The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-10


Mr.. ARCHER said, when the subject was before
the Senate the other day he had stated that he was
not unwilling that this resolution should receive the
sanction Of the body; though at the time he did
not in the leas doubt the proprety Of the suggestion
by the Senator from Kentucky, (Mr Morehead,)
that it was improper to interfere by such call with
pend ng negotiation. He doubted whether that Oh.
lection would apply TO the state Of the negotiation
respecting the Oregon territory. lie thought then,
that there was no negotiation existing. lie would
state TO the Senate, upon information which he
had obtained as chairman Of the Committee on Fo-
reign Affairs, that there no negotiation depending
on this subject at the Court Of ST James. Il was
our proposition 10 treat there Instructions were ac-
cordngly sent but the British Government preferred
TO treat here and made proposition accordingly 70
which our Government had no objection. Minis
ter was expected 10 be here few weeks, even if
he was not already on his way, who was specially
charged with this subject and other subjects at issue
between the two Governments. lie would not, un-
der these circumstances, treat the body with such
disrespect as TO suppose that they would adopt a
olution Of this character. II would obstruct all ne
gotiation.
The whole tenor Of the remarks Of the gentleman
from Ohio was that we should entertain no negotia-
/ lion on the subject Was Great Britain, who for
thirty years had asserted, like ourselves, a claim 10
this territory, TO be told, when she offers 10 send
/ Minister here to settle this ques ion by negotia ion.
/ in our own capital-whati That we will not lsten
to her at ALL that we will enter into no negotiation
with her that we will take exclusive possession Of
the territory at all hazards That was the language
that the Senator from Ohio wished to hold and bad,
in substance, put in this resolution, and in his accom-
panying remarks.
state, (said Mr.. ARcnER,) from information de-
rived from the Executive, that we are on the eve Of
commencing negotiation here at home and are
TO TAXI the ground here that we have an undispu
ted right to the whole territory aud will not nego.
/ tate upon IL Z We have made two conventions with
lo bot4 If adj
Of doubt as TO the title to the terrory and is Great
Britain the Of anothtr negotiation TO be told
that the Western people, whose chivalry the Senator
from Ohio represents, will have no negotiation, even
though war should be the result-a war, TOO, that
viii not reach nornjure them in the interior, but
which will deyastate seaboard' Are we to in
form them, at the commencement Of a negotiation,
that II IS our purpose 70 obstruct all negotiation
though 4 may involve us Immediately in a war; He
would not go for such resolution lie would not
treat the Senate with such disrespect as TO suppose
that they would entertain the proposition.
Mr.. ALLEN sa that, in regard to the occurrence
OF war, he had not stated his opinions, but had
alluded 10 the declarations Of eminent persons which
were made Tor The purpose OF stopping our legislation
here The threat Of war was held over us to pre-.
vent us from acting on the subject He did not him
self believe any would be the result Of our ac-
ton this subject. lie would ask the Senator why
another negotiation was pressed upon soon after
the treaty of the 9th August 1892 Was Great
Britain acting upon the principle of making one quar-
rel at time and each time tearing off piece of our
territory Each time we heard homlies about the
benefits Of peace, and lugubrous statements Of the
horrors of war, which might have the effect TO re-
conci.e us to the loss Of territory as a means OF
! preserving peace.
! Suppose, the chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations had stated, that nothing has been
done, or nothing Of any importance it will clear away
all distractions to our legislation. The annual mes
sage states that instructions have been given" SC
Something must have interviewed between these in
structions and the proposals made to this Govern
ment; and that IS what We wish to be acquainted
\ with. There could be no reason in the world gyer
why this resolution should not be trusted to the dis
erection Of the President II was an appeal to hr
own judgment and sense of proprety.
Mr. WOODBURY. called for the reading Of tb
resolution again. Mr.. w. had called for the readm
because he thought gentlemen ovsrsensitiye as to il