Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-28
Interesting Documents on Arbi-
tration of North e a S t e r n
Boundary by King William Of
the Netherlands Found by
Sec. of State Bunker
STATE HOUSE CHAT
Public Utilities Notes-Forestry
Dept. Asks Further Appro-
priation for Forestry Protec-
ton and Reserve Publ
Schools-Corporations

An incident which we'll illustrates the
varying and difficult work the various
| departments at the State House Is Oft
en- called to do in addition to the regu-
lar routine work and how often such
work will bring to light something else
Of value to the same or other parties,
has just occurred in the Secretary of
| States Office. 1t looked like tough
| proposition to start with, but the long
! er Sec. of State Bunker worked on 1t
| the more interested he and his clerks
became and he says that, besides secur-
ing the desired information for the gen.
| tleman requesting it, it is well worth
the attention Of any one interested in
the history of Maine. The secretary
I readily consented giving the public an
outline Of the incident and here it is:
Secretary of State Bunker some time
ago received a letter from State His
| torian Henry S. Burrage, who is now
in Washington securing material for his
next book. which will be upon the sub
ject Of THE Northeastern Boundary,
From the State of Maine Viewpoint"
saying that he had found mention Of
there being somewhere in the archives
Of the State the report Of the arbiter
Of the matter Of that boundary
1t developed that the arbiter was no
other than William. by the Grace Of
God, King Of the Netherlands, Prince Of
Orange, Nassau, Grand Duke Of Luxem-
burg, etc, etc, etc." so that the propo-
sition quickly assumed an important
stage. Then it became known that the
kr1An To StQfo Of
Maine in secret session of both House
and Senate on Feb. %. 1881. before even
it was made public in Washington, al
though it was an international ques-
ton. Then it was understood that our
United States minister to The Hague,
Hon. VIM. p Preble, was Maine man
and interest still increased.
But where was the letter or docu-
ment? No one had ever heard Of it and
no one had the least idea where it was
Never mind,'' said the secretary, '1et
look around. 1t should be here and /
guess we'll find it," They hunted and
then hunted some more. but no trace.
Finally the clerks had become so in
terested in the search that last Satur-
day, instead Of having their customary
afternoon holiday. they decided to re-
turn to the State House with Sec. Bum
ker and find the much-wanted paper
Nothing compulsory about it, mind you,
just interest.
Well. sure enough. away up in the
attic, piled away with the official rec
crds of State Of the year 1881, was
found a book which contained copy
of the long-hunted for report of King
William Of the Netherlands, as we'll as
some highly important and valuable
correspondence relating to the same
matter. All this Sec. Bunker has had
copied and arranged in neat and con-
venient form-it will be delight to
Mr.. Burrage when he receives it.
Now all this shows some of the I'M
expected and extra work likely at any
minute to fall to the lot of any Of the
States great departments and it also
illustrates the cheerfulness and
promptness with which the States
employees attend to such calls and the
real interest often aroused in the
work.
The set Of documents as arranged
to be forwarded to Mr.. Burrage in
clude a letter from Martin Van Bur-
en-, secretary Of state at Washington,
to Gov Samuel E. Smith of Maine,
under date of March Is, 1881. trans
hitting the report of King William of
the Netherlands on the disputed
boundary between Canada and Maine,
the question by agreement having
been submitted to King William for
settlement. Also inclosed was a copy
! ~ ha Wi
lister at The Hague without instruc-
| lions to that effect) had made to the
foreign minister of the Netherlands to
the award. with extracts showing the
nature of the protest and their
grounds. and the correspondence be-
tween himself and Sir Charles Bagot,
English ambassador at The Hague.
! 1t also said that Minister Preble was
to visit the states and wished to be
heard farther upon the subject. Sec
rotary Van Buren, requested that
Maine take no steps while the mat
ter is still under deliberation. which
embarrass the action of the executive
branch of the government upon the
subject"
Then follows Is closely typed pages
Of King Williams report. made
through his minister Of foreign affairs,
Verstolk de Soelen.
Minister Preble's protest against
the Kings finding seemed to have been
on the grounds that the King, in wish
ing to do a real friendly job for both
his British and American friends. had
departed slightly from the strict let
| ter of the law in the Convention of
10Th September, 1927 and the Treaty
of Client Of 1914. Ambassador Sir
Charles Bagot did not agree with Min
lister Preble's view Of the subject.
Governor Smiths letter to Sec. of
State Van Buren,. acknowledging the
receipt Of the documents. their trans
mission to the Legislature then In ses-
sion and a request for copies Of the
argument. appendices. and maps
which were submitted to the arbiter
by the United States and Great Brit
ain," closes that part Of the story.
| OF some interest, wasn't it?
Fish and Game Commission.