The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-29

CONGRESSIONAL.
BRITISH TREATY.
SECRET SESSION.
SPEECH OF MR.. RIvEs

VIRGINIA..
In Senate, August II and 10, Isis-on the Treaty
with Great Britain
Here, then is a most remarkable and unioreseen
confirmation Of the mar Of Mr.. Sparks and by am
otbr man of most imposing character, and bearing
every mark of high authenticity. II was printed and
published in Paris in 1884 (the year after the
eluson Of the peace,) by Lattre, gTapem du Ro (en
grayer of maps, &C., TO the king II is formally
titled on its face, ga map OF the United States of
America according to the treaty of peace of 1883
Carte aes Etals Uns de rAmcrique suivant lie trail
te de paix de 1882 Ii is dedicated and presentedn
(dediee ct prcsenlee) 'to his Excellency Benjamin
Franklin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States Of America, the court of France" and
While DIR. Franklin yet remained in Paris for he
did not 10 the United States till the spring of
the year 1885, Is there not them the most plausible
ground to argue that this map, processing to be
constructed according 10 the treaty of peace Of
1885," and being dedicated and presented" to DR.
Franklin, the leading negotator who concluded that
treaty, and who yet remained in Paris while the map
was published, made out with his knowledge
and by his directions and that, corresponding it
does idenicaiiy with the map found by MIR Sparks in
the Archives Of the Foreign Affairs in Paris, they
both partake of the same Prescriptions in favor of
their authenticity.
Mr.. X. said he did not design To DIV. II farther
these matters That the knowledge possessed OF the
country bordering on the northern and northeastern
and northwestern frontiers OF the United States,
exceedingly imperfect ut the time the attempt was
made TO define these boundaries in the treaty Of peace
Of 1883 is admitted by whole diplomatic history.
Exclusive of the early controversies respecting the
true river st. Crox, and the extension OF boun-
dar, from the northwestern point Of the Lake of the
Woods the river Mississippi, (both OF which
from the imperfect erroneous notions Of the geo
graphy of the country existing at tie conclusion of
the treaty Of peace) The remarkable fact, that
many as four boards Of commissioners were consti-
tued BY the treaty of Client, than thirty years
after the denitve treaty of peace to settle and de-
termine an equal number Of disputed boundary lines
on the northern frontier of the United States from
Passamaauoddy Bay to the Lake of the Woods, is in
itself pregnant evidence of the necessarily imperfect
description Of limits contained in the treaty OF peace
From the want of known and recognised landmarks
or familiar natural monuments, in country then I'M
peopled and pored the negoators OF the treaty
of peace compelled to act very much IN the
dark aud to substitute, for a plain reference to
known and familiar Objects general description OF
limits, which has given rise to doubts and arguments
more or less pausb to the boundaries really
tended or most nearly described under the terms
ployed in the treaty So long as the discussion shall
continue be conducted its original grounds the
same doubts and difficulties which, for now sixty
years since the achievement of our national ndepen
dence have prevented the defnitive adjustment of
limits, will continue to embarrass and defeat
settlement of tie question. Some new mode OF soly-
ng the controversy, therefore, has become imperl-
ously necessary.
question Of disputed boundary between adjacent
territories, now rapidly filling up with hardy and
en,erprsing population, attended with constant
danger to the peace Of the two nations. The acts Of
l-advised individuals of small detachments OF troops
OF subordn tie local authorities, may, at any moment
bring on a conflict, in which the two untries would
be committed 10 the stern issues of war; against their
own deliberate policy and will. III this
tastrophe was being brought about three years ago.
on the occasion of what was called the Aroostook
war; need not remind the Senate. For terminating
thorny and long DrOracted fra,Ight
with mschies and dangers to both countries the fail
of the past prove that the only expedent left
sthe conventional establishment Of and well-de
fined boundary line All attempts to effect arrange
ment OF this kind hitherto have been rendered una
vaing, by the impossibilty of obtaining the
of the States Of Maine and observation-disclosures of
them claiming the rights of sovereignty and jursdic
ton, well as soil the other original and und-
vested interest in the soil of the disputed territory
Under the principles of our federative system, the
national authority has been held incompetent, by
means of a convention with a foreign power or 9TH
erwise change the boundaries, and, in elect, alien
ate portion Of the territory Of one OF the members
of the Union without its formal and stipulated as
sent. This fundamental obstacle which, through so
long series of abortive negotiations, has continued
TO keep open ancient and dangerous controversy
with foreign power, has at length by fortunate
combination of circumstances and happy reconcilia-
ton of Earring interests been overcome Both Maine
and Massachusetts, through their several commits
soners furnished with full powers for the purpose,
have given their final assent to the new boundary
nc separating their territory from that of the ada
cent British provinces, which is proposed to be es-
tablshed by the treaty before us.
The Committee on Foreign Relations (said MIR.
Rives) is clear in the opinion that an arrangement 50
sanctioned after the numberless perpexities and inn
pediments which have heretofore and long OBJ
structed satisfactory ad ustment Of the question,
ought not to be lightly disturbed by the action OF this
body. On looking into the arrangement itself, they
see nothing in it incompatible with the character of
fair, just and reasonable compromise under all the
circumstances of difficulty and embarrassment which
surrounded the subject. The new boundary agreed
on pursues the line recommend by the King of the
Netherlands till it reaches point the st Francis
very distant from its source and thence, turning
o at right angles, in southwesterly direction, II
terminates at point in the highlands where the re-
spectiye boundaries heretofore claimed by Great
Britain and the United States meet-throwiDg on the
British side of the new line strip Of barren
land along the eastern base of the highlands former
ly claimed by the United States, of about hun
bred and ten miles in length. In consideration oil
this narrow strip of land conceded to Great Britain
beyond what allotted to her by the award Of the
King OF the Netherlands, she grants in perpetuty to
the inhabitants of Maine the free navigation
Of the st. John, from the point where il
enters her territory, to the seaport at its mouth
guarantyng in favor of the agricultural produce and
lumber of Maine, the same treatment, in all respects,
as if they were the productions of her provinces.
She also renqushes and gives up forever the one
hundred thousand of valuable land at the
sources of the Connecticut lying within the actual IL
mits of New Hampshire; well as the strip Of land
on the no, thern frontier of Vermont and New York
both of which were determined, by the award of the
King of the Netherlands, to belong to Great Britain.
And the all-mportant military position of Rousc's
Point, commanding the outlet of Lake Champaign
which, by special exception in the award OF the
King of the Netherlands was reserved 10 the United
Statess also, by this arrangement, forever secured
10 them. AT the same time the adjustment OF GER
tain disputed boundary lines farther to the west, on
which the British and American commissioners I'M
der the seventh article of the treaty of Client differ
ed it is agreed that the limits shall be established
to throw very large and valuable island in the
water communication between Lakes Huron and SUI
perior, called st. Georges or Sugar Island, (Which
was claimed by the British commissioned on the