Herbert and Oswald entered on their new labours. A sudden and unforeseen event soon put a termination to them. But to understand how this happened, it is necessary to return to the troubled waters of English party politics.[1]
NOTE
(1) A map by Mitchell of 1753, marked by a clear broad red line; and on that line is written, "Boundary as described by Mr. Oswald." In alluding to this map during the debates of 1843, Sir Robert Peel is reported to have made the mistake of describing it "as following the claim of the United States"; viz. that the North-west angle of Nova Scotia was between the head waters of the Metis and the Restigouche. (Hansard, 3rd series, vol. 67, p. 1249: March 21st, 1843.) The map on the contrary places the north-west angle at the head of the Madawaska Lake, then known as Lake Medousa. What Sir Robert Peel probably did say was, that the map did not support the English claim. The important point to settle in regard to this map is: does it represent the boundary agreed upon by Oswald before or after the first arrival of Mr. Strachey in Paris? This can be at once settled by referring to the other parts of the boundary line, the whole of which is indicated upon this map. It will then be at once seen that the map includes all the alterations of Mr. Strachey, and was consequently made after his arrival.
(2) A map of 1755 by Mitchell in the Record Office, and described in the Catalogue as the map used by Mr. Oswald. This is the map referred to by Lord Palmerston, "as the red-lined map showing the boundary to be such as we claimed it" (Hansard, 3rd series, vol. 67, p. 1194), and the duplicate of which he sarcastically suggested that Mr. Webster had in his possession, but would not produce. This map was found in 1841, by Mr. Lemon, but there is nothing on the map itself, nor does any documentary evidence exist, to support the statement in the Catalogue, which rests upon the ipse dixit of Mr. Lemon. The "red line" is very- ↑ Since the publication of the first edition of this work, a complete review of the negotiations in Paris has been published by Mr. John Jay, the lineal descendant of Mr. Jay, the American Commissioner, in An Address delivered before the New York Historical Society, November 27th, 1883. It entirely supports the view of the part taken by the several negotiators and their respective responsibilities set out above. The text of the Preliminary Treaties will be found in the Appendix I. B, C, D).
