The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-11

with unconquerable obstnacy, their ow OPT
MONS. This overture, when it re ached Lon
don. passed unnoticed by Lord Palmerston,
but was acted on by his successor, lord Alb
erdeenl who, on the Goth December, requested
an interview with Mr.. Everett the next day,
and at that interview told him that the British
Government had determined to send special
mission to the United States, and had selected
Lord Ashburton as the Minister, with full
powers to settle all controversies in question.
This step, as wise as it was original, was met
BY the United States in corresponding spirit.
The selection of the Minister was most iortu-
nate. As one of tn Lord
Ashburton had probably more extensive ac-
guaniance with America, her people, and her
affairs, than any other person living IN Eng
land. He had numerous personal friends here,
among whom was the Secretary OF State HIM
self. His character was far hey ond the reach
of those petty motives which sometimes intu-
ence small politicians. Above all, he was
| popular ia The United States, and the people
having implicit confidence in his honor, were
sure that he would do nothing, even for the
benefit Of his own country, which he did not
consider perfectly just.
The course pursued by Dir. Webster, to Sc
cure the settlement of this troublesome affair,
could only have orig mated in the mind OF q
man who possessed bold, original genius
| He had seen that the mediation of the King
of the Netherlands had been neutralized by the
furious opposition of Massac husetts and
Maine. He resolved to make them party to
| the new negotiations. Communications were
addressed TO Maine and Massachusetts,, request
| ing them to appoint commissioners TO attend
| the negotiations, with the understanding that
no treaty was to be signed, to which they did
not consent. The Legislature of Massachu-
sets, then in session, Immediately appointed
Aessrs. Abbott Lawrence, John Mills and
Charles Allen. The Legislature of Maine was
| not in session, but Governor Fairfield immedi-
| ately issued his proclamation converting it,
When MIR. Webster read this proclamation, he
| SO we'll knew the patriotism of the people of
Maine, that he said to MIR. Tyler, "the crisis
is past" In justification of his sagacity, the
Legislature Of that State Immediately appoint
ed a commiss on, consisting of four persons,
| viz : Edward kavanngh, Edward Kent, Wm.
P. Preble and John Otis. Far from participa-
ting in the confidence Of Mr.. Webster, the Eu-
ropean public anticipated failure from the
dependence upon contingencies which the
| success of the negotiation ives thus made to
| assume.
The judgment and tact displayed by both
parties in this negotiation, have long been the
theme of comment. By the treaty America Sc
cured the only thing that was useful to her, the
free navigation of the St. John. Great Britain
obtained large tract Of barren land of no pos
sible use to the United States, but OF inestima-
BILE value to her, as forming connection be-
tween her provinces. Both negotiators (Mr.
Webster and Lord Ashburton) were violently
abused at home for the result of the treaty,
which we take TO be very sure proof that they
had both done their duty. AS for Mr.. Webster,
he had succeeded in doing what had been in
vain attempted by the greatest and most popu-
lar of his predecessors, backed by the voice Of
large majority in and out of Congress, and
that, too, while he was acting as the represen-
tatve of President without party, and with
none of the moral weight (which majority
gives. Massachusetts and Maine both cordial
ly acquiesced, and the line was finally run bv
Commissioners on the part of those States, as
socated with officers appointed by the United
States, on the one side, and by Great Bri-
tain on the other. The lines were run, and
where not designated by rivers or great land
marks, were distinguished by cast iron monu
ments, prepared for the purpose. In spite of
all the clamor of the day, we doubt whether
there is man either in this country or Great
Britain, at this day, who would wish to see
this settlement disturbed.
The next great question settled related to
the extradition OF fagitives from justice, which
| is alleged by some writers on national law to
| be the duty Of States. As others of equal au-
thority deny this position, however, and !, the
evils arising from this cause to two nations
| who speak the same language, and resemble
each other in manners and appearance, had
| risen TO great height, it was determined to
settle the question by treaty. provision of
Jays celebrated treaty provided for the mu-
tuai surrender Of fugitives charged with muir.
der, but it had expired in 1906, by Imitation
The case of Jonathan Robbins, celebrated on
account of the speech of Chief Justice Mar
shall, came under this clause. At this time
there existed on the frontiers of Canada mum.
Der OF associations, the object of which was to
toment disturbances in the British colonies
under the pfetence of sympathy" The trea.
ty, of course, did not reach persons charged
with political offences but it pu, an end at
once to the numberless cases of arson and
murder which had turned the borders of Cana
da into scene of desolation. This treaty. has
since served as a model for similar stipulations
entered into by nearly every European State.
| The most delicate, probably, of all the sub.
Jec's involved in this treaty, remains yet to be
| spoken of. We allude To thar which b.d 80