The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-21
T H E R E ? u B Ii c..
WASH NGTON:
THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 81, ls4s.
MISSOURI AND IOWA.

MISSOURI AND IOWA.
In the hull of political discussion which
the sad and unexpected demise of Ex-
President Polk is calculated to produce,
we know not that We can better occupy
our columns than with the important de-
cree of the Supreme Court of the United
States, in the adjustment of the territorial
controversy between Missouri and Iowa.
This decree was prepared with great
care by Mr.. Justice CATRoN, who de-
livered the unanimous opinion the Court.
1t terminates forever dispute that on
other continents would have been settled
by the sword; involving title to domain
four times as large as the largest princi-
pality of the Germanic Confederation. thirty
times as large as the smallest, and with
more square miles of area, than the Duchy
of Nassau or the Duchy of Brunswick.
How sublime is the idea of submitting such
controversies to the adjudication of SUI
preme tribunal, whose DEGREES are received
as the paramount law by litigating com
monwealths, and are acquiesced in with
out murmur of dissent, though sovereign
States are the parties, and territorial do
minion is the subject Of their judgment.
How thrice blessed are the people who
can dwell in the peaceful shadows of such
institutions.
The facts involved in this controversy,
the process by which they were brought
before the court, and the mode of disposing
of them, illustrate a new and instruct
i've chapter in the history of the world.
On the 10th day of December, 1S47, the
sovereign State of MIsSoURI-with do
main whose area exceeds that of England
by some 10000 square miles-filed her
original bill in the Supreme Court of the
United States against her sister sovereign
ty of Iowa--a modest Commonwealth,
whose Jurisdiction extends over an area
about double that of Scotland. This bill
alleged that the northern part of said State
of Missouri was obtruded on and claimed
by the defendant for space of more than
ten miles wide, and about two hundred
miles long; and that the State of Missouri
was wrongfully ousted of her jurisdiction
over said territory, and INSTRUCTED from
governing therein; that the State of Iowa
had actual possession of the same, claim
ing it to be within her limits, and exer-
cised jurisdiction over it, contrary to the
rights of the State of Missouri and in de-
fance Of her authority. The complainant
prayed that on final hearing the northern
boundary line Of the said State of Missouri,
(being the common boundary between the
complainant and defendant might be by
the order of the court ascertained and es-
tablished. She further prayed that the
rights of possession, jurisdiction and SOW
ereignty, to all the territory in contro-
versy, might be restored to the State of
Missouri; that she might be quoted in her
title thereto; and that the defendant State
of Iowa be forever enjoined and restrain
ed from disturbing the. State of Missouri,
her officers and people, in the full posses
sion and enjoyment of said territory, thus
wrongfully held by the State of Iowa.
The State Of Iowa appeared and an
swered to the bill. She denied the right
claimed by Missouri, alleged that Iowa
had the sovereign authority to govern and
hold the territory in dispute as part of her
territory; the common line dividing the
States being the southern part thereof.
She prayed. moreover, that the rights of
the parties might be speedily adjudicated
by the court; that the relief prayed for by
the complainant might be denied, and her
bill dismissed.
To the bill of Missouri, Iowa filed her
cross bill, charging Missouri with seeking
TO encroach on the territorial limits Of
Iowa, to the extent aforesaid and more,
and praying that on final hearing de-
cree be made by the court, settling forever
the true and rightful line between the two
States that Iowa may be quoted in her
possession, jurisdiction, and sovereignty,
up TO the line he claims and that the
State of Missouri be perpetually enjoined
from exercising jurisdiction and authority,
and from disturbing the State of Iowa, her
officers and people, in the enjoyment Of
their rights on the north Of the true line
To this bill the State of Missouri an
swered, and set up in defence the same
matters set forth in the original bill