The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-24 00:00:00

i

AMERICAN NEWS.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

By the Sea, Captain Freeman, from New York,
which has made a quick passage of seventeen days to
Liverpool, we have received the Message delivered
by President Polk, to Congress, at Washington, on
the 2d instant.

This document, as expected, is very decided as to
the right of the States to the Oregon territory, and
recommends that notice be given to Great Britain of
the wish to terminate the convention of joint occu-
pancy at the end of twelve months.

The national finances of the States are represented
as very prosperous, and the Message recommends a
reduction of the tariff to a standard required only for
revenue purposes.
OPENING OF THE TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
(From the Journal of Commerce.)
The first session of the twenty-ninth Congress corn-
rneneed at Washington city on Monday last. Both
-Rouses are Democratic ; the Senate by a majority,
including vacancies which are certain to be filled by
Democrats, of six ; the Huuse, by a majority of
nearly two to one. The annexed letter from our cor-
respondent presents an outline of the introductory
proceedings:—

WASHINGTON, DEC. 1.
The Democratic Caucus re-assembled at ten o'clock
this morning, and there were present one hundred and
fifteen Members.
On the first ballot for Speaker, the Hon. John W.
Davis, of Indiana, had 65 votes; George W. Hop-
of Virginia, 16 votes ; George C. Dromgoole,
of Virginia, 7; C. J. Ingersoll, 12 ; Mr. Bowlin, 1;
kr. M'Clelland, 2. Scattering 9.

Subsequently, a number of Members changed their
Votes, and Mr. Davis received 77 votes, which is two-
thirds the whole number given. So Mr. Davis was
nominated both in conformity with the majority rule
and two-thirds rule. This is a memorable election
" many accounts. It is the first distinct and un-
disguised assumption of the power of the West, and
the first marked proof of the declension of the power
of the South.
The following is

THE MESSAGE.

