3/W Oiyvvi/viccuvv 4nn/'-^W/aA>U/ auji^aJlLo-n^ - ESS 1S40. i~>i^ .-^ - '^ ;*^'^'^*^ \' HlGR^'^ \*1"* ■> :M- ;0.- 't -k^ Gass ^/7f - Book_ -f- u^ THE AMERICAN BOUNDARY QUESTION. " 'T is the last stone That makes the arch. The rest that there were put, Are nothing till that comes to bind and shut: Then stands it a triumphal mark! Then men Observe the strength, the hight, the why and when It was erected ; and still walking under, Meet new matter to look up and wonder." Ben Jonson. BY AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. NEW HAVEN: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY W. STORER, JUN. 1840. ^ y-^^ h A-A IVo. 1. THE AMERICAN BOUNDARY QUESTION. ii'^i The whole boundless Continent is ours" The American boundary qncsiion has been, is, and will be of such importance to the American people, that a few observations upon it. collected from reading son^.e old books upon the subject, may be interesting' to the future state.<>meii and inhabitants of America. For their benefit, I will make some extracts from the histories which I have read, and add some comments of my own, which may be received for such value as they deserve. I say for the benefit of future generations, because I suppose the present inhabitants have already formed iheir opinion upon the subject from sucii lii^hts as they possess ; neither do I know that I can add any thing to their knowledge; but I can place the documents in a collective view, that they may be easily understood. The first European boundary of America may be called a bull, — for a grant was made of the whole of America, before it Was known that America existed. About the year 1470, the pope of Rome, by a bull in favor of John 11. Kins: of Portugal, granted to the crown of Portugal all the lands in the Atlantic ocean, between the west coast of Afiica and the east coast of China. This grant was acquiesced in by the sovereigns of Europe, and confirmed by treaty by some of thcin. Some twenty years after this grant, a new era in the history of the world was brought about by one of the comnion people. Aiunis Erat Coin m hi. A sailor — a son of a mcch'inic--a citizen of a repulilic. discov- ered to the inhabitants of Europe another continent, by them de- nominated tlie new world. Then commenced the sliug^He of th(^ Kings of Europe for the sovereii/nty of this new world, which fias continued from that time until now, and is not ended yet. The Pope of Rome, in the pleniiiude of his powers, made ■a grant oi tlu whole of this continent to the King of Spain* 4 American Boundary Question. This grant was made in 1493, and gives the first legal title of An:ierica to one of the sovereigns of Europe, so far as the other sovereigns are concerned, because the Pope was at that time ac- knowledged head of the church, and all Christendom paid respect to his decrees. But this grant to a King only operated against Kings. It could not deprive the people of Europe of their right to expatriate themselves and purchase of the newly discovered inhabitants, such parts of the newly discovered country as they chose to plant and settle. I wish yoii to bear in mind the difference between the rights of Kings and the rights of the people. In 1497, the Earl of Richmond, King of England by conquest, in order to fix himself and lamily more firmly on the British throne, formed a treaty with the King of Spain, confirming to the latter the entire and absolute sovereignty of all America, and formd a family alliance by the marriage of his son Arthur with Catharine of Aragon, the Spanish King's daughter. Tiie first disturbance of the American boundary question, thus settled, was by Portugal, who contended for her rights by the previous grant of 1470, and the Pope was obliged to remove the meridianal line between Spain and Portugal, giving Brazil to the latter and the Philipine Isles to the former. A hundred years passed away without any further disturbance of the boundary question. In the meantime the various nations of Europe traded to the new world, and made more perfect dis- coveries of the continent. The Portuguese sailed N. W. and discovered the coast which they named Labrador, signifying in their language a laborer, probably supposing from its rough and barren appearance that it would require much labor to live there. The French sailed up a great bay and river, which they called the St. Lawrence. They also coasted the various bays and rivers from thence to the Kenebec, — made treaties with the natives, and called the country New France, and attempted some small settlements. Others of this nation coasted the Atlantic shore of the coast of Florida — discovered the river May, afterwards called Mayo by the Spaniards, and now called the St. John's. They formed a settlement near the 30th degree of latitude, and called the country Carolina, after Charles the ninth of France. The Dutch discovered the bay and coast of New York and the North River, which they named the Hudson, and called the country New Amsterdam. American Boundary Question. 6 The Swedes discovered and settled the bay and coast of the Delaware. The EnL^lish sailed along the coast of Hatteras and entered Albemarle Sound, and settled on the coast and named the conntry Winginia, after the name of the Indian Kin^ of the conntry. They also discovered the Massachnsetts Buy and coast adjacent, and named the conntry New England. But no pretention to the sovereignty of any of these countries was made by any of the Kings of Europe. For more than a hundred years after the discovery by Columbus, the right was admitted that they belonged to the King of Spain. Henry VII. was Kiuff of Enoland at the time of the discovery— he was en- gaged in making a treaty with Spain, as I have before related, for ihe marriage of his son to the Spanish King's daughter: and so jealous were the S|)aniards, that to have claimed any purl of America would have broken off the treaty. He was obliged to discountenance the expedition of Sebastian Cabot, and allow tliat navigator to be employed by Spain. Henry VI II. reigned about half a century, and was employed part of the time in getting rid of the wife his father had taken such pains to procure for him. He had too much, trouble at home, to think of claiming any of the possessions of the powerful monarch of Spain. Edward VI. was a minor and died before his majority. His sister Mary, who succeeded him, married the King of Spain, and renewed the treaties for the exclusive right of Spain to ihe Amer- icas. The English merchants, however, had privilege during this union of the two kinudoms, to travel and trade in any part of the Spanish dominions. It was in this reign that the Ellgli^h became acquainted with America, and had commeiiced carrying on an extensive commerce through all its parts. 1 find accouiits of them in North and South America — in Mexico — in the vari- ous West Indies; establishing their ware houses and agencies throughout these vast doininions. liutthis business was of short duration. Mary died, and was succeeded by her protestatil si.-ler Elizabeth ; the connection between the two kinjrdoms was dissolv- ed, and the English were prohibited from entering the Spanish do- minions, and much sufferinjr ensued. Yet this Queen, during her long reign, did not claim any part of Amerira, and when she granted a charter to Walter Raleigh, it was a power to go into forei2:n countries, to beseigc castles and subdue nations, and to talte possession of sucU as Uq could coac^uerv Ho haU uo litniu 6 American Boundary Quesiiori. of territory assigned him, and he might have gone to China with the same commission as well as to America. As early as 1534, a French squadron sailed up the St. Law- rence and spent most of the summer in exploring those cold resfions — loo cold for winter quarters, which determined the com- mui JoM' lo sail further south, where he entered a large bay which he called the bay of France ; now known as the bay of Fnndy. Looking for commodious wujter quarters, he entered a large nav- igable river, and commenced a trade with the natives, for such ar- ticles of food as they could supply. Having refreshed his crew and supplied their immediate wants, he landed some of his men and erected a hio;h cross upon the shore, and formally took pos- session of the country after the catholic manner, in the nau)e of the kinu of France. During the ceremony the natives gathered round the spot, wondering at what they