2.—COMPARISON OF THE ELEVATIONS OF THE BOUNDARY LINE CLAIMED BY THE UNITED STATES WITH THOSE OF THE "AXIS OF MAXIMUM ELEVATION" OF MESSRS. FEATHERSTONHAUGH AND MUDGE.
For the purpose of exhibiting the relative claims of the two lines to the exclusive epithet of "the highlands" in the most clear and definite manner, each of them will be considered as divided into three portions, which will be contrasted with each other by pairs The first portion of each of the lines is that which lies nearest to the point of bifurcation, the residue of the American line is divided at the source of the Ouelle, the remainder of the line of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge at that of the Aroostook Metjarmette portage is taken as the point of bifurcation, whence waters run to the Penobscot, the St. John, and the St. Lawrence.
| On the American line from the Metjarmette portage to Lake Etchemm— | Feet |
| The maximum height is | 1,718 |
| The minimum height is | 1,218 |
The minimum measured height is that of Lake Etchemm, which is lower than the actual source of that stream, and whose omission as not upon the dividing ridge would make the minimum greater. This height was determined by the parties of A. Talcott, esq, by two distinct and separate sets of observations, one of which was continued hourly for several days, and no doubt can exist that it is as accurate a measure as the barometer is capable of affording. In the report of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge this height is set down as no more than 957 feet, but it is determined from a single observation. That it is erroneous must be considered as demonstrated. In the map presented by those gentlemen they have made use of this erroneous determination for a purpose which, even were it correct, would not be warranted, for they on its authority leave out all the symbols by which heights are represented, and substitute therefore a dotted line with the inscription "Fictitious hills of Mr. Burnham's map." The actual character of this part of the American line is an undulating country.
| On the line of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge between the Metjarmette portage and the Cocumgamoc Mountains— | Feet |
| The maximum elevation is | 2,302 |
| The minimum elevation is | 987 |
This part of the line of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge derives its apparent advantage from the fact that it crosses the summit and occupies the eastern slope of the highlands claimed by the United States. Notwithstanding this, the difference in their elevation is not such as to give it any decided superiority in its highland character.
| On the American line from Lake Etchemm to the river Ouelle— | Feet |
| The maximum height is | 2,854 |
| The minimum height is | 1,306 |
| On the line of Messrs Featherstonhaugh and Mudge from the Cocumgamoc Mountains to the head waters of the Aroostook— | |
| The maximum height is | 1,268 |
| The minimum height is | 880 |
On the parts of the line thus contrasted the maximum height of that claimed by Great Britain is less elevated than the lowest gap of that claimed by the United States.
On the third portion of the American line | |
| From the head of the Ouelle to the Temiscouata portage— | Feet |
| The maximum height is | 2,231 |
| The minimum height is | 853 |
| From the point where the line first crosses the Temiscouata portage to Mount Paradis— | |
| The maximum height is | 1,983 |
| The minimum height is | 906 |
| From the Temiscouata portage to the head of the Abagusquash— | |
| The maximum height is | 1,510 |
| The minimum height is | 676 |
| From Abagusquash to the Rimouski Lake— | |
| The maximum height is | 1,824 |
| The minimum height is | 651 |
| From the Rimouski Lake to the northwest angle— | |
| The maximum height is | 1,841 |
| The minimum height is | 1,014 |
| The greatest elevation of the whole of the third part of the American line, therefore, is | 2,231 |
| The minimum is | 651 |
The termination of the exploring meridian line falls into this part of the American line. Its height of 1,519 feet was determined by two separate observations, compared with others taken on Lake Johnson. The height of the latter was calculated at 1,007 feet from a series of observations continued for seventeen days, and is believed to be as accurate as the method of the barometer is susceptible of.