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XXV

To the Senate and House of Representatives.

I have received from the Secretary of State of the United States, under the direction of the President, a copy and translation of the award given by the King of the Netherlands in relation to the North Eastern Boundary of the United States, upon the question submitted to him, and also a copy of the Protest which the Minister of the United States at the Hague thought it his duty to make against the award refered to, together with the extracts from his dispatch to the department of State, showing the character of the Protest, and the ground upon which it was made; and a copy of the correspondence between himself and Sir Charles Bagot, the Ambassador of Great Britain, at the same Court upon the subject.

Copies of these documents, and also of the accompanying letter of the Secretary of State of the United States, will herewith be laid before you.

The President, through the Secretary of State, has expressed his desire, that while this matter is under deliberation, no steps may be taken by the State of Maine, with regard to the disputed territory which might be calculated to interrupt or embarass the action of the Executive branch of the Government of the United States upon this subject. The importance of this suggestion will be duly appreciated by the Legislature. And while we adopt such measures as shall be judged proper and expedient to make our rights and claims known to the Government of the United States, it will doubtless be considered that we must under the provisions of the Federal Constitution, rely with confidence upon that Government for the enforcement of our claims against the power of Great Britain.

Samuel E. Smith - Council Chamber, March 25, 1831.