Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-12-24

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When came into office, found this to
be the state of tho negotiation. Though
entertaining the settled conviction, that
the British professions Of lille could not
be mainlined to any portion Of the Ore
gon territory upon any principle Of pub
lie law recognized by nations, yet, in de.
ference to what had been done by my
predecessors, aud especially in considera-
lion that propositions of compromise had
been thrice made by two proceeding i'd
mnlstrations, TO adjust the question, on
the parallel of iorty-nine degrees, and in
two Of them yielding TO Great Britain the
free navigation Of the Columbia, and that
the impending negotiation had been com
menced on the basis of compromise, |
deemed i, 10 be my duty not abruptly to
break it off In consideration, too, that I'M
der the conventions Of 1918 and 1877
the citizens aud subjects OF the two Pow
ers held n joint occupancy OF the country.
! was induced 10 make another effort TO
settle this long pending controversy in tho
spirit of moderation which had given
birth to the renewed discussion. A pro-
prosition was accordingly made, which
was rejected by the British plenpotentia-
ny, who without submitting any other pro-
position, suffered the negotiation 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 set
Element OF the Oregon question, more
consistent with fairness and equity, and
with the. reasonable expeditions Of the
British government" The proposition
thus offered and rejected repeated the Of.
fer Of the parallel Of foriy-nihe degrees Of
north latitude, which had been made by
two proceeding administrations, but with
out proposing to surrender TO Great Bril-
tain, as they had done, the free naviga-
lion Of the Columbia river. The RICH. Of
uny foreign Power 10 the FREQ navigation
of any Of our rivers, through the heart ct
our country, was one which was unwil-
ling to concede. II also enbraced n pro-.
vision 10 make free 10 Great Britain any
port or ports on the cape Of Quandra and
Vancouver's island, south Of this parallel.
Had this been a new question, coming un-
der discussion for the first time, this pro-
position would not have been made Tho
extraordinary and wholly inadmisslble de-
mands of the British government, and the
rejection Of the proposition made in de-
ference alone TO what had been done by
my predecessors, and the implied obliga-
lion which their acts seemed to impose,
afford satisfactory evidence that no com
promise, which the United State ought to
accept, can be effected. With this con-
victon, the proposition of compromise
which had been mede and rejected, was,
by my direction, subsequently Withdrawing
and our title to the whole Oregon terrific
ry All erted, and, as is believed, maintain
ed by rrelragable facts and arguments.
The civilized world will see in these
proceedings spirit Of liberal concession
on the part Of the United States; aud This
government will be relieved from all re-
spunsibiity which may follow the failure
TO settle the controversy.
AL attempts TO compromise having fail
ed, il becomes the duty OF Congress to
consider what measures il may be proper
10 adopt for the security and protection of
our citizens now inhabitpg, or who may
hereafter inhablt Oregon, and for the
maintenance Of our just title to that terri
tory In adopting measures for this pur.
pose, care should be taken thai nothing
be done TO violate the stipuations of the
convention Of 1927, which il still in force.
The faith Of treaties, in their letter and
spirit has ever been, and trust will ever
be, scrupulousIy observed by the United
States. Under that Convention, years
ndice is required to be given by either
party TO the other before the joint occu-
pahcy shall terminate, and before either
can righIiully assert or exercise exclusive
Jurisdiction over any portion Of the terri.
tory. This notice it would, 10 my judg-
meni, be proper to give; and recommend
that provision be made by law f0r giving
il accordingly. and terminating in this
manner the convention Of the sixth Of
August, 1927.
II will become proper for Congress to
determine what legislation they can, in
the meantime, adopt without violating this
Convention. Beyond all question, the
projection Of our laws and our jursdic-
lion, civil and criminal ought 10 be imme-
diately extended over our citizens 10 Or.
egon. They have just cause 10 complain
Of our long neglect in this particular, and
have in consequence, been compelled, for
their security and protection, to establish
a provisional government for themselves.
Strong in their allegiance and ardent in
, their attachment 10 the United States,
they have been thus cas-. upon their own
T resources. They are anxious thai our
laws should be extended over them, and I
: recommend that this be done by Congress
J with as liItle delay as possible, in the full
extent 10 which the British Parliament