The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-16
CONGRESS-.
MONDAY, April

In the Senate, Mr. Webster rose to his
promised defence of The Ashburton treaty.
He said ii was altogether unexpected 10
him, at this time and IN this place, to de-
fend the Washington treaty, ratified in
1912.
It was long and ably discussed in the
Senate al the time, and received the votes
OF five sixths ofthat body.
Though feeling his own reputation
somewhat connected with The treaty, he
had not wished to be brought into a con-
troyersy on the subject.
He had reason to regret and complain
that the correspondent which was connec-
tedwith the trea,yhad never been extensive.
Iy published, and only in piece-meal.
The treaty had been made the subj ect
of disparaging and contumelious remark,
in the course of this debate.
1t could not be expected of him, while
hearing mis-slatemen's of facts and the
most erroneous declarations, to sit quietly
and hold his peace.
He was here to day 10 take upon HIM
sell, for the purpose OF this debate, and
without disrespect to the President (Mr
Tyler) the whole responsibility of every
thing which was under his W sigma.
turc.
The treaty of Washington included sub
jects which had been negotiated for fifty
years.
He intended to show the posture Of
these questions at The tine when Genera
Harrison acceded TO the Office of Presi-
dent.
Eie then went back 10 the treaty Of
1888, and described the boundary line
which it fixed.
The first question was, which river was
the rue ST. CroiX2 This came up In the
treaty Of 1894,
Commissions were established to pros
coed to ascertain what was the river, de,
signated as the St. Cfoix.
They ascertained it to be the Schoodic,
and there established a monument.
The next transaction was in 1903, when
a convention was made in London be-
tween Mr. King Eand Lord Harrowby, to
settle the eastern and Western boundaries.
Commissions under this treaty were to
be appointed 10 determine boundaries.
The Senate struck out the 5th article,
as TO The western boundary, and Great
Britain not acquiescine, the treaty failed.
The Treaty OF Client stipulated that
commissioners should be appointed 10 SET
tic the question, andsif they failed, it was
10 be left to the arbitration Of a friendly
sovereign.
The commissioners could not agree
The arbitration was appointed in 1927
the king of Holland.
The decision was made in 1881, and it
was very unsatisfactory TO the people and
Senate of the United States. Gen jack
son thought it had better be confirmed,
but the Senate re elected il.
During the whole Of Gen Jackson's
administration, what was done on the sub
ject?
What was accomplished during the
whole of that vigorous administrations
Nothing at all-it made no progress-took
no step.
In every message Gen J. says, "the
North Eastern DO undary is unad justed,"
and in his last, he says it is still pending,
but expresses confidence that the British
Government will ultimately be willing to
settle.
No administration for fifty years made
any progress toward a result; and he had
the authentic declaration Of Mr. Van Bu-
rem to say, that he could do nothing to-
ward the settlement Of this importan, and
interesting question.
We were as far from adjustment, Mr.
Van Buren, said in his message of 1887,
as we were in 1888.
Mr. Van Buren, left the question a little
farther from settlement, when he went out
than it was when he came in.
Diplomatic correspondence had involv>
ed it in a mesh. from which it was difficult
10 disenlangle it.
Here MI Webster went a. great length
into the diplomatic history of the question,
showing how complicated it had become,
when i: became his duty to take hold oft.
Mr. Webster proceeded at length to ex>
nlaip all that had been done or proposed
IN 10 the commencement OF The Harrison
Administration.
His speech commanded the utmost at
t~ention, though the historical details were
dry, but important.
The conclusion of the whole matter Is,
that Mr. Webster, in making The treaty OF
Washington, settled an Intricate, difficult
and important question of boundary, and
other questions that had defed the dipIo-