New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-04
Sorth-Enstern Boundary.


in the Free Press Of that city that the Webster
Treaty had sacrificed the nights OF the United
States, contains statements Of some interest and
importance connected with previous negotiations
upon the subject Of the Northeastern Boundary
They profess TO be based upon documents on tile
in the State Department IN Washington, Which
have never yet been made public The writer
states that the Senate IN 1881 had passed q reso-
luton directing President Jackson 10 take mea-
sures TO settle the Boundary question according
to sae Treaty Of l7o3;" the Executive instituted
a secret negociation with Name with view 10
adopt the line designated by the King OF the
Netherlands, and thus 10 give up to Great Brtaln
the territory IN dispute. In pursuance OF lnstruc-
tons Hon Edward Livingston, then Secretary
Of State. held an interview with Mr. William z.
Preble, on the part Of Name. on the l4th OF Feb
rllarv. 1899. at which Mr. Livingston told HIM
that there was diversity Of opinion as 10 wheth-
or the decision Of the King OF ,he Netherlands
could be SAID to be IN accordance with the Treaty
of l7s3 and that If ii were not 1t would be ques-
,ionable whether the United States could carry It
into effect at the expense of one or two of the
States. He added that the President was very
anxious to make an arrangement and had author
ized him 10 propose negotiation with some
person duly authorized By Name to act for her
for an equicqleut IN tqnd to be transferred 10 the
state as a consideration for her REIMBURSEMENT
of the portion gicen 10 Great Britain by the
award Of the King of the Netherlands" Mr.
Prcbe replied that a cession of a part of her
territory would be a sore hiag TO Name, but that
her desire to preserve harmony would indace nor
to make the sacrifice.
Three Commissoner@W ?. Prcble, RueI
Williams and Nicholas Emerr-sere appointed
on the part OF Name. and Edward Livingston
Secretary of State, LOUIS McLane Secretary of
the Treasury, and Lew Woodbury. Secretary of
the Navy acted as Commissioners on the part OF
the United States. An agreement was drawn up,
dated July -, 1882, wherein it was stipulated
that the State Of Maine Should reicGsc to Great
Britain the territory IN dispute, and that the
three Secretaries should recommend to Congress
the grant to Maine, as equicaic"t therefor, Of
one million acres Of land 10 be selected By Name
,rthia the territory Of Michigan The counter
part Of this agreement was executed by the Name
Commissioners, and forwarded to the Department
of State in letter dated August u, 1882 The
quantity of land to be ceded to Great Britain I'M
der this arrangement was over two millions OF
acres; and though of this Massachusetts was the
hall owner, no provision was made for rendering
to her an equivalent for the loss of her portion.
The negotiation was secret. Gen. CAss was at
that time a member Of Gen. .lackson's Cabinet
and TO him the Advertiser appeals for contirma
ton Of lis statements.
If this account be true, and there is no appa
rent reason for distressing Its accuracy IT certainly
does moi become Mr. Benton, the Globe and other
supporters of Gen. jackson, 10 lmpeach MIR.
Webster with having in any degree compromised
the rights or surrendered the claims OF the Uni
ted States. The agreement effected by General
Jackson was certainly as direct a purchase from
Maine of her submission 10 Great Britain
could well have been proposed. She was dc!ib-
erately TO surrender portion of what was con
fessedlv 9" her territory 10 a foreign power at a
stipulated price to be paid by the Government of
the United States Mr.. VAN buren, was at that
time our Minister to Great Britain what share
he had in these negotiations, or how much was
expected from his agency IN etfcctlng the saic
does not appear.