Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-05-13

Sidnd, at least, has no right to ask of us such
a sacrifice to the new theory of territorial
rights. For ourselves, we are satisfied that,
according TO the maxims which have hitherto
prevailed, this country is clearly entitled to
oregon, and we are by no means disposed to
learn new lessons Just now, for the benefit of
Great Britain.
OUR CLAIM TO OREGoN.-Great Brit.
am claims, without reservation, all the terri
tory north of the Columbia river. 1t is said
that she has offered to make that river tho
boundary between the two governments.-
This claim, if allowed by the United States.
would take full one half of the Oreeon-ner.
haps more. To this, our country will never
accede. During the discussions in the papers
and In Congress, our title to the 10Th parallel
was considered valid and unquestionable.
The American title rests upon the strong and
acknowledged right of discovery. Capt. GRAY.
OIL Boston, in the year 1892, in the ship Co.
lumbia, entered for the first time the great riv-
er oil Oregon, which he named after his ship
the Columbia-and to this day il bears that
ana no other name. This is of some moment
as there is a law of nations which reads Tins:
1.-The nation which discovers and enters the
mouth OF a river, by implication discovers the
whole country watered by it," In virtue of
Tins discovery, the Columbia valley belongs to
the United States as against England. As if
10 perfect our title, ii is not denied that the
Lewis and Clark and Willamette rivers. its
tributaries, which spread through all Oregon.
Were first explored by Americans by the expe-
diuon sent out by the American Congress at
the suggestion of JEFFERSON, nnder Captains
LEWIS and CLARK. There wasa minuteness
and a fullness in their discoveries which give
the highest authenticity to a title founded up
on prior discovery.
oregon is also ours by purchase lin 1917
rom spain, undeniably the first discoverer and
oseuPaht Oh the coast, even as far north as the
both parallel. In 1919, Spain. for a cons;der.
alton of So ,000, 200, coded to the United STATES
Florida, and also all her rights, title and claim
TO all territory on the Pacific coast north of
the AID parallel of latitude.
Inc only circumstances calculated to weak
en- the perlectness of the United States title.
the well known Nootka Sound contest lin
lfS9) which terminated in a convention be-
tween England and Spain, in the wear 1890.
twenty years before our purchase from
spain, and with which conditions our title is
undoubtedly clogged. The terms of that con-
vention have been the source of infinite dis.
PuVe. After an examination of the terms of
thc ueaiy-the debates in the English Parlia-
ment when the treaty was laid before that |
body-the contemporaneous action in relation
to the surrender OF the English possessions on
Nootka Sound, which had been seized by Spain
historian, BELsHAM, insists was never made,
the whole convention seems to be resolved in
to JOINT occupancy on the part of Englishmen
and Spaniards Tor commercial purposes. Such
a one now exists and has existed for twenty.
seven years between Great Britain and the
United States in relation to the very same
territory. Yet we doubt whether any Amer
lean considers that we yielded in the least our
lumat title to the Oregon, by that joint oc-
cupancy. Applying the same principle to the
convention between England and Spain, and
the conviction will arise that the title was left
In allegiance to be determined by subsequent
agreement. The following is u clear summa-
ny OF the American title:
l. Discovery OF the mouth Of Columbia riv-
er by Capt. Gray, of Boston, giving the name
OF his vessel to the river.
2. The discovery of the head of the same
river by Lewis and Clark, under the authority
Of the United States.
3. The settlement of Astoria under the aus
pices of MIR. Astor, an American naturalized
citizen.
d: The treaty of 1903 with the French re-
public.
5. The treaty of Spain of 1919, acquiringall
rights OF Spain to land north of AZ degrees be-
yc'u iiC IoihN IIDulitdlIfS.
6. The Nootka Sound contest Q7S9) be-
tween England and Spain.
q. The treaty Of Utrecht (l763) between
France and England, settling boundaries-this
settlement becoming ours, as the successor of
France in that part OF her dominions.
.. The treaty OF Client 0Sl5) restoring AS
toria to the United States as American prop
erty.
9. American citizens were once in sole DOS
session of the Columbia river region.
Even should the Nootka Sound convention
be considered a cession of title and sovereignty
to England on the part o Spain, it only applies
to the places named therein, and those are stu
ate north OF the 10th parallel of latitude. 1t
is well remarked, Not an inch of soil in the
valley of the Columbia and its tributaries were
included in the provisions of the convention
OF 1880" South of Nootka Sound all parties
in this country concur that our title is clear
and unquestionable." And there is not the
remotest probability that our people will ever
consent to surrender an acre.
Though this question is evidently surround
ed with complicated difficulties and embar-
easements, growing too, in no small degree out
oil the Joint occupancy, we have the hope that
1t will be settled peaceably, honorably and
satisfactorily, under the auspices of our Presi-
dent and his able Secreteryo OF State.
owe have little doubt" says the Union.
"that the Secretary (of the Treasury will at
least do his part in bringing the treasury back
to a fair, equal, and just revenue standard and
in equalizing the public burdens. The present
tariff can scarcely stand as the permanent
system OF this great country. Ii is too une-
quail in itselt-too oppressive upon some
interests, too partial to others-too favorable
TO the rich, too burdensome to the poorer
classes Of the community. The sooner ID is
reduced, the better for all"
a correspondent Of the New York Courier
and Enquirer communicates the following:
"How few are aware that at Bermuda. the
British government has constructed, within
a lew years past a spacious harbor for the
accommodation of their squadrons; that for