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


from Fraace and Spain. The former he
grounds as against Great Britain, on pri-
ority Of discovery, exploration and settle
ment. The prior discovery is claimed
for Captain Gray, citizen of the United
States, May IL, 1892, who gave the river
its name. This discovery is opposed by
those of Meares and Voncouver. The
former sailed along the coast through
which the Columbia flows, In 1888, in
order to ascertain whether the river laid
down in Spanish charts as s'St. Roc" re-
ally existed, and he declares "we can
now safely assert that there is no such
river" Vancouver, in April, 1892, ex-
plored the same coast. His own journal
proves that he failed to discover the river.
He even disbelieved Capt. Gray's discov-
cry. Gray gave copy of his chart 10
Nadia at Nootka Sound, and on Vancou-
yer's arrival Nadia gave him copy. Van
couver, guided by the chart, entered the
Columbia Oct. 20, 1892. The attempt
10 prove that Capt. Gray sailed in pri-
yate, not United States vessel, shows
the strength OF our claims
Mr.. Calhoun then proceeds to consider
the discoveries OF the Columbia's BRAN
ches by Lewis and Clark, long before any
British subject visited these parts, and
asserts our clear right by the discovery Of
the mouth and head waters of the Colum-
bia river.
He next describes the question of set
dement by our citizens in 1909, 10 and
IL. The taking possession by the Brit
ish during the war, and restoration after
peace.
He then proceeds, "We have added to
our claims those of France and Spain by
the Treaty of Louisiana and the Treaty of
Florida. The cession Of Louisiana gave
an undisputed title to the summit of the
Rocky Mountains and by Continuity TO
the Pacific, founded on the Treaty Of
1903"
He then dwells on the argument of
Continuity, instancing the contest be-
tween Great Britain and France which
was terminated by the Treaty of 1863.
The fact that Great Britsin chained this
continuity for her colonies now the u
nited States) forecloses her contesting this
principle against us.
He then examines the treaty of 1863,
which fixes the Mississippi as the -bonn-
dairy between Great Britain and France
extinguishing the claims of Great
Britain west of that boundary. The
right Of continuity was transferred to US
by France in the Treaty of Louisiana.-
France held this right by the extingish-
ment Of Great Britain's claim by Treaty
of 1868.
He then proceeds to defend our claims
on the discoveries of Spain which We
have acquired. La place of conflicting
with each other, they naturally blend to-
gether, forming strong chain of title a.
gainst all opposing claims.
He then takes up The restoration Of
Astoria, and quotes the admission OF Lord
CastIereagh to Mr.. Rush, admitting our
ample night to be reinstated, and our
right 10 possession while treating Of title.
Our claims have since been strengthened,
by increase of our population by einigra-
ton. He concludes by stating that the
same cause which peopled the Valley OF
the Mississippi viii yet cause emigration
across the Rocky Mountains, and that
the whole region drained by the Colum-
bia is destined to be peopled by US. Mr..
Calhoun closes his able paper by stating
that he refrains '-from presenting the
claims which the United States may have
to other portions of the territory" than
those drained by the Columbia river, and
by renewing assurances of high consid
Grafton, &C.. DC.
Sept. II, 1914, Mr. Packenham writes
TO Mr.. Colhoun in reply to the above.
That he has no evidence that Louisiana
extended west 10 the Pacific. but that the
Rocky Mountains was the western boun-
dary, for which opinion he quotes Mr..
Jefferson. Even if the boundary did
extend ives tward of the Rocky Mountains
that France transferred to S pain in 1862,
and Spain to England, by Treaty be-
tween Great Britain and Spain in 1892,
which abrogated the claims Of Spain.
He denies that the claim Of continuity
can effect the claim of right. He ac-
knowledges that Spain in 1919, tronsfer-
red her rights north of 42o, but that did
no. invalidate her former concessions in
1900.
In regard tosfhe discoveries of Heceta
and GRAY they conflict, and if Heceia's
claim be good ii favors Great Britain
owing to the Treaty of 1890.
The United States had no claims when
they became nation. Those of France
were worth nothing. He urges the COM
mcrcial intercourse of Great Britain with
the northwest coast the voyages of Cook
and Meares, the survey OF the coast by
Vancouver, which m axe Great Britain
claims 10 discovery and exploration very
strong. He sets the accuracy and authen-
ticity of Cook and Fancouyervss survey