VELLOW•CITIZEN3 OF THE SENATE, AND HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES,
It is to me a source of unaffected satisfaction to meet
the Representatives of the States and the people in Con-
Rress assembled, as it will be to receive the aid of their
e°l33bined wisdom in the administration of public affairs.
p,rforming, for the first time, the duty imposed upon
lee
by the constitution, of giving to you information of
the state of the Union, and recommending to your con-
lideration such measures as in my judgment are neces-
larY and expedient, I am happy that I can congratulate
You oe the continued prosperity of our country. Under
the blessings of Divine Providence, and the benign in-
fitteriee of our free institutions, it stands before the world
.
spectacle of national happiness.
With our unexampled advancement in all the elements
:f national greatness, the affection of the people is con-
:‘,4°,el for the union of the states, and for the doctrines
Popular liberty, which lie at the foundation of our
"'rem:nem.
It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknow-
ledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the
ill"fineable civil and religious blessings with which we
ere favoured.
vin calling the attention of Congress to our relations
gilt° foreign Powers, I am gratified to be able to state
ik.4t, though with some of them there existed since your
session serious causes of irritation and misunder-
4-endirig,: yet ao actual hostilities have taken place.
`` °Pfing the maxim in the conduct of our foreign affairs,
that saw
nothing that is not right, and submit
toil nothing
peace
rong," it has been my anxious desire reserve
iLnee with all nations ; but at the same time to be pre-
pare
ti to resist aggression, and to maintain all our just
t
MEXICO AND TEXAS.
span Pursuance; of the joint resolution of Congress " for
on eexiree Texas to the United States," my predecessor,
tat tae third day of March, 1845, elected to submit the
kv and secon-d sections of that resolution to the re-
Ste;te of Texas' as an overture, on the part of the United
el,„s,s, for her admission as a state into our Union. This
de,i'ra I approved, and accordingly the Chargé
Itte-„4,ires of the United States in Texas, under in-
settitions of the 10th of' March, 1845, presented these
)403 of the. resolution for the acceptance of that Re-
if), ,r• The Executive Government, the Congress, and
eokreoele of Texas in convention, have successively
te,olslled with all the terms and conditions of the joint
etat ution. A. constitution for the government of the
te °of Texas, formed by a convention of deputies, is
t, rewith laid I)t,fore Congress. It is well known, also,
,eat tee people of Texas at the polls have accepted the
`er_ins of anne.xation, and ratified the constitution.
, I commune to to Congress the correspondence be-
i4eeen the Secretary of State and our Charge d'Affaires
Texa3; and also the correspondence of the latter with
authorities of Texas; together with the official
documents transmitted by him to his own Government.
'rhe terms of annexation which were offered by the
Unitedfk States having been accepted by Texas, the public
4th „of both parties is solemnly pledged to the compact
e e'lleir union. Nothing remains to consummate the
stale but the passage by an act of Congress to admit the
erithe of Texae into the Union upon an equal footing
tee the original States. Strong reasons exist why this
eell"',l be done at an early period of the session. It
exi,„L'a observed that, by the constitution of Texas, the
Cot;eg Government is only continued temporarily till
ee',,6ress (=,n act; and that the third Monday of the
h"enf ner aith is the day appointed for holding the first
eeral el action. On that day a governor, a lieutenant-
'cier,
th nor, and both branches of the Legislature, will be
fired by the, people. The President of Texas is
immediately after the receipt of official in-
'nation, that the new State has been admitted into
tedt. union by Congress, to convene the Legislature;
will ,uPon its meeting the existing Government
ere °e superseded, and the State Government
6"ined Questions deeply interesting to Texas, in sett . UCS
se,ll3loe with the other States, the extension of our re-
lit lie laws and judicial system over her people and ter-
te°rY, as well as measures of a local character, will
ec,witEl the early attention of Congress ; and, therefore,
lt",11 every principle of republican government, she ought
'eue represented in that body without unnecessary delay.
it,4nnet taco earnestly recommend prompt action on this
Porten, A ,•• subject.
p 4" SOUn as the Act to admit Texas as a state shall be
selnd, the union of the two republics will be consum-
e,;.4 by their own voluntary consent.
irlis accession to our territory has been a bloodless
I"ement. No arm of force has been raised to pro •
144tet the result. The sword has had no part in the vic-
Y. We have not sought to extene out territorial
e,ussessions by conquest, or our republican institutions
tier Et reluctant people. It was the deliberate homage
•"°ll people to the great principles of our federative
ttioo.
It we consider the extent of territory involved in the
.
kt xation—its prospective influence on America—the
ts, ttlis by which it has been accomplished, springing
th-ere,lY from the choice of the people themselves to share
4`. blessings of our union—the history of the world may
The
to furnish a parallel.
t() 'he jurisdiction of the United States, which at the
frille.teon of the federal constitution was bounded by
6t. Mary's, on the Atlantic, has passed the Capes of
ta°rida, and been peacefully extended to the Del Norte.
t,„,eoatemplating the grandeur of this event, it is not to
te"„',"rgotten that the result was achieved in spite of the
ercanatic interference of European monarchies. Even
ty-tinee—the country which had our ancient ally—
e.eountry which has a common linterest with us in
aintaining the freedom of the seas—the country which,
11,t1le cession of Louisiana, first opened to us access to
to : Gulf of Mexico—the country with which we have
ecs'n, every 3 ear drawing more and more closely the
terl:s of successful commerce—most unexpectedly, and
Ur unfeigned regret, took part in an effort to prevent
el,"xetion, and to impose on Texas, as a condition of
teeognition of her independence by Mexico, that she
1..;‘• 11,1 d never join herself to the United States. We may
eu'ee that She tranquil and pervading influence of the
der rican principle of self-government was sufficient to
4„ ;Alt the purposes of British and French interference,
Te that the almost unanimous voice of the people of
ti,,as has given to that interference a peaceful and effec-
t rebuke. From this example, European Govern-
tet;st.s may learn how vain diplomatic arts and intrigues
'" ever prove upon this continent, against that system
ethi• sellf-government which seems natural to our soil, and
Towards
will ever resist foreign interference.
t"°'rettrds Texas, I do not doubt that a liberal and
eilerous spirit will actuate Congress in all that concerns
cer interests and prosperity, and that she will never have
o._.se to regret that she has united her " lone star" to our
constellation.
teoeregret to inform you that our relations with Mexico,
a, s'e Your last session, have not been of that amicable
f erecter which it is our desire to cultivate with all
Zeign nations. On the 6th day of March last the
toielticall Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipos
tee larY to the United States made a formal protest, in
do name of his Government, against the joint resolu-
to thPitssed by Congress, " for the annexation of Texas
o lilted States," which he chose to regard as a
oe iattl°° of the rights of Mexico, and, in consequence
the he demanded his passports. He was informed that
this Government of the United States did not consider
of Joint resolution as a violation of any of the rights
to hisexic° or that it afforded just cause of offence
any
inde Government ; that the republic of Texas was an
coosPtdeilt power, owing no allegiance to Mexico, and
rei 'luting no part of her territory or rightful sove-
was",itaY and jurisdiction. Ile was also assured that it
swtaitri!dtti_heiaretinocre desire of this Government to maintain
Mexico relations of peace and good under-
the„ ue- 'That functionary, however, notwithstanding
r.cp.reseutatinns and assurances, abruptly terminated
"16_11148 min, and shortly afterwards left the country.
tiztfir ur
voy Extraordinary end Minister Plenipoten-
te_ Mexico was refused all official intercourse with
by
Government, and, after remaining several months
u 7 the permission of his own Government, he returned

