of Algiers, we, therefore, William Shaler and Isaac Chauncey, Commis sioners as aforesaid, do conclude the foregoing Treaty, and every. Article and Clause therein contained, reserving the same, nevertheless, for the final ratification of the President of the United States of America, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate of the United States.

Done in the Chancery of the Consulate General of the United States, in the City of Algiers, on the 23d day of December, in the year 1816, and of the Independence of the United States the forty-first.

The signature of the Dey is stamped at
the beginning and end of the Treaty.

}

WM. SHALER.
I. CHAUNCEY.

(L. S.) (L. S.)

Oct. 20, 1818.

Full powers exchanged.

Definition of the extent of the common

right of fishing, &c. on the coast

of the British dominions in America.

CONVENTION WITH GREAT BRITAIN. (a)

The United States of America, and his Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, desirous to cement the good understanding which happily subsists between them, have, for that purpose, named their respective Plenipotentiaries, that is to say: The President of the United States, on his part, has appointed Albert Gallatin, their Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of France; and Richard Rush, their Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of his Britannic Majesty: And his Majesty has appointed the right honourable Frederick John Robinson, Treasurer of his Majesty's Navy, and President of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Plantations; and Henry Goulburn, Esq., one of his Majesty's Under Secretaries of State: Who, after having_exchanged their respective full powers, found to be in due and proper form, have agreed to and concluded the following articles:

ARTICLE 1.

WHEREAS differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by the United States, for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and cure, fish, on certain coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks, of his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed between the high contracting parties, that the inhabitants of the said United States shall have, forever, in common with the subjects of his Britannic Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every kind on that part of the southern coast of Newfoundland, which extends from Cape Ray to the Rameau Islands, on the western and northern coast of Newfoundland, from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, and also on the coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks, from Mount Joly, on the southern coast of Labrador, to and through the Streights of Belleisle, and thence northwardly indefinitely along the coast, without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson Bay Company: And that the American fishermen shall also have liberty, forever, to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours, and creeks, of the southern part of the coast of Newfoundland, hereabove described, and (a) See notes of the treaties and conventions between the United States and Great Britain, ante, page 54.

Exception as to the Hudson Bay Company.

of the coast of Labrador; but so soon as the same, or any portion thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose, with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors, of the ground. And the United States hereby renounce, forever, any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, or cure fish, on or within three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbours, of his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, not included within the abovementioned limits: Provided, however, that the American fishermen shall be admitted to enter such bays or harbours, for the purpose of shelter and of repairing damages therein, of purchasing wood, and of obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever. But they shall be under such restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or curing, fish therein, or in any other manner whatever abusing the privileges hereby reserved to them. ARTICLE 2.

It is agreed, that a line drawn from the most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods, along the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, or if the said point shall not be in the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, then that a line drawn from the said point due north or south, as the case may be, until the said line shall intersect the said parallel of north latitude, and from the point of such intersection due west along and with the said parallel, shall be the line of demarkation between the territories of the United States and those of his Britannic Majesty, and that the said line shall form the northern boundary of the said territories of the United States, and the southern boundary of the territories of his Britannic Majesty, from the Lake of the Woods to the Stony Mountains.

ARTICLE 3.

It is agreed, that any country that may be claimed by either party on the northwest coast of America, westward of the Stony Mountains, shall, together with its harbours, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be free and open, for the term of ten years from the date of the signature of the present convention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects, of the two powers: it being well understood, that this agreement is not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim which either of the two high contracting parties may have to any part of the said country, nor shall it be taken to affect the claims of any other power or state to any part of the said country; the only object of the high contracting parties, in that respect, being to prevent disputes and differences amongst themselves.

ARTICLE 4.

All the provisions of the convention "to regulate the commerce between the territories of the United States and of his Britannic Majesty," concluded at London, on the third day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, with the exception of the clause which limited its duration to four years, and excepting, also, so far as the same was affected by the declaration of his Majesty respecting the Island of St. Helena, are hereby extended and continued in force for the term of ten years from the date of the signature of the present convention, in the same manner as if all the provisions of the said convention were herein specially recited.

ARTICLE 5.

Renunciation by the United other fisheries, except, &c.

States as to

Definition of the northern boundary of the U. S. from the

Lake of the

Woods to the

Stony Mountains.

Country claimed by either party westward of the Stony Mountains, to be free to both parties, until Oct. 20, 1828.

Convention of

London, of 3d July 1815, continued for ten years.

Ante, p. 228.

Reference to

treaty of Ghent.

