New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-10
THE BOUNDARY DIFFICULTY.

From The London Tines Sept p
The development OF new : boundary queeilon
between GIeat Britain and the United States will cer-
tsiny Lot be received as welcome intelligence on this
side Of the Atlantic. Moot people were probably under
the impression that these troublesome controversies had
be- finally tiled thirteen years ago. ard Is any
thing but agreeable TO find the old subject of dispute
enefcirs once more. Fortunately, the eff fair Is in
good hands and We trust there can be no reason 10
doubt that the Governments OF the two countries viii
proceed 10 decision in the same spirit Of moderation
and equity by which their views OF the quest have
bee hitherto characterized. 1t will not require many
words place the public IN possession OF the several
tcte OF the Case.
The treaty of si6 put an end 10 the "Oregon ques-
ton by declaring that tie boundary between the
British territories on the north ard the American
territories on the south should be determined by the
18th parallel of north latitude, conclusion which may
naturally appear both distinct and final II happened,
however That the debatabe ground did not terminate
with the mainan OF the continent AT short diance
from the point here this line struck the coast vi the
Pacific lay island Of considerable value, ard if the
boundary had been carried night the straits and
across this island it would have off s souEhernmos.
hesdancs and a certain email portion Vi its Territory.
This il naturally considered undesirable TO do, and
the island IN question being in fact VancOuvers leland
left in the undivided possession Of the British,
although IFS southern angle fell below the 10th parallel.
After that point, however, hsd been settled Il became
necessary TO prsvide some new boundary in place OF
that which had been abandoned, and IL vas then de-
teruned that the boundary line, proceeding from the
point where the 10th parallel struck the coast should
thence be carried 10 the middle OF channel separating
Vsncouvers Island from the continent; that should
there Be deteced TO the south, that 1t should be
thus continued still along the middle OF the said chan
mel, to the Pacific Ocean.
This very far and reasonable decision, bet il
unfortunately involved al ambiguity of lie
tal terms. The "channe" between the island and the
continent was neither single nor q simple sheet Of
water. In It's center was situated island cluste
Of isands which lay in the very middle Of the stream
laff ahQ ton tha
ward the west The question therefore arose az
to which of hoee should be taken for the channel along
which the boundary line to De continued. II the
westei ninost called The Hsro STRAIT va. assumed to be
the channel indicated by the treaty, tnen the central
leland, known as San Juan, would pertain TO the
nlted States whereas the eas,eInmost or Rosario
STRAIT, should be liked upon, San Juan would be thro
seroes 10 the ahcouyer side and belong to the British
That the Bntlsh and American authorities should adopt
RESPECTIVELY those views Of the question most favorable
to their Particular interests will be thought surprs-
g and accordingly this fresh bone OF contention soon
became visible.
Although, however, these differences of opinion
were entertained the Governments OF the two countries
displayed much laudsble wisdom in their proceedings
or tie ooc xoD. The disputed point was left 10 the
coanizsnce OF Commissioners, and, in the mean tine
fo bearance was 10 be exercised by the authorities on
both saes. Some four years ago, the vie vs. of the
American Government IN the matter were DISTINCTLY
expressed in dispatch from Mr. Secretary Marcy 10
Gov Stevens, the chief officer OF the MON in the Ter
I.tWy Va W " the cle
iics in dispute. In this document the American Mir
lister observes:
"The President has instructed ne TO say 20 YOU ths
the officers Of the Territory should abstain from al act
the disputed grounds which calculated to pro.
woke any conflict, fer as be done without i'm
plying the concession 10 the authority OF Gre.. Britain
Of an exclusive right over the premises. The title
ought TO be settled before either party should exclude
the other by force complete and exclusive
sovereign nights within the fairly disputed limits"
II is obvious that nothing could be more rational or
states msnlke than this view Of the case, and il is
only pity that the settlement Of title" wss No.
fpally concluded before aIy seeldeIi could Occur ~