The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1845-12-30

reagh by the despatch of Lord Castle
reagh himself to the British Minister at
Washington, when giving up Astoria,
claiming the whole territory.
Great Britain and the United States are
in JOINT occupancy: one cannot divest the
other but by eqitable division of what is
Jointly occupied.
In claiming the Columbia as the boun-
dary, Great Britain is not influenced by
ambition of possessing large territory,
but by considerations OF utility if not OF
necessity, which cannot be lost sight OF.
Mr.. p. concludes by requesting propo-
sal from the United States and statement
of farther claims alluded to by Mr.. CAL
houn.
Sept. 30, 1874, Mr.. Calhoun rejoins 10
this rebutting the claims on the discover
les Of Cook. Mesres and others. on the
Nootka Sound convention, and on
McKenzie's explorations. The Frazer
river is an inferior stream and cannot af-
feet the discovery Of the Columbia.
The United States had the first settle
ment, had that right restored, were sc-
knowledged to be inpossession while
treating of title, &c. Mr.. G.. also replies
to the argument drawn from Jefferson,
and reinforces the argument of continuity
and states that the United States must be
considered as in possession of the whole
territory drained by the Columbia while
treating title, In which character he insists
on being considered, and not in the charac-
ter of joint occupancy merely. He can
make no proposal based on the supposi-
ton of joint occupancy There must be
full discussion of the title before propo-
sails can be made. With the opinion that
the United States have clear title, the
British proposal In the second conference
falls far short of what they can accept.
As to our claims TO other parts of the
Territory than those drained by the Col
umbia, they extend as far as the Treaty
of Florida, which Spain can warrant.
Jan, ID, Is45, Mr., Packenham to Mr..
Calhoun states that he has sent the dis
cussions already had to his Government,
but that, in the mean time, he is author
lied 70 offer arbitration, leaving the choice
Of arb tiers for after consideration.
Jan. 81, ls45, Mr., Calhoun SAYS he
has laid the offer Of Mr.. P. before the
President, and he cannot accede to the
proposal. He hopes the question may
be settled by negotiation. Arbitration
might rather retard than expedite the
settlement.
July IL, 1915, Mr.. Buchanan having
been appointed Secretary of State, and
seeming to overlook the latter proceed
ings and replies to Mr.P's, letter of Sept.
IL, 1914. rests our title on that of Spain,
contending that at the date Of Spain's
transfer of her rights to us she had good
title to the whole of Oregon against Great
Britain. The Nootka Sound Treaty
conferred no right on Great Britain but to
trade with the Indians, was transient in
its nature, and did not touch the sovereign
ty Of Spain over the territory. That it
was snnulled DIV the war between Great
Britain and Spain In 1896, and has never
since been renewed, and consequently
Great Britain is destitute of any claim 10
the Oregon Territory. Having defended
these views at length, and enforced our
title to the whole of Oregon, he saws the
joint occupancy treaty excepts our title
from being impaired.
In this view of the subject the Presi-
dent considering the action of his pre-
decessors and embarrassed by their offer,
to show also the world that he is actuated
by spirit OF moderation, hos authorized
him. Mr.. Secretary B. to offer the 49ih
parallel TO the sea as boundary. icith
any port in Tanceuuer's Island Seuth
offhgt latitude.
July 29th, lS45, Mr.. Packenham re-
plies to Mr.. Buchanan; combats strongly
Mr.. BIS position, particularly the claim
of the United States TO the Valley of the
Columbia, tore older .han the treaty Of 10.
He examines the spanish title-ihe Amer
lean offer to divide the territory-the u
nited States can found no claim, or dis
covery, or exploration or settlement prior
to the Treaty of Florida, without admit
ting the principles of the Nootka Sound
Convention, and the parallel claims of
Great Britain. He contends that the
Nootka Sound Convention continues in
force, and even if that Convention had
never existed, the claims of Great Britain
are as good as those of the United States.
He then goes into q history of the dis
coveries. from which it might appear
that American citizens discovered the
Columbia river, while British navigators
discovered Frazer,s river and Vancou-
rer's Island. He repeats the British
claims to the territory, and declinss The
offer made By Mr.. Buchanan.
august 80, 1S45, is the date of the
late despatch. 1t is from nj. Buchanan
in reply to Mr.. P. He quotes the decla-
ration of Messrs. Huskisson and Addi-
sonton that Great Britain claims no ex-
elusive sovereignty over any part of that