Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and ThirtyEight.

RESOLVES

Concerning the North-eastern Boundary.

Resolved, That the claim of Great Britain to all the territory in the State of Maine, lying north of Mars Hill and the tributary waters of the Penobscot, is totally inconsistent with the treaty of peace of seventeen hundred and eighty-three, and will, if persisted in, inevitably terd to disturb the friendly relations now subsisting between that government and the government of the United States.

Resolved, That no power delegated by the constitution to the government of the United States, authorizes them to cede to a foreign nation, any territory lying within the limits of either of the States in the Union.

Resolved, That the proposition made by the late Executive of the United States to the British government, to seek for "the highlands" west of the meridian of the source of the river St. Croix, is a departure from the

express language of the treaty of peace, an infringement of the rights of Massachusetts and Maine, and, as its consummation involves a cession of state territory, is in derogation of the constitution of the United States.

Resolved, That the proposition recently made by the present national Executive to the government of Maine to substitute a "conventional line" for the line described in the treaty, is calculated to strengthen the claim of Great Britain, impair the honor of the United States, and put in jeopardy the interest of Massachusetts and Maine.

Resolved, That Congress be requested to cause the north-eastern section of Maine to be speedily explored, and the boundary line, described in the treaty, to be established.

Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these Resolves, and the accompanying Report, to the Executive of the United States, and of the several States; and also to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, with a request that they use all honorable means to bring this protracted controversy to a just and speedy termination.