beheld. Their chiefs, Surmising the object of the stranger's visit, expressed to them by signs that the country belonged to his people, and that foreigners had no riiiht to any part of his territory, and disputed the boun- dary in his rude way at the outset. From the descriptions given in the early histories, it appears that this river is the same now called the St. John's, although it was called in the treaties the St. Croix, or holyi»cross. By the treaty of 1028 between England and France, this river was fixed as the dividing line between New England and Nova Scotia or Acadia, and from the most northern l)r;inch of the river a line run due north to the great river of Cauad;u Soon after the discovery of America, French fishermen and titliers commenced sailing alon^j^ the Aibiutic shore in the vicinity of the fishing b.inks; and in 1.562 they made their settlement in Carolma or Florida. In 1532 the English commenced settling near Cape [tatteras. ' Now 1 wInIi yon particularly to hear in mind, that the Spanish government claimed the jirrisdiction over Norih and Soiilh AiDer- ica, -cud Eniiland and France accoided it to her by (be most sol- eiini treaties, and both the nations disclaiajed aiw right to jurisdic- tion over any part of Ainericii. In 159S. the French King gave a commission to De la Roche, to conquer Canada and other countries not possessed by any Chris- tian prince. Here was an outrage of the most violent kind ayaiust peaceable and unoffending nations. Tlie native Canadians htid always been kiud aud hospitable to the French traders and fii>h- American Boundary Question. 7 ermen, who had visited them ahnost every year from the year 1534— bein^ a period of 64 years, and more than two himdred vessels had been employed by P'rance in the commerce with Can- ada. I find so many good oflices done to the FVench, l)y these native sons of the forest, that I should be astonii.hed at an oider given by a great nation to conquer such a people, had 1 not read so many accounts of the violence of kings against the rights of the people. It appears that this General De la Roche was not able to con- quer Canada, for I find the native Canadians exercising the rights of sovereignty many years after. The French were permitted to establish two trading houses, — one at a place called by the natives Ke-beck, (by the French wi it- ten Q,uebec,) and pronounced Ker-heck ; and the oilier at the Ca- nadian town of Hocnelaga, and called by the French Mont-real. Those two trading establishments were fortified, and by degrees assumed the power to overawe the neighboring nations. I have now arrived at the year 1600, and commence the 17th century, and the American boundary question remains as fix(d by the Pope. But new pretensions and contentions about it arejoon to arise, and you will read of wars about the boundary question for the next two hundred years — wlien the people of America liad to work in their fields with their muskets by their side, be- cause the Kings of Europe contended which of them should be despot of America, A new dynasty was just seated on the French throne. Henry Bourbon, duke of Navarre, a protestatit prince, became the next heir by the death of Henry IH. of Valois ; and he assumed the title of Henry IV. and after much hard fighting obtaitied the throne. Elizabeth of England died in the beginning of 1603, and was succeeded by James VI. of Scotland, a profestant. These two protestant kings paid no regard to the treaty made with Catholics by their ancestors, but began immediately parcelling out Ameii- ca to their retainers and adherants. The first grant or royal char- ter was from Henry IV. King of France, given in 1603 to a com- pany of his subjects, to have and to hold, enter upon and possess all that tract of country lying an(] being on the American contin- ent, situated between the 40tli and 46lh degrees of North latitude, and extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the great Soutfi Sen — with a right to make war upon the inhabitants thereof, and utterly subdue them, and make them vasstils and subjects of the crown of 8 American Boundary Question. France. This is the first American boundary, since the Pope gave the whole to Spain. I wish yon to pause and reflect upon the injustice done to the inhabitants by this piece of parchment. Numerous independent nations were here attempted to be deprived of their liberty, by a person who had. but few years before, been obliged to fight against his sovereign for his own liberty. The next year, 1604, James of Scotland, but one year on the throne of Great Britain, not content with the large addition which had recently been made to his Kingdom, must encroach upon the people in another hemisphere. Accordingly he grants all that piece and parcel of land lying between the pairallels of 38 and 45 North latitude, and extending from sea to sea. The poor Cana- dians had now three European masters, without knowing the lan- guage, the laws or the customs of either. I wish you to bear in mind that these grants were without any legal title, because the grantors never possessed any right to the territory granted. The present Government of France and Eng- land miofht with the same propriety make grants of so much of the Russian territory. But you will also bear in mind, that these grants were valid against the sovereigns who granted them, and against their successors. In 1506 the King of England enlarges his grant, extending it south 4 degrees and north to latitude 4.5, without paying any at- tention to the French grant, and gave permission to his subjects to settle within these latitudes ; and the French King allowed his subjects to settle any where north of latitude 40. The first border war between the French and English, about the American boundary question, was in 1613. Capt. Argal, com- manding a British armed vessel, attacked the small forts of the French at mount Marsel, St. Croix and Port Royal, obliged them to surrender, and carried their ship's pinace, their ordnance, provi- sions, and cattle, to Jamestown in Virginia — thus reducing to wretchedness and want, a few French inhabitants who were settled in a cold and barren region, because they were said to be within the limits granted by the King of Great Britain. There had been a previous border war between the French Carolinians and the Spanish, in 1565, when the Spaniards sent force enough to massacre and destroy all the French settlers and destroy the settlement ; but Spain claimed the right to drive off any foreigners from any part of America, No. 2. THE AMERICAN BOUNDARY QUESTION. " The whole boutidless Continent is owr.s." Ill 1620, King James made a further grant of Ijind, which did not belong to him. He separated the North Company fronj the South Company, and gave a new charter to the North Conjpciny, and extended their hmits norlli to Uititude 4S, and ealled the North Comi)any "the New EngUind Company," ^I'heir hiiiits extended iVom latitude 40 to 49, making 8 degrees, and from sea to sea. At the same time New France occupied the same sjrouud. The South Company retained of the former gratit from 34 lo 40 6 degrees of latitude, and in longitude from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and was called Virginia. In 1021 James obtained a grant from the New England Com- pany for one of his favorites, sir William Alexander, of the North East angle of their territory, which the grantee called Nova Sco- tia, and soon after sold lo a subject of France. This grant has been the occasion of numerous wars, and cost the lives of many of the early settlers, both French and English. Charles, the son and successor of King James, married Henri- etta Maria, the French king's sister, and confirmed the grant of Nova Scotia to the crown of France. In these marriages between the sovereigns of the earih, the people are viewed as serfs, and transferred like cattle without their consent. The boundary of this grant for Nova Scotia commences at Cape Sable in the Atlan- tic Ocean, thence continuing N. W. and northerly along the coast to the bay of St. Marys; thence north to the river St. Croix* thence north to Canada River; thence down the said river and bay, and along the shore thereof, to Gaspe Bay; thence S. E. to Cape Briton Islands and Cape Brilon; thence round the Ailaniic shore to Capo Sables again, the place of beginning, — toweiher with all seas and islands wiihin six leay refer- ence to the