The New York herald., 1845-12-11

The title Of the United states to the valley of the Co
lumbia older than the Florida treaty of February 1872
under which the United States acquired all the rights Of
Spain northwest coast Of America and exists indie
psndsnty Of its provisions Even supposng. them that
correct could not apply to this portion of the ter
ritory in dispute convention between Great Britain
trading at Nootka Sound could not abrdgs
the rights of other nations Both in publ, and private
law, agreement between two parties never bind
o third without his consent, express or implied
The extraordinary proposition will scarcely be again
urged that acquisition of the right Spain under
the Florida reasy can in any manner weaken or impair
for nations It is tor individuals to purchase out
standing title merely the sake of peace and has
been imagined that the acquisition of
such title rende red the old less valid Under
this principle party having two titles would be confined
to his worst and would forfeit his best Our acquisition
Of the rights OF Spain then, under the Florida treaty
whilst cannot affect the prior title of the United States
and unquestionabs before the world. We have per-
CT right to claim und both these titles and the
ourselves to it, would in the opinion of the President
be good against Great Britain merely to the val
ley OF the Columbia but the whole territory of Ore
gon.
Our American title to the extent of the valley of
the Columbia resting as it does discovery, expora
tion, and possession-a possession acknowledged by
most solemn act Of the British government itself-s
sufficient assurance against all mankind; whilst
superadded title derived from Spain extends
elusive rights the whole territory in dispute as
against Great Britain.
Such being the opinion of the President in regard to
the title OF the United States he would not have con
sened to yield any portion of the Oregon territory had
he not found himself embarrassed il not committed by
the acts Of hs predecessors They had uniformly pro-
ceeded upon the principle of compromise in all their
goatons Indeed, tae first question presented to him
aer entering upon the duties of his Office was whether
he should abruptly terminate the negotiation which had
been commenced and conducted between Mr. Calhoun
and Mr. Pakenham the principle avowed in the first
protocol not OF contendng for the whole territory in
dispute but OF treating Of the respective claims of the
parties, with the view to establish permanent boun.
Diary between the two countries westward Of the Rocky
mountains"
In view Of these facts the President has determined to
pursue the present negotiation to its conclusion upon
the principle of compromise in which commenced and
to make effort to adjust this long.pendng con-
troversy In this determination he trusts that the British
government will recognise his sincere and anxious de-
sire to cultivate the most friendly relations between the
two countries and to manifest to the world that he
tuaed by spirit of moderation He has, therefore, in.
sructed the again to propose to the govern
ent OF Great Britain that the Oregon territory shall be
divided between the two countries by the forty ninth
parallel of north latitude from the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific Ocean; Offering at the same tme to make
free 10 Great Britain any port ports VancOuvers
ment may desire He trusts that Great Britain may
ceive this proposition in the friendly spirit by which
was dictated, and that may prove the stable foundation
OF lasting peace and harmony between the two countries
The line proposed will curry out the principle of conti
nuity equally for both parties by extending the limits
both of ancient Louisiana and Canada the Pacific along
the ralel OF latitude which divides them OF
the Rocky Mountains; and it will secure to each suG
c;ent number of commodious harbors the northwest
coast OF America.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to re-
to Mr. Pakenham the Of his distinguished
onsderation
JAMES BUCHANAN
The Il ght Hon. r. PAKEYHAM Sc