Article the Sixth
Whereas by the former Treaty of Peace that portion of the boundary of
the United States from the point where the fortyfifth degree of North
Latitude strikes the River Iroquois or Cataraquy to the Lake Superior
was declared to be "along the middle of said River into Lake Ontario,
through the middle of said Lake until it strikes the communication by
water between that Lake and Lake Erie, thence along the middle of said
communication into Lake Erie, through the middle of said Lake until it
arrives at the water communication into the Lake Huron; thence through
the middle of said Lake to the water communication between that Lake
and Lake Superior:" and whereas doubts have arisen what was the middle
of the said River, Lakes, and water communications, and whether
certain Islands lying in the same were within the Dominions of His
Britannic Majesty or of the United States: In order therefore finally
to decide these doubts, they shall be referred to two Commissioners to
be appointed, sworn, and authorized to act exactly in the manner
directed with respect to those mentioned in the next preceding Article
unless otherwise specified in this present Article. The said
Commissioners shall meet in the first instance at Albany in the State
of New York, and shall have power to adjourn to such other place or
places as they shall think fit. The said Commissioners shall by a
Report or Declaration under their hands and seals, designate the
boundary through the said River, Lakes, and water communications, and
decide to which of the two Contracting parties the several Islands
lying within the said Rivers, Lakes, and water communications, do
respectively belong in conformity with the true intent of the said
Treaty of one thousand seven hundred and eighty three. And both
parties agree to consider such designation and decision as final and
conclusive. And in the event of the said two Commissioners differing
or both or either of them refusing, declining, or wilfully omitting to
act, such reports, declarations, or statements shall be made by them
or either of them, and such reference to a friendly Sovereign or State
shall be made in all respects as in the latter part of the fourth
Article is contained, and in as full a manner as if the same was
herein repeated.