Map, you will see that this tract of country eiMbraccs almost the whole of Carolina, a part of Vircrinia, and sonic of New Eno^land — whose charters were granted from twenty to fifty years previous. Tiie English colonists made some attempts to settle beyond the Alleganies andalonofthe banks of the Ohio. The French settled St. Louis and some places on the Illinois — while the Spaniards, contenting themselves with claiming the whole country, confined their settlements to the vicinity of the mines of gold and silver, extending North to about 24 degrees of North latitude. While the people emigrating from Europe were endeavoring peaceably to possess themselves of a home on this continent, the various sovereigns from whose dominions they emigrated were en- gaged in stiring up strife among them. If an Englishman, driv- en from his home by the oppression of his government, sought an asylum in America^ that government immediately claimed him as a subject, and the country to which he had fled, as a part of its do- minions. Fifty years of border war, with short intervals of peace, ensu- ed between the French and English, from the treaty of 1713 ta 1763, savage and cruel in the extreme to the borderers. The na- tive inhabitants were hired by the contending governments to mas- sacre and destroy the settlements of their opponents ; and such scenes of cruelty ensued to the poor settler, that the historian al- most loses the power of action in giving them record. In my fu- ture numbers, I will copy some of them to keep you in remem- brance of the sufferings of your forefathers. One act, committed by the British government upon the unof- fending French settlers, stands in bold relief, as one of those acts of atrocity which stain the pages of the British oligarchy. A whole people were removed from their possessions in Nova Scotia, and their houses and their lands taken away from them. This was the British mode of settling the boundary question with these people. The neighboring colonies received these French refu- gees, and treated them kindly, and gave them a home, although it occasioned a heavy tax for many years. No. 3> THE AMERICAN BOUNDARY QUESTION. "We 're a Avorld by ourselves, and disdain a division." More tlian fifty years of war, with intervals of peace, ensued between the Spanisli, FrencFiand English colonies, to 17G3.dnring^ which time the border warfare between the French and Encrjjsh. was horrid and sava:,fc. I have read of such horrid acts of cru- elty as makes one's blood cuidle, and the hair stand erect. In ruy future numbers, I will copy some of them. One act of vil- lainy committed by the British Government upon the unoffend- ing French descendants, stands in bold relief, as one of those acts of atrocity which stain the pajjes of the history of the British Oligarchy. A whole people were removed from their possessions in Nova Scotia, and their houses and their lands taken away from them; — this was the British mode of settling the boundary question with these people. The inhabitants of the States of America received these French refugees, and treated them kindly and gave them a home, although it was a heavy tax upon the States, who were themselves suffer- ing from the expenses of the war. The treaty of 1763 again altered the American boundaries, by ceding Canada to Britain, and Louisiana to Spain. But who con- quered Canada? Not the British soldiers, nor the warriors of Europe, — but the Americans, — the fathers of the lathers of tjje Revolution. And why did they conquer it ? Because they wish- ed to'settle the American Boundary Question, and stop the effusion of blood upon the border. They had no hatred against the Ca- nadians: they received them as brothers ; but they had a great antipathy to French governors, with power and money to bribe the Indians to procure the scalps of the English. France and Spain by this treaty confirmed to Britain the Amer- ican States as far west as the Mississippi, — the Spanish territory of Florida and the French territory of Canada, Here the Amer- 3 18 American Boundary Question. icnns supposed they hnd a free scope for settlement, and that the lands which had heen acquired l)y their valor would be gratited to companies by charter, as formerly, that the enterprise of the American people might settle new States, — when lo ! and behold, appears the British King's proclamation setting up new boundaries for the Americans by his imperial will. I hope my readers will consider well this proclamation, and its effects. By it the old States were forbidden to extend their settlements. Beyond their present jurisdiction was claimed property of the crown. Canada ^^'as also limited, and Nova Scolia described and bounded. The map by which Britis^h sfutesnic^u of that day mode these marks and boundaries is sLill extant and will be published in my illustra- tions of the boundary; if the sale will pay the expense. It is quite imperfect in many particulars. The reader will recollect that the original charters extended to the Pacific. But Euirland never had a title acknowled£;ed until now to the Mississippi; consequently when she acquired this right the charter bec;>me valid not only against European govern- ments, but against herself. Let us stop and breathe a little here, and examine the map, for this is an important point in the boundary question. Virginia has the oldest charter and extends from 34 lo 40 degrees and west to the Mississippi, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and part of Ohio, &c. Massachusetts is next in order; it comprises two degrees of latitude, from 42 to 44, and extends also to the Mississippi, including part of New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Upper Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin ; and including Nova Scotia and Mame lo the great river of Canada. Connect- icut is the third State which was chartered, and includes part of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana and Illinois. The fourth is Carolina, and includes the whole of the Territory be- tween the 30th and 34th parallels, includino; Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Tlie charter extended to 36° 30m, but this part had already been granted to Virginia. The fifth is New York; al- thouofh mostly within the other jurisdictions, it had acquired a right by the purchase of the Indians, and the consent of Massa- chusetts and Connecticut. The six nations of Indians, ceded their country to New York, west of the Hudson river to Lake Erie, and north to the city of Montreal. These boundaries give to New York as much Teiritory on the north of Lake Ontario, as she has on the south, and would make the State about twice its American Boundary Question. 19 present size. These were the only States which were pnrticn- larly nflectod by the King's procUmation, being forbidden to sell any of their back lands. Canada was restricted to narrow limits, allhoujjh the treaty of cession guaranteed the same ri^htsof extension wiiich the inhab- ants held nnder the French Government. The restriction of these boundaries, and the extension of the boundaries of Canada westward, with Uie numerous acts which followed in rapid succession, caused the war of 1775, commonly called the Revolutionary War. The Canada extension boundary law, commonly called ihe Quebec Act, was one of those iujportant acts which attracted the attention of the whole of the American people. They be- held the British Government erecting a despotic power at the north and west of them. The Americans had just overthrown the French power in Canada, in order to settle the boundary question, and unite them- selves as brethreti from Canada and Nova Scotia lo Georn^ia and Florida, — when behold the British make a new boundary question, circumscribing the States between the east of the Ohio and the Atlantic. Tiie Canadians were equally interested with all the other States, to settle the boundary question, and to be free and independent with their brethren, — they joined with alacrity the American standard, and Montreal was in possession of the Americans before the declaration of independence. Unfortunately for the American boundary question, and for the lives of those who are yet to be slain in battle to settle it. a n;il- itary governor was placed in and over Montreal, by the name of Benedict Arnold. Instead of calling together the citizens, and allowing them to establish their own government