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With Afap annexed showing the Country in wliieh the operations liave been carried on. Pm ntfcl to the /louse of Commons hy Her Majesly's Command. 1845. ^ r' &j ii immm ^ \ ' 'm* !0' W^ im^b¥Pafm«v^^Mm^'^ii-'-«ts^ ■ . WRY. lotn of llio llir HoUN- I'ossossioiis itos, irndor 1 lit \\^ash. in wliicli II. by Ilef / ' ' CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR RUNNING AND TRACING THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN HER MAJESTY'S POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES, UNDER THE Vlth Article of the Treaty signed at Washingtoii, August 9, 1842. With Map annexed showing the Country in which the operations have been carried on. Presented to the Home of Commons hy Command of Her Majesty. 1845. (38) LONDON: FRINTEp Sr T. R. HARRISON. / ;*•»*' "^^ •^"■■W(p»l|W»5|''«««fTir5"*"' " UIMWLJI T I [ TABLE OF CONTENTS. Vo. Date. Sulijcct. P»ge I.s4;i 1 The Earl of Abcrrtoon to Licu- Eoreipn OfTice, 'I'ransuiitling bin Coniniisiiion I tcimiit-CnloncI KHlcourt March ;U 2 Till- Karl of Aberdeen to l.ieii- I'oreijfM Ollice, (icneral instructions fortlie Roundary tenniil-Coloiiel Kslcourt March ;U survey operations . . 1 Inclosuru .Ml inoraudum fnmi suffpestions by I'rotVssiir Airy, relative to the as- trononiii'al surveys . . 9 3 Tlio Karl of Aberdeen to Lieii- Eoreii/n Offiie, To exaniiui', in ,i military point of tcnunt-Coloiu'l Estcourt Maruii ;;i view, the line of Hoiuulary surveyed. To kec]) a record of all points vvorlhy of note, and |)reparc maps and plans of the country siu-veyed . U 4 Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to Hostoii, Ainuiuiues his arrival at liostun. the Earl of Aberdeen April 11) Interview with Mr. Smith, the Anu'rican Conmiissioner. Proba- bility of (Ulay in coninu'Ucing opera- tions, in cunsenuence of the severity of the weather 11 .■) Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to St. John, Arranirement entered into with Mr. the Earl of Aberdeen Blay \-2 Smith, for coiidueliiif,' the survey. Arrival of Officers and Sappers by the ship " llibernia." .Mr. Fea- therstonliaudb had been of threat service in niakiu)r preparations for their arrival at .St. , ohn . . 11 Lieutenant-Colonel I'stcourt to (Irand Falls, lias cnjiaurd services of Mr. Wilkin- the Earl of Al)erdi.'eu St. .lohn, New Hnmswiek, July 7 son. Terms of the engagement . . 12 7 Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to Woodstock, Progress of the Commission. Por- the Earl of Aberdeen July J-' tions of survey allotteil to the \a- rious officers. Operations of the American party 12 S Licntcuant-Colonel Estcourt to Cam]), at the 'Hie outlet of Lake Pohenagamook the Earl of Aburueen mouth of the St. Kraucis, August '20 determiueil by Colonel Estcourt and the American Commissioner. In- tends going up to the north-west branch of the St. I'rancis the next day. State of the St. Francis aiul St! .lohu 14 !) Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to \V*asiiiiipton, Further steps of the Commission. the Earl of Aberdeen IJeceniber 'JG Amount of survey during the year 1843. Proposed proceedings for the next season. Uequests that fourteen additional Sappers may be sent out ; to arrive at Quebec 1844 about the opening of the navigation 15 10 Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to Quebec, Details of the operations of the Com- the Earl of Aberdeen January '23 mission from date of his despatch from Woodstock (Jidy -J-J). Or- ganization of the surveying parties. Plans for the ensuing season. Prin- cipal depots for i)rovisions . . IG 11 The Earl of Aberdeen to Lieu- Foreijrn Office, Receipt of despatches. Approval of tenant-Colonel Estcourt March 4 Her M.ijesty's (Jovernment of the operations "of the Commission. Eight non-commissioned Officers and six Privates, with additional instruments, will be sent out by the first opportunity . . 21 % IV TADLB OF rONTF.NTS. No. 1-.' 19 14 IJ IG 18 13 20 l.ii'iiti'imiit-Cdloni'l Kittcoiirt to till' ICiirl of ALcrilwMi Till' Karl of AluTilpeii to I.icu- ti'iiiuit-Coloiirl Diitcourt Till' F.uri of Al)or(l«'Pii to Lion- ti'imnt-Culoni'l Katcourt Iiiciitcnnnt-Cnioni'l Ktttroiirt to till' Karl (>r AlMTdcc'ii Mr. Adiiinctnii to Liouti'linnt- Colonel Estcoiirt 17 Liputcnsnt-Colnncl Rstcnurt to th« Earl of Aberdeen Lieutenant-Colonel F,«tcourt to the Karl of Alirrdoen The F.nrl of Aherdeen to Lieu- tenant-Colonel Estcourt Lieutenant-Colonel F.stcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen OtU). Huliject. 1H4-* (jui'liec, May N Foreign Office, June 3 Foroiini Offler, July :i lleiirht of Land, July 24 Forcijrii Office, November 4 QiU'bee, l)«ccniber Quebec, December S lS4r) Forci(rn Offiie, Januarv 3 Quebec, February 25 Siicccnafiil i'iim|ile(iiin of the trnciii)( iif till' '•(iiilh-VM'Hl line belwi'i'M I.iikr I'libenai^Miiiiiiik and the Niirlh-V>esl Itraii'h. Correetiie^H of llic iiiir\ey lli'cel|il of |ii'ereililitr ili''>|iati'li, A|i- [iroval of Her .MiijeiljH (ioverii- lui'iil of the -.kill and eiier)(y diii- |ilaycil by the CninmiHAidn. . IiHtruclions with reference to tli. {iniH.'ciiJnii of the survey by th" llrili''b |>arty alone, in the event of no niiprnpriation having been made by ('iiii(frei< fill' the ixjieiHes of their ('oinininsinn (hirin); the preiipnt "eaKiiii lti'cei|it of (irceedinp despatch. Opc- ratidiix (d the Auiiriean Cnniinisxioii retarib'il in coiisi'i|iieiii(.' of delny of (onifress in making' the iiece»>ary a|iiHdpiiatiiiii, The ^.iirvcy cuii- liiiiii'd by the llritiKh party alone, Aiilhiirixcs him, in rousiileration of the ;,d\aiici'(l slate of the Mirvey, to make any pi'actirabli' rcdiiiiioii in the otablishmeiit of otlicer^ and men under his chnrjfB ('oiieliisiiiu of the operations of the ('(iniiiussiiiii for tlie •^eaHiiii. Dc- taih'd accoiitil of ihiise npiTatiiilis, under the licads /i,'ers already discharged. Enjoining future eco- nomy . . . . . . .'Vcknowlcdjing receipt of foregoing di'spatdi. Does not think it expe- dient to reduce the strength of the force under him at present, but hopes to do so in B short period. I'lan of operations for tlie opening season. Will discontinue employ- ment of Mr. Fe.itlierstonhaugh as soon as his valuable services can be dispensed with. Docs not think it necessary for Captain Broughton to return from England. Thanking, on behalf of himself and compani- ons, for expressions of approbation conveyed in Lord Aberdeen's deipatcli of the 3rd January. Pafo 23 24 24 •2K 2'J 30 TASr.E or CONTENTS. ir*. Oito. 8ulijui'<. r»go •Jl Till' I'lirl i)f AliiTclri'ii Id Ijcii- Iciiaiit-l'iiliiiii'l Katcuurt IH-jr.. I'nrciKii Otiicc, April J. 23 !.>4 Till' I'.iirl (if Ahordpcii Id Lici Ipiwiiil-t'olonrl I'iiitcourt Tlio Knrl of AbcnliTii lo Lieu- ti'imnt-Colonc'l Estcourl I.icnti'nnnt-ColnnrI Mr. Aililington Kstrourl to Foreign OH'k April In. I'DrciRii Office, Mav 19. S(. .lolin's, .Iiilv !». AckiiDwIcdgiinf rcciipt of ilrnpntcli of llir "Jcllli I'rhriinry. ('Diinir- rinM: ill vii'WH mill iiilontioiiM ro- HprrliiiK rt'iliiclioii iif ii. ('I'ipt.iiii Drouth- lull inl'iirnicil lir iirid mil nliirii lo Anirrii'n. In insc of no appniprin- lion or itiHuffic'ii'nt iipprnprliitton lirinif niiiili' liy CmnfrrcH fur priisr. (iiliiiii iif l)iiuiiiliiry prdci'i'iliiijT!. |,y I'liiloil .Sliilis' Coimiiissiiin, Id con- liiiiii' niiirkiii)! mit llniinilary I.iiio williimt iiitrniiisaion, m iiiHlnictoil lail yrnr AppriiviiiK Iii4 linviiiir ((iiiiiiiiinicnli'il spiinlanioii-ly In llir ,\lnji'«ty'a Miiiislcr at \\ iHlilii;;liiii sii)f(,'r«- tioiiM willi a\iiw Id accilcrati' llu' lalioiirs of llii' Ildiiiidary ('mimiii- nioii. . lixjirc>i»iii)( (liailit aH tii siifflcirncy of ifraiil liy ('iiinrrrns iif ",'),()00 ildllars for lirin^riii^r npcialions of tlie llmiiiilary CnniinissiDii In a coii- cliisiiin tliis xeasnii : in lliat vanf Id proposr Id liis Aiiipriiaii ciillrajriio to cxi'iiiti' part of llin wiirk wliicli oiiglil III 111' ilniir liy tlic Anicrirans on a wrillcn cii^ratfcmi'iit lieinjf rn- tcrt'il iiili), thai Mini thus <'X|i('iiiU'il be ili'i'niL'il ii'iiiilnirsalilii tii (ireat Itrilaiii. !f lliis plan sliuiiM appear olijeetidnalilc, (fraiilinj; full iliscre- tion U> a(li)|it any ntlier wliicli may lend to completion of the work this year. Aiiiidiiiuinjr iliiit (lie whole entlin(r of tin- l!i)iiiiiiary will lie linislied on the llltli of .Inly. I'meeeiliiiRs of llie diffirciit (jcntleinen altaclied to the C'onimissioii. Two iiioiilhs more work ill tlifijifid remains lo be done ;)i 31 yi :V2 i i ('(»in'.sj)(ni(l('ii(c rc.sjM'clino- ihc ojicriilions nl" (Ik- Coin- mission for niimiiiM iiiid Iracin;^: the IJouiidaiv Line lichvccii llci- Maj«'>ly's Possrssions in N'ortli Ani( rica and tlic United States, undt-i- llic Sixth Article! ol' tli<' 'I'rcaty sinned at \VasIiin<;ton, Anj^itsl !>, \Hi2. No. 1. The Eiirl of Alifrdfvn to Llculvmul'CoUmd Rurlomll Entcourl. ^«''' Fornijn Office, M'lrrli .'M, I«-I3. F Til ANSMJ'I' lo yoii ii commission wliicli the (^iiccii lias Ix-cn i;ra- (•ioiisl\ pleased to i;rant lo you under llie royal si<;net and si^n niaimal, const it ut ill-;- and a|)|)(>intin^- you tlie Conunissioner on the pail ol' Her IMajesty. (() meet a ( 'oniinissioner to he appoinlcd i)\ tlu> I'residenl ol' the I'niled Stales, and uilli sueii ("oiiiniissioiier to run and liace lliosi- parts ol'lhe Uouiidary l-ine hetwcou the liiitisli possessions in Norlli Americii and llie United Stales, described in the l''irst Article of tiic 'i'realy of llie {Mil of Aiif;usl. IHI-3. ulileh will Ix- i((piii(.d (o |,e ,-iiii and asceVtaineil, and to niarlv ilie said line li\ pr(i|)cr monumcnis on tlie land. I am, i«ic„ (Sio-ned) AI5K1{|)I:I':N. No. 2. The Earl of Aberdeen to Lieutenant- Colmiet Enlroiui. ^'r- Foreign Office, March 'M, 1843. AS you are about, lo proceed to tli(> United States in order to under- take tii(> Kuporlant duties conlidcd to you as Iter .Majesty's Commissioner for traciiifj'. in c'lnjnnction witli the iL'ommissioncr ol' t'lic Uniled Si.itcs, the Line oi' {{oundary l)ct\ve(>n Iter .Afajesty's (I;)iiiinions in North America and the United Stales, iis provided by the 'I'rcaty of \\'ashiiis;'toa ol' the 9tli August, KSfi, llic time is arrived at which "it is rij^lit tliat I should give you sneli insi ructions as may be accessary for voiir i;uiilance in tlio proper discharfjc of those duties." ^'ou will, in the lirst jjJace, proceed to IJoston, accompanied In' Mr. James l<'cat!icrstonhaut;h, one of