r44:g,

to the United States. Thus, by the acts of Mexico, all
diplomatic intercourse between the two countries was
suspended.
Since that time, Mexico has, until recently, occupied
an attitude of hostility towards the United States—has
been marshalling and organising armies, issuing procla-
mations, and avowing the intention to make war on the
United States, either by open declaration, or by invading
Texas. Both the Congress and Convention of the people
of Texas invited this Government to send an army into
that territory to protect and defend them against the
menaced attack. The moment the terms of annexation
°fared by the United States were accepted by Texas,
the latter became so far a part of our own country as to
make it our duty to afford such protection and defence.
I, therefore, deemed it proper, as a precautionary mea-
sure, to order a strong squadron to the coasts of Mexico,
and to concentrate an efficient military force on the
western frontier of Texas. Our army was ordered to
take position in the country between the Nueces and the
Del Norte, and to repel any invasion of the Texan ter-
ritory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces.
Our squadron in the gulf was ordered to co-operate with
the army ; but, though our army and navy were placed
in a position to defend our own and the rights of Texae,
they were ordered to commit no act of hostility against
Mexico, unless she declared war, or was herself the ag-
gressor by striking the first blow. The result has been,
that Mexico has made no aggressive movement, and our
military and naval commanders have executed their
orders with such discretion, that the peace of the two
republics has not been disturbed.
Texas had declared her independence, and maintained
it by her arms for more than nine years. She has had
an organised Government in successful operation during
that period. Her separate existence as an independent
state had been recognised by the United States and the
principal powers of Europe. Treaties of commerce and
navigation had been concluded witii her by different
nations, and it had become manifest to the whole world
that any further attempt on the part of Mexico to con-
quer her, or overthrow her Government, would be vain.
Even Mexico herself had become satisfied of this fact ;
and while the question of annexation was pending
before the people of Texas, during the past summer,
the Government of Mexico by a formal uct agreed to
recognise the independence of Texas on condition that
she would not annex herself to any other power. The
agreement to acknowledge the independence of Texas,
whether with or without this condition, is ciaiclusive
against Mexico. The independence of Texas is a fact
conceded by Mexico herself, and she has no right or au-
thority to prescribe restrictions as to the form of go-
vernment which Texas might afterwards assume. But
though Mexico cannot compla.in of the United States on
account of the annexation of Texas, it is to be regretted
that serious causes of misunderstanding between the two
countries continue to exist, growing out of unredressed in-
juries inflicted by the Mexican authorities and people on
the persons and property of citizens of the United States
through a long series of years. "Mexico has admitted
these injuries, but has neglected and refused to repair
them. Such was the character of the wrongs, and such
the insults repeatedly offered to American citizens and
the American flag by Mexico, in palpable violation of the
laws of nations and the treaty between the two countries
of the sth of April, 1831, that t hey have repeatedly been
brought to the notice of Cong Tess by my predecessors.
As early as the Bth of February, 1837, the President of
the United States declared, in a message to Congress,
that " the length of time since some of the injuries have
been committed, the repeated tint.wailing applications fir
redress, the wanton character teF some of the outrages
upon the persons and property o f our citizens, upon the
officers and flag of the United St ates, independent of re-
cent insults to this Government and people by the late
extraordinary Mexican Minister, would justify in the
eyes of all nations immediate war." He did not, how-
ever, recommend an immediate resort to this extreme
measure, which he declared, " should not be used by
just and generous nations, confiding in their strength for
injuries committed, if it can be :honourably avoided," but
in a spirit of forbearance, prop : sed that another demand
be made on Mexico for that re dress which had been so
long and unjustly withheld. In; these views, Committees
of the two minuses of Congrests., in reports made to their
respective bodies, concurred. Since these proceeedings
more than eight years have elapsed, during which, in
addition to the wrongs then corn plained of, others of an
aggravated character have beer t committed on the per-
sons and property of our citizen s. A special agent was
sent to Mexico in the summer iof 1838, with full autho-
rity to make another and final demand fur redress. The
demand was made; the Mexic an Government promised
to repair the wrongs of which ye complained ; and after
much delay a treaty of iudem airy with that view was
completed between the two pot vers on the 11th of April,
1839, and was duly ratified by both Governments. By
this treaty a joint committee w:is created to adjudicate
and decide on the claims of An ierican citizens on the
Government of Mexico. The commission was organised
at Washington on the 25th day eif August, 1840. Their
time was limited to 18 months, at the expiraiion of which
they had adjudicated and decided claims amounting to
2,026,139 dolls. 66c. in favour of citizens of the United
States against the Mexican Government, leaving a large
amount of claims undecided. Of the latter the American
commissioners had decided in favour of our citizens
claims amounting to 928,627 do Ils. 88v., which were left
uniieled on by the umpire at ahorised by the treaty.
Still further claims, amounting :o between 3.000,000 and
4,000,000 dolls. were submitted, to the board too late to
be considered, and were left ur,disposed of. The sum of
2,026,139 dolls. 68c., decided by the board, was a liqui-
dated and ascertained debt cl'ae b'e Mexico to the claim-
ants, and there was no justifiaiiie reason for delaying
its payment according to the to rms of the treaty. It
was not, however, paid. Mexico applied for further in-
dulgence ; and in that spirit of indulgence and liberality
and forbearance which has ever marked the policy of the
United States towards that republic, the request was
granted; and on the 30th of January, 1843, a new treaty
was concluded. By this treaty it was provided that the
interest due on the:awards in favour of claimants under
the convention of the 11th of E pril, 1839, should be paid
on the 30th April, 1844, and t'aat " the principal of the
said awards and the interest arising thereon shall be
paid in five years, in equal instalments every three
months ; the said five years to commence on the 30th
day of April, 1843, as aforesaid." The interest due on
the 30th day of April, 1843, and the three first of the 20
instalments, have been paid. Seventeen of these instal-
ments remain unpaid, seven of which are now due.