and committees of safety and elect members to Congress, this man established de- spotic rule. He seized upon the goods of the citizens, coi;fiscatcd them under plea of their being British property, and embezzled the n)oney himself Hiid it not been for this man, (wuiada would now have been one of the States of the Union, and the boundary question would h.ive been settled at the Revolution, by driving the British from the shores of America. The Americans began the Revolution, determined to free them- selves, and to free their country from despotism. They claimed the whole continent, wherein lo establish their system of demo- 20 American Boundary Question. Cratic liberty. The army was called the continental army — the soldiers were called continentals— and the money is to this day called continental money. In their patriotic songs, they insisted that "the whole boundless continent is ours." According to the Articles of tlie old Confederation, new States were to be admitted into the Union upon certain conditions, with a special exception in favor of Canada; for Canada at any time, by sending: her delegates to Congress, was to be admitted as one of the States of the Union, and this agreement continued until 1789, notwithstanding the treaty between the United States and Great Britain, for Canada was not a party to that treaty. The founders of American liberty did not stop to consider Amer- ican boundaries, but invited all who would con)e and join them to share of the blessinfjs of self government. The I'loridians were invited, the Louisianians, the Nova Scolians, as well as the Canadians; and any States on this continent had then a right to petition Congress for admission into the Union. I have hastily ran through the time from the first discovery of America to the treaty of 1783, defining certain boundaries lo Amer- ican liberty. By reference again to the map, you will see that we were still circumscribed to narrow boundaries ; the only terri- tory we had gained since the commencement of the old French war, was a right to extend our boundaries west from the Ohio to the Mississippi ; while we lost the free navigation of the Missis- sippi, and the lakes and river St. Lawrence, which we had en- joyed before the Revolution. The history of this treaty of boun- deries is both curious and instructive. After a seven years' war, in which all Europe and America were engaged, either remotely or directly, the countries became im- poverished, and the governments desired peace because they had no longer the ability to carry on the war. Various and opposing princi- ples had been fought for. America fought for the rights of men ; Great Britain fought to gain power and to rivet more firnjly the chains of despotism upon her subjects both at home and abroad. France and Spain joined in the contest to injure England,— and to break up all Protestant Governments, — that the Incjusition and power of the Pope might be again established. When such a war was being ended by its own exhaustion, it is natural to suppose that each party would act in accordance to its principles in making peace. Accordingly secret arrangements were making between France and Spain to make a treaty with American Boundary Question. 21 America, to continue the alliance, oflensive and defensive, and to prevrnt tlio American connnissioners from making a tieaty with Enii^land wiilKnit the consent of France. America was to be considered as a vassel of F^rancc. The Southern boundary be- tween Spain and the United States was to commence on the Atlan- tic Ocean at the north of the Altamaha river, and extend along the middle of that river to its source ; tiience due north until it reached the Tennessee river at some where near Knoxville ; thence tiirough the middle of that river to the Ohio, and down the Ohio to the Mississip[)i, thence northerly through the middle of the Mississippi. While they agreed to restrict the English to the north side of the St. Lawrence until the said river intersected the 15th deg. of latitude ; thence north west until the line reach- ed the north east part of the Lake Nipising; thence in a straight line N. E , to Lake St. John, and through the middle of the river Seque, to the St. Lawrence; leaving the city of Montreal, and all the territory south and south east of the St. Lawrence attached to the American Union. The coast of I Labrador, and all the north- ern coasts of America were to be considered as belonging to the na- tives, and to be free for all nations to trade thereto. The British commissioners wished to make the boundary be- tween the free States and the British provinces commence on the Atlantic at the mouth of the Kennebec river, following the course of that river about 120 miles according to the original grant to Fernando Gorges, until the said river intersected the 45th'degree of latitude ; thence on the said parallel until it crossed the St. Lawrence; thence through the middle of this river to to Lake Ontario, through Lake Ontario to the Genesee river, through the middle of this river to the nearest branch of the Al- legany river, through the middle of this river to the Ohio, and through the middle of the Ohio to the Mississippi. The American Commissioners were in a foreign country, sur- rounded by enemies and beset with difiiculty and danger on eve- ry side. Their great object was to conclude a treaty of peace, establishing the sovereignty and independence of these United States, knowing that the native energy of the Americans would establish boundaries for themselves. To defeat the machinations of France and Spain, they made a separate treaty with Great Britain, in which certain boundaries were defined, but, as was well known at that time, were liable to alteration — because an agreement was in existence, allowing Canada at any time to ac- 22 American Boundary Question. ceed to the Union. This was known to the British Commissioners at the tirae they signed the treaty, and no objection was made to it. Of course, the Canadian people had a right, acknowledged by this treaty, to send in their act of union to the American Con- gress ; and they must have been admitted, and no exception could be taken to this act on the part of Great Britain. The boundary of '83 commenced at the mouth of the St. Croix rivsr. Now the St Croix river is that river where Captain Jack Cartier built the high cross in 1634 — two centuries and a half previous. This cross was cut down by order of the Indian Gov- ernment, immediadejy after the Europeans left the country, that no traces of possession might be left. From the description giv- en by the early French writers, the river now called the St. John's was the river where the holy cross was set up. Of course the St. John's is the river where the treaty of '83 commences the bounda- ry. It runs north to near the latitude of 48; thence south west to near the latitude of 41 ; thence north west to latitude 49. It is much to be regretted that our Commissioners had not con- tinued a straight line west, after they had reached the 48th degree. This would have confirmed the old northern boundary of New England, and prevented future war. The citizens of Quebec, and the citizens of Montreal would then have been American cit- izens and their great men would have assisted at the councils of the nation. After a few years of pence, a new border war was commenced by the Indians, instigated by the British, who still held the fort of the Americans on the northern frontier. This war was con- cluded by the treaty of '94, called Jay's treaty. This was an un- fortunate treaty for the Americans. The Canadians were dissat- isfied that they were excluded from the American Confederation, and were ready to join the Americans to expel the British, and thus settle the boundary question. But there were those among us, who cried " peace, peace, when there was no peace," and base- ly cringed to superior British diplomacy, and left open the breach for future border war, which soon after took place, and we com- menced by fighting the Canadians, who were our friends, to :pnnish the British, who were our enemies. Besides we were better prepared for war in '94, than we were when it did take place. The next boundary question, in order of time, is the Southern boundary of the United States and the northery boundery of the Amcrica?i Boundary Question. 