the surveyors, and iMr. Scott, the .secre- tarv and draiiohtsman attaciied to your ("ommission, leaving- Captain; Bii..if)^ht(m and llobin.son, and Lieutenant Pipon to follow you by the mail pajket of the 18tli April. Thosc^ ollicers, acccmipanied by as many of the Sa|)pers who are attached to the Commission as may be thoui^ht nccos- sary, shouhi be directed, after their arrival at Halifax or at'Uoston, as may be deemed expedient, to wait the receipt of instructions from you for tlioir {guidance in their ulterior proceedings. You will probably tiad it convenient again to make use of the build- (38) B inp at the Great Falls of the River St. John, whieh was employed by the laic Coniinissioa of Survey as i' depot for storiiif;- their instruments, &e. In ease vou siio.dd dceide on applying;' that i)uilding once more to this use, yon \vili^;ive the recpiisite orders lor preiiarinj;- it aeeordinj^iy. Alter yonr arrival at Hoston, yon will re|)air without iinneeessary delay to Ikuigor. ii\ the State of Maine, the |)la(T ol' nieetin}>; appointed by the Treaty, where yon will put yonrsell' into eommnnieation with the United States' "ommissioiur as soon as he arrives there. The 1st of l\Iav is tl.e day of nieetinj;' ajjpointed by tlie Treaty, but, if both lheC«mi- missioiiers reaeh Hanj^or before that lime, there is no reason why they sliould not enter at oneo into a preliminary diseussion of the objects to bo luidertakcn by them. At voiu' lirst interview with the Uniteil States' Commissioner, after havinfi' nuilually produced and verified the poweis under whieh you res|)eclively act, you will at f)nce declare to him that it is the earnest desire of Her Majesty's (lovernnient that tin; Commissioners of the two Govcrunienls should on all occasions act t()jj;etlier with the utmost har- iiions and cordiality, and that you have accordini;ly been instructed to meet the United States' Commissioner in a spirit of jierr^ct faiiri(>ss and openness, and to see'K by (>very proper means in your power to remove dillicultics and laeilitatc tiie |)rof;ress of the operations con\niitted to your care. The great object wiiich Her Majesty's (iovernmcnt have at heart is to accelerate as much as possible the completion of the l^iiie of IJoundary as laid down \u the First Article of the Treaty of Washington. They are satisfied that by good will and activity on both sides the g;reater |)art. if not tlie whole, of that liine m;iy be so far scicnlijical/i/ conipleted in one season as to enable Her . Majesty's (iov<'rnment to dispense with the furliier services of several of the genilemen of science employed traced, in the successive order in which they are described in the Treaty of Washington. 1. The first scetion will include the north line from the monument at the s( attainable, the exact ilircction of the old line exolored and marked out by the joint Commissioi>ers in 1817, 1818; and having satisfied your- self of the general correctness of the information whii-h you may have co1lec(ed, it will be recpiisite that, in conjunction with the United States' Commissioner, you should give orders for lunning and marking out ihe same line afresh in such manner as you shall jointly deem cxjiedient. The miniumcnt at the source of the St. Croix being a |>oint already established, it will not be necessary, in the first instance, to determine afresh its jireeise astronomical position. That operation, if rc(]uired at all, may at all events be reserved until the return of the surveyors from tracing (he westrni |)arts of the Hoiindary Line. Tiie point of intersection of the iKnih line, as assumed by the Treatv, with (he River St. .loim, should be at once accurately ascertained and laid dov. n. But, r.s it is obvious that no mark denoting the point of inter- section can be conveniently placed in the middle of the river, it will be nccessa.ry that two corresponding marks should be placed to designate that point, the one on the rigiit and the other on the left bank of the river. f i 2. 1 now proceed to the second section above enumerated, namely, that part of the Line of Boundary from the above-named jioint of intersec- lion to the outlet of tiie lake called in the Ticaty Pohenaganiook. The Treaty provides that this part of the Boundary .shall be laid down as follows : "Thence" (/. c, from the point of intersection of the north line with (he St. .lolin's) " up (he middle of the main channel of the Rixcr St. .lohn to the mouth of (he Ui\er S(. Francis ; thence, up the middle o( the chnnnel of (he River S(. Francis, and of the lakes (hroiigh whicli i( Hows, to thi" otidet of the Lake j'ohenagamook.'" The main channel of a river is, necessarily, that channel tlirough whieii tlic main body of its waters flows. This ehaniiel will, it is pre- sumed, be generally aseeitainal)le without much diHieulty in most parts of th(^ Ri\er St. John. Where, however, it is not clearly discernibl'', or where there are two or more channels, divided by islands, oi' nearly ecpial volume, the selection must be made, and the point (letermined, between the Commissioners by mutual agj'cemcnt, and on the grounds of fair comjiromise. Along the whole of the channel yn determined the Line of Boundary must b<' traced and laid down in the inajis which will be pre])ared accord- ing to the jirovision of Article VI of (he Treaty;, of ^\'asllington. It is of less conscijucnce that tliis line should be run with punctilious nicety, since, wluTovcr it is rcquirod, tlio Treaty provides (Article II) that tlie navi<>ati()n of the river shall he Tree and open to l)otli parties. Tiiis proviiiion, it is ho|)ed, will tend ,'j;reatl\ to iaeilitate the arraiii;einents of the Comniissioncrs with respect to this part of tiie Line of IJonndury, and to remove any dillleullies which may arise. 'J'lie same prineiiile of adjnstnient which is apijlicd lo the River St. Jolm shonid he of conrse ('(pially applied to I lie Hiver Si. Francis, since, althouf;h the word " main,"' as a|)plied to tic clKumel, is omitted in the Treaty in speakin;^;' of that river, it is obvions thai its omission was merely accidental, and that the same [jrinciple of d; limitation which was pro- vided in resj!ect to the St. .lolin was e(jnally intended with respect to the St. Francis. The apportionment of the islands lying in the bed of the two rivers \\\n.\ possil)ly he here and there snhject to some little didleulty, where the niani elianiu'l of either river is a matter of c|n;>stion. Where the main channel is |)lainly diseeniihlc, lln idands lyinfj to the rif>"ht of the line drawn alont;- it, in deseendint;- either river, will of course, as a fi'eneral principle, belong- of right to the United States, while those lying to the left will belong to Gre;it liritain. Cases, however, may occnr, in which it may be for the interest of both |)arties that this i)oint of right shonid be waved by mutual agree- ment, and .a principle of reeiproeai accommodation be substituted for it. In a despatch addressed by Lord Ashburton to this olHcc, aftei- the signature of the Treaty of Washington, in August, 1812, it is stated "that it was fully ninlerstood between the negotiators, that the ((uestion of the distribution of the islands should be dealt with ecjnitably and with the least possil)le contention, consulting, where it can be done, the interests of the inhabitants, with whose farms the islands, which are not generally large, may be connected." By these |)rineiples the C'(nnniissioners should be guided ; and there can be little doubt that, by a candid and liberal observance of them on both sides, all laid down as follows : — '• Tiience." (i.e. from tiie outlet of the Lake Pohenagamook) "south- westerly, in a straight line, lo a point on the north-western branch of the River St. John, w hieli point shall be ten miles distant tVoin the main branch of the St. .lohn, in a straight line, and in the nearest direetion : but if the said point shall be found to be less than seven miles from the nearest |)oint of tlu^ summit or crest of the highlands th.it di.ide those rivers wliieh empty themselves into the St. liawrence from tlios(> which fall into the St. .lohn then the said ]>oint shall be made to recede down the said north-west branch of the River St. John, to a point seven miles in a straight line from the said summit or c»'est.'' This is an essential part of the liounoary, to which mnch attention must be paid by you. The practical determination and delineation of it will probably be attended with diHiculty and labour. Fortunately, it seems to hav(> been already pretty clearly ascertainec?, that from the main River St. John to the |)()int on the north-west branch of the St. John, and thence to the crest of the dividing highlands, there will be found a considerably greater distance than tlu^ ten and seven miles rccpiired ; consei|uently, we may hope that in this point, at least, the difficulty of demarcation will be materially lessened. The governing principle of this part of the Line, to the full carrying out of which we must look, is, that the point to be estal)lished on the north-west branch of the St. .John be at least seven miles from the nearest jioint of I he summit or crest of the dividing highlands. In proceeding to mark out this part of the Houndary the Commis- sioners will have, first, to settle which is the river intended liy the Treaty as the north-west branch of the St. John. Having determined this point, they will next have to agree upon the point on the main stream of the St. John, from which the straight line, ten miles in length, is to be drawn in the nearest direction to tlii- point on the north-west branch of the St. John. This being accomplished, they will have to ascertain authentically whether the last-mentioned point is seven miles distant from the nearest ])oint of tlie summit or crest of the highlands designated in th(> Treaty. If this fact shall have been already established in the altirmativ(> by means of the joint or separate |)reparatory survey ordered by the Coni- missoners, as suggested in the early ])a:t of this despatch, the straight line maybe traced at once from the Lake Pohenagamook lo the ; oint thus ascertained on the north-west branch of the St. John ; and that point may be definitively laid down. If, however, it should turn out to be less t!ian seven miles distant from the nearest point of the crest of the highlands, it must be in that case brought down the north-west branch of the St. John until the stipulated