The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-04

the to which Franklin referred, IN his note 10
the Count do Vergennes the French Minister; but il
cannot be doubted that The conformity Of the line de-
lineaied on the map, with the one described ia his
note would have tho effect of strengthening not lit
ale the claims Of Great Britain in her estimation
and that Of the world But the facts stated and the
map Exhibited by the chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations MIR Rives, not the on or
the strongest disclosure made during tue discussion.
The French map introduced by the Senator from
Missouri Mr. Benton, fIom Mr.. Jeilsrson's collec-
ton ia the Congress library in order to rebuff the IN
ference from the former turned out 10 be still more so.
That was made ia the village OF Passy, IN the year
after the treaty ofpeaee was negotiated, where Frank
lin (who was one of the negoators) resded and was
dedicated 10 himi and that has the boundsIy line
drawn in exact conformity 10 the other and IN the
manner described IN the note of Or. Franklin line
somewhat more adverse To Us than that claimed by
Great Britain. But, striking as is this coincidence
he was far from regarding II sufficient 10 establish
ihs claim OF Great Britain. 1t would, however be in
vain TO deny that a corr Jborating circumstance
calculated 10 add no small weight 10 her claim
Ii would be still further increased by the fact
that France was ally at the time and such,
must have been consulted, and kept constantly adj
yised of all that occurred during the progress OF The
negotiation. including It's final result IL would be
idle TO suppose that these disclosures would not
weigh heavily against us in any future negolaiion-
They would, so much so-taken IN copnexion WIN
the adverse award of the King OF Holland and this
treaty, should it be reected-as TO render hopeless
any future attempt TO settle the question by negota-
tion or arbitration No alternative would be left us
but yield to the full extent OF the British claim, or
10 put Maine in possession by force, and that too,
with the opinion and sympathy of the world against
and our cause. In his opinion We would be bound
To attempt it, in justice TO Name should we refuse to
agree to what she has assented So much Tor The
boundary question, as far as Maine Is concerned
Having now shown--satisfactory, he hopcd-that
Maine has acted wisely for herself in asserting TO
the treaty. il remained TO be considered whether we,
the representatives of the Union on such questions,
would not also do in ratfyng it, so far at least as
the boundary question is involved He would add
nothing to what had already been said OF the portion
in which Maine Immediately interested His
remarks would be confined TO the remaining portion
of the boundary, extending from the northwestern
corner of that State to the Rocky Mountains.
Throughout this long extended line, every question
has been settled to our satisfaction. Our right has
been ackno lodged to terroay OF about one hun
dred thousand acres of land, in New Hampshire,
which would have been lost by the award Of the
King of Holland. ling gore of about the same
amount, lying in Vermont and New York. and
which was lost under the treaty OF Client would be
reganed by this. 1t includes Rouse's Point Sugar
Island, lying in the water connexion between Lakes
Huron and Superior and heretofore in dispute, is
acknowledged to be ours; it is large, and valuable
for soil and position So also is Isle Royalc near
the northern shore of Lake Superior acknowledged
to be ours-a large island, and valuable for its tshe
res. And also, large tract OF country to the north
and west of that lake, between Fond du Lac and the
river St Louis on side, and Pigeon river on the
other-containng four millions of acres. 1t is said
TO be STERILE but cannot well be so than that
acquired by Great Britain lying west OF the boun-
Diary awarded by the King of Holland. In addition
all the islands In the river st. Lawrence and the
lakes which were divided in running out the division
line under previous treaties acquired by US un-
der this and all the channels and passages open
ed TO the common of our citizens and the sub
jects of Great Britain
Such are the provisions of the treaty in reference
TO this long line Of boundary Our gain-regarded In
the most contracted point of view, mere equiva-
tents for the assumed to be paid by US to Name
and Massachusetts, for their assent to the treaty-is
va.tly greater than what have contracted to pay
Taking the whole boundary question together, and
summing up the loss and gain OF the whole, including
what affects Maine and Massachusetts,; and he could
not doubt that, regarded mercy as setoffs, our gain
greatly exceeds our loss-vastly so, compared To
what would have been under the award of the King
Of Holland, Including the equivalent WHICH our Co
yernment willing to aioS Maine Tor her assent
But il would be, indeed, TO take very contracted
view to regard it in that light. Ii would be to over
look the vast importance of permanently establishing,
between two such powers, line of boundary OF Sc
verf thousand miles, Astounding in disputed points of
much difficulty and long standing The treaty, he
trusted, would do much TO lay the foundation OF
solid peace between the countres-a thing so much
to be desired.
1t is certainly much be regretted, after settling
so large portion of the boundary, that the part be-
yond the Rocky mountains should remain unadj usted
it, settlement would have contributed much TO
strengthen the foundation OF a durable peace. But
would it be wise to reject the treaty, because all has
not been done that could be desired He placed a
high value our territory the west of those noun
tans and held our title TO IT TO be clear; but he
would regard IT act Of consummate folly, to
stake claim a trial of strength at this time
The territory is now held by joint occupancy, under
the treaty of Client; which either party may terml-
nate by giving TO the other six mo tbs notice IL
we to attempt to assert exclusive right OF
occupancy at present the certain loss oil The territory
must be the result for the plain reason that Great
Britain could concentrate there much larger force,
naval and military in a much shorter time, and at
far less expense, than we could. That ill not be
denied; but it will not always be the Our po-
pulaton is steadiy-he might say rapdly-adyancing
across the continent, to the borders OF the Pacific
ocean. Judging from past experience, the tide OF
population will sweep across the Rocky mountains
with resisess force, at no distant period when what
claim will quietly fall into our hands, without ex-
pense or bloodshed. Time is acting for Wait
patiently, and all claim will be ours 4; but if we
ATTEMPT to seize IT by force, IT will be sure to eude
our grasp.
Having now stated his reasons for voting 10 ratify
the articles in the treaty relating 10 the boundary he
would proceed TO assign those that would govern
his vote the two relating TO the African slave
trade And here he would PREMISE that there are
several circumstances, which caused no small rcpug
nance on his part to any stpulatons whatever with
Great Britain on the subject of those articles and
he would add, that he would have been gratifed il
they and all other stpulations on the subject, ould
have been entirely omitted but he must at the same
time say no did not how it possible TO avoid
Lane this view seemed to prevail and, you arc
aware there proposals TO search for these high
lands TO the west, where alone, | believe, they will
be found to answer perfectly the description of the
treaty. II This question should unfortunately 60 10
Gui reference should By despair # f5dins
conf nation Of this rierC Of the case"
1t is for the Senate TO consider added MIR. Rives
whether there would not be much risk of introducing
new complications and embarrassmens in this con.
troyersy, by leaving open for another litigated re-
ference; and ii { G British Govcrnment-strongly