The opinion of this government upon the justice and validity of the American claim has been expressed at so many times, and in so many forms, that a repetition of that opinion is not necessary. But the subject is a subject in dispute. The government has agreed to make it matter of reference and arbitration; and it must fulfill that agreement, unless another mode for settling the controversy should be resorted to, with the hope of producing a speedier decision. The President proposes, then, that the governments of Maine and Massachusetts should severally appoint a commissioner or commissioners, empowered to confer with the authorities of this government upon a conventional line, or line by agreement, with its terms, conditions, considerations, and equivalents; with an understanding that no such line will be agreed upon without the assent of such commissioners.

This mode of proceeding, or some other which shall express assent beforehand, seems indispensable, if any negotiation for a conventional line is to be attempted; since, if happily a treaty should be the result of the negotiation, it can only be submitted to the Senate of the United States for ratification.

It is a subject of deep and sincere regret to the President that the British plenipotentiary did not arrive in the country and make known his powers in time to have made this communication before the annual session of the Legislature of the two states had been brought to a close. He perceives and laments the inconvenience which may be experienced from reassembling those legislatures. But the British mission is a special one; it does not supersede the resident mission of the British government at Washington, and its stay in the United States is not expected to be long. In addition to these considerations, it is to be suggested that more than four months of the session of Congress have already passed, and it is highly desirable, if any treaty for a conventional line should be agreed on, that it should be concluded before the session shall terminate, not only because of the necessity of the ratification of the Senate, but also because it is not impossible that measures may be thought advisable, or become important, which can only be accomplished by the authority of both Houses.

These considerations, in addition to the importance of the subject, and a firm conviction in the mind of the President that the interests of both countries, as well as the interests of the two states more immediately concerned, require a prompt effort to bring this dispute to an end, constrain him to express an earnest hope that your excellency will convene the Legislature of Maine, and submit the subject to its grave and candid deliberations. I am, &c., DANIEL WEBSTER.

His Excellency JOHN FAIRFIELD, Governor of Maine.

The Governor of Maine to the President.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Augusta, May 27, 1842. SIR, I have the honor to inclose a copy of preamble and resolutions adopted by the Legislature of this state relating to the subject of the northern and northeastern boundaries of Maine; and also to inform you that the Hon. Edward Kavanagh, Hon. Edward Kent, Hon. William P. Preble, and Hon. John Otis have been elected commissioners under said resolves. Most respectfully your obedient servant,

JOHN FAIRField.

His Excellency JOHN TYLER, President of the United States, Washington.

Governor Davis to Mr. Webster.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Worcester, April 27, 1842. SIR, Since I last addressed you, I have received your favor of the 16th instant, by which it appears the resolutions of the Legislature of this commonwealth have reached you. These resolves respecting the northeastern boundary were adopted to meet the contingency which has occurred, and to avoid any necessity for reassembling the Legislature on this account. As soon as it became certain that a special envoy was to be dispatched hither by the Queen of the United Kingdoms, it was apparent to me that he would be authorized to propose a conventional line, as this is manifestly the only alternative short of acceding to the treaty line of 1783. When the subject was brought to the attention of the Legislature, it seemed to entertain similar views, and with great harmony of opinion provided, as well as the state of things, which was then wholly conjectural, would enable them.

The council will meet on the 25th of May for the regular dispatch of business, when their attention will be invited to the expediency of consenting to the appointment of an agent or agents to represent the state. I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

The SECRETARY OF STATE for the United States.

J. DAVIS.

The Maine Commissioners to Mr. Webster.

FULLER'S HOTEL, Washington, June 12, 1842. The commissioners of Maine, on the subject of the northeastern boundary, present their respectful compliments to the Honorable Mr. Webster, Secretary of State of the United States, and beg leave to inform him that they are now in this city ready to enter upon the business intrusted to them. They also avail themselves of the occasion to request him to name the time and place when and where it would suit the convenience of the Secretary of State to receive them.

Mr. Webster to the Maine Commissioners.
PRESIDENT'S SQUARE, June 12, 1842.

Mr. Webster has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of the commissioners of Maine announcing their arrival, and their readiness to enter on the business of their appointment.

Mr. W. will have great pleasure in receiving the commissioners at the Department of State on Monday at one o'clock.

Commissioners of Massachusetts to Mr. Webster.

WASHINGTON, June 13, 1842. SIR, The undersigned, commissioners appointed by the State of Massachusetts to confer with the government of the United States upon a conventional line to be established on our northeastern boundary, are ready to proceed in the execution of their commission whenever the secretary my signify his wish to meet them. Our colleague (Mr. Allen) will probably be here to-morrow.

We have the honor to remain, with the highest respect, your obedient servants,

Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary of State.

ABBOTT LAWRENCE,
JOHN MILLS.