distance of seven miles be obtained, That the distance of the point on the north-west branch of the St. John to which the line from Lake Pohenagamook is to be drawn, should be at least seven miles from the crest of tin; dividing highlands is essential; but it is comparatively inunaterial whether the line from the north-west branch of the St. John to the main St. .lohn be a little more or a little less than ten miles in length. Provided that object be [)roximatcly attained, Her Majesty's Government will be satisfied. Tliorcforo it will not bo ncccHsary that you should bo voiy particular as to the select ion of tlio precise point ol' the Uivcr St. Jolin from which that line is to i)e drawn ; and y<>" will consider yourseir at liberty to af;;rco to the ado|)tion ol' any |)oint which may seem to lullil with |)n)ximate cor- rectness the purposes of the Treaty. You will do well, however, to wei}>h with f>reat care any |)ro- position which may be made to you l)y the United States' Commissioner involvins;- a departure to any extent from the letter of the Treaty, or suf;f;('sting' any <'oiisideral)le conu>romise with res|)ect to (he Line of Boundary in this particular (piartcr, at the same time that you will evince every disposition, on your part, to remove, by mutual concession, any dilliculty whicii may arise between you respectinf;- it. On these matters much must depi iid on th ';()od feelinf's and good understand iufjf which may sid)sist between tiie two C'ommissioners. If, contrary to our hopes, you sliould lind in your AmericaTi col- league a disposition to exact too mucii or to coiii-cde too little, you will in that case insist upon the accurate dermeatiou ol' every |)art of the Line of houndary in thai cpiarter, as provided by the Treaty ; and if you fail to arrive at a n\u(ual .seltlemeiit of the [loinls in (li^|)ut(', you will take them for refei-ence to your (lovernment. For the scicntilic mode of tracing;- the Boundary Lini^ and lay in;;' down the vai'ious |)oinls, especially in this diirn-ult part of it. I cannot do better than refer you to the aMui-xcd memorandum which has been drawn uj) from the valuable sug'gestions of I'rofessor Airy. Her .Majesty's Astronomer Royal. 4. I now proceed to treat of the fourth section of Boundary, or that part of the Line from liie north-west to the south-west brjiiieh oi' the River St. John ; and tluMice to the intersection of the luulcrstood t.'Sth |);iraliel of north latitude with the Biver (\)nnecticut. The Treaty pro\ ides for the tracing of tliis part of the Boundary as follows : "Tiience." ((. e., from (he north-west branc h of the River St. John) "in a straight hue, in a course about south, eiglu degrc(>s west, to the point where the par.dlel of latitude of 4(r 25' north intersects the south west branch of the St. John; thence southerly by the said l)rancli to the source (hereof in (he highlands at (he Me(jarme(te Por(agc: (hence down along the said higidands which divide the rivers that (Mnp(y (hemselves in(o the River S(. Lawrence from (hose which fall in(o the Atian(ie Ocean, to the head of Hall's Stream ; thenee down the middle of said stream, till the line (iiiis run intersects the old line of Boundary surveyed and marked by Valentine and Collins previously to the year \11\, as the {."ith degree of" north latitude, and which has be(Mi known and understood (o be the line of actual division i)e(ween the States of New York and Wrmont on one side and the British Province of Canada on the other: and from said point of intersection west ahmg the said divi;ling line, as heretofore known and understood, to the Iroquois or St. Lawrence River." In this part of the Bountte along the highlands w hieh divide the rivers wliich empty themselves into the River St. Lawrence from (hose which fall into the Atlantic Ocean to the head of Hall's Stream, it will be sufficient to adopt the broad prineii)le of a gencrul division of the two classes of waters above described, the one from the other, without attending too scrupulously to that division in detail. With this view you will ])ropose to the United States' Commissioner ihat the Lino should be traced, so far as it may be found practicable, along 7 ii the dividing' ridpo or crest of tlie hififlilaiKls, in sucli a manner ns to separate all tlie lar}>er slieanis of the one class of waters from the other; but that no acco\int siiould he taken of every little brook or rivulet which may be found to How one way or the other. 'I'o draw the Line with seru|)ulous nicety round (he head of every little streamlet would occupy much time without producinp^ any satisfactory result. AH that is re- that old piirallel, whicli. t!i()U};li aslronomicalh- ineorrecl, has been consiihrcd as the Boundary l)etu('vMi the dominions of (ircat Hrilain and tlie I'nited States ever since the 'i'realy of 17n;<, and has formed the basis of all contiguous p-anls of land, and settlements made by the svdtjects and citizens of both coiMilries on each side of it respectively. It \\ ill. iiowever. be recpiisite that the Commissiimers should verify and authenticate every part of that old Line, in order to avoid all future dispute. When tlie Commissioners shall have completed their task of tracing; the Houiulary in its whole extent, from the moiiument at the soiu'ce of the River St. Croix to the River St. Lawrence, it will be necessary, in con- foruMly with (he stipulation eontaiiuMl in (h(> \ l(h Article of the Treaty of \\'ashini;ion. that tli"y should •' make to each of their res[)ective (lov- ernments, a joint re])<)rl or declaration, under their hands and seals, desip;natini;- such Line of Boundary;" and that they should "accompany such rejiort or declaratioe. witli maps, certified by them to be true maps of the new J'oundary." A\'ith this stijjulation you will strictly conform. It appt-ars, however, to Her -Vbijesty's Government, that in ease thit Commissioners should uidbrtunately have not been able to agree to the whole Line of I5oundai\v, it would, nevertheless, be desii-able, as tending to save mueli future troid)l(>, that they should, at all events, make joint reports, and ])resent joint maps, of such parts as they may have agreed upon. Should the imexpecied contingency of partial dis;igreem(Mit therefore occur, you will consider yourself authorized to nuike a proposition to the above effect to the United States' Comndssioner. Under any circumstances, however, you will take particular care to draw up correct and authentic ma|)s and j)lans of every part of the Boundary ascertained by the British surveyors. Her ^bijesty's tiovernnient consider that it will be desirable that each party, British and American, aUhough ae(ing and working 'ogether, shoidd pay its own expenses respectively, in order to avoid the d>iays ancl embarrassments incident to joint accounts in such matters. The proceed- ings of the Commission may, it is apprehended, be so ordered as to insure a fair ecpiality of expense on hoth sides. The employment of woodsmen and other sid) ordinate .assistants will be left entirely to your own discretion. You will, of course, be careful, in this, as in all matters connected with the Commission, to observe as strict economy as may be eom|)atible with rapidity and accuracy mi the execution of the operations to be performed. You will keep this OHiee constantly and circumstantially informed of all yovu' proceedings. Should difficulties a 'ise between you and the Com- missioner of the United States, you will employ every reasonable effort in your power to overcome them ; and you will not refer any point of diUbrencc home for the decision of Her Majesty's Ciovernment, until you have exhausted every means of amicable aojustment on the spot. in case you should deem it advisable in such cases, you will have I V \ # recourse to the mediation of Her Majesty's Minister at Washington with the (lovcrnment of the United States. It will also be proper that you should, from time to time, keep that gentleman acquainted generally with the progress which you arc making in the work intrusted to you. You will also place yourself in communication, whenever it may be necessary, with Her Majesty's Colonial Authorities, cither in Canada or in New Brunswick. I am, &c., (Signed) ABERDP^EN. Inclosurc in No. 2. Memorandum, drawn from suggestions by Professor Airy. IT will probably occur in several parts of the Boundary Line to be traced and laid down, th.it astronomical determinations of tiic same thing will be required, at or about the same time, from the Uritish Jiiul from the American astronomers, with a view to the comparison of those deter- minations. In these cases, the British astronomer ought, if possible, to arrange that his determination shall be made at least as early as that of the American astronomer's. 2. In all cases whatever, the observations should be reduced as quickly as possible. Thus the observations for the errors of chronometers, whether made with the tir.nsit instrument or with the altitude and azimuth instruments, should be reduced immediately ; the observations for latitude, made at night, should be reduced the next morning ; and so for others. And the selection of stars and other objects of observation, is to be made, and the general plan of observations to be arranged with special reference to this rule. 3. The astronomer should also consider it a matter of great impor- tance to keep all his observations and calculations arranged in the most dear and distinct shape possible ; so that if any discussion with the American astKyiiomers should arise in tiie Boundary Country itself, or if it should be necessary to publish any part or the whole of the observa- tions and computations, the manuscript books may be found in a state which will admit of examination or printing by other persons, without a moment's delay. 4 Every entry of ol)servation, and every calculation, should be fairly made out in duplicate. 