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Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO HENRY CLAY. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 2 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO HENRY CLAY.

No. 54.

London, 30th January, 1827.

Sir,—

I have the honor to enclose copy of Mr. Canning’s answer to my note of the 26th instant, announcing to him the ratification by the President of the convention of 13th November last. It is hoped that the exchange may take place early enough in the day on the 6th of February to enable Mr. Wyer to reach Liverpool, so as to sail in the packet of the 8th.

A despatch from Mr. Brent to you received last night, and which had been left open for my perusal, is herewith transmitted.

I was interrupted yesterday, and had not time before the closing of the mail to say what I intended respecting the reports of the commission on the North-East boundary. That of Mr. Van Ness had, on a first reading, struck me as conclusive and remarkably well drawn; but I could not appreciate its full merit till I had perused all the papers. It may be shortened in some respects, made more forcible in some others, and will require some addition to guard against new grounds which I have reason to believe will be taken by the British plenipotentiaries. But the question is placed in it on its true ground, and with great propriety disengaged from the maze of contradictory surveyors’ reports in which the British agent tried to involve the subject so as to divert the attention from its true merits. As it will in some shape or another revert to you, and your other occupations may not leave you time to read and investigate all the documents, I think that I may say with confidence that that report alone, together with the statement that I will have probably to prepare, will be sufficient to make you master of the subject. What relates to the boundary along the 45th parallel of latitude must be excepted, as Mr. Van Ness gave no opinion on that point. Mr. Bradley’s arguments have also great merit, and embrace or allude to almost all that can be said. But, as he was obliged to follow and reply to the British agent, his argument, divided as it is into three distinct pleadings, is less condensed, and is encumbered with matter which may now be considered as unnecessary for a complete understanding of the subject.

As relates to the boundary of Maine, there cannot be any doubt of our right: the irksome pleadings of the British agent are a tissue of unfounded assertions and glaring sophistry, and the British commissioner’s decision on that point is scandalous. Although I think we are in the right on the north-west source of the Connecticut, the British have at least plausible ground. We have a decent objection with respect to the boundary from the Connecticut to the St. Lawrence (not the geocentric latitude), and that is all.

I have the honor, &c.