Richmond Enquirer

Territorial Limits.—Some disputes have occurred between the British, in Upper Canada, and a few persons from Jefferson county, in this state, relative to the possession of Grindstone Island, in the St. Lawrence river. The commissioners, under the Ghent treaty, appointed to run the boundary line, have had some difficulties to contend with in designating the title to a vast number of islands, of large and small dimensions, which are scattered on the lakes and rivers through which the boundary line must run. Mutual compromise and friendly arrangement, however, have settled amicably these conflicting claims, and Grindstone Island has been decided to be within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The government has recognized and confirmed this decision, but the Canadians, who have occupied that spot and cut timber upon it, contend that the consent of the British government is also required. The proprietor of this island, who derives his title from the state, undertook to issue a writ of ejectment against the squatters ; and the Deputy Sheriff, in attempting to serve it, was resisted and beaten. A detachment of militia then turned out, as the posse comitatus, to assist the Sheriff, and several of the squatters were arrested, and imprisoned in the Watertown gaol.

Some prompt mode should be adopted to decide these disputes amicably, should they again occur, and they are likely to occur, from the number of islands visited and used alternately by Canadians and Americans. To wait for the confirmation of the commissioners' decisions by the British government, would subject owners of property to delay and expense. As the question of a boundary line must be regulated by latitude, there can be no reasonable appeal from the decision of the commissioners, and when made known the provincial government should have the power of confirming such decision. The property of individuals should be respected ; and a man may lose all the timber on his island, while he is waiting to hear from the government in England relative to their approval of the commissioners' decisions.

[N. Y. Nat. Advo.