Mr. Webster to the Commissioners of Massachusetts.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 13, 1842. The undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication addressed to him this day by Messrs. Lawrence and Mills, commissioners of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He will be happy to see these gentlemen at this department at half past one o'clock P.M. to-day. DANIEL WEBster.

Messrs. LAWRENCE and MILLS,

Commissioners of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. Webster to Lord Ashburton.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 17, 1842. Lord Ashburton having been charged by the queen's government with full powers to negotiate and settle all matters in discussion between the United States and England, and having, on his arrival at Washington, announced that, in relation to the question of the northeastern boundary of the United States, he was authorized to treat for a conventional line, or line by agreement, on such terms and conditions and with such mutual considerations and equivalents as might be thought just and equitable, and that he was ready to enter upon a negotia

tion for such conventional line so soon as this government should say that it was authorized and ready on its part to commence such negotiation, the undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has now the honor to acquaint his lordship, by direction of the President, that the undersigned is ready, on behalf of the government of the United States, and duly authorized to proceed to the consideration of such conventional line, or line by agreement, and will be happy to have an interview on that subject at his lordship's convenience.

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to tender to Lord Ashburton assurances of his distinguished consideration. DANIEL WEBSTER.

Lord ASHBURTON, &c., &c., &c.

Lord Ashburton to Mr. Webster.

WASHINGTON, June 17, 1842.

The undersigned, plenipotentiary of her Britannic, majesty on an extraordinary and special mission to the United States of America, has the honor of acknowledging, with much satisfaction, the communication received this day from Mr. Webster, Secretary of State of the United States, that he is ready, on behalf of the United States, and duly authorized, in relation to the question of the northeastern boundary of the United States, to proceed to the consideration of a conventional line, or line by agreement, on such terms and conditions, and with such mutual considerations and equivalents as might be thought just and equitable. And in reply to Mr. Webster's invitation to the undersigned to fix some time for their first conference upon this subject, he begs to propose to call on Mr. Webster at the Department of State to-morrow at 12 o'clock for this purpose, should that time be perfectly convenient to Mr. Webster. The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to assure Mr. Webster of his distinguished consideration.

Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, &c., &c., &c.

ASHBURTON.

Two or three letters between Mr. Webster and Lord Ashburton respecting the new line of the northeastern boundary are omitted, as being principally confined to questions local in their nature, and not now of public interest.

For the same reason, a letter from the Governor of Maine to Mr. Webster, of the 29th of June, is omitted.

Mr. Webster to the Maine Commissioners.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 15, 1842. GENTLEMEN,-You have had an opportunity of reading Lord Ashburton's note to me of the 11th of July. Since that date I

have had full and frequent conferences with him respecting the eastern boundary, and believe I understand what is practicable to be done on that subject, so far as he is concerned. In these conferences he has made no positive or binding proposition, thinking, perhaps, it would be more desirable, under present circumstances, that such proposition should proceed from the side of the United States. I have reason to believe, however, that he would agree to a line of boundary between the United States and the British provinces of Canada and New Brunswick, such as is described in a paper accompanying this (marked B), and identified by my signature.

In establishing the line between the monument and the St. John, it is thought necessary to adhere to that run and marked by the surveyors of the two governments in 1817 and 1818. There is no doubt that the line recently run by Major Graham is more entirely accurate; but, being an exparte line, there would be objections to agreeing to it without examination, and thus another survey would become necessary. Grants and settlements, also, have been made in conformity with the former line, and its errors are so inconsiderable that it is not thought that their correction is a sufficient object to disturb these settlements. Similar considerations have had great weight in adjusting the line in other parts of it.

The territory in dispute between the two countries contains 12,027 square miles, equal to 7,697,280 acres.

By the line described in the accompanying paper, there will be assigned to the United States 7015 square miles, equal to 4,489,600 acres; and to England 5012 square miles, equal to 3,207,680 acres.

By the award of the King of the Netherlands, there was assigned to the United States 7908 square miles, 5,061,120 acres ; to England 4119 square miles, 2,636,160 acres.

The territory proposed to be relinquished to England south of the line of the King of the Netherlands is, as you will see, the mountain range from the upper part of the St. Francis River to the meeting of the two contested lines of boundary, at the Metjarmette Portage, in the highlands, near the source of the St. John. This mountain tract contains 893 square miles, equal to 571,520 acres. It is supposed to be of no value for cultivation or settlement. On this point you will see herewith a letter from Captain Talcott, who has been occupied two summers in exploring the line of the highlands, and is intimately acquainted with the territory. The line leaves to the United States, between the base of the hills and the left bank of the St. John, and lying along upon the river, a territory of 657,280 acres, embracing, without doubt, all the valuable land south of the St. Francis and west of the St. John. Of the gen