5. The lirst part of the Line of Boundary to be traced under the Treaty of Washington, is the north line, from the monument at the head of the River St. Croix to the River St. John, which, by the terms of the Treaty, is to follow an exploring line, run and marked in 1817 and 1818. In the event contemplated by the Treaty, it is probable that no astrono- mical observations will be required, G. Should astronomical observations, however, be required, there are two plans of operation, both unexceptionable in a scientific point of view, and between which a selection may be made. One is the determination of the difference of longitude between the monument and an assumed north end, witli the view of shifting that north end until the difference shall vanish. The other is, the laying down a north line from hill to hill, by planting a transit instrument in each place, adjusting it accurately to the pole, by transits of circumpolar stars, and then fixing (by signal) a mark on the next hill, corresponding to the position of the transit wire. It will be extremely desirable that the same method should be adopted by the British and by the American astronomers ; and for this purpose, it may be necessary that the British astronomer should confer with the American. 7. The next part in which it is contemplated that astronomical ope- rations may be called for, is in the tracing of the straight line from the outlet of the Lake Pohenagamook to a certain point on the north-west branch of the St. John. The difliculty of tracing this line by survey being considerable, it will be the duty of the astronomer to collect accurate C 10 inrormation respecting the facilities for carrying pocket clironoinetcrB from ofie extremity to tlic otlicr (hy canoe on the river, or any otluT way), in order to determine tlie difference of longitude; which, with the difTcr- cnce of latitude (atK)ut which there is no didlculty), would give the direc- tion in wliicli a line must start from cither extremity, in order to strike the other extremity. H. Tlie next point is a determination of a point on the south-west branch of the St. .loiui, at which the latitude shall be U)" 25'. This is obviously to be done by taking a station satisfying, as nearly as the astronomer can judge, the condition laid d<;wn in tlie Treaty ; then determining its true latitude, aixl then shifting the station until the lati- tude is found to agree well with that of lO" 2.V, recpiircd by the Treaty. As this operation is plain, and its necessity unequivocal, the atten- tion of the astronomer should l)e specially called here to ti>e recommenda- tion under Article 1. i). The next part is the Houndary anciently but incorrectly traced as the 1.")th degree of north latitude, in which (as in that treated under Article 5) the old line is to be adhered to. With regard to this con- tingency, the same cour.se is to be followed as tliat laid down in Article 5. If the Commissioner should judge that astronomical operations are advisable, two courses are open, which, in an astronomical view, are unexceptionable, and between which a selection must be made. One is, to determine by trials of latitude (in the same manner as in Article 8), a series of points vviiose latitude is accurately 15 degrees. The other is, to determine one point whose latitude is accurately 15 degrees; to deter- mine also a north line with the transit instrument, to lay down from this an cast and west line by the altitude and a/.imuth instrument, and to carry on this line from hill to hill (with the proper allowance for the difference between a parallel of latitude and a great circle). It will be desirable here, that the same course should be pursued by the British and by the American astronomers. 10. With regard to the determinaticm of the latitudes and longitudes of |)()ints selected to serve as bases for a future survey of the country ; it is no ilicss to call the attention of the astronomer to the methods of determining the latitude; but it is pro[)er to jjointout the cautions which will be recjuired, in order to make the longitudes worthy of credit. Two methods only can be resorted to with success : one, the observation of transits of the moon's limb, combined with the observation of transits of the principal lixed stars, or moon culminating stars; the other the observation of (he moon's distar-e from the sun and stars, by means of a sextant or other reflecting instrument. The labour entailed by the former of these methods, is so small, that it is jiroper, at all events, that the astronomer follow it, as long as he shall remain at one of these posts, giving great attenti(m to the state of adjustment of the transit, and observing, if possii)le, as many transits after full moon as before full moon. Hut the second is probably the method on which he must prin- cipally rely; and for this the following cautions are indispensable : that at each set of observations, the astronomer observe distances of one object cast of the moon, and of another object west of the moon, at nearly equal distances ; and that he obtain as many sets of observations before full moon, as after full moon. It is unnecessary to point out that his time must in all cases be accurately known, and that the moon's /.cnith distance must be measured with tolerable exactness. 11. The necessity for immediate calculation of the observations (as enjoined in Article 2) does not exist here to the same extent as for the observations which apply to the tracing of the Boundary Line. Never- theless, it is desirable that the computations be carried at once, as far as they can be carried, consistently with general convenience ; since it is only by comparing results, when the circumstances of observation arc fresh in the memory, that many errors can be tliscovered, and since the pre- servation of the results in the memory or in manuscripts of small .-extent, will be a considerable guarantee against the loss of this labour, by the destruction of the more bulky books of observations and conqiutations. 11 No. 3. The Earl of Aberdeen to Lieutenant -Colonel Estcourt. Sir, Foreign Office, March 31, 1843. IN additinn to tlio goiioral instructions which I have conveyed to you in my dps|>atch ol' this dale, I have further to desire that in the course of the execution of those instructions, you will not fail to examine minutely, in a military noint of view, every part of the Line of Boundary which will be surveyed by yourself or the odicers under your orders, and to note down any point which, in the course of the operations, may strike you as worthy of beinj^- remarked upon, and brought to the notice of your (lovernment. You will carefully keep a rceord of all such matters, with a view to their communication to the Commander-in-chief. You will also of course prepare ma|)3 and plans of all parts of th« country surveyed by the Uritisli surveyors. I am, &c., (Signed) ABKRDEEN. No. 4. Lieutenant-Colonel Entcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received May 15.) My Lord, Boston, April 19, 1843. I lIAVKthe honour to inform your Lordship that we landed this morning at this place, and that I have communicated my arrival to Mr. Fox, Sir Charles Metcalfe, and Sir William Colcbrooke. 1 have just now h.id a visit from Mr. Smith, the Commissioner of the United States, from whom I have learnt that the strength of his assistants will be equal to that on our side ; and I think, from the ctmversation I have had, that Mr. Smith will be ecpially ready with myself, to send the astronomers and surveyors forward to the Upper St. John and St. Francis, to prepare, as 1 have pro|)osed, a survey of that portion of the country, which will enable us to decide upon the points required by the Treaty, with, I hope, but little delay. From all 1 can learn of the state of the country, both at Halifax and at this place, I do not think it probable we shall be able to take the field very early. This winter has been, on this side of the Atlantic, remarkable for its severity and duration, in the mean time, I shall make every practicable preparation, so as to expedite the work as much as possible, when wc do begin our o|)era>ions. I have, &c., (Signed) J. li. BUCKNALL ESTCOURT, Lt.-Col., British Commissioner. No. 5. Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received May 29. My Lord, St. John, May 12, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that I met Mr. Albert Smith, the American Commissioner of Boundary, on the 1st of May, at Bangor, where we opened the Commission intrusted to us, and agreed upon a general plan of proceeding, by which I hope a fair rate of jirogrcss will be ensured to our operations. The season is so late that wc found it necessary to adjourn from 02 12 Banpor, agreeing to meet again at lloultoii on tlie Iwt of June, with our parlies. ill (iliedieiiee to your Lor(lsl)i|)'H instructions. 1 did not Tail to deelarc to .Mr. Smith, the earnest desire of Her Majesty's (lovernment, tliat the two ('(iiiiiiiissioiiers should, on all oeeasions, net together with the utmost liarmonv and cordiality ; ami that I was instructed to meet the United Stales' ('omniissioner in a spirit of perfect fairness and openness, and readiness, by all proper means, to smooth dillieulties. Mr. Smith professed the same feeling on his side, and i feel very conlidenl that he will act upon it. The general plan of operations to which we have agreed, is to send all our scientilie gentlemen to the Great Kails of the St. .John, and to leave them to survey the river from thence upwards to the Lake Pohena- gamook on the St. ••'raneis, the astronomers fixing convenient stations at tliUfieiit points, and the surveyors laying down the course of the river witii the islands, and the course of the deep channel. Wiiilst this is in progress, tlie two Commissioners will trace the North Line according to the terms of the Treaty, and, having «h)nc ho, estahlisii tiie cutting f)arties. They will then leave the cutting parties to continue that operation, and proceed themselves to the outlet of the Lake Pohenaga- mook. The ofTicers and the sappers who came out by the " Hibcrnia," arrived safely licrc on Monday last the 8th instant. Air. Kcatiierstonhaugh has been here some time; he came on iinnic* diately after our arrival at Hoston, and has been extremely useful in making preparations for us. Whenever the river will admit i)f it the whole party will renu)ve to the Great Falls ; ))ut as yet there is no possibility of tracking up the St. John on account of the great flood of water. I have, &c., (Signed) J. B. RUCKNALL ESTCOURT. ^^ No. 6. Lieutenant' Colonel Estcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received July 28.) Grand Falls of St. John, New Bruns^rick, My Lord, July 7. 1843. ACTING upon the instruction I received from your Lordship, I have engaged the services of Mr. Wilkinson of this province, for the Boundary Commission. The terms of the engagement are, 23s. currency, about 20s. sterling, per diem. Mr. Wilkinson is to have the direction of the cutting and survey of tlie north line. He has already four parties .at work between the inter- section of the St. John and the Aroostook. I am sure he will be enabled to render great service to the Commis- sion. I have, &c., (Signed) J. B. BUCKNALL ESTCOURT. ■W No. 7. Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 14.) My Lord, Woodstock, July 22, 184.3. IT is right I should give your Lordship some account of the prog^ress of the Commission. On the 16th of June, accompanied by Mr. Lally, a gentleman deputed li* 13 X for (ho duty by o American fommiHsioncr, niul l)y Mr. Srott, I l)f ffan the exploration of tho North Lino. W(! followed tiio old oiit-oiit lino of |Nl7, from tlio moniimont at the Boiirco of (ho St. Croix, traoinjj it by the ohi stumps, by tlio yoiin^;»);ro\vth, and by a oortain dip in tho iippor line alon^;^ (ho tops of Iho troos ii^ainut the skv, which indicated whore a cut had boon made. Tliis lino wo followed, until, about a mile north of the Houth branch of th(i iModuxnikoa^', wo camo to a small open {rreen spaee of about half an acre, beyond which no further traces could i)o found. Wo then crossed over eastwanis to Major (Jr.dian>'s lino in search of some marks to carry iis on ; but foimd none. However, upon makinp; a cast again to the north-west we hit upon a line of old bla/.es which carried us to the intersection of tho St, John, al)out half a mile west of Major Graham's lino. This lino was without doul)t (he e\|)lored line of Colonel nouciio((o and Mr. Johnson, because we frocpiontly found trees marked as they had marked them, a record of which we fortunately had with us; Mr. Wilkinson having sent me a copy of (lie original lie! roacluMl cIomc uii lliu thirli't-ntli milo. I liiuc Idiii' piirticH ctittiitv; •>■> tl>*' ^(' .lolir. mid ArooHtook uiultM- Mr. Wilkinson, anil llicy li.'ivc, I shinild Mn|)|)t)S(', coniplfti-d uliont Iwi-nty niilcH. I liavi* not liowcvcr s(>i-ii tlicni tor a rorlni^lit, having lircii occiij)i<'d on tilt* Mfduxnikca^ in oxaiiiinin^ the dilliciilty I liavc related. I'lie hoals with provisions and tlie iiiHtriinienls reached the (iruiid Palln on the iNtli oi'.liini- ; wlieii ('a|itaiii Koliinson and Lieutenant I'ipon lie^iiii tlieir astronomical oliservalioiis to determine the ditrerence of loii|;'ilude between the (irand Kails and the moiitli oi' ti.e Madavvaska. liy tliiu tiiiu* they have f;()t on to the month of the St. Krancis. Mr. Featherstoiihaiif;li, who has rendered me very j^reat servico in making our necessary |>repaialions, is now Hiirveyiiifj from tlu" St. Francis downwards, whilst ('aptain llroiij;liton is surveying- from theiiraiid KhIIh upwards. I return mjself on Monday northwards, and expect the American CommissioiKT to follow me in n week to (;n on to liuk<> I*oliena^n<- iTiook. Sucli is the distrihwtion of our party and the proj^ress of our operations. On the American side I llnd every readiness to ^et forward anioiil'('olon4l Tittcourt lo thr F.url nf Abvidem. — (Itrceivrd January II, IK It.) My L(»rd, IVaxhIntjIou, Ihrrmlirr 'z''-, IHl.'t, I DO not |)n)|)<)HC to iiiiiko your liOnlHliin a report oi the |ir(K-i>c(liii||^H of tliiH CoinniiMMion i'roni tlx* period at wliieli my last eommiinieiitiu:'. ended until 1 return to (^ueliee, aiwt until tli<> whole ol' tlie operatioiiM wliieli lielonj; to the lirsl \ear liave heen terininaled. Thev are not yet quite linished t'nr tlie winter o\erl(iok us and inlcrrupled the tranNntiH- uion ol the chi'ononieters hy (lie river. Captain tioliinson and Ijieutenanl Pipoii were tlierelore ohhj^ed to Nunpend their work, and remain wuilinf; until the ice on the St. ,l(ihn should he nhle to hear n Nlei^h. In (ho meant im(* they have hoiiHed IheniHeUeH at their statinns. w hieh are. Cap- tain Kiiiiinson on the St. ,liihn, !it (he intersection ol' the line cut hy thi^ American parly in order to measure liie ten miles to the N'oith-West Hraneh, — it is aliont a mih" lielow the mouth ol tiic Norlh-WeHt Itraneh ; and Lieutenant I'ipon at the n\oulh ( I' the (treat lilack Itiver. The compariNon ol' chronometeis ha\inf;- heen <'on)pleled helween those stations, the lirst \e.ir's work will ha\e heen a(•colnpli^;helain Uohinson and Lieutenant I'ipnii have heen so care- ful and so suecessrul iii their astronomical operations that we look with coulidence to a >;ood residt «)!' the calculations which will f;ui survey ol' the St. .lohn I'rom the (Jrand Kails to the St. Francis, and the a|)portionin<:; of the islands. 'The survey ol'the St. Kraiu-is and the Lake Pohena^amook. The li\in<^ ol'tlie outlet of Lake rohena^amook. The measuring of the ten miles from the St. .lohn to the North-West Branch. The survey of tlie country towards the St. liawrence, to iiscertain the state of till' case as regards the seven miles reipiired hy tlie Tn'aty. The Hxifi};- within a few feet of the point on the North-West liranch. And a chain of astronomical ohscrvat ions I'roni tlie(iraiid Kails to the outlet of [..ake l^ohenai-amook, and from thence to a point near the mouth of the Ntrth-West Jiraneh, where the line cut and measured for the ten miles intersects the St. John. The proceediiii^s of next year will he carried over a very larpe por- tion of country at the same time. We piopose to run the uitli-West Line, (he South Line, to survey the hif^hlands. and jierhaps . '^xamine the '13th parallel of latitude at the same time The whole is |)crtt ly fea- sible if your Lordship will approve of a greater strength of Sappers to be added to the Commission. The six nou-eommissioncd officers of that corps we have now are dis- posed of thus : Kach astronomer has two attached to him, and each surveyor one. Next year each astronomer wdl still reijuire two, but for the high- lands each surveyor will ref]uire eight, making sixteen ; two arc already at their disposal, therefore we want fourteen. I ask for this addition in the confident cxju'ctation that the whole of our work will come very dose to an end next year. 1 do not think entirely to an end, but still very nearly so. Each of the Sappers will have to work by himself, and therefore should ¥ : 16 be conipotont to survey, ami to run lines of levels. Ti)at will be their prinripal duly. In nrginf>- this addition, I must remark to your liordship, that the real expense of wages ineiured by employing Sappers is less, considera- bly, than l>y employing people in tlu country; besides that, they are inli- nitely more eilicient and trustworthy. By their eontluet and aequirc- nients the Sappers we have had with us have drawn forth the praise and admiration of the Anieriean party. The \m"' ans have no )>ersons to stand in the |)laee of them. People with e(pial ae(piirements in this eoun- ti V arc jiaid Ibiu" dolla>> a-day, whilst the wages of even the common labourers \. e both employ are c(|u;.l to those of the Sappers. It is therefore satisfactory for the accuracy of the work, and good economy, to employ non-commissioned oflicers of Sappers for all the minor survey. 'Vhc operations on the iiighlands will be «'on(hicted in two directions; each parly will consist of British and Americans ; their work will be so arranged that each assistant shall work by himself, and therefore that eacli part) may cover as nuich ground as tlieir munbers will admit. ill case your Lordship sliould approve of my ap[)licalion, I beg to rccomiiuMul that the nu i i)c sent out in a sailing vessel, so as to arri\c at u|)licate charts were |)repc'red of the islands, in detail, and were signed by Captain Hroughton and liieutenant Lee, the oflicer intrusted with the work on tiie American side. Tiu'se were laid beHire Mr. Smith and myself. Upon them we drew the Line we deemed to be the Boundary ; and having both signed them, we each retained a set, as authentic documents of our decision. These charts were ready by the 12th October, on which day 1 met Mr. Smith by appointment, at the Grand Falls; and on the 13tii instant the assignment of the islands was completed. The line of the deep cluiiuiel was followed in all the cases, except one called La ScptiOme Isle, where the difTerence of deptii on tiu- tuo sides, was one-tenth of a foot ; that was in favour of the United States. But that was deemed too small a cpiantity to constitute a claim ; I therefore proposed to Mr. Smith that it should be given to the side on which lived the majority of the owners. Reference was made to tiie lielil-Molcs of the surveyors; when it appeared, as Mr. Smitii and 1 underslotui, tliat out of four owners, two livevl on the American side, one on the island, and one on the British side. Accordingly, the island, by the rule we had established, was assigned to the United Slates. in consc(pience of a doubt which has since l)een cast up(m the correctness of our infornvation, it has been agreed to consider that island as still unap[Kutioned. It is probable, however, that our decision will not be altered. It appears that Mr. Smith and I misunderstood the note, that no owner resides on the island, but that three, instead of two, live on the American side, and one on the Hritisli. Thioiiglzout all these proceedings I beg to state that I have met with a bank and libera' tlisposition from the American Commissioner, as well as from all the gentlemen emploved under him. I will now relate my own movements after my arrival at the Grand Falls from NN oodslock. I !kuI agieed to meet Mr. Smith again, at the outlet of the Lake Pohenagamixk, to settle that point in the Treaty. Accordingly, I proceeded up the St. John and St. Francis, and met Captain .lohnston of the United States' Topograi)hieal Knginecrs, who was dei)utcd by Mr. Smith to act fin- him. The establishing that point (m the 15th August has already been reported to your Lonlsliip. After an examination of the lake, and of a ])ortion of the St. Francis above the lake, I descended the St. Francis again, anil ascended the St. John to the North- West Branch. There I found that the American party, which had gone up early in July, had cut an ex|)ernncntal line, on which to measure the ten miles recpiired by the Treaty ; but it had turned out to be neare eleven than ten miles, and they were, therefore, about to cut aiv^'her line. They had made a survey of a portion of the 18 St. John, near tlic mouth of the North-Wcst Branch, and of the North- West Branch itself. JNly object was to examine the country with reference to the seven miles stipuhited in the Trt.ity, and to fix upon a convenient site for a principal depfit of provisions. This last was easily found on the opposite side of a lake, which opened upon \is, just above the point likely to prove that which would be fixed for the Boundary on tiie North-West Branch. But now a serious consideration presented itself, of how to supply this dcpfit. We hal seen how soon in the summer the water subsides in the St. John, leaving not sufficient depth to float a canoe; we had also seen how ditlicult a river it is to navigate, especially with boats heavily laden. The current is strong — the rapids are frequent, and two of them are at times very fornuduble. We had ascended, as fast as we could, yet it had taken six days from the mouth of the St. Francis. It was evident then, if the dep6t at the North-Wcst Branch was to be supplied by the river, that it would prove not only extremely dillicult, but also very expensive. By reference to the map, St. Thomas appeared to be the nearest point on the St. Lawrence to the station selected for the depot. It seemed to be also the direction in which to examine the country to ascertain the state of the case, as regarded the seven miles of the Treaty. 