23 territory claimed by Spain. Sp^.iti claimed originally the whole of America, north ii'-ci south, and only gave it up by piece meal, as she was compelled. The boundary now in dispute is the Rlis- sissippi. The European power claimed both sides of the Missis- sippi, as high up as New Madrid ; and actually held forts on the east of the river as high up as the walnut hills, and the Yazoo riv- er, and attempted to interrupt the free navigation of the Mississip- pi. To dispossess the Spaniards of this country, the Americans were obliged to send an armed force, and settle the Southern boun- dary question by the help of Kentucky rifles. A new and important era occured in the American boundary question in 1S03, when Spain transferred to France the whole of Louisiana, and soon after France ceded ihe whole of this vast territory to the United States. Thus the power of Napoleon was able to effect for America what her own statesmen had long in vain tried to accomplish. A great revolution was liere effected without a single drop of bloodshed. Spanish subjects became American citizens, and were received into the bosom of the Amer- ican family, and allowed all the advantages of American citizens. How different would have been their lot, if some misfortune had placed them under the British Government. The British would never have surrendered this province to the Americans, but would have sent over British Governors to rule this people with a rod of iron. Louisiana and Canada were originally both French provinces. The inhabitants of both early imbibed the love of Liberty, as all Americans d-- ; but treaties made in Europe unfortunately placed the latter under a despotism. Two brothers originally settled in Canada. They emigrated from France, and settled in the wilds of America. One of them became a resident of Montreal ; the other followed the fortunes of La Salle in his expedition to the Mississippi, about the year 1080, and finally became a resident of Louisiana. A descendant of the latter was recently a respected member of the American Congress ; while a descendant of the former, for his ardent love of liberty, was hanged for high treason in Canada, by order of the British Government. Since the foundation of the American Government, no one has been put to death for treason, although we are collect- ed together from all the nations of Europe. The boundaries of Louisiana, as described by the ancient French authors, and admitted by the Spanish, appear to have 24 American Boundery Quisiion. been extended alon^^ the gulf Mexico, commencing on the east at Mobile bay, and extending all along the Gulf to the Rio Grande — including all that vast valley between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi, including the present States of Texas and Co- apuila. Mast of this country was within the original limits of Carohna, so that it belonged to the American Government, both by charter from the English, and by cession from the French. By the original charter of Carolina, the whole territory, from the At- lantic to the Pacific, between the parallels of 30 and 36 degrees of north latitude, was included in her limits. By the cession of Louisiana tlie whole of this territory was confirmed to the United States as far west as the Rio Grande, by the French and Spanish Governments, and acquiesced in by the English ; and yet we see the New State of Texas erected into a separate government, within the acknowledged limits of the United States, and the government of Great Britain among the first to make a treaty with them — and undoubtedly this power would be the first to make a separate treaty with any of the States of this confedera- tion, should any one separate from the Union. In my illustrations of the American boundary question, I pro- pose to publish various original documents, showing the French possession of all this country as far west as the Rio Grande. If Texas is excluded from the Union, Louisana, and all the territory west of the Mississippi ought to be excluded on the same prin- ciple. The border war of 1812 is too recent to need any illustration for the present generation ; but as 1 am writing for the information of unborn ages, I will make a few remarks, referring to the books which contain the history of the times. After the treaty of 1794, we were not disturbed in our borders by the English for nearly ten years ; but their jealousy commenc- ed with the accession of Louisiana to the Federal Union, and for eight years this nation carried on a war of depredation upon our commerce, plundering our ships, impressing our seamen, and furnishing arms and ammunition to the red men of the forest, to enable these wild people to murder the frontier inhabitants. No* 4. THE AMERICAN BOUNDARY QUESTION " We 're a world by ourselves, and disdain a division." In the early colonial iiistory of Massachusetts, yon will find a law making- it a capilal offense for any citizen to sell arms to the sava^:;cs — those who t'nrnished anus beinsr aiders and abettors in the murders. 'I'he British government have often violated this law, and liave assisted (he Indians to murder the descendants of their own people. Had the King- of Enj^land acted with the greatness of Napole- on, and ceded Canada to the American Union in 1804, how ma- ny lives of honest citizens would have been saved, future wars prevented, and the American boundary question settled. By our treaty of '83 with England, we had no right to any ter- ritory west of the Mississippi, and no right to any territory east of that river below 31 degrees of North latitude. While the French or Spanish held this territory, the British could make a treaty with them for the navigation of this vast river, to the entire exclusion of the Americans below this latitude. In the year 1805, the French Fjmperor addressed a letter to the King of Etiijland, desiring peace between the two nations. — ''The world issu/iiciently large for our two nations to live in it, and rea- son is sufficiently powerful to discover means of reconciling them when the wish for reconciliation exists on both sides. I have ful- filled a sacred duty and trust ; your m;ije$ty will believe in the sin- cerity of my sentiments, and my wish to give you every proof of it." The reply of the British government ought to be recollected by every American interested in the boundary question of this coun- try. T'he King is made to say that he can not answer the over- ture that has been made to him, until he has had lime to commu- nicate with the pov.'ers on (he continent, with whom he is engaged in confidential connexions and relations, and particularly the Lm- peror of Russia. 4 26 American Boundary Question. In August, 1814, the American and British Commissioners met to couclude a treaty of peace; and at tl)eSame time a powerful ar- mament of land and naval forces was fitted out very secretly, to conquer New Orleans, and consequently the whole of Louisiana. Various delays were made by the British Conuiiissioners, until it was supposed that New Orlenns was in the hands of the British Geneial ; for it was supposed there would be but little resistance. The first battle happened on the 23d of December, and the treaty of peace was signed on the 24th. The instructions of the British government to their commission- ers were, to adhere to the old boundaries of '83, for the adjust- ment of which Commissioners should be appointed. They were not to recognize the right of the United States to Louisiana — sup- posing this in their possession. All places were to be restored on either side which had been captured ; but the British meaning of this clause was, that tlie United States extended no further West than the Mississippi, and no further South than the 31st degree of latitude; arid their commissioners were to call in question one half the State of Maine, which had remained undisputed for thirty yearSi Art alliance had been formed between the four principal kings bf Europe, to put down all popular governiTients and maintain themselves on their thrones. By this powerful alliance. Napoleon had been overthrown, the kingdom of France reduced to the boundaries of 1792, the king of Spain restored to his dominions, and Louisiana was to be held by the British as a Spanish province, until the Island of Cuba should be ceded to her by the Spanish government, or other compensation made for the expenses of the war of the peninsula. Fortunately for the Americans, the victory of the 8th of .lanuary frustrated these plans for the time ; but A- merica is yet in the power of the holy alliance, who may yet dic- tate boundaries to her. The next boundary question in order was the separation of Mexico from Spain. The settled parts of Mexico did not extend North further than the 24th degree of latitude, while the territories claimed by Spain extended as far North as the 40th degree. The country between the 30th aud 40th degrees was included in the charters of Virginia and Carolina, and belonged to these States. The country between the 24th and 30th degrees was in- habited by independent tribes of Indians, nominally under the ju- risdiction of Spain. American Boundary Question. 