IN question: this remarkable crcumsta must
| be kept IN mind, that division OF by their
| number woull be very unequal division OF their
value. The southern portion of this territory, the
valley oil the Atoos,ook, is represented to be Of
the most beautiful and most fertile OF land in
this part of the continent, capable of the highest
state OF cultivation, aud covered with fine timber;
while the northern portion, with the exception OF
that small part comprised within the Msdawssea
| settlement, Is OF the miserable description have
stated. IL would be exaggeration to say, that
| one acre on the Aroostook would be of much moro
value than ten acres north OF the St John. There
| would be, therefore, no equality in making diyi.
sion Of for acre.
But although remind you OF this circumstance,
| DO no; call on you to act upon it. On the con
,rary, am willing that you should have the advan
quality of this land. All wish is 10 ca this fact
IN pruot OF my assertion, that the object OF Great
Britain was simply to claim that which was essen.
t'al 10 her, and would form convenient boundary,
and to leave all the more material advantages of This
bargain TO the State OF Maine.
now come TO the more immediate application Of
these principles TO a definite line OF boundary; and
looking at the map with reference 10 the sole object
81 Johns from where the north line Of the S. Croix
strikes il, up TO Of its sources seems ev
denty to suit both parties with the exception which
shall presently mention.
This line throws the waste and barren tract 10
Great Britain, and the rich and valuable lands TO
Maioc; but II makes good boundary, one which
avoids collision and probably dispute; and for the
reason stated, We should be satisfied with il il it
were not for the peculiar circumstances of settle
meet formed on both sides OF the St. Johns from
the mouth of the Nadawaska up to that OF Fish
River.
The history and circumstances of this settlement
are we'll known 10 you. Ii was originally formed
from the French establishment in Acadia. and has
been uninerruptedly under French or Brish do.
mlnon, aud never under any other laws. The
inhabitants have professed great apprehension OF
being surrendered by Great Britain. and have late
ly sent an earnest petition to the Queen, depreclt.
/ ing that being doae.
Further, this settlement forms one united commu.
nifty all connected together, and living on one
and some on the 9th side of the river which forms
a sort Of high road between them
IL seems self evident that no more inconvenient
| line OF boundary could well be drawn than one
which divides in two an existing Municipality incon
venient as well to the inhabitants themselves, az
| TO the authorities under which they are 10 live
There would be evident hardship, | might saw
cruelty IN separating this now happy and con ented
village, to say nothing OF the chickering's and proba-
ole COLLISIONS likely 10 arise from taking in this spot
the precise line OF the river, which would under
/ other circumstances satisfy us. Indeed, | should
consider that such separation Of these in iusrious
settlers, by placing them under separate laws and
governments, most harsh proceeding, and that we
should thereby abandon the great object we should
have IN view OF the happiness and convenience of
the people, and the fixing boundary the least like.
| y TO occasion future strife.
| dwell on this circumstance at some lensth in
Justification Of the necessity am under OF DEPART
/ ing To this inconsdef able extent from tho marked
line Of the River ST. Johns. What line should be
taken 10 cover this difficulty shall have to consider
/ in al,
vlous interests Of the people. /, will be seen by an
inspection Of the map, that is not possible 10 meet
this difficulty by making over to Maine the northern
portion OF This settlement, that would be given q
by Great II tain the Immediately adjoining com
municaion with Canada, which It is her principal
obi CT TO prtseT
These observations dispose of those parts of the |
question which Immediately concern the Safe OF |
Maine; but may be well al the time to state
my views respecting the adjoining boundary Of the
States Of New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. |
because they made part of the references the king
Of the Netherlands and were indeed, the only part
OF the subject in dispute upon which distinct de-
cision not given.
The question here OF issue between the two coun.
tries was as TO the correct determination Of the pa
rael OF latitude md the true source of the Connect
cut river Upon both these points decisions were
pronounced in favor Of Great Britain; and might
add that the case Of America as matter Of right was
but ieebly and doubtngly supported by her own nu
horiies | am nevertheless DISPOSED TO surrender
Ting as proposed the boundary Of Maine There is
point or two in this line ofboundary, where NAV
have 10 consider with the assistance OF the Survey
o-s acquainted with the ocl iIos the nvenience
the resident settlers, as also which line NAV hes,
sur the Immediie country at the head ofthe Con
nectcut River, but Substantially the Government of
America snail be satfeJ, and this poin. be Welded
10 IN m
This concession, conceded with reference TO the
sale OF the land coded, which is generally reported 10
be fertile, and contain portion Of Rouses point
much coveted in the Of the controversy would
under ordinary circumstances, he considered OF con
siderable importance.
This concession will, however, he made by Great
Britain without reluctance, not only TO mark the ibe
raj and eoneatory spirit by which il is desired 10
distinguish these negotiations but because the case
IS IN some respects analogous to that Of the MAZDA
waska settlements before considered. Itis believed
that the settlers on the narrow strip which would be
| transicfnd 10 Great Britain By reci'yng the Ash
parallel OF latitude, which was formerly incorrectly
laid down, are principally from the United States,
and that Their opinions and habits incline them 10 G.
vince preference 10 tina. form Of government un.
der which, before the discovery Of TIE error in ques
/ lion, they supposed themstves to he living IL
cannot DO desired by her Majesty to acquire any
! addition Of territory under such circufns, ances
whatever may be the weight Of her rights; but il
will be observed that the same argument applies
/ almost exactly TO the Msdawaska settlement, and
lustiies the reservation am thus obliged 10 make
In these days. he,conyenience and happiness Of The
loo NH 4