New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-06-08
NETWORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The regular monthly meeting of this Society was held
last evening at their rooms in the New York University
the usual number Of persons present DR. De Wit Pres
dent Maunsell Field, Secretary The Secretary read
the minutes Of the las! meeting, which were approved
Several donations Of books TO the Society were duly ac-
knowedged, and some new members elected
Mr. Moore moved that all fees derived from life member
ships should hereafter be appropriated to the Fire proof
Building Fund Carried.
Mr. T. & Benedict proposed a resolution, in substance
as follows That the Building Fund at present on hand
be deemed sufficient for the purpose for which il was or
ignaly intended. Carried.
number Of interesting communications were read and
ordered be placed file The President then introduced
the orator of the evening Joseph Blunt ESQ., who pro.
ceeded to read the following paper on The Title OF the
United States to the North. Western Territory
In the last paper that had the honor Of reading before
this Society endeavored TO estsbshthe following PROPOSE
tons tina; the only colonies that pretended TO have claims
IN any portion Of the territory north west Of the Ohio River
were Massachusetts,, Connecticut NewYork and Virginia
the two former claiming under charters with definite limits
on the north and south and east ending west 10 the cfc
while New York and Virginia had indefinite claims as
royal Provinces comprehendng all the royal domain not
specifically granted to other provinces
That while the limits Of New York and Virginia on the
sea shore well known, their northern and western
boundaries unsettled and disputed not only by Mas.
sachusetts and Connecticut, but also by France whose
settlements on territory eoniessedly French gradually ex
that resulted in the expulsion Of France from her North
American possessions.
That when peace proclaimed the crown, by virtue
Of undispued prerogatiye- determined to establish
the western limits Of the royal provinces SO as 10 conne
them within the Allegheny mountain ridge and that this
was done by the proclamation OF 1863 without remonstrane
or objection on the part OF the colonists
That previous TO the revolution the colonies did not
claim within their limits any part Of the norh.wes. ter.
rioy, which had been previously annexed Quebec by
tie crown II the exercise OF undsputed prerOgative
We now come TO the opening Of another scene in the
great drama Of American history.
Shortly after the peace Of 1863 the ayowed determina
ton of the British Government 70 govern the American
Colonies upon different principles from those formerly
ADOPTED produced corresponding determination on their
part not 70 submit 10 the system At first the efforts
Of their Delegates in the Continental Congress were d.
rected 10 bring about settlement Of the difficulties upon
permanent and equitable basis
They soon however became convinced that there could
be no safety in any connection with England and they re-
solved upon entire separation
On the iih Of July mo they accordingly declared by
an unanimous vote, these Hnif Colonies TO be free and
independent States This phrase is full Of meaning and
throws much Eight upon the doctrines If those 81 ,tesen
who have questioned with much ability and esrnesnsss
the powers Of the General Government.
Among the acquisitions which then regarded az the
almost certain results of the contest the royal domain
beyond the Alleghanies
As TO the territory within the undsputed limits Of the
colonies there difficulty Ii the United States sue
ceeded in establishing their independence the right Of the
States 10 the lands within these particular boundaries was
beyond dispute The lands beyond those limits were df
ferenily situated
To much the largest portion of territory thus situated
Congress made claim the common property of the
States
Where the question was as to the right Of two States
Commissioners were appointed to decide between the two
but where the claim in behalf Of the Confederaey,
there was mode provided for smicabe adjustment
These claims 10 territory did not all arise at the com
mencemeHt Of the but insisted upon after
ward as the nature Of political institutions became
more fully developed In insutng the State Government
generally mention made OF the extent OF ne sew
era States but they referred to as they had preyi
ousy exisied when Provinces What their precise oounda
mes we're, has been shown 10 have oeen very uncertain
regulations for the conduct of the Governors rher than
claims OF territory political instruments s not dssenP
tons of boundaries Two States however ueP tfon
Ills ruIs and thereby gave rise question which re-
tarded the adoption Of the articles Of confedsacy for near
Iy four and indeed endangered the existence OF The
Republic.
Aer going into the detail Of the subject, he summed up
a follows,