27 The citizens of Mexico, torrethcr with delen:ntos from the neigh- boriiior states, decUired their indt'peiidi'iice of Spaiu, which they had a rlghi to do: but tiiey had no jurisdiction over these remote territories. Yet the Mexican government would not maiie a trea- ty with Spain, until Spain relinquished all her right to nny part of the territory,— believing it not safe to have a Spanish governr mentoii their Northern frontier. Had the Anglo-Americans acted 111 this way, and said that Canada was a part of the Uiiion, and we will make no peace until it is incorporated as an integral part thereof, the boundary cpiestion would have been settled. Without waiting for a settlement between Mexico and Spain, the United States hastened to acknowledge the independence of the former, and made a treaty ot boundaries before they had been set- tled between the tw^o contending powers. This was well enough, if it had been carried far enough. The United States declared that siie would not recognize the right of Spair) to any of this vast continent which that nation had discovered, conquered and peo- pled. Mexi ;o ought to have declared that she would not recog- nize the right of Britain to any part thereof. 1825 was remarkable for a treaty between Russia and England, recognizing and limiting certain boundaries on the North-VVest coast of America. You will observe that the lines of boundary have generally run with the parallels of latitude. Here is a devi- ation from that rule, and the line runs longitudinally, dividing a large tract be; .veen two European powers. The line extends from near the 140th degree of West longitude from London, to the Northern Ocean ; and all on the west of this line is called Russian America, and on the oast British America. Here are inhabitants settled, governing themselves by their own laws and settling their own boundaries between the dilR'rent nar tions whose mauncrs and customs and language is not understoid by either of the governments who have divided this country, and the possession of which has always been and still is in the origi- nal natives. It is monstrous — it is absurd, t!iat two such ;:,overn- ments should attempt to claim the jurisdiction of such a country, so far from their respective scats of government. My young readers, I request you here to pause and turn to the early histories of England and Russia. The one, but a few short years since, obtained permission of a people called Britons by the Romans, to make a settlement on the Island of 'I'hanet, and liave the government and jurisdiction of this Island. The people 28 American Boundary Question. were called Anglese bj' the Romans. From this small beginning comes the nation whom we now call English. The Russians were a small colony of iVinscovites, known only a few centuries back as a barbarous and savage people ; and the na- tions of the north-west coast of America might wiih the same pro- priety divide Russia and the British Empire among themselves, as for these governments to cut np their territory. But it is one thing to claim on paper, another to conquer, subdue and settle. I have thus hastily run throui^h the various American bounda- ries, from the year 1470 to 182.5, occupj-ing a space of three and a half centuries. You have already learned that the American continent was discovered by Columbus, a poor sailor boy, born un- der a republiCdU jrovernment, — was claimed by Portugal, by Spain, and by England ; and by all the principles of equity and justice, the republicans of Europe had a ria'fit to settle this country, and establish republican governments to suit themselves, without any interference from the kings of the old world. You have also seen that the difierent kings of Europe claimrd the whole or part of this newly discovered country. Spain claim- ed the whole continent, from having encouraged the first dipcove- ry, and from the grant from the pope; Portugal claimed South A- merica by right of discovery, and by a prior grant from the pope. Prance claitned a large portion by right of discovery and settle- ment, — for as early as 1534, she discovered and settled Canada and in 1562 she discovered and settled Carolina. The English made no pretensions to any claim, for more than a hundred years after the first discovery, and during the greater part of this time this lat- ter government acknowledged the right of Spain to the whole country. Henry VII. was then King of England, and he was engaged in making a treaty with Spain for the marriage of his son to the Spanish king's daughter ; and so jealous were the Spaniards, that to have claimed any part of America would have broken off that treaty. He was obliged to discountenance the expedition of Se- bastian Cabot, and allow that navigator to be employed by Spain, Henry VIII. reigned about half a century, and was employed part of the time in getting rid of the wife vvliich his father had taken so much pains to negotiate for him, and part of the time in marry- ing and deposing others, and until his death his quarrel with the Pope of Rome continued. Edward VI. was a minor. His sister Mary, who succeeded American Boundary Queslion. 29 him, mnnied the Kino: of Spain, and renewed the treaties for the exclusive right of Spain to all America— graniing privilege, how- ever, to any Engli^iinfian to travel and tiadc in any of the Span- i>h territories while the two kingdoms were united. It was in this reign that the English becanje acquainted with America, and had commenced carrying on an extensive commerce through all its parts. We hear of their merchants in North and South An)er- ica, in Mexico, and in the various West India Islands. After Mary's sister Elizabeth succeeded the throne, being a pro- testant, the English were all banished from the Spanish dominion ; yet this Q,ueen, during her whole reign, did not claim any part of America, and when she granted a charter to Walter Raleigh, it was a power to go into foreign countries, to besiege castles, subdue nations, and take possession of such as he could conquer. He liad no limits of territory assigned him, and miglit have gone to China as well as to America. 1'he first grant of any American territory by the English gov- ernment, was by James I. king of Great Britain ; and during his life lime he granted to his subjects, and others in alliance with him, the whole territory between the 30th and 48ih degrees of north latitude, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the great South Sea. The various charters granted gave the right to the people to go and settle, and to establish there their own government and elect their own governor. Their grants are good as respects the En- glish government only ; that government had i]o right to the terri- tory ; but the people had a fiirht to go and settle — to make pur- chases of the Indians, and to make treaties with the French and Spanish, who were the acknowledged sovereigns. In the course of successive centuries, we have seen America settled — we have seen the sovereigns of Europe retiring one after another, and giving uf) their clainjs to any part of Anierica — Spain, Portugal. F'rance, Sweden, Holland, all except England. The other European governments are willing America should govern herself in her own way. Etigland strives to dictate terms to A- merica, and will n(jt retire from the contest. A seven year's war she waged with her own children, to regain that wliich she had granted away. How much more magnanimous was the conduct of France, in ceding that great country of Louisiana without bloodslied. The Louisianians ought to hold that nation alwavs in 'grateful remembrance ; while the Canadians ought always to hold the British in the utmost abhorrence. 