The times., 1898-12-04

1
Vancouver and other English nayigators:
they insisted on an exclusive right based
on such claims, They finally indicated.
however, a willingness to accept as a
boundary the Columbia River, with the
| joint right at the mouth to a harbor. On
| such proposals 1t was impossible to unite.
| and accordingly 1t was determined that
for ten years there should be joint occu-
pancy of the country without prejudice to
| the claims of either nationality: This
agreement was signed October 20. 1878, but
/ thus far no treaty had yet been concluded
with Spain. although earnest efforts were
| then in progress. The Spaniards declined
claims. but contended for the superiority
| of their own claims on the ground of
| Spanish discoveries as well as explora-
| tions as far north on the Pacific as the
virtue of the expedition of San Juan de
| Fuca as far back as 1892, and of the voy-
ages of other Spanish navigators later OH
| or even expeditions.
| Spain claimed the CALIFORNIA; and her
dominion over that portion of the coast by
actual occupancy, while her long-estab-
| lished claims to the territory northward
4 was ably argued by the Spanish minister.
1t was noted as significant that Mr. Ad-
| ans, our Secretary of State. in his nego-
tiations with Spain, refrained from any
| controversy as to the Spanish claims on
| the Pacific. 1t was, however, deemed by
| our Government an opportune time. while
| adjusting with Spain our eastern bounda-
| ries, also to provide for the strengthening
| of our claims to territory west of the
| Rocky Mountains, which, by virtue of the
discovery of the mouth of the Columbia
and its entrance by Capt. Gray in 1872 the
exploration of the same river from its head
waters to the sea by Lewis and Clarke in
1905 and 1906. and by the settlement and
occupancy of the Astoria people in 1911,
gave to our nation claim regarded as
conclusive against every other nation eN-
cept Spain, and, to her, of concedinS
the discovery and settlement north of the
Columbia River. and other discoveries
southwark on the coast. 1t was. there
fore, of value, while settling our bounda-
ries. TO procure Il REIMBURSEMENT OF such
claim as Spain might have on that portion
of the continent north of California ana
this was secured in the treaty of February
90 1919, and is found in article J OF the
treaty, as follows:
The boundary line between the two
countries, west Of the Mississippi. shall be-
gin on the Gulph of Mexico. at the mouth
of the River Sabine. in the sea, continuing
north, along the western bank OF that riV-
er TO the thirty-second degree of latitude;
thence by line due north TO the degree OF
latitude where it strikes the Rio Roxo OF
Nachitoches or Red River; then following
the course of the Rio Roxo westward. to
the degree of longitude lGl west from Lon
don and % from Washington; then cross
ing the said Red River and running thence,
by line due north, to the River Arkan-
sas; thence following the course of the Ar
kansas, to its source, in latitude Y north;
and thence by that parallel of latitude to
the South Sea. But II the source
of the Arkansas River shall be found to
fall north or south of latitude 42, then the
| line shall run from the source due south
or north as the case may lie, TIL IL meets
the said parallel to the South Sea:
The forty-second degree of latitude was
easily conceded by MIR. Adams to be the
northern boundary of the Spanish posses
sions on the Pacific. because of the un-
doubted historic evidences not only OF dis
coyeries on the coast line. but of actual
exploration and settlement by Spaniards
TO that parallel. North of this parallel the
coast line as far as the iifty-siXth degree
of latitude was discovered and many parts
explored and some named. but these ad-
vantages were not followed up by oceupa-
ton and settlement, and hence in favor
of the Americans the Spanish government
seemed willing to Ie,inquish its prior claim
TO all territory north of the forty-second
degree.
Distribution of the Map.
The old map. containing the historical
error was published in unusually attract
i've form, showing clearly and in colors the
boundary lines of the various acquisitions
of territory by the United States. The de-
mand for 1t by schools. colleges libraries,
boards of trade. and others. was unusually
large. and 1t was difficult for members OF
Congress to secure sufficient copies TO
meet the demands of their constituents.
The new map correcting the error Is
published in equally attractive form, and
for the reasons just stated will have TO
be published in many editions to meet the
public demand.
Letters OF ConmendatiOn.
The following extracts from a mass of
letters commencing the book and its de-
scription of the map then in course of
preparation. received by Commissioner
Hermann from historians. college presi-
dents, scientists, senators. and others.
show very clearly the nature and impor-
tance of the work and the desirability of
an extensive distribution, not only to cor
rect the error in the previous map, but as
an educational document.
Hon. William T. Harris, United States
Commissioner of Education, writes: 1T is
one of the most valuable documents that
has come into my hands for many days
Hon. A. A. Adee. Assistant Secretary of
State was so much interested in the pub
lication that he requested copies to be
sent to the Peace Commission at Paris for
use In connection with the treaty of peace.
Director Walcott, of the United States
Geological Survey, writes: II congratu-
late you upon the manner in which you
have conducted the study of the subject
and the clear exposition which you have
made of the facts prize the memoir as
contribution to our knowledge of the
growth and development of our country"
Rand, McNally & Co., the well-known
map publishers, write; Your report is
very valuable brochure on the boundaries
of the Louisiana purchase. We will use
it in revising the maps of our Biographies
and of our aliases"
President d. C. Gilman, of Johns Hop
kins University, considers the report
most valuable contribution to our knowl-
edge. 1t is most timely and will no doubt
help in the formation of sound opinion as
to questions now before the country.
Senator German of Maryland writes: II
am very glad to receive the publication 1t
is a valuable contribution at this time and
one evidently of great labor
Prof. w. ]. MCGEE, ethnologist, in the
Geographic Magazine says: Commission
er Hermann corrects the error of incluiing
within the Louisiana purchase the Oregon
country, and supports his action by orig
inal documents and maps. with full re-
ictal OF the historic events connected with
the purchase of Louisiana from France
and with the discovery and settlement of
Oregon. Incidentally he addresses him
self to current issues by taking up the
general discussion of territorial acquisition
in the history of the United States and
showing the consequent benefits to the
nation. The book is timely, valuable, and
an occasion for congratulation.'
Archbishop Ireland writes:."I have read
the report with great interest and derived 4
from 1t most useful information, obtain
able nowhere else. Its richness of historic
lore, clearness of statement, tact in sum-
marizing. lucid and attractive style, quali-
ties unlocked for in official reports, make
the work a precise contribution to the per-