Tha claims which are left undecided by the joint com-
mission, amounting to more than 3,000,000 dollars,
together with other claims for spoliations on the pro-
perty of our citizens, were sabsequently presented to
the Mexican Government for payment, and were so far
recognised that a treaty, providing for their examina-
tion and settlement by a joint commission, was con-
chided and signed at Mexico on the 20th day of No-
vember, 1843. This treaty was ratified by the United
States, with certain amendments, to which no just ex•
ception couid have been taken ; but it has not yet re-
ceived the ratification of the Mexican Government. In
the meantime our citizens, who suffered great losses
and some of whom have been reduced from affluence to
bankruptcy, are withot remedy, unless their rights be
enforced by their Government. Such a continued and
unprovoked series of wrongs could never have been tole-
rated by the United States had they been committed by
one of the principal nations of Europe. Mexico was,
however, a ne'ghbouring sister republic, which, follow-
ing our example, had achieved her independence, and
for whose success and prosperity all our sympathies were
early enlisted. The United States were the first to ac-
knowlt dge her independence, and to receive her into
the family of nations, and have ever been desirous of
cultivating with her a good understanding. We have,
therefore, borne the repeatad wrongs she has committed
with great patience, in the hope that a returning sense
of justice would ultimately guide her councils, and that
we might, if possible, honourably avoid any hostile col-
lision with her.

