Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-06
Northwestern boundary.

| The germs of controversy with Great
Britain, about the Northwest boundary line,
are beginning to develop themselves 1t
ought to be settled at once, while il is new,
else it might be drawn out as unfortunately
as the Northeastern boundary question,
which once or twice brought the two coun-
| tries to the brink of war.
The point in dispute is the line which the
| boundary must follow, between the Island OF
Vancouver and the continent. By the a
| greement of 1876, the boundary line is along
the 49th parallel of north latitude until it
| reaches 1.-the middle of the channel which
separates the continent from Vancouvers
Island" and thence "southerly through the
middle OF the said channel and the Straits of
| Fuca, to the Pacific Ocean,
Now. 1t appears, there are two channels
| answering the description generally, both
wide and Deep with not less than twenty
fathoms of water in either. The Haro chan
mel is nearest the island, and leaves several
small islands in shore. This the Americans
claim as the true line. and insist that these
islands are American. The people of Wash
ington Territory, within which they would
lie, have brought the subject to a practical
test. 10y sending surveyors there to take pos
session under the presumption laws of the
United States. The British, on the other
hand, insist that the true channel is the Ro-
sario channel, which lies inside of these
British Vancouver. Their Importance is ex-
pressed in the British idea that they could be
converted into military and naval stations
and fortified 80 as TO get entire command of
the northwest coast, a consideration which
makes 1t quite as important TO us that they
should not be permitted 10 any power 10
build such stations within a league or two OF
the coasts of the United States.
1t is stated that the boundary commission
crs of the two governments have Suspended
operations altogether. because they cannot
agree upon that part of the line, and will
not proceed till it is settled.
The reasonable construction is IN favor OF
the American construction. The boundary
was fixed In general terms along the 18th
parallel. except that deviation was allowed
20 throw the whole OF Vancouveris Island, of
which the larger part extends beyond
forty-ninth degree within the British
line. The exception is TO be rigidly
construed to include nothing else but the
island, aud It's Immediate close appendages.
Between two channels-one of which gives
Great Britain merely the whole OF Eancouy-
ere, and another which gives her Vancouver
aud more. the principle Of the adjustment
would be in favor OF the restricting as close
a. possible the dryiations from uniformity In
the extended lice. The military reasons sug-
gested for the British desire 90 possess the
islands, are addition pleas against any Doubt
fal construction which would give them 10
her. There could have been no Intention TO
furnish her with positions for impregnable for
tresses within gnnshos Of our own shores.
The National islssii,gsaosT qaotes some pas
sages OF the correspondence and debates CO.
temporary With The settlement, BY which the
Strait OF Canal ot Haro was treated of a. the
arm OF sea. lntend@d by the negotiaiors. and
fully understood TO be abe true boundary. In
The correspondence Of Mr. AcLane. cur then
Minister IN England, IL was usually described
As the Canal OF Hare.
The satjeet should be Immediately attended
10. and on clear representation Of The case
We have hardly doubt that the British Gov
erHmeHs will recognise the enllre eorrecgnsfs
Of the American oonsiraelon.-Asp Oriesns
Psoasaas