30 American Boundary Question. The £2;recit enemy of America is Britain ; and this yon must teach to your children and children's children, nntil Britain retires from tlie contest, and relinquishes America to he governed by her own people. Until that takes place, American liberty is not sectire ; and you must bear tiiis in mind, that the great battle for American liberty is yet to be fought. The monument of Bunker Hill coiii- njemorates the beginning of the struggle of liberty. Where the jast British flag shall be hauled down, there a monument will com- memorate the end and downfall of tyranny. Having gone through the whole of the American boundary .question from the beginning, and shown you that Spain claimed the whole of America at one time, with greater justice than Brit- ain now claims a part, I will proceed to show you your weakness while this latter power retains its present hold. The great center of American enterprise and population will be upon and around those vast lakes or inland seas, in the interior .and very center of North America. Being situated about half way from the equator to the pole, in a healthy climate and fruitful soil, these lakes should be free for American citizens to pass and repass, without applying to the Court of Great Britain for a permit. As far south as latitude 42 north, at Fort Maiden, the British claim the right of soil. Here they can collect and maintain an immense arnjy, almost in the center of the States of America — being more Ihan six hundred miles in the interior, south of most of the States .of New York and Massachusetts, of the whole of the States of 'Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and part of Pennsylvania; in the immediate neighborhood of Ohio, Indianna and Michigan, — holding- a controllino- influence over all the Indian tribes, and ready at any moment to employ them to raise the tomahawk and scalping knife, as they frequently have done before. This is the northern position of the American boundary question at present — an enemy in our very bosom. Now take the map of America in your hand, and turn your eyes to the south. Here you will find that the British claim al- most all the West India Islands ; not by right of discovery and settlement, but by the power of the sword — by conquest from Spain. St. Domingo is said to be a republic ; but if you turn to the histor ry of that country, you will find that the government is a military ■despotism, with a black chief at its head, and under the protection of Enofland. Anierican Boinulanj Question. 31 *The next step of the British court will he to revolutionize (he bhick popuhition of the Southern States, mid apf)oiiit a hhick Kino^ or President for life, under the protection of Ilngiand, and make a treaty otFensive and defensive with him — that is to say, make hini subservient to the views of the British Cabinet. Then they will make a similar treaty with tlie soulli-western Indians, and station British otHcers amon;:^ them, ostensibly recognizing thorn as an in^ dependent nation, but virtually a colony of Great Britain. The Oregon Territory is already in possession of the British, and a great deal of hard fighting will be required before t[iey will surrender it to tlie Americans. The British government have already made a treaty with Texas, which State may he considered as West Carolina, as it was origi- nally included in the Charter of Carolina, afterwards claimed by the French, and ceded to us with Louisiana, as fai* as the river Bravo, and is now settled principally by emigrants from South Car- olina and the other Southern States. With this state, Great Brit- ain has already made a treaty, and will avail lierself of the first op- portimity to make a treaty with any State that secedes from the Union. But the greatest benefit to Great Britain, and the fjreatest injury to America, will be the establishment of the black kingdom in the Southern States. The British merchants will then be enabled to command the entire cotton trade, in the establishment of a military despotism, similar to that now established in Hayti. The planters will be driven otf, atid the negroes will raise cotton for the British factors, for three or four cents a pound. The British will be able to accomplish all this by means of their steam ships, and their free negro population of the West Indies, and tlieir extensive manu- factories of fire arms in Birmingham. By holding the key of the lakes, in the possession of Fort Mai- den, and the entire control of the cotton trade of the South, this na- tion will be able to smuggle any amount of goods into the republic, in defiance of our revenue laws, to the great injury of the trade, commerce and manufactures of the Northern States — as with her recent war with China she has already established the principle that she will fight to protect smugirlers. The American boundary which will then be dictated to this republic, will be in some man- ner conformable to the Quebec act of 1774, allowing us perhaps to extend west as f;\r as the Mississippi — say commencing on the At- lantic shore in Passamaquoddy Bay, at the loth degree of latitude, 32 A7nerican Boundary Question. and continuing on this parallel to the river St. Lawrence; up that river and through the lakes, as at present, to the head of Lake Su- perior; from there to the head of the St. Croix river; down said river to the Mississippi ; down the Mississippi to the Ohio ; up the Ohio to the Tennessee river, until said river intersects tl)e35lh de- gree of latitude: and alono; this parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. — The Indians west of the Mississippi will be acknov/ledged as Brit- ish subjects; and the Negroes of the South will either be establish- ed as a separate kingdom under the protection of Britait), or ack- nowledged as British subjects, and a British governor sent over to govern them. The English nation, from the beginning, have been made up by- conquest — by annexing one state after another to its dominions, until at this time it has grown in greatness to such proud estate that this haughty government presumes to dictate laws to the whole earth. The Governments of the Stales of America are founded upon a different principle, particularly the Government of the United States of North America. It is a union of various independent communities, by consent of the people ; and this un- ion has been increasing and extending from the first settlement of the country, and has prevented much bloodshed. The small extent of the boundaries of the first union is worthy of your consideration. Read over those early records with pa- tience and perseverance, and collect wisdom from the doings of your ancestors; they did not take kings for their pattern, neither did they look to the high places of the earth for counsel ; but with a devotion peculiar to the times, they sought wisdom from the King of Kings, to enable them to establish tliat union among men, which should produce peace on their borders, and perpetuity of good government. The present small States of Massachusetts and Connecticut were divided into four separate and independent governments — Plymouth — Massachusetts Bay — Connecticut and New Haven — the settled parts of which did not comprise more than four thou- sand square miles. From ttiis small beginning has arisen this ex- tensive union. Those who formed the first union probably did not contemplate including the Dutch of New York, much less the French of New Orleans, or the Spaniards of Florida; and yet you see that our glorious union is more complete by their addition, and would be still more so if Canada was admitted as a member. Amcrica7i Boundary Question. 