Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1844-12-07
ley for his preparation Of the principal
transparency.


Northern Boundary Line.
Acting Governor Marnaduke, In his
recent message to the Legislature Of Mis-
souri,, alludes to the act Of Congress pass
ed at the last session for the appointment Of
Commissioners to survey and determine
the line in dispute between the State Of
Missouri and Territory Of Iowa, and re-
commends to the Legislature to agree to
the provisions Fl said act, which makes the
decision Of a majority Of the contemplated
commissioners final. Gov. NJ, however,
in Eating that the act Of Congress soon
templates that one commissioner be ap-
pointed on the part Of this State, and one
commissioner on the part Of the United
States," SC. runs into technical error at
least, which as citizen of Iowa we feel
bound 10 point out. The act contemplates
and provides for the appointment Of one
commissioner on the part Of Missouri, one
BY the Territory Of lo,ra, and these two to
select the third, who must neither be q
resident of Missouri or Iowa; and this lat
ter commissioner, it is fair to assume, is
the one intended to represent specially the
interests of the United States. The Iowa
commissioner, under the law, is to be ap-
pointed by the Governor, by and with the
advice of the Council Of the Territory;
but no session Of our Legislature having
been held since the passage Of the act, the
Coz ernor has not been able to comply
with the duty thus imposed upon him,
(supposing the Legislature to have deter
mined in favor Of agreeing to the arhitra-
rncnt, and the law consequently, is for the
n present imperative.
u Should Congress, at its present session
act favorably upon the application Of Iowa
to be admitted into the Union as State
the question of boundary will probably be
settled one way or the other-favorably to
our just rights and claims, We hope, but
unavorab'y, we fear. In that event the
act above alluded to will die a natural
death; but should our application be re-
iected or put of, then slight amendment
by Congress to the law, by which the as
sent Of of the Council to the appointment
of the Iowa commissioner would be rem.
dcred unnecessary, would enable the Ter.
ritory to act under it, and, We presume
might be easily obtained. For ourselves
we are free to say, that we infinitely pre-
: fer committing the subject to board o.
commissioners chosen as the act Of Con-
lgress contemplates, to any other mode
which has been proposed for adjusting the
dispute; and especially do we prefer it to
taking our chance before Congress- when
the question Of admission comes up. In
The former case It is fair to presume thai
Whatever decision might be arrived al
would be based upon thorough and full
examination and investie alton Of the sub
lject; but in the latter Iowa has no such
/ guaranty. Congress, we all know, has
absolute control over our boundary, and
c,n, if it is thought proper, attach the
whole Territory to Missouri. 1t is mol
SO, however, with the State with which
we are contending. Her limits being al
ready defined in her constitution, which
constitution has the sanction of Congress,
The right to interfere with them-and .
decision against that State would be called
an interference Of course be de-
MED, and the dispute might still continue.
To guard against the possibility Of such .
state Of things will probably be primary
object Of Congress; and how can this OBJ
ject be so so well effected as by surrender
ing, Internationally, the country in dispute
to the State Of Missouri No! No!
Let us not force Congress 10 act finally in
relation to this important subject at the
most inauspicious moment such action can
possibly take p'a,e. The claim Of Iowa
to the whole Of the Territory over which
she at present exercises jurisdiction i
: founded in right and justice; and any de-
cision which can be had upon it, solely
! with reference to its merits, cannot bu
. be favorable. What we have to fear from
, Congress is, that decision Of this charac'
, ter cannot be obtained.
( I
The Difference.
A portion Of our whig brethren, il
search Of something to console them 70
the loss Of their President, aAec to find j