The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-12-16

u"uo W shS oiihsn, anu IeJcCteu Dy tne a.
merican government i'll the negotiation of
1925. This proposition was properly reject
ed BY the American plenipoteniiary on the
day it was submitted. This was the only
proposition Of compromise offered by the
British plenipotentiary. The proposition on
the part ofGreat Britain having been rejected,
the British plenipotentiary requested thai a
proposal should be made by the United
States for "an equitable adjustment of the
question:"
When | came into office, found this 10 be
the state of the negotiation. Though Gutter.
taining the settled conviction, that the British
pretensions of title could not be maintained
10 any portion of the Oregon territory upon
any principle of public law recognised by
nations, yet, in Difference to what had been
done by my predecessors, and especially in
consideration mat propositions of compromise
had been thrice made bv two preceding ad-
ministrations, TO adjust the question on the
parallel Of forty-nine degrees, and in two Of
them yielding 10 Great Britain the free navi-
cation Of the Columbia, and that the pending
negotiation had been commenced on the
basis Of compromise, deemed it 10 be my
duty not abruptly to break off. In consider
alton, too, that under the conventions OF
1918 and 1922, the citizens and subjects Of
the two Powers held Joint occupancy Of
the country, was induced to make another
effort to settle this long pending con-
troyersy in the spirit of moderation which
had given birth to The renewed discus
sion. A proposition was accordingly made,
which was rejected by the British pleni-
potentiary, who without submitting any
other proposition, suffered the negotiation on
his part to drop, expressing his trust that the
United States would offer what he saw fit 10
call "some further proposal for the settle
mento the Oregon question, more consistent
with fairness and equity, and with the rea-
sonable expectations of the British govern
ment." The proposition thus offered and
rejected, repealed the offer of the parallel of
forty-nine degrees of north latitude, which
had been made by two preceding admins
trations, 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 was unwilling to
concede. 1t also embraced provision 10
make free TO Great Britain any part of ports
on the cap of Quadra and Vancouver's island,
south Of this parallel. Had this been new
question, coming under discussion for the
first time, this proposition would not have
been made. The extraordinary and wholly
inadmissible demands of the British govern
ment, and the rejection of the proposition
made in Difference alone to what had been
done by my predecessors, and the implied
obligation which their actsseemed 10 impose,
afford satisfactory evidence that no compro-
mise, which the United States ought 10 accept,
can be effected. With this conviction, the
proposition of compromise which had been
made and rejected, was, by my direction,
subsequently Withdrawn, and our title to the
whole Oregon territory asserted, and, as is
believed, maintained by irrefragable facts and
arguments.
The civilized world will see in these pro-
ceedings spirit of liberal concession on the
part of the United States; and this govern
ment will be relieved from all responsibility
which may follow the failure TO settle the
controversy.
All attempts at compromising 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 inhabting, or who may hereafter inhabit
Oregon, and for the maintenance of our Just
title to the territory. In adopting measures
for this purpose, care should be taken that
nothing be done to violate the stpulatons Of
the convention Of 1927, which is still in
force. The faith Of treaties, in their letter
and spirit, has ever been, and, l trust, will
ever be, scrupulously observed by the United
States. Under that convention, years
notice is required 10 be given by either party
10 the other before the joint occupancy shall
terminate, and before either can rightfully
assert of exercise exclusive jurisdiction over
any portion of the territory. This notice it
would, in my judgment, be proper to give;
and recommend that provision be made by
law for giving it accordingly, and terminating
in this manner the convention of the sixth of
August, 1927.
1t will become proper for Congress to de-
termine what legislation they can, in the
mean time, adopt without violating this con-
vention. Beyond all question, the protection
of our laws and our jurisdiction, civil and
criminal, ought to be Immediately extended
over our citizens in Oregon. They have had
Just cause to complain Of our long neglect in
tbjs particular, and have, in consequence,
been compelled for their own security and
protection, to establish a provisional govern
meDt for themselves. Strong in their allegi-
ance and ardent in their attachment to the
United States, they have been thus cast upon
their own resources. They are anxious that
our laws should be extended over them, and