The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-16

country fertile and delightful; but it does not
belong TO us, and the possession Of it would be an
insufficient compensation for Admiralty inlet.
II has been advanced (by Southern journal for
which we entertain great respect that our govern
ment has either acknowledged the weakness or UNI
certainty of its title to these countries by offering
give up portion, or has been recreant in propos-
ing To cede what justly belongs to us. This has,
however, been said upon an imperfect knowledge of
the facts. The first proposition of our government
with regard to the 49h parallel of latitude, was made
in 1918, when neither party claimed absolute posses
sion, distinctly declared, not only in the discus
sion, but in the convention which ended II. Great
Britain might then have made treaty with Spain
securing TO herself the same rights which we ac-
qnired by the Florida treaty. and thus materially
diminishing the strength Of our title against her
self; and such was probably the intention of her
government at the time when she concluded the con-
vention of 1873 Against the consequences of such
an arrangement il was proper to provide; and the
49th parallel was proposed by us as the most con-
venent line for designating the portions which each
might thus acquire. 1t was rejected, and the United
States was not bound by the offer when they made
their treaty with Spain, or SINCE When this offer
was renewed in 1924 and in 1926 when the 49th
parallel was proposed a de6nitive line of separa-
ton between the possessions of the two partes-at
neither of these periods was the question by any
means SO well understood as at present. The most
important historical proofs of the claims of the United
States were then wanting, as may be clearly seen,
by examining the reports Of both those negotiations;
thaT hav
out loss of honor at least, much which must now be
retained at oil hazards. Besides, how clear soever
might have been the right of the United States in
1927, it was necessary for them to provide against
the consequences of the expiration of the convention
which would in year; for, unless stipu-
ation were made, as it would have been impossible
for them at that time to occupy the country, the
only alternatives would have been war, or an entire
abandonment of their claims. In order to avoid
both these evils, the offer of partition compromise
was first made by our government, and that prov
ing impractcabe, the other compromise with re-
gard to the temporary of the countries was
adopted.
We have no wish to excite animosity against
Great Britain or any other nation. We know the
value of peace to ourselves, to Great Britain and
the world; but we conceive that government has
already gone far, in the spirit of compromise, to
maintain it, as the honor and interests of the nation
will permit and there is certainly nothing either in
the character of the British government, as shown
by what daily takes place. or in the disposition
cherished by its members towards the United States
which should induce us to place unqualified conf
dence in all its professions of fairness and modera-
ton. Facts must speak for themselves. Does not
every packet from London bring the account
of some new acquisition which has been forcibly
made by Great Britain Of the disposition of gov
eminent, we seldom judge by the declarations
of its ministers; but it is sometimes unwittngly be-
trayed by its confidential officers and agents. We
should all know in what manner the United States
and their people were regarded by Lord Sydenhnm,
the late Governor-Genera of Canada, and previous
ly the President of the Board Of Trade OF Great
Britain, as displayed in his letters to his former
colleagues, published after his death by his
brother Those who desire to understand
upon what principles personages such as the
Governor General of India occasionally act, are
referred to the history of the in Scinde by Ma
jor-General Sir William Napier the accomplished
author of the history Of the Peninsular war, now
governor of the island of Guernsey one of the most
important outposts of the British empire
In the picture drawn Of the United States by Lord
Sydenham, we are represented "utery immoral;''
our government is 'the worst of tyrannies-that of
mob, supported by the most odous and proAigate
corrupton" in our political parties, he only object
of the leading Of either is to inst some wretch
eddy low sentiment into the people, and then explode
it for their own advantage. There is scarcely a
statesman of either party who would not adopt the
most violent or the basest doctrine however, if he
thought that he could work it to advantage with the
maiorty;n our country is, in fine, eunbearable to a
man of any education, and the central govern
ment itself by-word amongst civilized ma
tons" hope, is his pous wish, "ihai zoe may lipt
long enough to see this great bubble burst and do NOT
behepe that zoe need be pery long-lipsd for that"
The object of General Napier's book is to defend
his brother, Gen. Sir Charles Napier, the conqueror
of Scinde, and Lord Peterborough, the Governor
General of India, from the imputa,ions cast upon
them in India, and in England, on account of their
conduct in the province thus annexed to the British
empire, and to throw the odium upon Lord Ellen
borough's predecessor, Lord Auckland He there
shows clearly that Lord Auckland, under pretence
of friendly interest in the affairs of Scinde,'
forced upon the Ameers or Princes of that country,
treaty which he well knew that they neither would,
nor should, nor could keep, thus 'placing loaded
bombshell in their palace" that this treaty was re-
peatedly broken by the British authorities; and that
when it was at length, as anticipated infringed by
the Ameers, Lord Peterborough found himself
obliged TO anner the country to the British empire, by
Charles Napier.
The historian defends the conduct OF Lord Ellen
borough and of his own brother, upon principles
which might have been considered fair in Italy, du-
ring the fifteenth century, but the morality of which
can scarcely be admitted athe presentday "The first
injustice says he, ''remans stigma on the govern
ment perpetrating it, but for the nation for succeed