Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-01-21


and it makes part OF the boundary OF the
United States, only being the exterior
boundary OF one of the States OF ouI
Federal Union. 1t is her sovereignty anc
soil that are in dispute, except the portion
of the latter that still remains in Massa'
chusetts; and it belongs in the first place
to her, and 10 Massachusetts, as far as heI
right fsoil is involved, to say what their
rights and interests are, and what is re-
quired to be done. The rest Of the Union
is bound 10 defend them 10 their just claim;
and assent to what they may be willing to
in settling the claim in contest, if there
should be nothing in it inconsistent with
the interest, honor and safety CT the rest
of the Union. 1t is so that the contro-
versy has ever been regarded. 1t is well
know that President Jackson would readily
have agreed to the award of the King OF
Holland, had not Maine objected; and that
TO overcome her objection, he was pre-
pared to recommend to Congress 10 give
her, in order to get her consent, one mill
ion of acres of the public domain, worth,
Ut VIC lIIIICs u uiiu u
quarter of collars. The case is now re.
versed. Maine and Massachusetts, have
both assented to the stipulations of the
treaty, as far as the question OF the bouna-
~ affects their peculiar interest, through
commissioners vested with full powers to
represent them; and the question for us TO
decide is, Shall we re ect that to which
they have assented? Shall the Govern
ment, after refusing TO agree TO the award
of the King of Holland, because Maine
objected, now reverse its course, and re-
fuse 10 agree 10 that to which she and Mas
sachusettS have both assented! There may
indeed be reasons strong enough to author
ize such course; but they must be such
as will 90 TO prove that we cannot give our
assent consistently with the interests, the
honor, or the safety of the Union. That
has not been done; and he would, If there
be any such, he has not been able to de-
tect them.
1t has, indeed, been said that the assent
of Maine was coerced. She certainly de-
sired 10 obtain more favorable boundary;
but when the alternative was presented OF
another reference to arl itration, she wal
we'd her objection, as far as she was indl-
virtually concerned, rather than incur the
risk, delay, uncertainty and veXatlon OF
another submission of her claims to arbi-
tration; and lett it to the Senate, the con-
stitutcd authority appointed for the pr
pose, to decide on the general merits OF the
treaty, as relates 10 whole Union. In so
doing, she has, in his opionion, acted wise
ly and patriolically-wisely for herse!f,and
patriolicallv in reference TO the rest of
the Union. She has not got, indeed, all
she desired; and has even lost territory, 1t
the treaty be compared TO the award of the
King of Holland; but, as an otfsett, that
which she has lost is of little value, while
that which she retains has been greatly in
creased in value by the stipuations con-
,ainod in the treaty. The whole amount
lost, is about halt a million of acres. II
lies along the eastern slope of the high
lands, skirting the st. Lawrence 10 the
east, and is acknowledged to lie OF little
value for soil, timber or any thing else-a
sterile region, in a severe nh)spltable
cline. Against that loss, she acquired the
right to navigate the river st. John; anc
that not only to float down the timber on
its banks, but all the productions of the
extensive, well timbered, nd. taken as {
whole, not sterile portion of the State
that lies on her side of the bosom of tina
river and its tributaries. But that is no
all. She also gains what is vastly more
valuable-the right to ship them on the
same terms as colonial productions 10 G
Britain and her colonial possessions. These
great and important advantages will pro-
badly double the value of that extensive
region, and make it one of the most popu
lous and hourishing portions of the State
Estimated by q mere moneyed standard
these advantages are worth, he would sup
pose, all the rest of the territory elaine,
by Maine without them. II to this be ad
ded the sum of about 100000 to be pal,
her for the expense of defending the terri
~. and 100000 TO her and Massachu
sets in equal notifies, in consequence o
their assent TO the boundary, and the eqm
yalen's received, it must be apparent tina
Maine has not made bad exchange II
accepting the treaty, as compared with tn
award, as far as her separate interest /
concerned. But be that as it may, she /
the righ,fu Judge of her own interests an'
her assent is sufficient ground for our as
sent, provided that 10 which she has assent
ed does not involve too great a sacrlfic
on the part Of the rest of the Union, no
their honor or safety. So far from that, a
far as the rest of the Union is concerned
the sacrifice is small and the gain great
They are under solemn constitutional OF
IIipatlons TO defend Maine, as one OF tn
members of the Union, against invasion
and to protect her territory, cost what
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