Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-12

=
rotic pioneers, who, amidst privatons and dam
gers lead the way through savage tribes inhabiting
the vast wilderness intervening between our from
tier settlements and Oregon, and who cultivate and
are ready to defend the soil, am fully satisfied.
To doubt whether they will obtain such grants as
soon as the convention between the United
States and Great Britain, shall have ceased to exist
would be to doubt the justice of Congress; butt
pending the years notice, il is worthy of consider
alton whether stipulation to this effect may be
made consistently the spirit OF that convention
The recommendations which have made, as to
the best manner OF securing our rights in Oregon.
are submitted to Congress with great Difference
Should they, in their wisdom, devise any other
mode better calculated to accomplish the same OBJ
ject. it shall meet with my hearty concurrence.
At the end of the years notice, should Congress
think it proper to make provision for giving that
notice, we shall have reached period when the
national rights in Oregon must either be abandoned
or firmly maintained. That they cannot be aban-
doned without sacrifice of both natonal honor
and interest, is too clear to admit of doubt.
Oregon is a part of the North American cont.
nent, to which it is confidently affirmed the title of
the United States in the best now in existence For
the grounds on which that title rests l refer you
to the pondence Of the late and present Sec
rotary OF State with the British plenipotentary du
ring the negotiation. The British proposition of
compromise, which would make the Columbia the
line south of forty mine degrees with trling ad-
north of that river, and would leave on the British
side two.thirds of the whole Oregon territory, in.
GLIDING the free navigation of the Columbia and all
thelvauable harbors on the Pacific, can never, for
a moment, be entertained by the United S.ates,-
without an abandonment OF their lust and clear ter.
ritoria rights, their own selfrespect and the ma.
tiona honor. For the information OF Congress,
communicate herewith the correspondence which
took place between the two governments during
the late negotiation.
The rapid extension of our settlements over our
territories heretofore unoccupied; the addition of
new states 10 our confederacy; the expansion of
free principles, and our rising greatness nation,
are attracting the attention of the powers of Eu-
rope; and lately the doctrine has been preached in
some Of them, Of ''balance of power" on this con-
tinent, to check our advancement. The United
States, sincerely DESTROYS of preserving rel ,ons
OF good understanding with all nations, cannot in
silence permit any European interference on the
North American continent; and should any such in
reference be attempted, will be ready to resist it
at all hazards.
1t is well known to the American people and TO
all nations, that this government has never inter-
fered with the relations su 'sisting between other
governments. We have never made ourselves par
ties TO their wars or their alliances; we have not
sought their territories by conquest; we have not
mingled with parties in their domestic struggles;
and believing our own form of government 10 be
the best, we have never attempted to propagate it
Dy lntTgueS, Oy ulpIOWacy, OF Oy lOrce. we may
claim on this continent a like exemption from Eu-
ropean interference. The nations of America are
equally sovereign and independent with those of
Europe. They possess the same rights, indepen-
dent OF all foreign interposon, 10 make war, to
conclude peace. and 20 regulate their iHternal al
fairs. The people of the United Stat9s cannot,
therefore, view with Indifference attempts OF Eu-
ropean powers to interfere with the Independent
action OF the nations this continent. The A
merican system of government is entirely different
from that OF Europe, Jealousy amongst the diff.
ferent sovereigns OF Europe lest any one of them
might become too powerful for the rest has caused
them anxiously TO desire the establishment OF what
they term the "balance of power" 1t cannot be
permitted TO have any application the North
American continent, and especially to the United
States. We must ever maintain the principle,
that the people OF this continent alone.
Should any portion OF them, constituting an indie.
pendent state, propose TO unite themselves with
our COME leracy, this will be question for them
and US to determine. without any foreign interpo-
sition. We can never consent that European
Powers shall interfere to prevent such union,be.
cause it might disturb thef's balance of power"
which they may desire to maintain upon this con.
tinent. Near quarter of a century ago, the prin.
ciple was distinctly announced to the world in the
annual message OF one of my predecessors, that
" the American continents. by the free and indie.
pendent condition which they have assumed and
maintain are henceforth not to be considered a.
subjects for future celebration by any European
Power" This principle will apply with greatly in.
creased force. should any European power attempt
to establish any new colony in North America. In
the existing circumstances OF the world. the pres
ent is deemed proper occasion to reiterate and
reafirm the principle avowed by Mr. Monroe, and
to state my cordial concurrence in its wisdom and
sound policy. The reassertion OF this principle
especially in reference to North America, is at this
day but the PRONUNCIATION OF a policy which no
European power should cherish the disposition to
resist. Existing rights Of every European nation
should be respected but it is due alike to safe
ty and our interests that the efficient prstee-
ton OF our laws should be extended over our whole
territorial limits, and that it should be distinctly
announced to the world as our settled policy, that
no future European colony or dominion shall, with
our consent, be planted or established on any part
OF the North American continent.
A question has recently arisen under the tenth
article OF the subsistng treaty between the United
States and Prussia. By this article, the consuls Of
the two countries have the right to sit as Judges
and arbitrators sin such differences as may arise
between the captains and crews of vessels belong
ing to the nations whose interests committed to
their charge, without the interference of the local
authorities, unless the conduct OF the crews or OF
the captain should disturb the order or tranquility
of the country; OF the said consuls should require
their assistance to their decisions to be car.
ried into effect of supported"
The Prussian consul in New Bedford. in June,
1914, applied to Mr., Justice Story to carry into
effect decision made by him between the captain
and the crew of the Prussian ship Borussia; but
the request was refused on the ground that. with
out previous legislation by Congress, the judiciary
did not possess the power TO give effect to this
article Of the treaty. The Prussian government,
through their minister here. have complained OF
this violation of the treaty, and have asked the
government OF the United States to adopt the ne
cessary measures to prevent similar violations here
after. Good faith to Prussia, as well as to other
nations with whom we have similar treaty stpula.
tons. requires that these should BE- faithfully OBJ
served: have deemed it proper. therefore. to lay
the subject before Congress, and to recommend
to these treaty obhsatiepks
By virtue OF an srran( 6snt made between the
Spanish government and That Of the United States.
in December. 1881, American vessels. since the
2sth OF April, 1892, have been admitted to entry
in the ports OF Spain. including those Of the b.
learic and Canary Islands ON na mani OF the sams