The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-04


that convention.
The recommendations which have made, as TO
the best manner of securing our rights TO Oregon,
are submitted to Congress with great Difference.
Should they, in their wisdom, devise any other
mode better calculated TO accomplish the same
object, it shall meet with my hearty concurrence.
AT the end of the years notice, should Congress
think it proper to make provision for giving that
notice, we shall have reached period when the
national rights in Oregon must either be aban-
doned or firmly maintained. That they cannot
be abandoned without a sacrifice OF both national
honor and interest is too clear TO admit OF doubt
Oregon is a part of the North American conti-
nent to which, it is confidently affirmed, the title
of the United States is the best now in existence
For the grounds on which that title rests, | refer
you to the correspondence OF the late and present
Secretary Of State with the British plenipotentary
during the negotiations The British proposition
Of compromise, which would make the Columbia
the line south of forty-nine degrees, with trifing
addition Of detached territory to the United States
north of that river and would leave on the British
side two-thrds of the whole Oregon territory, in
Guiding the free navigation OF the Columbia and
all the valuable harbors on the Pacific, can never,
for moment, be entertained by the United States,
without an abandonment oftheirj justand clear ter
ritoral rights their own sef-respect and the ma
tonal honor. For the information OF Congress,
communicate herewith the correspondence which
took place between the two governments during
the late negotiation. 'N A a@
The rapid extension Of our settlements over our
territories heretofore unoccuped, the addition of
new States to our confederacy; the expansion Of
free principles, and our rising greatness as ma
ton, are attracting the attention of the powers of
Europe; and lately the doctrine has been broached
in some Of them, of a balance fpower," on this
continent to check our advancement The United
States, sincerely desirous Of preserving relations
of good understanding with all nations, cannot in
silence permit any European interference on the
North American continent; and should any such
interference be attempted will be- ready to resist
it at any and all hazards. 9al1asa sae
1t is well known to the American people and to
all nations, that this government has inter-
fered with the relations subsistng between other
governments. We have never made ourselves
parties to their wars or their alliances; we have
notsought their territories by conquest; we have
not mingled with parties in their domestic strug-
giles and believing our own form Of government
to be the best, we have never attempted to pro-
pagate it by intrigues, by diplomacy or by force.
We may claim on this continent like exemption
from European interference The nations of
America are equally sovereign and independent
with those of Europe. They possess the same
rights, Independent of all foreign nterpostion, to
make war, to conclude peace, and to regulate
stheir internal affairs. The people of the United
States cannot, therefore, view with Indifference
attempts OF European powers to interfere with the
independent actions of the nations on this conti-
nent The American system of government is en-
tirely different from that Of Europe, Jealousy
among the different sovereigns of Europe lest any
one Of them might become too powerful for the
rest, has caused them anxiously to desire the es-
tablishment of what they term the I" balance of
power" 1t cannot be permitted to have any ap-
plication on the North American continent, and
especially to the United States. We must ever
maintain the principle, that the people of this
tinent alone have the right to decide their own
destiny. Should any portion Of Them, constitu-
ting an independent state, propose to unite them
selves with our confederacy, this will be ques-
ton for them and us to determine, without any
foreign intcrposition. We can never consent
: that European Powers shall interfere to prevent
such union, because it might disturb the I" bal
ance of power" which they may desire to main
tain upon this continent. Near quarter of
century ago, the principle was distinctly announced
to the world, in the annual message of one of my
predecessors, I" the American continents, by the
free and independent condition which they have
assumed and maintain are henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for future colonization by
any European power" This principle will apply
with greatly increased force should any European
power attempt to establish any new colony in
North America. In the existing circumstances
of the world, the present is deemeda proper occa-
sion to reiterate and re-afirm the principle
ed by Mr.. Monroe, and to state my cordial concur
renee in its wisdom and sound policy. The re-as-
sertion ofthis principle, especially in reference to
North America, is at this day but the promulga-
ton of policy which no European power should
cherish the disposition to resist. Existing rights
Of every European nation should be respected
but it is due alike to safety and interests
that the efficient protection of our laws should be
extended over our whole territorial limits, and
that il should be distinctly announced to the
world as our settled policy, that no future Euro
L IL
be planted or established any part of the North
American continent tr b43l4Gln8 ~
A question has recently arisen under the tenth
article of the subsistng treaty between the United
States and Prussia BY this article the consuls of
the two countries have the right to sit as Judges
and arbitrators SC in such differences as may arise
between the captains and crews Of the vessels be-
longing to the nation whose interests are commit
ted to their charge, without the interference Of the
local authorities, unless the conduct of the crews
or Of the captains should disturb the order or tran
guilty Of the country, the said consuls should
require their assistance to cause their decisions to
be carried into effect or supported" Ja
The Prussian consul at New Bedford in June,
1874, applied to Mr.. Justice Story to carry into
effect decision made by him between the captain
and crew of the Prussian ship Borussia; but the
request was refused on the ground that, without
previous legislation by Congress- the judiciary did
not possess the power to give effect TO this article
of the treaty. The Prussian government through
their minister here have complained of this viola
ton Of the treaty, and have asked the goverement
of the United States to adopt the necessary mea-