Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-12-20

Sept. 20, 1914, Mr.. Calhoun reioins to this
rebutting the British claims on the discoveries
ofCook, Mears and others. on the Noo,ka Sound
convention, and on McKenze's explorations.
The Frazier's River is an inferior stream and
cannot effect the discovery of the Columbia.
The United States had the first settlement,
had that right restored, were acknowledged to
be in possession while treating of title, &c.
Mr.. c. also replies to the argument drawn from
Jefferson, and renforces the argument Of con-
tinuitv and states that the United States must
be considered as in possession OF the whole Of
the territory drained by the Columbia while
treating of title, in which character he insists
on being considered and not in the character OF
Joint occupancy merely. He can make no
proposal based on the supposltion of joint occu
pancv There must be full discussion of the
title before proposals can be made. When the
opinion that the United States have a clear IT,
,le the British proposal in the second conference
falls tar short of what they can accept
As to our claims to other parts of the Terri
tory than those dra incd by the Columbia, they
extend as far as the Treaty of Florida with Spain
| can warrant.
Jan. Is, lSiJ, Mr.. Packenham to Mr.. Cal. |
houn states that he has sen, the discussions al
ready had to his Government, but that, in the
mean time. he is authorized to offer arbitration,
leaving the choice Of arblter for after considera-
! tion.
January 2i, 1915, Mr. Calhoun says he has
laid the offer of Mr. p. before the President, and
he cannot accede to the proposal. He hopes
the question may be settled by negotiation. Ar
btration might rather rctard than expedite the
| settlement.
July II. ls45, Mr.. Buchanan having been
appointed Secretary Of State, and seeming to
overlook the later proceedings and replies to
Mr.. P's letter of Sept. II, 1914, rests our title
| on that of Spain, contending that at the date of
Spain's transfer of her rights to us she lad
good title to the whole of Oregon against Great
Britain. The Noo,ka Sound Treaty conferred
no right on Great Britain but to trade with the
Indians, was transient in its nature, and did
not touch the sovereignty Of Spain over the
territory That it was unnuled by the war
between Great Britain and Spain in l196, and
has never since been renewed. and consequent
" Great Britain is destitute any claim TO the
Oregon territory Having defended these
views at length, and enforced our title to the
whole of Oregon, he says the joint occupancy
treaty exccp,s our title from being impaired.
In this view of the subject the President, con.
sidering the action of his predecessors and EN-.
barrassed by their offer, TO show also to the
world that he is actuated by spirit of modera.
ton, has authorised Eim (Mr. Secretary b. to
offer the I9fh parallel 10 the sea as boundary,
nth any port in Vancouver's Island South of
that latitude.
July 29th, lsi5, Mr.. Packenham replies to
Mr. Buchanan comba's strongly Mr. BIS po.
stion, particlary the claim of the United States
to the Valley Of the Columbia, to be older than
the treaty of 1910 He examines the Spanish
;itle-the American offer TO divide the territory
the United States can found no claim, or dis.
covery, or exploration or settlement prior to the
Treaty of Florida, without admitting the princl-
pies of the Noo,ka Sound Convention, and the
parallel claims OF Great Britain. He contends
that the Nootka Sound Convention continues in
torce, and even if that Convention had never
existed, the claims of Great Britain are as good
as those Of the United States.
lie then goes into history of the discoveries,
from which it might appear that American citi.
zens discovered the Columbia River, while
British navigators discovered Frazer's river,
Iish claims 10 the territory, and declines The
offer made By Mr.. buchanan. ~.
August 80 lsi5. is the date of the last des.
patch 1t is from Mr.. Buchanan in reply to
Mr.. p He quotes the declaration of Messrs.
Iiuskisson and Add isonton that "Great Britain
claims no exclusive sovereignty over any part
OF that [Orcgonl Territory" Mr.. B. makes a
very long argument in reply to Mr. p main
tanning the rights of the United States to the
whole of the Territory, and concludes by with
drawing his offer.
| Thus ends the correspondence, and the
next step to be taken depends on the future.
The above abstract is but very limited you
may get it as soon as any other The cores
pondence is able and voluminous. Mr. Cal.
houn's views are expressed in his usual strong
and condensed language, and shows that the
interests of the country might safely be trust.
ed to him in the present crisis. doubt whether
some of the leaders of the party want his des-
Al.