1 theref re determined to cut a communication with St. Thomas, beginning on the St. Thomas side, so as to carry in provisions as the cutting party advanced. This was already the end of August ; the North Line was to be linished by the 31st of that month. Mr. Scott, therefore, hastened down the river to the Madawaska, met the cutting parties, whom Mr. Wilkin- son was now directed not to discharge, brought them across the Tamis- couata Portage, and up tlie shore of the St. Lawrence to St. Thomas. In the moan time, directed by a compass, having taken the best course a small map could give, I struck into the forest and reached St. Thomas on the fourth day. There I found a road, which, some years before, had been opened from St. Thomas directly back into the woods; it was twelve miles long, and for that distance would serve our purpose. jNIr. Scott and his party arrived on the 14th September. I gave him the charge of opening the communication I desired. It required both judgment and excition, because another party under Mr. Featherston- haugh had been ordered up to the North-West Branch M'ith only a limited supi)ly of provisions ; and they were to '.cpcnd upon Mr. Scott and the communication lie was about to open. He overcame the difficulties which he had continually to encounter, and reached the lake of the depot in time. Mr. Featherstonhaugh ascended with the above party from the St. Francis, constructed the buildings necessary for a winter depflt, and then set about to survey, in reference to the seven miles of the Treaty. The road being within six miles, as we supposed, of its completion, I pushed through tlie woods again to the lake, lighted a large fire on the top of a hill close by, to give Air. Scott the direction in whicli to cut, and then descended the St. John to meet Mr. Smith, for the apportionment of the islands, as I have related. After that, I returned to the lake on the North-West Brancli. It is called Sy the Indians Lake Islucganalshegeck. Mr. Scott had fiiiislied his road, which ])rove(l to be about forty miles long, and was engaged in bus!>ing ^ut paths, anfl clearing at th" tops of certain prominent iiills, which were to be stations for triangulation in Mr. Featherstonhaugh's survey. AH this being finished, the men were rc-eonducted to St. Thomas and discharged on 22nd November. A high remarkable hill, which stands in front of the dividing ridge of the highlands, was fixed by triangulation, and found to be more than nine miles distant from the point on the North-West Branch. The dividing ridge itself must, therefore, be at a still greater distance, not less, I imagine, than twelve miles, judging from the appeurance of the country, of which we obtained, from different hills, a very good view. 19 All the operations were finished, ana we left the woods by 25th November, at which time the snow was about two feet «lcep. I now proceed to relate the operations of Captain Robinson and Lieutenant Pipon. They arrived at the Grand Falls with the instruments on the 18th June, and commenced their observations immediately. They were to establish diflcrences of longitude between the following stations : — 1. Grand Falls. 2. Mouth of the Madawaska River. 3. Month of the St. Francis. 4. Outlet of Lake Pohcnagamook. 5. Mouth of the Great Black River. 6. Point on the North-West Branch. The observations have occupied the whole season. Six interchanges of chronometers wore obtained between each pair of stations, and the results have been, 1 understand, very satisfactory. In ail this the British ustnmoniers worked alone. IMajor Graham did not come np till late in the season, in consequence of domestic aflliction. In fact, he iiad already the previous year done much of that which we had to do tliis season. He might, therefore, be considered in advance of us. The last change of station for astronomical observations was that of Captain Robinstm, from the mouth of the St. Francis to the point (m the St. John where the second line cut by the American party intersects that river. He arrived there after a very difficult journey ; the weather had become extremely cold ; he had to encounter severe snow storms ; ice formed on the men's poles as they worked ; in fact they suffered a good deal. Shortly after Captain Robinson arrived at his station the river became unnavigable, and, consequently, no further communication could take place between him and Lieutenant Pipon, who remained at his station at the mouth of the Black River. They built themselves log-houses, and waited for the ice on the river to become strong enough to bear a sleigh. During this time Captain Robinson had the American ten mile line measured accurately. His measurement diflcrs from that of the American party. They make it 10 miles and 110 feet; whereas, by his measure- ment it is 10 miles and 363 feet. In shortening it, however, as I do not propose to insist upon great exactness, there will be no difficulty in satis- fying both sides. To conclude, then, that which relates to the astronomical operations, I am glad to be able to say, that in about ten weeks after the arrival of Captain Robinson at his station, i.e., about the 1 ^ "anuary, the river froze sufficiently to admit of the interchange of the chronometers by sleighs. One comparison had been effected at the beginning of last week. We shall, 1 hope, shortly have the means of calculating the direction of the long south-west line between Lake Pohcnagamook and the North- West Branch. As soon as that is the case Captain Robinson and Lieu- tenant Pipon will leave the woods. I.ight of land on the Kennebec Road. 4. Lake Mcgaiitic. Before the close of the St. Lawrence provisions were with this view taken to — 1. Point Lewis. 2. St. Thomas. 3. Rivicire du Loup. During the winter they will be taken from Point Lewis to the height of land on the Kennebec Road and Lake Meganti From St. Thomas to Lake Ishicganalshegcck. From Riviere du Loup to Lake Pohenagamook. There will also be Ibi ined during the winters small depots on the two Black Rivers, and on a long lake which lies between them; they will be formed where the Line crosses those waters. After the south-west line is traced I expect to be obliged to stop pro- ceedings for a time. The rains and the melting of the snow will probably lay the country under water. (Signed) ' j!'b. BUCKNALL ESTCOURT, Lt.-Cot. No. 11. The Earl of Aberdec7i to Lieutenant- Colonel Estcourt. Sir, Foreign Office, March 4, 1844. I HAVE received and laid before the Queen your despatches of the 22nd of July of last year, and of the 23rd of January of the present year, in which you report in detail the whole proceedings of the Boundary Commission, since the 16th of June last. 1 have much satisfaction in informiug you that Her ISIajesty's Ciovcrnment view with high approbation the energy and ability with which the operations of the Commission have been conducted, both by yourself and by all the officers and gentlemen under your orders ; and Her Majesty's Government are no less gratified by the report which you make of the perfect harmony and friendliness of feeling which has invariably prevailed between you and your American colleague. It is needless for me to urge on persons who have already exliibited such persevering diligence the necessity of continuing in the same course of activity, in order to bring the labours of the Commission, if possible, to a close by the end of this season. Her Majesty's Government feel that they may entirely confide in you and your officers for doing all that depends on you for effecting an object which they have so much at heart. In order to increase your power; of execution, the additional Sappers requested by you in your despatch c"the Itith of December, 1813, have been placed at your disposition, not v. ithout some little inconvenience to other branches of the service, by the Master-General of the Ordnance. It was found, however, impossible to assign to you fourteen non-commissioned officers ; but eight non-commissioned officers and six picked privates will proceed to join you by the earliest opportunity which may offer. The additional instruments, also, which you have desired, will be sent out to you by the same opportunity. I am, &c., (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 12. Lieutenant-Colonel Eitcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 29.) My Lord, Quebec, May 8, 1844. 