§ Sir W. Molesworthsaid, that in the documents laid on the Table reference was made to instructions, that were to be sent out to Mr. Fox, in compliance with terms of a note to the American minister (Mr. Forsyth), for the purpose of forming a joint commission for the survey and exploration of the disputed territory. He wished to ask the noble Lord whether he could state the precise period when Mr. Fox received those instructions; and, secondly, he wished to know if the American government agreed to the commission for the survey of this territory, and whether Mr. Fox had received instructions as to the nomination of the commissioners?
§ Viscount Palmerstonbelieved, that there was every disposition on the part of both governments to form a joint commission, for the purpose of seeing whether they could settle the boundary line in conformity with the treaty of 1783. He had very recently sent out to Mr. Fox a draft of a convention for this purpose. If this were agreed to and settled, the nomination of the commissioners would not rest with Mr. Fox, but the appointments would be made by her Majesty's Government. When, however, the transaction was concluded, either by the acceptance or the rejection of the convention, he would lay the correspondence before the House.