Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11
these proposi,ions'h sa been rejected by tho par.

N.sSe propositions oeen rejected by tho par
ties respectively.
In October, is4S, the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States lin
London was authorized 10 make a similar offer
TO those made in 1918 and 1896. Thus stood the
question, when the negotiation was shortly after
wards transferred to Washington; and, on the
twenty.i third of August, 1874, was formally OPEN
ed, under the direction Of my immediate prede-
'ceseor. Like all the previous negotiations, il
was based upon prncip pies of .compromise :"
and the avowed purpose of the parties was, ",o
treat OF the respective claims Of the two coun-
tries to the Oregon territory, with the view to
establish permanent boundary between them
westward ofthe Rocky mountains TO the Pacific
ocean," Accordingly, on the twenty-six,h of
August, 1914, the British pleriipoten,ary offered
10 divide the Oregon territory by the forty-nin,h
parallel Of north latitude, from the Rocky noun
sains 10 the point Of its intersection with the
| northeaSternmost branch Of the Columbia river
and thence down that river to the sea; LEAVING
the free navigation Of the river to be endowed in
common by both parties-ihe country south of
this line to belong to the United States, and that
north OF 1t to Great Britain. At the same time,
he proposed, in addition, to yield to the United
States detached territory, north of the Colum-
bla, extending along the Pacific and the Straits
OF Fuca, from Bulinch's harbor inclusive. TO
Hoods canal, and to make free to the United
States any port or ports south Of latitude forty-
nine degrees, which they might desire, either on
the mann land, or on Quadra and Vancouver's is
land. with the exception of the free ports, this
was the same offer which had been made by the
British, and rejected by the American govern.
ment IN the negotiation of 1896. This PROPOSE
ton was properly rejected by the American ple-
nipotentiary on the day it was submitted. This
was The only proposition of compromise offered
by the British 2lenipotentiary. The proposition
on the part of Great Britain having been rejected.
The British DleninOten tiar Cd th,t
posai should be made by the United States for
van equitable adjustment of the question"
When 1 came into Office, l found this to be
the state of the negotiation. Though entertain
Ing the Settled conviction, that the British pre-
tensions Of title could not be maintained TO any
portion OF the Oregon territory upon any princi-
pie OF public law recognised by nations, vet, in
Difference TO what had been done by my prede.
cessors, and especially in consideration that pro-
positions of compromise had been thrice made
by two preceding administrations, 10 adjust the
question on the parallel of orty-nne degrees, and
IN two OF them yielding to Great Britain the free
| navigation of the Columbia, and that the PEND
ing negotiation had been commenced on the basis
, OF compromise, deemed it to be my duty not
abruptly TO break it of, In consideration, too,
that under the conventions of 1918 and 1927 the
, citlzens and subjects of the two Powers held a
!, Joint occupancy OF the country, was induced to
, make another effort to settle this long.pendinr
controversy in the spirit of moderation which had
: given birth to the renewed discussion. A propo-
sition was accordingly made, which was reject
! ed by the British plenipotentiary. who, without
submitting any other proposition, suffered the
, negotiation on his part TO drop, expressing his
trust that the United States would offer what he
saw mt TO call "some further proposal for The settle
ment OF the Oregon question, more consistent with
fairness and equity, and with the reasonable ex.
t pectatlons Of the British government" The pro-
position thus offered and rejected, repeated the
oher OF the parallel of fortynine degrees of north
, latitude, which had been made by two preceding
administrations, but without proposing to surren-
, der to Great Britain, as they had DONE the free
navigation OF the Columbia river. The tight of
any foreign power to the free navigation of any
OF our rivers, through the heart of our country,
was one which was unwilling to concede. It
also embraced a provision to make free TO Great
britain any port or ports on the cape Of Quadra
and Vanconver's island, south of this parallel
, f1ad THIS been new question, coming under dis
cussion Tor the first time, this proposition would
not have been made. The extraordinary and
wholly inadmissible demands of the British 90
Vernment, and the rejection of the proposition
made IN Difference alone to what had been done
by my predecessors, and the implied obligation
whicn their acts seemed to impose, afford salts
factory evidence that no compromise which the
onited States ought to accept, can be effected.
with this conviction, the proposition of compro-
AA''So udu ueGu Ilduo dnu TeJecl6uS was, DV
my direction, subsequently withdrawn, and our
title to the whole Oregon territory asserted, and,
as Is believed, maintained by rrefragable facts
and arguments.
The civilized world will see in these proceed
lngsa spirit Of liberal concession on the part of
J Inc United States +: and this government will be
relieved from all responsibility which may follow
the failure 10 settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having failed, it
becomes the duty of Congress to consider what
measures 1t may be proper to adopt for the Sc
curly and protection of our citizens now inhab-
ting, or who may hereafter inhabit Oregon, and
ior the maintenance Of our just title to that ter
fitory. In adopting measures for this purpose,
care should be taken that nothing be done 10 vo-
late the sipuIalions of the convention Of 1927,
which is still in force. The faith of treaties. in
tner letter and spirit, has ever been, and trust,
VIII ever be, scrupulousiy observed by the United
States. Under that convention, years notice
is required 10 be given by either party to the 9th
er, before the joint occupancy shall terminate,
and before either can rightfully assert or exer.
else exclusive Jurisdiction over any portion of
| the territory. This notice it would, in my judg-
ment, be proper to G i've ; and reconlDe nd that
| provision be made by law for giving it accord
:, ngly, and terminating in this manner the conven-
ton OF the sixth of August, 1927.
! 1t will become proper for Congress to deter
mine what Legislation they can, in the mean time,
adopt without violating this convention. Be-
yond all question, the protection Of our laws and
our jurisdiction, civil and criminal, ought to be
Immediately extended over our citizens in Ore
gon. They have just cause to complain of our
long neglect in this particular, and have, in con-
sequence, been compelled for their own security,
and protection, to establish provisional govern
ment for themselves. Strong in their allegiance
and ardent in their attachment to the United
States, they have been thus cast upon their own
resources. They anxious that our laws
] should be extended over them, and recommend