Whereas it was agreed by the first article of the treaty of Ghent, that "All territory, places, and possessions, whatsoever, taken by either 1st article party from the other, during the war, or which may be taken after the

Ante, p. 218. Claim for slaves under the

1st article of the treaty of Ghent.

Differences growing out of the claim for slaves, to be referred to some friendly sovereign or state.

This conven

tion obligatory on exchange of ratifications.

signing of this treaty, excepting only the islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without delay, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any of the artillery or other public property originally captured in the said forts or places, which shall remain therein upon the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, or any slaves, or other private property;" and whereas, under the aforesaid article, the United States claim for their citizens, and as their private property, the restitution of, or full compensation for, all slaves who, at the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the said treaty, were in any territory, places, or possessions, whatsoever, directed by the said treaty to be restored to the United States, but then still occupied by the British forces, whether such slaves were, at the date aforesaid, on shore, or on board any British vessel, lying in waters within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States; and whereas differences have arisen whether, by the true intent and meaning of the aforesaid article of the treaty of Ghent, the United States are entitled to the restitution of, or full compensation for, all or any slaves, as above described, the high contracting parties hereby agree to refer the said differences to some friendly sovereign or state, to be named for that purpose; and the high contracting parties further engage to consider the decision of such friendly sovereign or state to be final and conclusive on all the matters referred.

ARTICLE 6.

This convention, when the same shall have been duly ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of their Senate, and by his Britannic Majesty, and the respective ratifications mutually exchanged, shall be binding and obligatory on the said United States, and on his majesty; and the ratifications shall be exchanged in six months from this date, or sooner, if possible.

In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have thereunto affixed the seal of their arms. Done at London, this twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Decision of the commissioners

under the 4th
article of the

treaty of Ghent.
New York,
Nov. 24, 1814.
Ante, p. 219.

DECISION

Of the Commissioners under the fourth article of the Treaty of

Ghent.

By Thomas Barclay and John Holmes, esquires, commissioners, appointed by virtue of the fourth article of the treaty of peace and amity between his Britannic majesty and the United States of America, concluded at Ghent, on the twenty-fourth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, to decide to which of the two contracting parties to the said treaty, the several islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy, which is part of the Bay of Fundy, and the island of Grand Menan, in the said Bay of Fundy, do respectively belong, in conformity with the true intent of the second article of the treaty of peace of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, between his said Britannic Ante, page 81. majesty and the aforesaid United States of America.

We, the said Thomas Barclay and John Holmes, commissioners as aforesaid, having been duly sworn impartially to examine and decide upon the said claims, according to such evidence as should be laid

Moose Island,

United States.

&c. belong to

Other islands

Britain.

before us on the part of his Britannic majesty and the United States, respectively, have decided, and do decide, that Moose Island, Dudley Island, and Frederick Island, in the Bay of Passamaquoddy, which is part of the Bay of Fundy, do, and each of them does, belong to the United States of America; and we have also decided, and do decide, that all the other islands, and each and every of them, in the said Bay of Passamaquoddy, which is part of the Bay of Fundy, and the Island belong to Great of Grand Menan, in the said Bay of Fundy, do belong to his said Britannic majesty, in conformity with the true intent of the said second article of said treaty of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. In faith and testimony whereof, we have set our hands and affixed our seals, at the city of New York, in the state of New York, in the United States of America, this twenty-fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen. JOHN HOLMES, (L. s.) THOMAS BARCLAY. (L. s.)

Witness,

JAMES T. AUSTIN, Agent U. S. A.

ANTHONY BARCLAY, Secretary.

DECLARATION

Of the Commissioners under the fourth article of the Treaty of

SIR,

Ghent.

NEW YORK, 24th NOVEMBER, 1817.

THE undersigned commissioners, appointed by virtue of the fourth article of the treaty of Ghent, have attended to the duties assigned them; and have decided that Moose Island, Dudley Island, and Frederick Island, in the Bay of Passamaquoddy, which is part of the Bay of Fundy, do each of them belong to the United States of America, and that all the other islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy, and the Island of Grand Menan, in the Bay of Fundy, do each of them belong to his Britannic majesty, in conformity with the true intent of the second article of the treaty of peace of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. The commissioners have the honor to enclose herewith their decision.

In making this decision, it became necessary that each of the commissioners should yield a part of his individual opinion: several reasons induced them to adopt this measure; one of which was the impression and belief that the navigable waters of the Bay of Passamaquoddy, which, by the treaty of Ghent, is said to be part of the Bay of Fundy, are common to both parties for the purpose of all lawful and direct communication with their own territories and foreign ports.