Without the previous authority of Congress, the exe-
cutive possessed no power t•o adopt or enforce adequate
remedies for the injuries we had su&red, or to do more
than be prepared to repel the threatened aggression on
the part of Mexico. After our army and navy had re-
mained on the frontier and coasts of Mexico many
weeks, without any hostile movement on her part, though
her menaces were continued, I deemed it important to
put an end, if possible, to this state of things. ith this
view, I caused steps to be taken, in the month of Sep-
tember last, to ascertain distinctly, and in an authentic
form, what the designs of the Mexican Government were,
whether it was their intention to declare war or invade
Texas, or whether they were disposed to adjust and
settle, in an amicable manner, the pending differences
between the two countries. On the Ath of November
an official answer was received, that the Mexican Go-
vernment consented to renew the diplomatic relations
which had been suspended in March last, and for that
purpose were willing to accredit a Minister from the
United States. With a sincere desire to preserve
peace, and restore relations of good understanding
between the ON o republics, I waived all ceremony
as to the manner of renewing diplomatic intercourse
between them ; and assuming the initiative, on the
10th of November, a distinguished citizen of Louisiana
was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pie-
nipotentiary to Mexico, clothed with full power to ad •
just, and definitely settle, all pending differences between
the two countries, including those of boundary between
Mexico and the State of Texas. The Minister appointed
has set out on this mission, and is probably by this time
near the Mexican capital. He has been entrusted to
bring the negotiation with which he is charged to a con-
clusion at the earliest practicable period ; which, it is
expected, will be in time to enable me to forbear to re-
commend to Congress such ulterior measures of redress
for the wrongs and injuries we have so long borne as it
would have been proper to make had no such negotiation
been instituted.

Congress appropriated at the last session the sum of
275,000 dollars for the payment of the April and July
instalments of the Mexican indemnities for the year
1844 ; " provided it shall be ascertained to the satis-
faction of the American Government that said instal-
ments have been paid by the Mexican Government to
the agent appointed by the United States to receive the
same, in such manner as to discharge all claim on the
Mexican Government, and said agent to be delinquent
in remitting the money to the United States."

The unsettled stare-of our relations with Mexico has
involved this subject in much mystery. The first infor-
mation, in an authentic form, from the agent of the
United States, appointed under the administration of my
predecessor, was received at the State department on the
9th of November last. This is contained in a letter,
dated the 7th of October, addressed by him to one of
our citizens then in Mexico, with the view of having it
communicated to that department. From this it ap-
pears that the agent, on the 20th September, 1844. gave
a receipt to the treasury of Mexico for the amount of
the April and July instalments of the indemnity. In
the same communication, however, he asserts that he
had not received a single dollar in cash; but that he
holds such securities as warranted him at the time in
giving the receipt, and entertains no doubt that he will
eventually obtain the
.money. As these instalments
Appear ueirer to bit* been actually paid by the Go.

vernment of Mexico to the agent, and as that Go-
vernment has not, therefore, been released so as to
discharge the claim. I do not feel myself warranted
in directing payment to be made to the claimants
out of the treasury without further legislation. Their
case is, undoubtedly, one of much hardship ; and it
remains for Congress to decide, whether any and
what relief ought to be granted to them. Our Minister
to Mexico bas been instructed to ascertain the facts of
the case from the Mexican Government, in an authentic
and official form, and report the result with as little
delay as possible.
TILE OREGON QUESTION.
My attention was early directed to the negotiation,
which, on the 4th of March last, I found pendirg at
Washington between the United States, and Great Bri-
tain, on the subject of the Oregon territory. Three
several attempts had been previously made to settle the
questions in dispute between the two countries, by ne-
gotiation, upon the principle of compromise; but tech
had proved unsuccessful.
These negotiations took place at London, in the years
1818, 1824, and 1829; the two first under the adminis-
tration of Mr. Monroe, and the last nnder that of Mr.
Adams. The negotiation of 1818 having failed to ac-
complish its object, resulted in the convention of the
20th of October of that year. By the third article of
that convention it was " agreed that any country that
may be claimed by either party on the north-west coast
of America, westward of the Stony Mountains, shall, to-
gether with its harbours, bays, and creeks, and the na-
vigation of all rivers within the same, be free and open
for the term of ten years from the date of the signature
of the present convention, to the vessels, citizers, and
subjects of the two powers; it being well understood
that this agreement is not to be construed to the preju-
dice of any claim which either of the two high contract-
ing parties may have to any part of the said country,
nor shall it be taken to affect the claims of any other
power or state to any part of the said country; the o:iy
object of the high contracting parties in that retpec
being to prevent disputes and differences among them
selves."

