The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-15

the Rocky mountains, and, discovering branch of
the Columbia river, followed it until they reached
the ocean.
In 1871, the trading post or settlement of Astoria
was established at the mouth OF the Columbia, on
the northern side OF that river
This post or settlement passed during the last war
into British hands by the voluntary act of the per-
sons in charge OF it-a fact most clearly establish
ed Ii was restored to the United States in 1878,
with certain wellauthentlcated reservations but it
was never actually re-occupled by American citl-
Zens having, from the moment OF the original trans
fer or sale, continued to be occupied by British SUBJ
Jects.
These are the acts of discovery, exploration, and
settlement referred to by the United States CIV
ing them claim to the valley of the Columbia, in
their own proper right.
The British government are disposed to view
them In the most liberal sense, and to give them the
utmost value to which they can in fairness be enti-
tlsd but there are circumstances attending each and
all OF them, which must in the opinion of any i'm
partial investigator of the subject, take from them
great deal of the effect, which the American nego-
tlators assign to them as giving to this country
claim to the entire region drained by the Columbia
and its branches.
In the first place, as relates to the discovery of
Gray, IT must be remarked that he was private ma
vgator sailing principally for the purposes OF trade,
which fact establishes a wide difference In nation
al point OF view, between the discoveries accom-
pished by him and those effected by Cook and Van
couver, who sailed In ships OF the royal navy of
Great Britain, and who were sent to the northwest
COAST LOT the express purpose OF exploration anu dis
covery.
IN the next place, it is circumstance not to be
lost sight of, that it not for several years follow
ed up by any act which could give 1t value in ma
tiona point OF view; It was not in truth made known
to the world either by the dscoverer himself or by
his government. So recently as the year 1926, the
American plenlpotentiaries in London remarked,
with great correctness, in one OF their reports, that
respecting the mouth of the Columbia river, we
know nothing of Grays discoveries but through Bri-
fish accounts
In the next place, the connection OF Gray's dis
covery with that of Lewis and Clarke is interrupted
by the intervening exploration Of Lieut.. Broughton,
OF the British surveying ship "Chatham."
With respect to the expedition of Lewis and
Clarke, it must, on a close examination Of the route
pursued by them, be confessed that neither their
outward journey to the Pacific, nor on their home
ward journey to the United States, did they touch
upon the head waters of the principal branch OF the
Columbia river, which lie far to the north of the
parts OF the country traversed and explored by Them
Thompson, q the British Northwest Company,
was the frs; civilized person who navgated the
northern In reality the main, branch of the Colum-
bia. or traversed any part of the country drained
by it.
1t was by tributary of the Columbia that Lewis
and Clarke made their way to the main stream oil
that river, which they reached at point distant,
IS believed, not more than two hundred miles from
the point to which the river had already been ex-
pored by Broughton.
These facts, the undersigned conceives, will be
found sufficient to reduce the value OF Lewis and
Clarke's exploration on the Columbia to limits
which would by no means justify claim to the
whole valley drained by that river and its branches.
As to settlement, the qualified nature of the rights
devolved to the United States by virtue of the resti-
tuition of Fort Astoria has already been pointed out.
Il will thus be seen, the undersigned confidently
believes, that the grounds OF discovery explora-
ton, and settlement, Great Britain has nothing to
fear from comparison OF her claims to the Oregon
territory, taken as whole, with those of the Uni
ted States
IL. Il.
ba, the facts which the United States rest their
case are far from being OF that complete and exclu-
sive character which would Justify claim to the
whole valley Of the Columbia; and
taken by ITSELF the preferable claim Of Great Britain
ia every point OF view, seems to have been clearly
demonstrated
After this exposition Of the views entertained by
the British government respecting the relative value
and Importance OF the British and American claims,
the American plenipotentiary will not be surprised
to hear that the undersigned does not feel at liberty
accept the proposal offered by the American pleni-
potentiary for the settlement of the question.
This proposal, fact, offers less than that tender
ed by the American plenlpotentiarles in the nego-
,lation of 1926, and declined by the British govern
ment.
On that occasion it was proposed that the naviga-
ton of the Columbia should be made free to both
parties.
On this nothing is said in the proposal to which
the undersigned has now the honor to reply while,
with respect to the proposed freedom of the ports
Vancouver's island south of latitude fory-nne, the
facts which have been appealed to in this paper, as
giving to Great Britain the strongest claim to the
possession of the whole island would seem to de-
prlve such proposal of any value.
The Undersigned therefore, trusts that the Ameri-
can plenipotentiary will be prepared TO offer some
further proposal tor the settlement OF the Oregon
question more consistent with fairness and equity
and with the reasonable expectations of the British
government, as defined in the statement (marked D)
which the undersigned had the honor to present to
the American penpotentiary at the early part of the
present negotiation.
The undersigned, British plenpotentiary, has the
honor to renew to the honorable James Buchanan,
Secretary of State and plenipoentIary Of the Uni
ted States the assurance of his high consideration
r. PAKENHAM.
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN &c