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XXVII

To the Senate and House of Representatives

Confidential, I herewith communicate confidentially for the consideration of the Legislature, copies of two letters from Mr Preble the Agent of this State at Washington, in action to the question respecting our North Eastern Boundary now pending before the Government of the United States - By these letters I am informed that it is expected the award and recommendation of the Arbiter will eventually be adopted by the general government, and that it has been proposed that Maine should cede to the United States her claim to the territory which lay Northways and Eastways of the line recommended by the Arbiter for an ample indemnity, in order that the General Government may be enabled to make such an arrangement with Great Britain as shall comport with the interest and honor of the United States. The expediency of authorizing the Agent of this at Washington to make an arrangement with the General Government for the purposes contemplated is now respectfully submitted to your consideration. The decided and unanimous opinion of our Agent and the United States delegation of this State in Congress cannot fail to be received until great deference, and under existing circumstances, it is believed that an arrangement of the kind proposed will not, in any respect compromise the honor of the State, or operate injudiciously to her interest. In a pecuniary point of view, she will be amply remunerated for the loss sustained, that the United States have not constitutionally power to alienate any portion of the territory of the State, without the consent of such State, will not be abandoned. The adjustment of the controversy will also relieve the United States from much embarrassment in their relations with Great Britain, and terminate those collisions with the British authorities which if continued would inevitably prevent the settlement of