The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-12-19

"Ct"oAig pau Dl liIc government o!
Mexico to the agent, and as that go
vernment has not therefore been re-
leased so as to discharge the claim,
do not feel myself warranted in d.
recting payment to be made to the
claimants out Of the treasury, with
out further Legislation. Their case
is, undoubtedly, one of much hard
ship; and it remains for congress to
decide whether any and what relief
ought to be granted to them. Our
minister to Mexico has been instruc-
ted TO ascertain the facts Of the case
from the Mexican government, in an
authentic and official form, and re-
port the result with as little delay as
possible.
! My attention was early directed to the
/ negotiation, which, on the 9Th Of March
last, found pending a; Washington be-
tween the UaiIed States and Great Bri-
tain, ON the subject Of the Oregon Terri,
tory. Three several attempts had been
previously made 10 settle the question in
dispute between The two countries, by
negotiation, upon the principle Of com
promise; but each had proved unsucccss-
full
The negotiation took place at London,
in the years 1878, 1924. and 1926; the
two first under tue administration Of Mr..
Monroe, and the last under Mr. Adams.
The negocia'ion Of 1918 having failed 10
accomplish lis object, resulted in the
convention Of the 20th Of October Of that
year. By the third article of that con-
veu,ion, it was .agreed, that the country
that may be claimed by either party on
the northwest coast of America, west.
ward of the Stony mountains, shall, to.
gelher with lis harbors, bays and creeks,
and the navigation OF all rivers within
the same, be free and open ior the teim
If ten wears from the date of the signature
of the presen, convention, TO the vessels,
citizens, and subjects of the two powers;
it being well understood that this agree
menl is no; to be construed TO the preju-
dice Of any claim which either Of the two
high contracting parties may have 10 any
part Of the said country ; nor shall it be
taken to affect the claims Of any other
power or state to any other par, of said
oun,ry; the only object Of the high con-
tracing parties in that respect being to
prevent disputes and differences among
themselves"
The negotiation of 1924 was produc-
tive of no result, and the convention OF
1918 was left unchanged.
The negotiation of 1926 having also
failed TO effect an adjustment by conpro.
mise. resulted in the convention of Au-
gust the 9th, 1927. By whjch it was
agreed to continue in force for an indef-
mite period the provisions Of the tbi:d ar.
tice ol',he convention of the 20ih Of De-
tober, 1918; and ii was further provided,
lha"il shall be competent, however, to
either of the contracting parties, IN case
either should think fit. at any time after
the Goth October 1928, on giving due no.
tee Of twelve months To the othcr con-
tracing party, to annul and abroga,e this
convention; and it shall, in such case, be
accordingly annuled and abrogalcd after
the expiration of said term of notice" In
these attempts to adjust the controversy,
the parallel Of the 49ih degree of north
latitude had been offered by tho United
States to Great Britain, and in those of
ISIS and 1926, with further concession
of the free navigation Of the Columbia ri.
yer south of that latitude. The parallel
of the 49ih degree, from the Rocky
Mountains TO its intersection with the
norlheaslernmost branch Of the Columbia,
and thence down the channel OF that RI
yer to 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 Tad been rc.
jecled by the parties respectively.
In October lS!3. the envoy cXraor.
binary and minister plenlpolenIary Of
the United States i'll Lcndon was author
l2ed 10 make similar offer to those made
in 1918 and 1927. Thus stood the Qnes-
ton when tie negotiation was afterwards
transferred to Washington; and on the
Odd of August, 1874, was formally open.
ed under the direction of my immediate
predcct ssor. Like all the previous nego-
it was based on the principles Of
compromise :" and the avowed purpose
Of the parties was TO "trcar Of the rcspec-
tive claims of the two countries to the o.
egon territory. with Il view 10 establish
i permanent boundary between The west.
ward of the Rocky Mountains To the Pa.
cifc Ocean," Accordingly, on the Goth
Of August, 1914, the British pIcuipoten.
liary offered 10 divide the Oregon terrific.
~ by the 49,h parallel of north latitude,
from the Rocky Mountains to the point
of intersection with the nor,h.ea tern
branch of the Columbia river, and thence
down that river to the sea; leaving the
free navigation of the river to be enuyed
IN common by both par!ies--,he country
south Of this line To belong to the United