True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1845-12-24

the state ofthe negotiation Though entertain.
ing the settled conviction, that the British pre-
tensions of title could not be maintained TO any
portion OF the Oregon territory upon any prin-
cipIe of public law recognised by nations, yet,
in Difference to what had been done bv nv pre-.
decessors, and especially in consideration that
propositions OF compromise had been thrice
made by two preceding administrations, to ad-
Just the question on the parallel Of fortynne
degrees and in two of them yielding to Great
Britain the free navigation Of the Columbia,
and that the pending negotiation had been com
menced on the basis Of compromise, deemed
1t to be my duty not abruptly to break it off, In
consideration, too that under the conventions
Of 1918 and '27, the citizens and subjects of
the two Powers held joint occupancy of the
country, | was induced TO make another effort
to settle this long-pendlng controversy in the
spirit of moderation which had given birth TO
the renewed discussion. A proposition was
accordingly made, which was rejected by the
British plenipotentiary, who without submit
ting any other proposition, suffered the nego-
tlation on his part TO drop, expressing his trust
that the United States would offer what he saw
fit to call "some further proposal for the settle
ment of the Oregon question, more consistent
with fairness and equity, and with the reason
able expectations of the British government"
The proposition thus offered and rejected re-
peated the offer of the parallel of forty
degrees of north latitude, which had been
made by two preceding administrations, but
hout,surrendering 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 a provision 10 make free to Great
Britain any port or 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 inadmssble demands of the Brit
ish government, and the rejection of the pro-
position made in Difference alone to what
had been done by my predecessors, and the i'm !
piled obligation which their acts seemed 10 i'm. /
pose, afford satisfactory evidence that no com
promise which the United States ought to ac-
cept, can be effected. With this conviction,
the proposition OF compromise which had been
made and rejected, was, by my direction, sub
seQuently Withdrawn, and our title on the !
lieved, maintained by irrefragable facts and ar
guments.
The civilized world will see in these pro-
ceedings a spirit of liberal concession on the
part of the United States; and this government
will be relieved from all responsibility which
may follow the failure to settle the conro-
versy.
All attempts at compromise 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 in
habiting, or who may hereafter inhabit Or
egon and for the maintenance Of our just title
to that territory. In adopting measures for
this purpose, care should be taken that nothing |
be done to violate the stipulations of the con-
vention 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, scrupul.
ously observed by the United States Under
that convention, years notice is required TO-
be given by either party to the other before
he joint occupancy shall terminate, and before
either can rightiully assert or exercise ex-
elusive jurisdiction over any portion Of the ter.
rilory This notice it would, in my judgment,
be proper to give; and recommend tina; pro.
vision be made BY law for giving il according
y, and terminating in this manner, the con-
'ention oflhe sixth Of August, 1927.
1t will become proper for Congress to de.
ermne what Legislation they can, in the mean
inc adopt, without violating this convention.
Beyond all question, the protection of our laws
ind jurisdiction, civil and criminal, ought to be
extended over our citizens in Ore
ron. They have had just cause TO complain Of
,ur long neglect in this particular, and have in
consequence been compelled, for their own Sc
urity and protection to establish provisional
government for themselves. Strong in their
allegiance and ardent in their attachment 10
he United States, they have been thus cast up
N their own resources They are anxious
hat our laws should be extended over them,
nd recommend that this be done BY Congress
With as liule delay as possible, in the full ex-
ent to which the British Parliament have pro-
eeled 10 regard to British subjects in that ter
TORY. by their act Of July second, 1921, for
ogulating the fur trade, and establishing a
riminal and civil jurisdiction within certain
arts of North America" BY this act Great
Britain extended her laws and jurisdiction
ivil and criminal over her subjects engaged
a the fur trade in that territory. BY IL the
ourts Of the province Of Upper Canada were
mpowered to take cognizance Of causes civil
nd criminal Justices Of the peace and other
ldcial officers were authorized 10 be appointed
q Oregon, with power 10 execute all process
ssuindr frou, the rourfs Of that nrovincp and 10 |