Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-12-11

That they cannot be abandoned with
out a sacrifice of both national hon
or and interest, IS too clear to admit of
doubt.
Oregon is part of the North Amer
ican continent, to which, it is conf
IDENTITY affirmed, the title Of The United
States is the best now in existence.
For the ground on which that title rests,
] refer you to the correspondence of
the late and present Secretary of State
with the British plenipotentiary during
the negotiation. The British PROPOSE
tons OF compromise, which would
make the Columbia the line south of
forty nine degrees, with trifling addi-
tAof detached territory to the United
States, north of that river, and would
leave on the British side two thirds
of the whole Oregon territory, inclu-
ding the free navigation of the Colum-
bla and all the valuable harbors on the
Pacific, can never for moment. be
entertained by theUnlted States, with
out an abandonment of their Just and
clear territorial rights, their own-self-
respect, and the national honor. For
the Information Of Congress, COM
municate herewith the correspon-
dence which took place between the
two governments during the late nego-
tIatlOn.
The rapid extension of our settle
ment over our territories heretofore un-
occupied; the addition of new States to
our contederacy; the expansion of free
principles, and our rising greatness as
nation, are attracting the attention Of
the Powers Of Europe; and lately the
doctrine'has been troached in some, of
a"5alance ofpdver" on this continent,
to check our advancement. The Uni
ted States, sincerely DESTROYS of preser-
wing relations Of good understanding
with all nations, cannot in silence per-
init any European interference on the
North American continent; and should
any such interference be attempted,
will be ready to resists it at any and all
hazards.
1t is well known to the American
people and to all nations, that this gov
eminent has never interfered with the
relations subsisting between other gov
ernnen,s. We have never made our
selves parties to their wars or their alli-
ances; we have not sought their terri
torres oy conquest; we have not min
gled with parties in their domestic
struggles; and believing our own form
OF government to be the best, we have
never attempted to propagate 1t by in
tligues, by diplomacy, or by force
We may claim on this continent alike
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 inter
position, to make war, to conclude
peace, and to regulate their internal
affairs. The people of the Uuited
States cannot therefore, view with IN
difference, attempts of European pow
ers 10 interfere with the independent
action Of the nations on this continent.
The American system of government Is
entirely different from that Of Europe.
Jealousy among the different sove-
reigns of Europe, lest any one of them
might become too powerful for the
rest, has caused them anxiously to
desire the establishment of what they
term 'balance ofpower." 1t cannot
be permitted to have any application on
the North American continent, and es-
pecial!y to the United States. We
must ever maintain the principle, that
the people of this continent alone have
the right to decide their own destiny.
Should any portion of them, constitu-
ting an independent state, purpose to
unite themselves with our confederacy
this will be a question for them and us
to determine, without any foreign inter
position. We can never consent that
European Powers shall interfere to pre-
vent such union, because it might
disturb the "ba!ance of power which
they may desire to maintain upon this
continent. Near quarter of a centu-
ry ago, the principle was distinctly an.
nounced to the world, in the annua
message of one of my predecessors
that "the American continent, by tht
free and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintained
are henceforth not to be considered al
subjects for future colonization by an,
opean power This principle
MNlapply with greatly increased force
should any European power attemp
to establish any New colony in Nortl
America. In the existing circumstance
of the world, the present is deemed