Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25
COMMUNICATIONS.
HISTORICAL REMINIsCENCE.

| fos THE NATIONAL INTELLIGEEcER.
For some months past citizens have been interest
ed 10 certain controversies which, whatever their origin
il Anno be doubted have presented very serious aspect
to the Trends of order among and the lovers of our in
sttution, every where refer to the Erie Railroad war
This subject has It's historical aspect and it is in that
view only thai allude to it here
The United States, in entering into Artcles Of Con-
federation and Perpetual Union" encountered serious i'm
pedimen arising from the claims of several of the States
to the extensive unoccupied territory within their respec
tive charered Limits, well the views entertained by
other States in relation to their Claims Congress- in the
year l7 earnestly recommended those States which
had claims to the country pass such laws and
ye TO heir delegates in Congress such powers might
eectns remove the only obstacle to nal ratification
lie Asicles Of Confederation The State of New
fSxs by acs of the Lsgslasue, passed sAe 10Th
day Of FebrusY 1850 led ne wsy h me work u con-
ciiaton and mutual concession the people Of this State
being to que the language Of the act all occasions
dsposedto ri9aDest their regard for their sister States and
their ecrnes re promote the general interest and
rity" This lct authorized the cesson to the United
States Of the territory of the State west and north Of the
present bound which cesson completed by her
delegates in Cbgress in March, l!e1.
This cessiot included the insulated tract known as
the Triangle containing 202 1871 acres lying Lake
Rre exteudE from the western boundary of New York
forty milt being eighteen miles wide at its base,
and terminag point three miles east Of the eastern
limits of NeJConnectcut north and east of the then
limits Of thu State of Pennsylvania. The province of
Pennsylvania granted to William PENN included but
about FIVE of the shores Of Lake Erie upon the
treme west. But, to quote the language Of of the
Pennsylvani writer's, the intelligent men who after the
Reyolutiot had charge of the interests Of the State,
foresaw tH many advantages she might derive from an
extensive Iront upon this inland sea-" " .."
| Accordingly the State of Pennsylvania obtained grant
from the United States of the triangular tract which
had been eded by New York, for the consideration of
S15 640b which was paid in continental certificates
various ddcripons. The price Of the land vas thus
sevenyhe cents per acre. though it is proper TO add
that pen{ng the negotiation with the United States the
State of knnsyvana in 17ss and 1889, made two grants
amounting to e. o65 1914 to extngush the Indian rights
| and titleko the soil.
What he actual value cost to the State Of Penusyl
vana off, their continental certificates of various descrp
tons nay have been it is not material to illustrate at
this TIM but the contrast presented in this historical
notice Erie county striking enough New York. great
ard geterous giving away for the sake of the Union the
identic. territory which is made by Pennsylvania
the theatre of riot and disorder of violence private
nights and the public peace.
curious to those who interested in the rights
Of States and their commercial rivalry to watch the pro-
gress Of which in their results may affect
the history Of our Government The rivalry of New York
and is Of old date and long before the most
srnguine could have dreamed Of the Importance OF the
Triangle and the trade OF the West, very Intelligent
traveller through the Middle Settlements in 1859 and
1760 in his observations upon the state Of the colonies
gives his opinion that any thing like union be
tween the various colonies almost impossible; " for
ays he FIRE and water not heterogeneous than
sthe different colonies in North America Nothing
sxcesd the jealousy and emulation which they possess
stn regard to each other The inhabitants Of Pennsylvania
ind e,c York hare ierhdusbe Of aniosiy in
heir jealousy for the trade Of the Jerseys Massachusetts,
Bay and Rhode Island not less interested in that of
Connecticut. The West Indies subject of
emulation to them all. Even the limits and boundaries
be each colony are constant of litigation. In
short such is the difference Of character Of manners OF
religion of interest Of the different colonies, that
hink if am not wholly ignorant of the human mind,
we're they left to themselves there would soon be civil
var from one end Of the continent to the other
New York, FEBRUARY 1854. g. II. NJ.