Secretary of State.

SIR:  By directions of the board of commissioners for exploring and surveying the northeastern boundary, I have handed you the papers hereinafter specified, viz: 

1.  The report of the operations of the commission up to the present date.

2.  A profile of the meridian line of the source of the St. Croix as far as surveyed, intended to illustrate the report.

3.  A portfolio of drawings intended for the same purpose.

4.  A roll marked Appendix No. 1, containing the narrative of the field operations of the division of Professor Renwick.

5.  A tin case containing the detail of the surveys of the division of Professor Renwick.

In reply to your inquiry in relation to the disposition of the said papers, I am directed respectfully to suggest that all which it is absolutely necessary to lay before Congress are the items 1 and 2, which, with a general map now in preparation, will contain all that will be of any general public interest.

The portfolio (No. 3) and the box of maps and profiles (No. 5) should remain on file in the Department; and while a part of the drawings in the former may be useful for illustration, the latter will be superseded by the general map, in which will be embodied all that they contain of importance to the question at issue.

Appendix No. 1, specified as No. 4 in the above list, will probably be demanded hereafter to give authenticity to the conclusions of the report (No. 1).  It ought not, however, to be communicated until the Appendices Nos. 2 and 3, containing the operations of the divisions of Messrs. Graham and Talcott, are handed in; and of the three no more than a limited number of copies will be useful.

I have the honor to be, with much respect, your most obedient servant,

JAS. RENWICK,
  Chairman.

Report of the commissioners appointed by the President of the United States for the purpose of surveying and exploring the boundary line between the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the British Provinces.

WASHINGTON, March 28,1842.

Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER,

Secretary of State.

SIR:  The duties assigned to the undersigned by the instructions of your predecessor were twofold: 

First.  To explore and survey the lines respectively claimed by the
Governments of the United States and Great Britain.

Second.  To examine and report upon the arguments contained in the report of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge addressed to the secretary of state of Her Britannic Majesty for foreign affairs under date of 16th April, 1840.

I.