3J The priiiriples of this union were diametrically opposite to the- principles ot" the English government. The one is voluntary, the other compulsory. The voluntary union of states under one federal head, is a sys- tem capable of being extended tlirough the entire continent of North and South America ; and no European power has any right to interfere or to dispute such boundaries as we choose to makea- mong ourselves. Accordingly you will find the principle admitted in the Constitution of the United Slates, that new states may be admitted into the union. You will recollect that the Constitution went into operation in 1789 ; and at that time tiie western boundary of the contederation was the middle of the Mississippi, and the southern boundary the 3lst degree of North latitude. Since that epoch, new states and territories have been ad.nitied into the union, extending fai beyond these boundaries. In 1SU3, the whole territory of Louisiana was admitted as a part of this union — extending to the " Rivier Grand " of tiie French, " Rio Bravo" of the Spanish, on the south, and the Rocky Moimtains on the west. The inhahitauLs of part of this territory have since formed themselves into states, under regular constitutional governments ; some states have been allowed to take their scats by dok?gation in the Congress of the Union, while tome have asked to be admitted and were refused. Louisiana State, Arkansas and Missouri iiave been admitted, while the large coun- try now called Texas, which applied for admission with precisely the same rights, was refused ! ! Our treaty making power has fallen into the European dogma, that it is neccessary to ask the kings of Europe hovv far our limits extend, and that it is not ne- cessary to ask the people themselves, under what government they choose to live. It is very important that you carefully watch over this delega- tion of power, which you have conferred upon your treaty makers. One man may mak(! a treaty, relinquishinir your claims to a large tract of country; this treaty, when once ratified, becomes the law of the land, and 'ou have no redre:.> but by appeal lo aruis. A treaty may be very beneficial ^r>r one jreneration, and the next gen- eration may find it very greivous to hear. When you arrive at the part of the boundary question relating 5 34 American Boundary Question. to Texas, I recommend you to pause in this narrative, and read over the French histories of the I6th and 17th centuries, rehiting to the discovery and settlement of Louisiana ; and then read the treaty of cession of that interestino; country to the United States. This country doubly belonged to the Union, first by being inclu- ded in the charter of Carolina, and secondly by cession from the French Government. The treaty of cession, on the part of the United States, admit- ted this country into the Union in 1803, as far as the Rio Bravo ; of course it became an integral part of the Union at that date. I have now aone through the boundary question, from the first discovery of the country until the year 1840 — by which you will perceive that the rise and progress of this great republic has been formed by repeatedly altering the boundaries of jurisdiction ; by admitting new states into the Union, and not by conquest. You will also perceive, that the King of Great Britain, James I. grant- ed all that part of America lying between the 30lh and 48th de- gree of North latitude, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, to such of his subjects and others as chose to settle there. You have also seen that later kings of the same kingdom have usurped and now hold a part of this territory — that they attempted to usurp the whole at the time of the American Revolution. You have to teach this to your children, that America will never be at peace until the British Government reiires from exercising juris- diction on this Continent. Teach them to hold out the right hand of fellowship to all British subjects to "come over and help us," allowing them a share in the government when they come here; but persist in refusing them any right to govern Americans while they are on the other side of the water. Endeavor to form a more perfect union among yourselves ; in- crease your Union by admitting more states and territories into the confederation ; encourage frequent congresses of ail the states of North and South America, that all diflferences among the states may be there settled. Let an American protection from any one of the States be a sufficient passport for any cHizen to travel from the ex- treme north of Canada to the extreme south of America. Admit Canada and Texas into the Union, without any regard to the British ; for if you do not drive them out, they will drive you American Boundary Question. 35 out and overturn the liberties of America, and subvert the princi- ples of the Revolution of 1776 — which is wiiat the Kings of Eu- rope would willingly subvert; and possibly it may take place be- fore your cliildren are old enough to teach. The further you extend your boundaries, the greater chance of peace in all your borders. A few years ago the iwhabitants bor- dering on the Mississippi, in the neighborhood of the Walnut hills, were arrayed under different governments in hostile attitude ; now they are fellow citizens. So let it be with Canadians and Texi- ans and Nova Scotians; — l(3t them fight under the same banner of Virginians, Mussachusians and Carolinians, and for the same cause — the liberty of governing themselves. I have before advised you to beware of the British Government. So long as they claim any boundaries on this continent, they will be your enemies; they will harass you in all your borders; they will continually stir up the Indians to make war upon your de- fenceless women and children ; and they will do all in their power to incite the Negroes to insurrection. The present generation, and in this present year, we are cele- brating the victory gained by steam power over the Atlantic waves; and with great joy we are rejoicing that the British steamers can reach our shores in one short fortnight. Our ancestors rejoiced with exceeding joy, that the vast Atlantic rolled between liberty and opression. 1 fear, my children, that you will mourn the day when these British steamers will lay your viiloges in ashes, and make slaves of your seamen. Before you can have any informa- tion, they can ascend your numerous rivers and creeks, and do you infinite damage, as did their ancestors the ancient Anglese to the inhabitants of Britain. It were to be wished that this nation would see their true glory and greatness in ceding this territory to the American Govern- ment — copying after the great example set them by the neighbor- ing kingdom of France. Human nature rejoices at the thought that such an arrangement might be, and thus save the effusion of blood and the distress of thousands ; but kingfs and aristocratic governments care but little for the suffering of the common people. The rulers do not place themselves in front of the battle; neither do they give up faring sumptuously every day. 36 American Boundary Question. I wish a treaty mio^ht he made with England, whereby our ter- ritories in Africa might be ceded to that nation in exchange for the Canadas. We wish to hold no foreign territories ; but we wish to govern ourselves at home, without foreign interference. — • We might cede all our right, title and interest to one half or the whole of Africa to Great Britain, and the title would be as valid as is the present title oi Britain to any part of America ; and yet many would look with astonishment at such a cession, who advocate and strenuously maintain the title of Britain to a part of this country, which is no better. In reading the history of Great Britain, you will learn that long and bloody wars occurred between the English and Scotch, which did not cease until the two governments were united under one head. Tliis union was brought about by the intermarriage of the kings of the two countries, until at bist the two kingdoms fell by inheritance to one kinsr, and now the people of both nations are one people and they can cross the borders without interruption or fear of deadly strife. As our government is democratic, no such marrying alliance can take place; and to settle all border strife a treaty of cession must be made, or a compliance with the articles of the old confederation. Suffer other states to be admitted into this union upon the application of their citizens, until the flag of liberty shall wave its broad banner for the protection of freemen, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the North to the South ; until all the states of North America are united under one federal head, and democratic liberty and the rights of man maintained and established by the virtue and intelligence of the common peo- ple. Then will the poor sailor boy have discovered this continent to some purpose — a resting place for the poor and oppressed in- habitants of Europe from the tyranny of kings — republican gov- ernments established from one end of the continent to the other, and the American Boundary Question settled. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011 448 001 i:m X!>< Vh>rV '''