The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-13

OF the twentieth Of October 1875 and II was urther
provided; that il shall be competent, however, to
either Of the contracting parties, in case either
should think fit, at any time after the twentieth OF
October, 1928, on giving due notice of twelve
months to the other contracting party to annul and
abrogate this convention, and it SHALL in such case,
be accordingly entirely annuled and abrogated
after the expiration OF the said term OF notice." In
these attempts to adjust the controversy, the par
ael of the forty-nnh degree Of north latitude had
been offered by the United States to Great Britain
and in those Of 1878 and 1926, with aiurther con-
cession OF the free navigation OF the Columbia river
south of that latitude. The parallel of the forty
ninth degree, from the Rocky mountains to its in
tersection with the northe heasternmos branch of the
Columbia, and thence down the channel of that
river to the sea- had been offered by Great Britain
with an addition of small detached territory north
of the Columbia. Each OF these propositions had
been rejected by the parties respectively.
In October, 1913, the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister PleDipotentiary of the United States in
London was authorized to make similar offer to
those made in 1918 and 1926. Thus stood the
question, when the negotiation was shortly after
wards transferred 10 Washington; and, on the
twenty third of August, 1874 was formally opened,
under the direction of my immediate predecessor
Like all the previous negotiations, il was based
upon principles of" compromise" and the avowed
claims of the two countries to the Oregon territory,
with the view to establish permanent boundary
between them westward of the Rocky mountains
TO the Pacific ocean" Accordingly, ,on the twenty
sixth of August, 1874, the British plenpotentiary
offered TO divide the Oregon territory by the forty
ninth parallel of north latitude, from the Rocky
mountains to the point of its intersection with the
norheasterhmost branch of the Columbia river and
thence down that river to the sea; leaving the free
r 81 L.
by both paries-the country south Of this line to
belong to the United States, and that north oft TO
Great Britain. At the same time, he proposed, in
addition, to yield to the United States detached
territory, north of the Columbia, extending along
the Pacific and the Straits of Fuca from Bulfinch's
harbor inclusive, to Hoods canal and to make free
to the United States any port or ports south of lati
tude forty-nine degrees, which they might desire,
either on the main land, or on Quadra and Van
island. With the exception of the free
ports, this was the same offer which had been made
by the British, and rejected by the American gov
ernment in the negotiation of 1926 This PROPOSE
ton was properly rejected by the American peni-
potentary on the day it was submitted, This was
the only proposition of compromise offered by the
British plenipotentiary. The proposition on the
part OF Great Britain having been rejected, the
British plenlpotentiary requested that proposal
should be made by the United States for "an equi-
table adjustment of the question"
When came into office, | found this to be the
state of the negotiation. Though entertaining the
settled conviction, that the British pretensons Off
tie could not be maintained to any portion of the
Oregon territory upon any principle of public law
by nations, in Difference to what had
been done by my predecessors, and especially in
consideration that propositions Of compromise had
been thrice made by two preceding administra-
tions to adjust the question on the parallel OF for
LYNNE degrees land in two ofthem yielding toGreat
Britain the free navigation of the Columbia, and
that the pending negotiation had been commenced
on the basis OF compromise, | deemed ii to be my
duty not abrubty to break it off, In consideration,
too, that under the conventions of 1918 and 1927,
The citizens and subjects of the two Powers held
Joint occupancy of the country, was induced to
make another effort to settle this longpending con-
roversy in the spirit of moderation which had Civ
en- birth to the renewed discussion. y proposition
was accordingly made, which was rejected by the
British plenipotentiary, who, without submitting
any other propositian, suffered the negotiation on
bis part to drop, expressing his trust that the Uni
led States would offer what he saw fit 10 call "some
further proposal for the settlement of the Oregon
question, more consistent with fairness and equity
and with the reasonable expectations of the 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 adminisu ations, but with
out proposing to surrender to Great Britain, they
mad done the free navigation ofthe Columbia river.
The right OF any foreign power to the free naviga
ion of any of our rivers, through the heart of our
country, was one which was unwilling to concede
t also embraced provision to make free to Great
Britain any port ports on the cape of Quadra and
island, south of this parallel. Had
his been new question, coming under discussion
or the first time this proposition would not have
,een made. The extraordinary and wholly inad-
nissible demands of the British government, and
he rejection of the proposition made in Difference
llone to what had been done by my predecessors,
md the implied obligation which their acts seemed
o impose, afford satisfactory evidence that no COM
,romise which the United States ought to accept,
an be effected. With this conviction, the propo-
iton of compromise which had been made and
elected, was, by my direction, subsequently with
lrawn, and our title to the whole Oregon territory
sserted and, is believed maintained by irrefra-
Fable facts and arguments
The civilized world will see in these proceedings
spirit Of liberal concession on the part Of the
United States, and this government win be relieved
rom all responsibility which may follow the failure
o settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having failed, it be-
.omes the duty of Congress to consider what meas
Tres IL may De proper 10 auOpt Or tne security anu
of our citizens now nhabitng, or who
nay hereafter inhabit Oregon, and for the mainte
rance Of our Just title to that territory In adopting
for this purpose care should be taken that
lothing be done to violate the stipuations of the
of 1927, which is still in force. The
aith of treaties. in their letter and spirit, has ever
,een, and, trust, will ever be, scrupulously OBJ
erved by the United States. Under that conven-
ion years notice required to be gieen by either
,arty to the other before the joint occupancy shall
erminate, aud before either righfully assert or
exercise exclusive jurisdiction over any portion of
he territory. This notice it would, in my judg-
nent, be proper TO give; and recommend that
,rovison be made by law for giving il accordingly,
md terminating in this manner the convention Of
he sixth of August, 1927.
It will become proper for Congress to determine
yhat legislation they can, in the mean time, adopt
Without violating this convention. Beyond all
question: the protection of our laws and our jurs-
fiction, civil and criminal, ,oughtto be Immediately
extended over our citizens in Oregon They have
lad Just cause to complain Of our long neglect in
his particular. and have. in consequence. been