1 IIAVh^ the satisfaction to Iw able to communicate to your Lordship the succossiiil tracing of the south-west Hue between Lake Pohenagamook and the North-VVcst Ikanch, to clFcct which wc have been in the woods since tlie 1st of March. Captain Robinson took his station at tlie north-west branch and Lieutenant Pipon at Lake Poiicnngamook. Mr. Scott conducted tlic cut- ting i)nrty of Cajitain Robinson. On the 17tii of April the heads of the lines came in sight of each other. They were prolonged until abreast of each other, when the distance be- tween them was found to be only 3-10 feet, being an actual error of I70j^ feet, a (piantity so small for the n.iture of tiic operation, that it will be con- sidered a result rellecting great credit upon the two otKcers, uimii whose observations and calculations the work depended. I mean Captain Rob- inson and Lieutenant Pipon. The wiiole lengtii of the Line is 04;^ miles. j\lr. Scolt ran a line 42j miles and Lieutenant Pipon's men 22 miles. The observations upon which the direction of the Line was calculated, your Lordship w ill remember to be those made n being released from this work, the labourers were conducted by ,Mr. Wilkins(m to the Kennebec Road, that they might be employed in cutting the Boundary in the high lands, an account of which shall presently be given. Mr. Wilkinson made his way through the woods, taking the line of the South-West Branch to the Metjarmistte Portage, where he fell in with the surveying lines of Mr. Featiierstonhaugli, and so brought his men, about 140, to the Kennebec Road. I am not able, without making my report too long, to enter into the difficulties he encountered; but I must state, that the duty was performed with a good deal of judgment and intelligence. Lieutenant Pij)on having finished what was necessary on the South- West Branch, was directed to proceed to Quebec to establish himself near the citadel, and then, in conjunction with Captain Robins(m, who remained on the North- W^est Branch, to connect that point of the IJoundary with Quebec. They were to endeavour to do this by signal, — by flashes of 25 powder firod lit sonio iiitormcdiate point, wliicli iniglit l)C seen from Quebec und I'rom the North- West Urancli, or near it. A spot was found wliicli answere- this winter. 2n(lly. Siinr)/. — The first week in Juiu^ I repaired to the heif:fht of land on the Kennebec lload, (he place appointed for meeting? the American Commissioner. Captain Mroup;hton and JNIr. l*'cathcrstoidiau<;h, with the fourteen Sappers who had lat(;ly arrived in the country, and between seventy and eif^hty labourers, repairetl to the same place. Upon arrival they were divided into tsvo parties ; one under Mr. Keatherstonhaugh, to survey towards the source of tiie south-west branch of the St. John, and the other under Captain Hroughton, to survey towards Hall's Stream. The object of this survey was to .ascertain the fjfeneral run of the dividinj^ ridge, to mark it at intervals of about half a mile, and so to aflbrd correcting points for the cutting parties who might be employed on the actual Boundary. The nature of the survey adopted was to cut a main line in the general direction of the divi(fing ridge, as near as that could l)e ascer- tained by an occasional view of the country from an eminence or tree: to run oifsets from that line over the dividing lidge, to waters (lowing in the opposite way : to level those offsets; to establish summits on them; and to trace and survey the streams on both sides of the ridge. The main line was to cnal)le the surveyor to bring his work into position, that he might lay it down as he proceeded. It was to serve also as a communication for the bringing in provisions, all of whidi were to be carried on men's backs. This lal)our was severe, and it was diffi- cult to induce the men to continue it, through the discimr.igemcnt of fatigue, bad or hot weather, and |)aths which soon became deep and muddy. JNIany men would undertake the work, |)erf()rm one journey, become discouraged, and give it up. Mr. Featlierstonhaugh, having surveyed to the source of the South- Wcst liranch, returned to the Kennebec Road, and proceeded by Captain Broughton's main line to take up fresh ground from Arnold's River west- ward. At ti\e conclusion of the season Captain Broughton had completed the survey from the Kennebec Road to Arnold's River, and Mr. FeatluMston- haugh had surveyed, first, from the Kennebec Road to the source of the south-west branch of the St. John, and secondly, from Arnold's River to Hall's Stream. The amount of work done by both of the oflicers is very great, and I believe it to be as accurate as the nature of the survey will admit. It is difficult to give a correct idea of w hat their labours were ; but I will state shortly ; that they had to cut a vast number of lines ; to survey the course of the streams, and to unravel the difficulties and intricacies of the waters, whose perplexing course through the woods frequently con- founded their expectations. Neither of these officers had finished until the latter end of November, when the snow was already deep. 3rdly. Cutting of the Boundary. — The want of an appropriation by Congress rendered it impossible for the United States' Commissioner to E or mt krc'p liis en^n^oiniMil with inc of lukiiip; tlio field on llin IhI of Juno. K this lu- cxiJi-i-sMcd liis ^rcat rcfrrct. Il wuh not iinlil tliu 2Kth of July t!i liu at'iivcil nt the height of land. The season was now far spent, the lieHl of it idready >;one, y'"t iiolhiii^; done in tile eiittiii;; of the Uonndary alonp; the h\\<;\\ lands, wliieh il hail liecn agreed shoidd he the |ior(ion of the American Conunission. Kiieoiira^ed by yotir Lordshiji's (l«-spateh of the :;e. I (houj;;ht we had a l)elter elianee of eultinp; tlu^ Line alon(>- (he lii^li lands than the American p:\rl\ had. I)urin<;; the winter I had estahiished communications in the count r\ to facilitate tin; hiring' of capable men. and I had made calcidalions of wliat would always be reipiired in provisions and cipiipments to render a parl\ eillcient in the woods. In '.(insecpu-nee, I proposed to the American ('ommission«'r that we should laUe his work in the hi^h lands this year, and that lie sliould take ours on the parallel 15 next year; and so it was arranj;i'd that he should pursue iiis survey from the Kennebec lload. east and west, as we Iiad already done; that he should cut the liine alon^' the dividing ridf^e fiom the Kcnnebee Uoad to t lie south-west branch of the St. Jolui, and that we should cut from th(> Kennebec Uoad to Hall's Sti'cam. if that were to be accomplished befon; the snows should hide from us llur streams, by which alone we could be sure of Ueepiufj; tin' di\ idinjjf ridfte, no time was to be lost. I could not exi)ect to {^et the additional parties to work ix-forc the early |)art of Septend)er ; nor could we deijcnd upon beiiifij able to continue the work after the end of October. 'I here would be, in fact, about six weeks clear for accompiis.iing the task. The distance to be cut, according; to the existiu};' maps, was over one hundrt'd miles. Ten men can cut a (piarter ofamileof Hotnidary in a day ; but one-third of their number would be occupied in brinj;iup^ in supplies for the rest ; therefore the addition in labourers must, it was evident, l)e very f>reat. 'I'he plan of lixinj;' sunimits at intervals, by the survey, enabled me to put in a large borly of axe-men. Parties could take u|> their {^rounds at the dillerent summits; but to take charge of the cutting ))arties oflicers woidd be wanted upon whose intelligence in following the dividing ridge I could depend, and who would have |)ersonal activity sidlicient to enal)le them to push their way through the woods, and to tr.iee anil blaze the actual Line for the guidance of the cutters, so fast as to keep them in full work. Fortunately, I (ould look with eoulidcnee to .Mr. Scott and Mr. Wil- kin.son for this. Also upon naming the matter to Mr, Featherstonhaugh, thougii I could not have proposed any additional laboui" to him, yet he .at once undertook to cut as he surveyed, provided he was furnished with an increase to the number of his men. The agreement for the new arrangement with Mr. Smith iiaving been made on the 2Htli of July, I proceeded on the 2'.)th to (,}uel)ec, wheie I ordered the additional provisions and e(|uipnienis we sliouhl want, and directed the hiring of I'M men. Then 1 went to the north-west and south-west branches of the St. John, to sec how the operations were going on there, ai\d returned to the height of land by the 23rd of August. During my absence some doubt had occurred to Mr. Smith as to the pro- |)riety of leaving the cutting of the Line to the British Commi.ssion, until an American as well as a Hrilish surveyor had fixed sunnnits of guidance. Hut the objection was overcome l)y oiu- entering jointly into an engage- ment to consider the lines which both Mr. Smith and I should cut along the dividing ridge, as only exploratory lines, until found by a survey, to \m' made afte.rwards, to be satisfactory. I"]arly in August I'M men and some of the ecpiipmcnts had arrived at the height of land and were inunediatcly employed in carrying out [uo- visions in preparation for the cutting. August .31st, Mr. Scott arrived from the Valley of the St. John, vvlicre he had been occupied from the beginning of the season, lie at once took up ground about twenty miles from the Kennebec Road, and commenced cutting westward on the 5th of September with 100 men; the 27 rest wero Hcnt to roinCorct' Mr. Konthomtonlmimli. TIki 100 moii ol' Mr. S<'(»tt wore aricrwanls iiicroiiMtMl to I JO. Witli tlicsc nt his IiccIn, \w trao'il tlx' actual Itoiiiwlary, iVoni Hiinirnit to Kiiniiiiit, lor ahoiit twenty niilcs; wlu'ii, linvinn' ovi'rtakoii the survey of Captain llroiijj;litoii, lu! could look lor no more correcting pointN, and niuNtlind Iuh own way ; still he persevered, hy clinihinp; trees to >;ain a view ol' the «'ountry, tracin>5 the streams to lind (heir sources, hut all the time hardly pressed hy tho cuttinpf parties liehind him, he aeconipiished the W(U'k he had undertaken, hy OctolKT'iO; t he distance lieinjj close on seventy miles. Mr. Wilkinson, on his arrivid Irom the \ alley of the St. John, lie^an to cut at tlie Ken- nehec Koatl. lie linished where Mr. Scott lie{;;an. Mr. Scott ilnished where Mr. Keathersti)nliauf;h hcfjan. At the liey;inniiii; of Octolier I repaired to Newport, in (he neij^li- hourliood of IImII's Stream, liy (he middle oi' Octoher a road was cut iron) thence to .Mr. Keathcrstonhaunh's cami), which was I'ound to lie at that time near the source ol' the eastern head oi' the ('onnccticut. Il(^ had •Mil and surseved over thirty miles ol' liound;iry. .Vs I ex|iected. h(! had nearly evh.'iustcd his jirovisions; hui this road cnaliled him to supply himseli' wilhoiit dillicully. hy havin;;' cattle driven in to his camp, and therei'ore to continue his operations. 'I'liere was still a larjife portion ol'lho Roundary to survey and to cut; th(! source of ilalTs Stream was not yet (liscovercd : the snow mii;iit l)(( expected (lail\ ; ai\d there seiMued ^-reat danger ol' our hciiii:; I'orci'd to give up het'ore we reached Hall's Stream. In order to muster all our strength at the last, Captain IJroughton and .Mr. Scott had lieen directed, alter linishing what they were ahoiil, to com(> on westward ; hut not knowing the importance^ ol' the case, and heing close run hu- pro\ isions, .Mr. Scott retired to the Kennehec Road. Captain Hroughton did not finish his survey until late in \o\ei)d)er, when hetween two and three I'eet ol' snow drove him also hack to the Kennebec Koad. ;\s soon as I learnt that .Mr. Scott, u|ion whose men I chiefly depended, had returned hy the Kennehec Uoad, I sent hy evpiess to direct the camping e(piipnients and axes he had left tlu'rc (ohe I'orwarfled imme- diatelv through Qu(>l)ee, and so round to Newport. i*'ortunately, my letters met Mr. Scott at Qiu-hec, just as he was ahout to discharge his men. With great promptitude he sent them all olT' to join me at Newport, and came there himseli'. Owing to the hadness of the roads at the timi-, there w.is ;i di l.iy in the arrival of the axes; hut in a week after they h id come, the remainder of the Liiu- was sui'\eyed and cut. This was on the lOth of November. The snow was deep; hut for- tunately we ha° 'ia' on the Soulh-NN'est Branch ; and I hear from him that ho believes there will be hardly any appreciable diU'erenee between them. 1 am informed also, that upon examination of the long south-west lino, the American ollicer linds that it is straight. There is no (|uestion but that the same will be found to be the ease with the south line. Ill addition to the operations I have reported, I have to state that Mr. Wilkinson began the season with an examination of the north lino from tlu^ source of the St. Croix to the intersection of the St. .lohn where there were some iron monuments to put up. That should have been a joint operation with an American oflicer, but for the reasons I have already given, which delayed the arrival of the Amercan Commission. An American ofHcer did however afterwards join Mr. AVilkinson. Having done all that was necessarv on the north line, they placed the E2 2H mnniimnitH on the iHlnnds of the St, John to the month of I ho St, KrnnciH. It wiiH lifter that, that Mr. W'ilkinHoii joinctl the onrticN on (he n|i|ier St. John, and came over, aH hiiH Ixmmi rolatiMi, to tho Kcmhu'Ih'c lload. I w-ll now rcNtatn Hhortly the amount of Uotindnry rut by (he Com* miiision ihJM year. Tlu> Hontii-wcKt line (tlji niiU>H. South line • . i!>l „ The line aion^; the hip;lilanitH, from the Ken- nehec- Road to ilall'N Stream, ai)uut . MO *' Total 221 niileH. The interval from the Kennehee Road to the Metjarnu'tte l*ortapp having; licrn eompletrd by the American (^'ommissioii, lh<> whole Itounilary may he said to iii' eiit from the St. Croix to Hall's Stream. Dnrinp; the winter the iron moiniments will he hauled in alon^f the line from I'ohenat^amook to llaH'N Stream. The St. .lohn's Itiver will he surveyed from the .source of the south-west branch to the mouth of the St. I''r.ineis, as also some of the river.s intersected by the south-west and south lii\es. For the eomin;;; seasun the work to bo d(me by the liritish Commission JH as follows: — 1st. To determine astronomicallv the positions of the extremities of the old parallel of latitude 15 ; also that of the Line at its intersection of iver near House's Point. To refer these to QucIkjc, for which perhaps two intermediate stations the will be re(|uire(l. 2dly. To survey and mark the south-west line, the south line, the line nloM^ th(> hi^h lands, llall's Stream, and the parallel 4.') , as soon as that has been cut by the .American Commission ; therefore, th()u;;h there is a good deal (»f survey to be done next )car, ;is well as luarkiufj^ of the oundary, it will not recpiire many men. Th(; whole of the euttinj; will fall on the American Ccmimission. I have. &e., (Sifrncd) .1. ». BUCKNALL KSTCOURT, Lt.-Col. No. 18. Lieutenant-Colonel Eslcourt to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received December 30.) My Lord, Quebec, December 8, 1844. IN obedience to your Lordship's instructions to reduce, as far im practicable, the number of Sa|)| rrs '-miiloyed by the Commissicm, nine nave set olf to return to Knf2;lau()ii rciMirt llio |in)(-cfiliii^s of lli<> Moiiruliiry CoininiHNioii hIiicu the (lute ni')(iur (IcNpittili nf the Hth uf May lust. I run Ncarivlv Im-sIow too iiiiich praJHo on tho (Mier^y and resolution with which tlic work has hct-n foti(hict(>il and cxccntcd l»y y»>insi'ir and all the olliccrN anti int'ii Nerving under >ou, and I have inucii phvisurc in convoying to \ou, and directing you to express to i\\\ liiose under your ordtTH, the hi^h approl).ition ot ller .Majesty s (ioverninent. Tlio expense attending; the Coininission (huini; llie two yearn Hince tlie coinniencenient of its operations, and especially this last year, has certainly lieen very j-icat, indt-ed much gieatei- than ller Majesty's Ciovernnient had anticipated ; hut as it ma) fairly he assuniec to enter(ain a sanguine hc,)e that the whole will be completed at a very early period. I am, &,c., fSigaetl) ABERDKEN. 30 : No. 20. Liputenanl-Cohnel Estcourl to the Earl of Aberdeen.- [Receired March 27.) My Lord, Queb\, February 2^), 1H4.5. WITH rpfiMTiuT lo tlia* part of your Lonlsliip's (l(>s|)atrli of 3r(l .lann.iry, in v liirli ye i express a hope tliat it may he I'ouiul possible to reduee tiie force of the oflieers uid men employed in the llounchiry C'lmniissioii lieyond tiie ten S:i|)pers already liisehartn'd, and direct me to j^ive my attention lo (I'd s|)ecillc point, as well as to tlie diminution in jyeneral of the expenses of liie C'ommission, 1 hej;- leave to assure your Lordship that your wishes shall I'cceive my constant nnd anxious atten- tion. As. however, the Line alon;;- Hall's Stream, and (he whole l(M\s;(h of the !.')(!' |)ai.'l!el o( latitude from Hall's Sire:im to the St. Lawrence, remainf yt to he survesed, .md the Moundary monuments ar(> still to he phiced alonj^' (he whole liiM* from Lake l*ohena};an:o(:l\, I douht whether it would yet he eonsi.'h.*ves( and the soe'h lines, up the South-West Hreiich. and (henve alonj;- (he Hif;'hlan(ls ,urvey- inj;' and erectinj^ lh(> Houudary monuments, in which opei'ation ..ir. Scott will assist him. .Vf'.er this Mr. Wilkinsou will he employed in surveying a iiarl of the l.")l!i, and in layinj^ down (he diU'erenl surveys. 'Sir. Keatherstoidi.iu;;h will he directed to survey Hall's Stream and the Luie alonj;' the old ])aral!el of latitude 15°. What tune these oi>erations may occupy I cannot L^xactly calculate ; hut it will he my anxious desin-. in conformity with your Lordship's wishes, to relieve tlu! p l)iic from (he ex|)ense attendin<;' the continued ( niploymeut of .Mr. Fea(hers(onhauj;h a( as early a nu)mentas his valuahle services may pi'udendy he dispensed wi(h. W ere ('ap(ain Urou^hton on (!.e spot, I mij^ht have empi>iye(l him usefully in conjunction with Mr. Feather.-i(oidKiui;h on the loth par;dlel, hut as he is in Kuf^land I do not think it at all necessary that he sliou':! rc-cross the Atlantic for that ohject. 1 consid(>r, therelore. that his assistance will he no longer reqviired. As (h(> work |)rocee(ls, I pro|)ose, in pi'opj)r(ion as the services of the officers and men cease to ho necessary, to discharr^e them, and to seiul (hem to Knp;land. i have already explained to your Lordship (hat the heavy cuttin;^- whicii fell almos' cNclusively oi us last season havin<^ been completed to Hall's Stream, and the cuttinj;' which remains to he douv h.avinj^ heen undertaken hy the Americans, our expenses will henceforward be re- stricted to the surveying and placing the monuments in conjunction with the American.-'. Permit nic here to express, for my compan.ons as wvi". as for myself, our deep acknowletlgmcnts for the gratifying terms in which your I.iord- shi|; has heen pleased to comnuuiicate (he ap|)ro»al of Her Majesty's Government in (he ex(M(ions of (he Commission last season. That portion of your Lordship's despatch which related to this subject I had the satis- faetioa to make kno»vn to the oflieers and men employed hy the (.'om- mission, in obedience ti the directions of your Lordship; and I am very sure ihat all have esteemed the marked a|)prohation ex|)ressed hy yo"r Lordship, as a great reward fc^r what they have done, and as an lucitc- mcnt to furt'aer exertion. I have, &c., (Signed) J. \i. BUCKNALL K^TCOURT, Lt.-Col. „ rst^t^m 81 No. 21. The Karl of Aberdeen to Lieutenant-Colonel Estcotirt. Sir, I II A\'', recoivcd you Foreu/n Office, April I), 1845. (lospak'h of the 25tli Ki-brunry, in wliicli, )rin mc roiiijhton ; witli rcri'i-or.cc to my (lespau'li oi (ho Snl of .lamiary, you ini( that you lan dispenso with the further services of Captain Hroi and ii...i;, aithouf;h you eimsider th.o assisiance of Mr. Keatherston- haui^h in eon;inuinft- the s-u-vey of the I'aunchuy Line (o 1)0 still neces- sary, you propo.io to rei-evo tho public fiom the OApense of his continued empl( yment under (lie Commission at as oaiiy a moment as a due regard for the ftood of the service will admit. You further state that you propose, in proportion as tiio labours oi the oHicers and men under your orders shall l>o no lonf;er required, to discharf^e them and send them to Knj^lard. I entirely concur in these views, and approve your intentions ; and I feel it to be unnecessary for me any further to urf;e the observance of as strict an economy in tiio conduct of your operations as may be compatible with the enicient performance of tho service intrusted to you. I have notified to Captain Hrouf;iuon tiiat he will not be retpiired to return to America ; and that his duties and jiay imder this department will have ceased on ihc iJlst of INlarch. You will imderstand that, in case no appropriation, or an insidlicicnt appropriation, should ha, e been made by Con{>ress for (he prosecution of the boundary proceedings tm the part of tlie United States' Commission, ycM are to continue alone tho surveying and marking out of the Boundary Line without intermission, in the same manner as you were instructed t( do last year. I am, &c., (Signed) ABERDEEN, No. 22. I'he Earl of Aberdeen to Ideuteniint-Colonel Estcourt. Sir, Foreign Office, April 18, 1845. I HAVE recently received a dcsi)atch from Mr. Pakeidiam communi- cating to :ac a correspondence which, in consequence of a letter from you containing highly useful suggestions for the ccmduct of the renmining Boundary operations, he had held with tlu> United States' Government relative to those mat! ars. lier Majesty's Ciovernment entirely approve yoin- having spon- ta.n('>iisly taken a step so well calculated t