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

When old Jack DOrrS Case-knIIe you draw,
One thing you'd better see to-
That order and law, with their own huge paw,
Don't smash you like mosquito
From The N. Y. Herald.
IMPORTANT FROM MAINE-NORTH-EAST
ERN BOUNDARY.
We have just received accounts from Maine giving
ma the favorable intelligence of the opening OF the
Maine Legislature, Governor Fairhelds Message,
and the first steps taken towards fair and honorable
adjustment Of the Boundary Question
A letter gives the following statement
HALLowELL, May 10, 1912
The Legislature Of Maine met yesterday. The
members manifested good spirit A committee of
nine on the part of the Senate and thirteen on the
part of the House appointed to take into con-
sideration the Governors Message. Fhe committee
voted unanimously to choose Commission rs and by
vote of 10 to g. adopted Resolve, offered by Col.
John Otis of she Senate, to give them full po,cers.
The doings of the committee will be ratified by The
Legislature Four Commissioners are to be desig-
nated-two from each of the political parties. Erery
thing is as IL should be- om.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To The Senate and House of Representatives.
herewith lay before you an official communica-
ton from the Hon. Daniel Webster, Secretary of
State for the United States under date OF the nth OF
April last, relating to the Northeastern Boundary
by which it will be perceived that lord Ashburton,
a Minister Penipotentlary and Special from Great
United States charged with full powers from his
Sovereign to negotiate and settle the different mat
tiers in discussion between the two governments J"
And that in regard to the Boundary question, he has
officially announced to the Government at Washing
Ton that he has authority to treat for conventional
line. or line by agreement on such terms and con-
ditions and with such mutual considerations and
equivalents, as may be thought just and equitable I;
and that he ready to enter upon negotiation for
conventional line, so soon as the General Govern
men shall say it is authorized and ready on its part
to commence such negotiation.
led ,st shase circunsa the President othe uni-
ments of Maine and Massachusetts in endeavof TO
terminate this long pending controversy.
The communication states further, THAT, without
the concurrence of the two States whose rights are
more Immediately concerned"-"t the duy of the Gen
era Government will be to adopt no new course but
10 hasten the pending negotiations fast possible.
And it is subsequently added, that the government
has agreed to make it the Boundary question matter
of reference rnd ARBITRATION, and it must fulfil that
agreement unless another mode of settling the
troversy should be resorted to with the hope of pro-
ducing speeder decision"
The question presented for your consideration is
not party question-but is, emphatically a State
queston-one in which the whole people are interest
ed and on which their opinions and wishes should be
truly reflected. The subject of the boundary has
ever appeared to me to constitute common ground
from which party policy and party strfes should be
sedulously exclu led, and on which other conten-
naturally springs from ardent zeal in the of
the State. That the question Immediately before you
is not free from embarrassment and difficulties, is
manifest, and it is equally clear that calm, dispas-
sionate consideration only, can lead to satisfactory
results.
When we regard the clearness of our title to the
territory in controversythe frivolous and unfounded
pretensions of the British claim-the long and
tious delay that has been desgnedy efectedthe fire.
quent invasions and occupation of terrtory-the
&c IT,
ment of our citizens-there is danger that honest
Indignation may lead us to overlook many important
considerations necessary to discreet and sound de-
cision.
1t is due, therefore, to the subject that view it
in other lights. One alternative now contemplated
it seems by the General Government is a submission
of the question to another arbitration Against this,
Maine has ever demonstrated, and believe will con-
nue to demonstrate. We cannot perceive the differ
ence, far authority is concerned, between doing
a thing drectls and indirectly. If the General Go.
yernnent has power to cede directly any portion to
this State, neither has it the power to accomplish the
things through the forms of an arbitration But
right or wrong in our poston-successful or other
wise as may be hereafter in maintaining tive
see, as matter of fact, that the General Govern
ment is determined to attempt the exercise of such
power and thus more leopard our territory un-
less some other mode of ad ustment be agreed upon.
That this should be seriously considered in coming to
decision is obvious.
The President then proposes, IL Is slated, that the
Governments of Maine and Massachusetts should
severaly appoint commissioner commissioners,
empowered to confer with the authorities of the Cen
eral Government upon a conventional line, or line by
agreement, with its terms conditions, considerations
and equivalents, with understanding that no such
line will be agreed upon without the assent of such
commissioners.
II is further stated that in view of the fact ha, the
B tish mission "is special one, and its stay in the
United States is not expected to be long"--s'lhat
more than four months OF the session of Congress has
already passed its action perhaps, being necessary,
it, happily, treaty should he concluded the mpor
lance of the subect" and "a firm conviction in the
mind of the President that the interc Is OF both
tries as well the interests of the two States more
Immediately concerned, require prompt effort to
bring this dispute to end constrain him to express
an earnest hope that the Executive of this State will
convene the Legislature and ,ubmt the subject to
their grave and candid deberaon,"
With this request have deemed il my duty to COM
ply; and now submit Cor your consideration the mat
tiers presented in the communication aforesaid.
This step has not been taken without mature delb.
GRAFTON. The expense of an extra SEES ion-the busy
season of the year-he danger of divided and dis
tracted councils1s well other considerations bear
ing upon the point, have not been overlooked. But
weghty they are, il has nevertheless seemed to me,
that should not have been justified in refusing give
the people opportunity, through Their Representa-
tlves to entertain and decide question of much
Importance as the one presented. And whatever
migh have been my individual opinions as 10 The ult
mate action that should be had the duty OF eonyening