The undersigned have the honor to be,
With perfect respect, Sir,

Your obedient and humble servants,

J. HOLMES,
THO: BARCLAY.

The Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Secretary of State.

Feb. 22, 1819.

TREATY OF AMITY, SETTLEMENT, AND LIMITS,

Oct. 29, 1820. Between the United States of America and his Catholic

Ratified by the United States, Feb. 19, 1821.

Ratified by the King of Spain, Oct. 24, 1820.

Mutual desire

to consolidate

friendship, &c.

Majesty. (a)

THE United States of America and his Catholic Majesty, desiring to consolidate, on a permanent basis, the friendship and good correspondence which happily prevails between the two parties, have determined to settle and terminate all their differences and pretensions, by a Treaty, which shall designate, with precision, the limits of their respective bordering territories in North America.

(a) See notes of the treaties with Spain, ante, page 138.

An act for carrying into execution the treaty between the United States and Spain, concluded at Washington on the twenty-second day of February, 1819. March 3, 1821, vol. 3, p. 637.

The decisions of the Supreme Court, in cases arising under this treaty, have been:

By the treaty of St. Ildefonso, made on the first of October, 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France; and France, by the treaty of Paris, signed the 30th of April, 1803, ceded it to the United States. Under this treaty, the United States claimed the countries between the Iberville and the Perdido. Spain contended that her cession to France comprehended only that territory, which, at the time of the cession, was denominated Louisiana, consisting of the island of New Orleans, and the country which had been originally ceded to her by France, west of the Mississippi. The land claimed by the plaintiffs in error, under a grant from the crown of Spain, made after the treaty of St. Ildefonso, lies within the disputed territory; and this case presents the question, to whom did the country between the Iberville and Perdido belong after the treaty of St. Ildefonso? Had France and Spain agreed upon the boundaries of the retroceded territory, before Louisiana was acquired by the United States, that agreement would undoubtedly have ascertained its limits. But the declarations of France, made after parting with the province, cannot be admitted as conclusive. In questions of this character, political considerations have too much influence over the conduct of nations, to permit their declarations to decide the course of an independent government, in a matter vitally interesting to itself. Foster et al. v. Neilson, 2 Peters, 306.

If a Spanish grantee had obtained possession of the land in dispute, so as to be the defendant, would a court of the United States maintain his title under a Spanish grant, made subsequent to the acquisition of Louisiana, singly on the principle that the Spanish construction of the treaty of St. Ildefonso was right, and the American construction wrong? Such a decision would subvert those principles which govern the relations between the legislative and judicial departments, and mark the limits of each. Ibid. 309.

The sound construction of the 8th article of the treaty between the United States and Spain, of the 22d of February, 1829, will not enable the court to apply its provisions to the case of the plaintiff. Ibid. 314.

The article does not declare that all the grants made by his Catholic majesty, before the 24th of January, 1818, shall be valid to the same extent as if the ceded territories had remained under his dominion. It does not say that those grants are hereby confirmed. Had such been its language, it would have acted directly on the subject, and it would have repealed those acts of congress which were repugnant to it; but its language is that those grants shall be ratified and confirmed to the persons in possession, &c. By whom shall they be ratified and confirmed? This seems to be the language of contract; and if it is, the ratification and confirmation which are promised, must be the act of the legislature. Until such act shall be passed, the court is not at liberty to disregard the existing laws on the subject. Ibid.

By the treaty by which Louisiana was acquired, the United States stipulated that the inhabitants of the ceded territories should be protected in the free enjoyment of their property. The United States, as a just nation, regard this stipulation as the avowal of a principle which would have been held equally sacred, although it had not been inserted in the treaty. Soulard et al. v. The United States, 4 Peters,

511.

The term property, as applied to lands, comprehends every species of title, inchoate or complete. It is supposed to embrace those rights which lie in contract; those which are executory, as well as those which are executed. In this respect, the relation of the inhabitants of Louisiana to their government, is not changed. The new government takes the place of that which has passed away. Ibid.

The stipulations of the treaty ceding Louisiana to the United States, affording that protection or secu rity to claims under the French or Spanish government to which the act of congress refers, are in the first, second and third articles. They extended to all property, until Louisiana became a member of the Union; into which the inhabitants were to be incorporated as soon as possible, "and admitted to all the rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of the United States." The perfect inviolability and security of property is among these rights. Delassus v. The United States, 9 Peters, 117.

The right of property is protected and secured by the treaty, and no principle is better settled in this country, than that an inchoate title to lands is property. This right would have been sacred, independent of the treaty. The sovereign who acquires an inhabited country, acquires full dominion over it;