.MTczMw.MTg5ODM

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indirectly, by an umpire, do what it could not accomplish without; that is, consent to the alienation, or the possibility of an alienation of territory, which I will show is solemnly acknowledged through the President, to be ours. It has therefore, been believed to be due this State to advance the doctrine that the submission of it's boundary to an umpire, unknown to herself, and upon terms not confided to her consideration, will leave her at liberty to act upon the result as to the country and herself may be dictated by the most just and patriotic inclinations. Yet if it be true that the fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent has involved much of federal authority, beyond the limits which many eminent statesmen have contended to be the true ones, as the treaty exists, the delicacy of the case, in relation to public faith, ought to have some influence upon our assertion of our claim, although an entire concession cannot be expected. It ought to be distinctly understood that there is a perfect harmony of sentiment with the federal administration in a most essential particular, in regard to which the language of Mr Clay, the secretary of State, is calculated to be highly satisfactory. It is as follows; - "The Government of the United States is fully convinced that the right to the territory is with us and not with Great Britain. The convictions of Maine, are not stronger in respect to the validity of our title, than are those which are entertained by the President" Whatever may be the character of the proposed umpirage, it seems necessary to adopt some rule of procedure as to the duties to be discharged before it's results shall be known, and I cannot but hope to learn from you, in some way, what measures you will consider to be proper, if such acts as that of the arrest and incarceration of Baker shall be repeated.