Mr. MAYNARD. I move to strike out the clause from line 124 to line 127, reading as follows: For expenses of the commission to run and mark the boundary line betweenthe U.S and the tBorriyti, sh $28070 posessions bounding on Washington Terri This appropriation seems to me one of those barnacles which are trying to fasten themselves on the Treasury of this Government. If the committee will grant me their attention, I will endeavor to give the history of this matter and the reasons why I think we had better look into it. It will be recollected that some 20 years ago it was supposed that our title to the whole of Oregon was clear and unquestioned. The doctrine at that day was “54o 40', or fight.” But in the summer of 1846 a treaty was nego tiated between our Government and that of GreatBritain through the agency of our SecyState, Mr. Buchanan, and the British minister, Mr. Packenham. The 1st article of that treaty was in these words: “From the point on the 4 9th parallel of north latitude, wherethe boundary laid down in ex; isting treaties and conventions betweenthe U.S. and, GreatBritain, terminates, the line of boundary between the Territories of the U.S and those of her Britannic, Majesty, shall be continued westward along the said 4 9th parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from, island, Vancouver's and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel and of Fuca's straits to the Pacific ocean Provided, however That thenavigation of the wholeof the said channel and straits south of the 4 9th parallel of north latitude remain freeand opentoboth parties.” The matter remained in this condition for a periodof ten years. In the summer of 1856 Congresspassed this law: “An act to provide for carrying into effect the 1st article of the treaty betweenthe U.S and herMajestythe Queen of the U.S. Kingdom of GreatBritain and Ireland, of the 15th day of June, “Beit enactedbythe Senate and HoRep of the U.S.A. in Congress assembled hti.aclte, foorf ththee putrrepaotsyeobfectawreryeinngthine to U.S and herMajesty the Queenof the U.S. King dom of GreatBritain and Ireland of the 15thday of June, 1846, there shall be appointedby the President soeftnhtoe U.S., sa, cboymanmdiswsiitohnethr, e advice and conand chief astron obmeaperpanoidntseudrbvyeyeorr', Btroituanninteic Mwaitjhesstiym'silar officers to Government: and there shall be appointed by the President an assistanatstronomer and surveyor. "Sec. 2. Abife:, That the said tcaormy;manisdsitohneesrshaaildl hcahvieef paostwroenrotome arppaonidntsaursveecyroer shall havepower to appoint a clerk. "Sec.3. Abife:, That, for the purpose ofcarrying into effectthe said 1st article of the saidtreaty, there be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following sums: for the salary of the commissioner, for one year, 3,000;for the salary of thes ecretary, for one year, $2,000;for the salary of the chief astronomer and surveyor, for one year, $3,000 for the salary of the assistanatstronomer and surveyor, $1, 800;for the salary of the clerk, for oneyear, $1, 200;for provisions, transportation, and contingencies, $60,000. w"iSsefper.o4v.i Abife: That, until other commission shall be the proceedingsof thesaid limited to the demarkation of thatpartof the said line of boundary which forms the boundary line between Washington Territory and the British Possessions. "Sec. 5. Abife:, That, for the pur poseof aiding in the demarkation of the said line, the President be authorized, in his discretion, to directtheemployment of such officers, assts, and vessels,to the coast surveyof the U.S. a, shemay deem necessaryor useful.” Ever since that day, we have had in the appropriation bill an item for running this boundaryline. I see by the bill at the last session the sum appropriated was $18,110; exact, very nice, and precise, and the only wonder is that a fraction of a dollar was not included. We have in this bill another item for the same thing, which has manifestly been fixed with the same mathematical accuracy. It is for $28,070. I find the running of this boundary line, not a long one, has called for these appropriations for the last ten years., Why does it take so long to run this boundary line?, We do not know what kind of progress is being made. The provision of the act to which I have alluded is “until otherwise provided, ” and I suppose these commissioners are to continue running that line until we otherwise order. I think, therefore, we had better provide otherwise, and it is with that view I have moved my amend Inent. If there be any good reason why we should not strike out this appropriation letus know it. I think it is time wo should at factsbefore the House. least have the