Webster-Ashburton Treaty

Foreign Affairs

The Treaty of Paris (1783) at the end of the War for Independence had only vaguely defined the northeastern boundary of the United States. As the population grew in northern Maine, friction developed between rival groups of lumberjacks (see Aroostook War). An effort to resolve the situation had been made in 1831 when the King of the Netherlands sponsored negotiations, but his endeavor was rejected by the Senate.

In 1842, Secretary of State Daniel Webster met with the British Foreign Minister, Alexander Baring, the first Baron Ashburton. The resulting Webster-Ashburton Treaty reached agreement on the following points:

Boundaries: Clearly defined borders were drawn between Maine and New Brunswick, and also in the Great Lakes area; the United States received control of 7,015 square miles of the disputed territory and Britain, 5,012 square miles
Extradition: Some movement was made toward addressing extradition (the legal process for returning fugitives to another jurisdiction) concerns between the two nations; this matter had become politically sensitive following the Caroline affair; a formal extradition treaty was concluded later
African slave trade: The United states agreed to station ships off the African coast in an effort to detect Americans engaging in the slave trade; Webster rejected a request to allow boarding of American ships by the British Navy.

One question of growing concern, the Oregon boundary issue, was not addressed in this agreement.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty was significant in that it furthered the practice of settling troublesome issues through diplomacy.

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Webster-Ashburton Treaty
... point in U.S.-British relations came with the signing on August 9, 1842, of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which settled several matters between the two nations. The treaty took its name from Sec. of State Daniel WebsteWebster-Ashburton Treaty, which settled several matters between the two nations. The treaty took its name from Sec. of State Daniel Webster and Lord Ashburton ...
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Baltimore Neighborhoods: Ashburton - Northwest Planning District
The boundary was fixed in 1842 by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. In recognition of Mr. Baring friendship and his participation in the agreement Mr. Gittings christened his estate Ashburton. The Ashburton estate comprised aboutWebster-Ashburton Treaty. In recognition of Mr. Baring friendship and his participation in the agreement Mr. Gittings christened his estate Ashburton. The Ashburton estate comprised about 300 acres. From the ...
^{http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/neighborhoods/northwest/ashburton.html}

Daniel Webster
... 18, 1782 Daniel Webster born, Salisbury, New Hampshire July 4, 1800 Daniel Webster makes his first public speech during an Independence Day celebration at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire March 10, 1818 Daniel Webster argues ...
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Webster-Ashburton Treaty

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