The negotiation of 1814 was produc!ive of no result,
and the convention of 1818 waa left unchanged.
The negotiation of 1826, having also felled to effect an
adjustment by compromise, resulted in the convention of
August 6th, 1827, by which it was agreed to continue in
force, for an indefinite period, the provisions of the third
article of the convention of the 20th of October, 1818 ;
and it was further provided, that " it shall be competent,
however, to either of the contracting parties, in case either
should think fit, at any time after the 20th of October,
1828, on giving due notice of 12 months to the other
contracting party, to annul and abrogate this convention ;
and it shall, in such case, be accordingly entirely an-
nulled and abrogated after the expiration of the said term
of notice." In these attempts to adjust the controversy,
the parallel of the 49th degree of north latitude had been
offered by the United States to Great Britain, and in
those of 1818 and 1826, with a further concession of the free
navigation of the Columbia River south of that latitude.
The parallel of the 49th degree, from the Rocky Moun-
tains to its intersection with the north-easternmost branch
of the Columbia, and thence down the channel of that
river to the sea, had been offered by Great Britain, with
an addition of a small detached territory north of the
Columbia. Each of these propositions had been rejected
by the parties respectively.
In October,lB43, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minis-
ter Plenipotentiary of the United States in London was
authorised to make a similar offer to those made in 1818
and 1826. Thus stood the question when the negotia-
tion was shortly afterwards transferred to Washington,
and, on the 23d of August, 1844, was formally opened
under the direction of my immediate predecessor. Like
all the previous negotiations, it was based upon princi-
ples of " compromise ;" and the avowed purpose of the
parties was, " to treat of the respective claims of the
two countries to the Oregon territory, with the view to
establish a permanent boundary between them westward
of the Rocky Mountains in the Pacific Ocean." Ac
cordingly, on the 26th of August, 1844, the British
Plenipotentiary offered to divide the Oregon territory by
the 49th parallel of north latitude, from the Rocky
Mountains to the point of its intersection with the north-
easternmost branch of the Columbia River, and thence
down that river to the sea, leaving the free navigation of'
the river to be enjoyed in common by both parties—the
country south of this line to belong to the United
States, and that north of it to Great Britain. At the
same time, he proposed, in addition, to yield to the
United States a detached territory, north of the
Columbia, extending along the Pacific and the Straits
of Fuca, from Bulfinch'e Harbour, inclusive, to
Hood's Canal, and to make fre , to the United
States any port or ports south of latitude 49 degrees,
which they might desire, either on the main land or
on Quadra and Vancouver's Island. With the exception
of the free torts, this was the same offer which had been
made by the British and rejected by the American Go-
vernment in the negotiation of 1826. This proposition
was properly rejected by the American Plenipotentiary
on the day it was submitted. This was the only propo-
sition of compromise offered by the British Plenipoten-
tiary. The proposition on the part of Great Britain
having been rejected, the British Pl• nipotentiary re-
quested that a proposal should be made by the United
States for " an equitable adjustment of the question."
When I came into office I found this to be the state
of the negotiation. Though entertaining the settled
conviction that the British pretensions of title could nut
bo maintained to any portion of the Oregon territory
upon any principle of public law recognised by nation .
yet, in deference to what had been done by my predeces-
sors, and especially in consideration that propositions of
compromise had been thrice made by two preceding
Administrations. to adjust the question on the parallel
of 49 degrees, and in two of them yielding to Great
Britain the free navigation of the Columbia, and
that the pending negotiation had hewn commenced
on the basis of compromise. I deemed it to be my duty
not abruptly to break it off'. In consideration, too,
that under the conventions of 1818 and 1827, the
citizens and subjects of the two powers held a joint oc-
cupancy of the country, I was induced to make another
effort to settle this long-pending controversy in the
spirit of moderation which had given birth to the re-
newed discussion. A proposition was accordingly made,
which was rejected by the British Plenipotentiary, who,
without submitting any other proposition, suffered the
negotiation on his part to drop, expressing his trust that
the United States would offer what ho saw fit to call
" some further proposal for the settlement of the Oregon
question more consistent with fairness and equity, and
with the reasonable expectations of the British Govern-
ment." The proposition thus offered and rejected re-
peated the offer of the parallel of 49 degrees of north
latitude, which had been made by two preceding Ad-
ministrations, but without proposing to surrender to
Great Britain, as they had done, the free navigation
of the Columbia River. The right of any foreign power
to the free navigation of any of our rivers, through the
heart of our country, was one which I was unwilling to
concede. Italie embraced a provision to make free to Great
Britain any port or ports on the Cape of Quadra and Van-
couver's Island, south of this parallel. Had this been a
ne v question, coming under discussion for the first time,
this proposition would not have been made. The extra-
ordinary and wholly inadmissible demands of the British
Government, and the rejection of the proposition made in
deference alone to what had been done by my prede-
cessors, and the implied obligar,on which their acts
seemed to impose, afford satisfactory evidence that no
compromise which the United States ought to accept can
be effected. With this convicl.ion the proposition of
compromise which had been made and rejected was by
my direction subsequently withdrawn, and our title to the
wlio!e Oregon territory assorted, aid as is believed
maintained by irrefragable facts and arguments.
The civilised world will see in these proceedings a
spirit of liberal concession on the part of the United
States, and this Government wil! be relieved from all
responsibility which may follow the failure to settle the
controversy.

