The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-15
NEW YORK. FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH IS, 1914.

toms, fiscal and otherwise, of the republic should
be introduced for the benefit of the citizens.
How far Congress will adopt any of these sug-
gesons we cannot tell, but we see enough 10 con-
vince us that the territory in question will be the
source of uneasness and contention between the
British government and that Of the United States
The latter IS admitted have right to make set
Elements on certain lands bounded on the west
ward by the Pacific Ocean, in conjunction, or
rather in agreement, with the crown of England ;
but they can do nothing more legally and certain
ly they have no right TO sell land. give laws, or
map out districts, assign any tenure of property
10 their citizens, or any other settlers in that
| country.
But where, we shall possibly be asked, is this
Oregon territory, and what is the extent of it, The
term Oregon is OF Indian origin, recently given by
the Americans to the Columbia river. The terrific
ny itself lies between the parallels of AZ deg. and
and ~ -, deg north latitude 1t is bounded on he
Pacific ocean, and contains about 350,O0O square
miles. The Columbia is the principal river, and is
| navigable for lbs miles, its width being in some
places rs miles, in others 7, and in place, in that
distance, less than mile.
This country originally belonged to Spain by the
right of discovery; but IN 1870, by the Convention
OF the Escurial, a Joint right was ceded to i by
Spain to Great Britain. Up to this period Spain
and England both claimed it, but the dispute was
adjusted IN the manner above described, and no
other State had right to form settlements or pur-
sue any trade within its waters or boundaries. 1t
is true that the American Government also put in
a claim founded on the frivolous pretext that her
citizens had first explored the Columbia rivera
taacy so preposterous that II Will not bear exami-
nation In the year 1919, however, the United
States concluded Treaty with Spain, called the
Florida treaty, whereby 1t was agreed that the
| northern boundaries of the Spanish possessions In
America should be line drawn from the source Of
the River Arkansas, along the AID parallel OF lai-
tude to the Pacific, and the King OF Spain there
fore ceded to the United States all his rights,
claims and pretentlons to any territories north OF
the said line. In 1928 when the authority of Spain
had ceased in North America, the United States
effected treaty with the new Government OF
Mexico, whereby that power also admitted the AID
parallel to be the boundary line between the ter
ritOrles OF the two republics.
The latest intelligence from Washington informs
that Mr.. President Tyler has advanced his claims,
| and asserts the right of the United States to the
whole territory on the Pacific, not only that which
| Spain and England held Jointly between the AID
deg and the 49h deg of north latitude, but ac.
tuay to the 5lst deg. which embraces that portion
which this country has long held in undoubted pos
session. This, however, is only said TO be yam
kee trick upon the old pedlar practice that the
| more you act the more you can abate with an APP
parenty good grace. The American Government
have frequently resored to this vile expedent and
we are sorry to say, with too much success. There
are other ways of acquiring dollars without borrow
| ing them, and repudlatng the debt.
The very fact that the United States deemed il
expedlcnt to obtain, rrather purchase, title from
own pretensions. Why seek by treaty what she
has already possessed by right This purchase de-
cides the question. 1t puts the republic out OF
court by her own acts; but it does much more; II
establishes, by undoubted evidence, the full extent
OF her nights. For instance, Spain could not cede
to the United States more than she possessed her
SELF She had only joint interest with England
| in the Oregon country. She could only sell or sur
partner with Eng land in the land. The Amer cans
therefore, are only placed in the position which the
King OF Spain formerly occupied. They have nc
right to form settlements in the Oregon territory
without the consent of England the slider partner
and most PROFESSIONALLY they have rightto esta.
blish any form of government or code of laws il
| that country.
| Nor will she be permitted. When Lord Ashbur
! ton was deputcd by Sir Robert Peels govern
ment to make overtures for the settlement of the
| North East Boundary vexation, in which he sue.
| ceeded so successfully and amicably, he received
express Instructions to maintain dlgnifed silence
| with respect to the Oregon question. This was al
very well them but we are much deceived if thu
silence can be observed any longer. The Amer
cans, alive to their own interests, are lookln!
forward to the trade of the Pacific by the proposed
railroad over the sthmus of Panama, and it is ma
tural that they should desire to possess the best,
not the only, harbors of refuge on the western sd'
| of their continent near to their own states. Tht
Columbia river supplies this deslderatum; and i
we do not take care she will be in possession, b,
means OF her troops OF squatters, and leglons q
emgrants, of the most favorable and advantageou
spots on the noble stream.
But why should her Majesty's government no
be equally alive to the interests of her subjects! Gu
trade with China and the East is of far more i'm
portance to ourselves and the world at large, thar
any that the American republic are likely to engage
in for the next nifty years. and 1t Is constantly ant
rapidly increasing. Who knows, if the cenlra
communication were opened, what would be thu
amount of traffic from to sea over the American
continent? The times we live in are times of ri
ganic effort, of marvellous discovery, of astOnish
ing results. We cannot now stand still. We mus
be constantly looking forward and anticipating on
wants, thereby creating auxilaries for future ad
/ oregon
fore, be settled forthwith. Ii will be much easie
to effect this now than two or three years hence
Liverpool Mail, FEB, Is.
Our accounts from Dublin are to the evening O
the 9th ut.
STATE TRIALS.
O'ConneIl finished his speech at Al o'clock, OF
Monday afternoon, 9th nit
| On TUESDAY, 6h-Twentieth day--The cour
met al half past ten o'clock, when, amidst consider
able discussion, several witnesses were examined
and papers put IN to prove that Mr.. O'Connefs re
| cent speeches against the act of union were onl,
repetions of what he had said 30 or 40 wears ago
that the arbitration system was adopted by the So
cety ofIFnends andjno objection take to its legal
ity; and that Mr.. O'Connell had always expresse.
the greatest respect for the law and constitution
| and OF his wish that the struggle In which tn,
| repealers were engaged might be carried on in
| peaceable manner
This closed the case for the defence.
On WEDNESDAY, 7th.-Twenty-f day.-Tht
court assembled at ten o'clock. The Solicitor Gen
era addressed the jury in reply to the for the
traversers He spoke of the arduous nature of the
duty he had to perform, the talent, eloquence, ano
| ingenuity of the counsel against whom he had t.
contend, the consequence of the verdict affecting
the peace, tranquility, and happiness OF the coun
try, the obligations Of the jury TO find verdict ac
cording to the evidence, uninhuenced by anything
political, sectarian, or religious, by favor or aztec
tion or any consideration but the truth and justice
of the case He alluded to the eight different hui
inconsistent speeches for the traversers all Of them
however, coinciding marvellously in the absence
of any reference to the evidence. II they had no
i violated the law they must be acquitted; If they
had, what sort of defence II to make that the
government had delayed to prosecute them Nc
connivance was resorted to for the purpose o
seducng them into crime, but, on the contrary
every warning was given which could have beer
given--every intimation was held out, that tbi
| course would in the end be resorted TO. The pro
secuton could not have been brought forward
earlier; i was not prosecution against the pcopl,