Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-16
G tho Ao,h aonraa from The Rocky

of the 49,h degree, from the Rocky
mountains, TO its intersection with the
northeasternmost branch OF the Columbia
and thence down the channel of that riv-
err into the sea, had been offered by Great
Britain, with an addition of a small de-
tached territory north of the Columbia.
Each of these propositions had been re-
jected by the parties respectively.
In October, IS43, the the Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenpoentiary OF the.U. States In
London was authorized to make similar offer
to those made IN 1878 and 20. Thus stood the
question, when the negotiation was afterwards
transferred TO Washington d on the Odd OF Aug.
1874. was formally opened, under the direction
of my immediate predecessor. Like all of the
previous negotiations, il was based upon princ-
pies of scompro mise, and the avowed purpose
of the parties was to treat of The respective ella ms
of the two countries to the Oregon Territory with
the view to establish a permanent boundary be-
tween the westward of the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific ocean. Accordingly on the Goth OF
August, 1874, the British Plenipoteniary offered
10 divide the Oregon territory by the forty ninth
parallel of north longitude, from the Rocky
Mountains 10 the point of its intersection with
the eastern branch of the Columbia river and
thence down that river TO the sea; leaving the
free navigation OF the river TO be enjoyed in coon
mon by both partics-the country south of this
line to belong 10 the United States. and that
north of it 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
Fucca, from Bultinch harbor inclusive, to Hool's
canal, and to make free to the United States
any port or ports south of latitude 40 degrees,
which they might desire either on the main land,
or Quadra and Vancouyers Island With the ex-
cepton of the free ports this was the same offer
which had been made by the British and
rejected by the American government,
in the negotiation Of 1928. This propo-
siton was properly rejected by The A
merican Plenipo:entiary on the day it
was submitted. This was the only propo
silion on the part of G. Britain = having
been rejected, the British plenipotentiary
requested that a proposition should be
made by the U. States for an equitable
adjustment Of the question:
When | came into office, found this
to be the state Of negotiation. Through
entertaining the settled conviction, that
the British pretenlions of title could not
be maintained to any portion of the Ore
gon territory, upon..any principle ofpub-
lie law recognized by nations, yet in
difference to what had been done by my
predecessors, and especially in consid-
Grafton that propositions of compromise
had been thrice made by two preceding
administrations, to adjust the question on
the parallel Of foriy-nine degrees. and
in two of them yielding TO Grea: Britain
the free'navigaton of the Columbia, and
that the pending negotiation had been
commenced on the basis of compromise,
| deemed it to be my duty not to abrupt
ly break it off. In consideration, too,
that under the conventions of 1918 and
1927, the citizens and subjects ofihe two
Powers held joint occupancyof the coun
try, was induced TO make another effort
to settle this long-pending controversy
in the spirit Of moderation which had
gwen birth to the renewed discussion.
A proposition was accordingly made,
which was rejected by tie British pleni-
potentiary, who, without submitting
any other proposition, suffered the nego-
tiation on his part TO drop, expressing
his trust that the United States would
offer what he saw fit to call "some fur
Their proposal for the settlement Of the
Oregon questions; more consistent with
fairness and equity, and with the rea-
sonable expectation Of the British Gov
ernment," 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
proceeding administrations. but without
proposing to surrender TO Great Britain
as they had done the free navigation of
the Columbia river. The right Of any
foreign power 10 the free navigation of
any Of our rivers. through the heart Of
our country, was one which | was un-
willing to concede. 1t also embraced u
provision to make free to Great Britain
any port or ports on the cape Of Qua dra
and Vancouver's Island, south of this
parallel. Had this been new question
coming under discussion for the first'time,
this proposition would not have been
made. The extrao rdnary and wholly in.
admissible demands Of the British Gov
eminent, and the rejection Of the propo-
sition made in Difference alone 10 what
had been done by my predecessors, and
the implied obligation which their acts
seem to impose, afford satisfactory evil
dence that no compromise which the
United States ought to accept, can be
effected. With this conviction, the propo-
sition Of compromise which had been
made and rejected. was, by my direction
subsequently withdrawn, and our title to
whole Oregon territory asserted, and, is
believed. maintained by irrefragable facts
and arguments.
The civilized world Will see in these
proceedings, spirit Of liberal conces-
sion on the part Of the United States, land
this government will be relieved from
all responsibility which may follow the
failure to settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having
failed, it becomes the duty OF Congess to
consider what measures it may be proper
10 adopt for the security and protection
of our citizens now inhabiting, or
who may hereafter inhabit Oregon, and
for the maintenance Of our just title to
that territory. In adopting measures for
this purpose, care should be taken tina,
nothing be be done 10 violate the stpula-
,ions OF the convention of 1927, which
is still in force. The faith Of treaties,
in their letter and spirit, has ever been,
and, | trust ever will be, scruDulouslv