The President approves your conduct in not pursuing in England the discussion of questions which are now to become the subjects of negotiation here.

(Signed),

DANL. WEBSTer.

Lord Ashburton arrived in Washington, April 4, 1842; and shortly after Mr. Webster addressed the following letter to the Governor of the State of Maine:

Mr. Webster to Governor Fairfield.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 11, 1842. Your excellency is aware that, previous to March, 1841, a negotiation had been going on for some time between the Secretary of State of the United States, under the direction of the President, and the British minister accredited to this government, having for its object the creation of a joint commission for settling the controversy respecting the northeastern boundary of the United States, with a provision for an ultimate reference to arbitrators, to be appointed by some one of the sovereigns of Europe, in case an arbitration should become necessary. On the leading features of a convention for this purpose the two governments had become agreed; but on several matters of detail the parties differed, and appear to have been interchanging their respective views and opinions, projects, and counter-projects, without coming to any final arrangement, down to August, 1840. Various causes, not now necessary to be explained, arrested the progress of the negotiation at that time, and no considerable advance has since been made in it.

It seems to have been understood on both sides that, one arbitration having failed, it was the duty of the two parties to proceed to institute another, according to the spirit of the treaty of Ghent and other treaties; and the President has felt it to be his duty, unless some new course should be proposed, to cause the negotiation to be resumed, and pressed to its conclusion. But I have now to inform your excellency that Lord Ashburton, a minister plenipotentiary and special, has arrived at the seat of the government of the United States, charged with full powers from his sovereign to negotiate and settle the different matters in discussion between the two governments. I have further to state to you, that he has officially announced to this department that, in regard to the boundary question, he has authority to treat for a conventional line, or line by agreement, on such terms and conditions, and with such mutual considerations and equivalents, as may be thought just and equitable, and that he is ready to enter upon a negotiation for such conventional line so soon as this government shall say it is authorized and ready, on its part, to commence such negotiation.

Under these circumstances, the President has felt it to be his

duty to call the serious attention of the governments of Maine and Massachusetts to the subject, and to submit to those governments the propriety of their co-operation, to a certain extent, and in a certain form, in an endeavor to terminate a controversy already of so long duration, and which seems very likely to be still considerably further protracted before the desired end of a final adjustment shall be attained, unless a shorter course of arriving at that end be adopted, than such as has heretofore been pursued, and as the two governments are still pursuing.

Yet, without the concurrence of the two states whose rights are more immediately concerned, both having an interest in the soil, and one of them in the jurisdiction and government, the duty of this government will be to adopt no new course, but, in compliance with treaty stipulations, and in furtherance of what has already been done, to hasten the pending negotiations as fast as possible, in the course hitherto adopted.

But the President thinks it a highly desirable object to prevent the delays necessarily incident to any settlement of the question by these means. Such delays are great and unavoidable. It has been found that an exploration and examination of the several lines constitute a work of three years. The existing commission for making such exploration, under the authority of the United States, has been occupied two summers, and a very considerable portion of the work remains still to be done. If a joint commission should be appointed, and should go through the same work, and the commissioners should disagree, as is very possible, and an arbitration on that account become indispensable, the arbitrators might find it necessary to make an exploration and survey themselves, or cause the same to be done by others, of their own appointment. If to these causes, operating to postpone the final decision, be added the time necessary to appoint arbitrators, and for their prepa ration to leave Europe for the service, and the various retarding incidents always attending such operations, seven or eight years constitute, perhaps, the shortest period within which we can look for a final result. In the mean time, great expenses have been incurred, and further expenses can not be avoided. It is well known that the controversy has brought heavy charges upon Maine herself, to the remuneration or proper settlement of which she can not be expected to be indifferent. The exploration by the government of the United States has already cost a hundred thousand dollars, and the charge of another summer's work is in prospect. These facts may be sufficient to enable us to form a probable estimate of the whole expense likely to be incurred before the controversy can be settled by arbitration; and our experience admonishes us that even another arbitration might possibly fail.

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.

Messrs. LAWRENCE and MILLS,

DANIEL WEBSter.

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