Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-12
] TE s'aslr ~ 50 adva,n ZEE, ,


TO make free to tlIe Uniied States anv mn, -
ports south DC latitude forty-nins dsgrsss
which they might desire, either on tlse main
land. or on Quadra and Vancouyer.s island = |
With the exception of the free PORTS. this WA
the same offer which had been made by the
British, and rejected by the American govern
ment In the negotiation of I626kA This pfopo\
sition was properly rejected by the American
plenipotentiary on the day it was Submitted.
This was the only proposition of compromise
offered by, the British .penipotentiary. The
proposition On the partof Great Britainhaving
been rejected, the British plenipotentiary re.
United Statesfof tan equitable adjustment of
the question" aies a-ses e.@T3s'r5 =
When came into office. / found this to be
the state of the negotiation. Though enter
tanning the settled conviction, that the British
pretensions Of title could not be maintained TO-
any portion of the Oregon territory upon any
principle or public law recognized by nalions,
yet, in difference TO what had been done nv NV
predecessors. and especially in considerations
that propositions of compromise had been
thrice made by two preceding administrations
to adjust the question on the parallel of forty.
nine degrees, and in two of them yielding TO-
Great Britain the free navigation of the Co
lutnbia, and that the pending negotiation had
been commenced on the basis of compromise,
deemed it to be my duty not abruptly to-
break it off. In consideration, too, that ander
the conventions of 1918 and 1927, the citizens
, and subjects of tie two Powers held joint
occupancy of the country,I was induced to-
make another effort to settle this long pending
controversy in the spirit of moderation which
had given birth to the enewed discussion. A 81
proposition was accordingly made, which was
rejected by the British plenipotentiary, who,
without submitting any other proposition, suf-.
Tered the negotiation on his part to drop, ex-
pressing his trustthat the United States would
offer what he saw fit to call "some further
proposal for the settlement of the Oregon ques-
ton, more consistent with airness and equity,
and with the reasonable expectations of tho
British government" The proposition thus
offered and rejected repeated the offer Of the
parallel of forty-nine degrees Of north latitude,
which had been made by two preceding adj
ministrations, but without proposing to sur.
render to Great Britain, as they had done, tie
free navigation of the Columbia river. The
right of any foreign Power to the free haviga
ton of any of our rivers, through the heart of
ouI country, was ore Which | was unwilling
TO concede. 1t also embraced provision to
make free to Great Britain any post or ports
on the cap of Quadra and Vancouver's island,
question, coming under discussion for the first
time, this proposition would not. have been
made! The extraordinary and wholly inad-
MISSILE demands of the Britishgo government,
and fine rejection of the proposition made in
Difference alone to what had been done by my
predecessors, and the implied obligation which
their acts seemed to impose, afford satisfacto-
~ evidence that no compromise which the u.
States ought to accept, Can be effected. With
this conviction, the proposition Of compromise
which had been ma6, and rejecteds was, by
my direction, subsequently Withdrawn, and
our title TO the whole Oregon territory assert
ed. and. as is believed, maintained by irrefrag-
able facts and arguments. -
The civilized world will see in these pro-
ceedlngs spirit Of liberal concession on the
part of the United States and this govern
ment will be relieved from all responsibility
which may follow the, failure to settle the con-
troversy.- - -aAr-
All attempts at compromise having failed,
n becomes the duty of Congress to consider
what measures it may be proper to adopt for
the security and protection of our citizens now
Inhabitng, or who may hereafter fntlabit Ore
gon, 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 stipnlations Of the con-
vention of 1927, which is still in force. The
faith of treaties, in their letter and spirit, has
ever been, and, ] trust will ever be, scrupu-
lousy observed by the United States. Under
that convention, years notice is required to
be given by either party to the other. before
the joint occupancy shall ierm mate, and before
either can rightfully assert or exe<cis exclusive
jurisdiction over any portion of the territory.
This notice it would, in my judgment, be
proper to give; and recommend that provl-
sion be made by law forgiving ii accordingly.
and terminating. in this manner, the conven-
ton of the sixth of August, 1927. -
| 1t will become proper for Congress to de.
termine what legislation they can. in the mean
time, adopt without violating this convention.
Beyond all question, the protection of our
laws, and our jurisdiction, civil and criminal,
ought to be Immediately extended over our
citizens in Oregon. They have had just cause
TO complain of our long neglect 10 This partl-
cnlar, and have in consequence. been compell-
ed, for their own security. and protectlon,to
establish provisional government for them
selves. Strong in their allegiance and ardent
In their attachment TO The United State 2. they
have been thus east upon their own. resources
They are anxious that our laws should be ex-
tended over them, and recommend that this
be done by Congress with as lille delay as
possible. in the foil extent TO winch the nriF
ish Parliament have proceeded in regard 70
British subjects in that territory. BY their act
Of Jnly the second 1921. "for regulating the
fnr.irade. and establishing criminal and CT
vii Jurisdiction within certain parts OF North
America" By this act Gieat Britain extend|
ed her laws and jurisdiction, civil and crlmi-
nal, over her subjects engaged insthe fuF-irade
in that territory. - 80
|. By it, thecourts of the province of Upper
Canada were empowered TO take cognizalee
Of causes civil and criminal. sJastices of the
peace and other judicial officers were authoIs
lied to be appointed in Oregon, with power
20 execute oil process issuing from the courts
Of that province, and 10 'ssit and hold courts Of