Ali attempts at corupreini.ai having failed, it becomes
the duty of Congress to consider what measures it may
be proper to adopt for the security and protection of our
citizens now inhabiting, or who may hereafter inhabit
Oregon, and for the maintenance of our just title to
that territory. In adopting measures for this pur-
pose, care should be taken that nothing be done
to violate the stipulations of the convention of 182,which is still in force. The r;.ith of treaties, in
their letter and spirit, has ever been, and I trust will
ever be, scrupulously observed by the United States.
Under that convention a year's notice is required to be
given by either party to the other, before the joint occu-
pancy can terminate, and before either can rightfully
assert or exercise exclusive jurisdiction over any portion
of the territory. This notice it would, in my judgment,
be proper to give ; and I recommend that provision be
made by law for giving it accordingly, and terminating,
in this manner, the convention of the 6th of August,lB27.
It will become proper for Congress to determine what
legislation they can, in the meantime., adopt without
violating this convention. Beyond an question, the pro-
tection of our laws and our juriAietion, civil and cri-
rnival, ought to be immediately extended over our citi-
zens in Oregon. They have 1.. d just cause to complain
of our long neglect in this particular, and have, in con-
sequence, been compelled, i'or their own security and
protection, to establish a Provisional Governmentfr'for
themselves. Strong in their allegiance and ardent in their
attachment to the United States, they have thus been
cast upon their own resources. They are anxious that,
our laws should be extended over them ; and I recom-
mend that this be done by Congress with as little delay
as possible, in the full extent to which the British Par-
liament have proceeded in regard to British subjects in
that territory, by their Act of July 2, 1821, " for regu-
lating the fur trade, and establishing a criminal and civil
jurisdiction within certain parts of North America." By
this Act, Great Britain extended her laws and jurisdiction,
civil and criminal, over her subjects engaged in the fur
trade in that territory. By it, the courts of the province
of Upper Canada were empowered to take cognisance of
causes civil and criminal. Justices of the peace and other
judicial officers were authorised to be appointed in
Oregon, with power to execute all process issuing from
the courts of that province, and to "sit and hold courts of
record for the trial of criminal offences and misde-
meanours," not made the subject of capital punishment,
and also of civil cases, where the cause of action shall
not " exceed in value the amount or sum of 2001."
Subsequent to the date of this Act of Parliament, a
grant was made from the "British Crown" to the Hud-
son's Bay Company, of the exclusive trade with the In-
dian tribes in the Oregon territory, subject to are serva-
tion that it shall not operate to the exclusion "of thetat
bgesewihno:
buentd weereon,:
or by fOrce of
sanyubj eccotnsve ofn anytion ffoorre i
and such
foreign states respectively, map be entitl
to, and shall
be engaged in the said trade.
thegn tune states
It is much to be regretted, that
,
the British subjects have en.jo,' While under this Act
tish'l of the Oregon `aws, and British jeri ed the protection of Bri-
eir.,l tribunals throughout the
whole -
the American citizens in the
same teritory have ,
Government. enjoyed no
such protection from their
character At the same time, the result Llustrates the
of tb' ofour people and ,their institutions. In spite
e
—0 neglect they have multiplied, and their number is