The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-18

perhaps the most interesting and the most
difficult to run of all our state boundary
lines.
The boundary line between Alaska and
British America il defined in . manner
which Is far from satisfactory. Its orig
inal definition is found in atreaty between
Great Britain and Russia, negotiated in
1926, by Stratford Canning, representing
Great Britain, and Count Nesselrode, rep
resenting Russia.
In 1867 treaty was concluded between
William H. Seward, acting for the presi-
dent of the United States, and Edward de
Stoeckl. acting for the emperor of Russia,
in virtue of which the territory now known
as Alaska, then usually called Russian
America, became the property of the
United States. In this treaty the bound
aries Of tho country ceded. a. far as relates
to the eastern limit, are defined precisely
Is in the treaty of 1925
Without quoting the exact words of the
treaty, 1t will suffice to say that this line
consists of two parts. one of which is "as.
Economical" and tho other natural"
Tho astronomical line is the 141st meridian
Of west longitude. and it forms the major
part Of the territory and British America.
1t runs from the Arctic ocean southwark
to point in the vicinity of Mount St.
Elias, which 10 within few miles Of the
shores Of the North Pacific. To locate
points on this line it is only necessary to
determine latitude aud longitude. In
1850 parties were sent by the United
to the Yukon valley for this pur-
pose. They assembled the Yukon
river and its branch. the Porcupine, until
the meridian, for which they were search
ing, was approximately reached.
Nearly two years were spent in astro-
nomical observations and in the execution
of such triangulation and topography as
was necessary for its precise location.
Monuments were erected. and one of the
parties was sent as an expedition to the
shores Of the frozen ocean" In 1892 the
lower end Of the meridian was fixed BY
observations in the neighborhood of
Mount st. Elias. 1t was found to pass
through that mountain, but not through
its summit. The geographical position
and height OF the latter were determined
The height. concerning which there has
been much discussion. was found to be
Is ol0 feet. this being the mean Of many
determinations, from five different points,
In close accord with each other. II is not,
therefore. the highest mountain on the
continent, being exceeded by few hun
bred feet by Orixaba Of Mexico.
But there is y very important part Of
Alaska which is narrow strip of land
extending along the coast from the point
where the l4ist meridian touches Mount
81. Elias, down to latitude 81 deg 40 min
Many years ago ''tif,y-iour, forty or
fight" was a political war cry. Unforiu-
nateiy il turned out to be neieaer. In 1861
We came down to ''fifty-four forty" from
the north. but the eastern limit of this
narrow strip Is, up 10 the present time.
undetermined. According 10 the treats,
the line is to proceed along the parallel of
81 deg. 10 min. eastward, until the Port
land canal is reached; it then ascends
along this canal unit! II touches the par
aI.ei OF SIS deg. Thus far IL IS explicit and
not likely to be disputed. except that there
has been some contention as 10 wt.A; body
OF water the name Portland canal" really
belongs There appears TO be little room
for such contention. however,
1t Is what follows that has given rise to-
controversy. According IL the treaty,
setting out from the intersection Of the
Portland cana AMI parallel OF 81 deg.
the sine OF demarcation shall follow the
summit o. the mountains situated parallel
10 the coast. ~ Tar as the point of inter
section Of the iSlsi degree Of ses1 long.-
fuie" Here the existence OF range Of
mountains parable! 30 the Coast - assumed.
such q range was shown on the Old sketch
maps Of ISIS At present u Is believed
that no such range exists. 1t - possible
that doubt existed in the minds Of the
treaty makers. for In another article IL vas
agreed that whenever the summit OF such
range should prove 10 DC more than ten
marine leagues (about thirty-hve miles,
from the ocean the boundary should be
formed by lime parallel 10 the ssndings
of the coast. and which shall never exceed
the distance OF teu marine Leagues there
from"
That part of the boundary line which
consists of the lsist meridian wiIl prob
ably be accepted by 6rea: Britain as
located by the parties OF the United
States coast and geodetic survey. In 1892