Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-12-20
THE OREGON QUESTION,

| dence, between our own and the British Go.
vernment, in relation to this vexed question.
1t presents the points of Importance, necessary
to be remembered, and will afford to the general
reader, the information most to be desired:
The first is letter from Mr.. Fox, the Bri.
tish Minister, 10 Mr. Webster, U. s. Secreta.
ry of State, dated Washington, Nov. Is, 1912
covering copy Of part of letter from Lord
Aberdeen to Mr. Fox, requesting that the Uni.
ted States Minister at London might be fur
nshed with instructions to treat with such per-
son as might be appointed by England, on the
Northwestern Boundary. y.-.Assuring Mr. Web
ster that England was ready to enter into fair
and equitable compromise Of the difficulty.
Mr.. Webster replies to Mr.. Fox. Nov 25
! 1912, informing him that such instructions would
be given to the United States Minister at Lon.
don.
Mr. Packenham writes to Mr.. Upshur, Uni
ted States Secretary of State, dated Washing.
ton, Feb. 2i, 1S4i. intmating the anxious de-
sire of the British Government io come to a
speedy settlement and proposing conference.
Mr. Upsher to Mr. Packenhau,, Feb 26. 1874,
names IL o'clock A. NJ. next day for said con-
ference.
! Mr. Prckenham writes to Mr.. Calhoun, July
% lSi4, announcing the death of Mr.. Upsher
(on Feb. 2Sth) &c. had prevented prompt at.
tenton to the Oregon Boundary and that now
as Congress had adjourned it would be proper
time to proceed wtht
Mr. Calhoun to MIR. psckenham, Aug. %,
1s4i, appointing o'clock p. NJ. next day for
conference, concurring with the French senti.
mcnt in desiring speedy settlement of the
question.
Mr. p. to Mr.. c. Aug. 90, "A agreeing to
the hour.
The conference was accordingly held on the
Odd ofAugnst 1874 and the Plenipotentiaries
proceeded to examine the state Of the question.
Mr.. Calhoun desired proposal from MIR. Pack
enham, who said he would be able to make 4
definite one at the next conference and desired
Mr.. c. to be also ready with his proposal. Ad.
journed to the 26th August, when it was again
assembled. Mr.. Packenham made proposal
to Mr.. Calhoun, which Mr.. Calhoun declined.
They then agreed that a more full understand.
| ing Of their respective views, was necessary to
facilitate future proceedings. 1t was agreed
that written statements Of the views OF both par.
ties should be given before proceeding farther.
1t was agreed that the American Plenipotentia.
ry should make his statement at the next con.
ference and, when ready, give the necessary
notice.
Attached to the Protocol is the offer Of Mr..
Packenham to take the 49th parallel of latitude
to the Columbia River and the River to the sea
and also to make free to the United States any
port or ports they might desire on the mainland
or on Vancouver's Island South of 40 deg.
Sept 2d, 1874 the third conference was held
at the Office of the United States Secretary o
State. The American negociator gave his
views Of the claims OF the United States to the
portion of the Territory drained BY the Colum
bia as his grounds for declining the British Min
isters proposal.
Sept. II. 1874, the fourth conference was
held at the same place, and the British Minis
ter gave his views.
Sept. 20lh, fifth conference, Mr.. Calhoun de-
lvered rejoinder.
Sept Oath. sixth conference.
The British Minister stated he had read with
due attention the reioinder of the U. ) Plenipo.
ten,ary that he did not feel author lied TO en-.
ter into any discussion relative TO the Territory
North of lat 40 deg. which was understood by
the British Government to torn the basis OF me-
gocistion on the part OF the United States as
the line of the Columbia formed that of Eng
land. That his former proposal was offered by
Great Britain as an honorable compromise and
that it was made with the proyso that in no case
in any further negotiations should It compro
mise or weaken the claims of Great Britain un'
less accepted by the United States.
Sept; 3D.. 4i-Mr. Calhoun to Mr.. Packen
ham-declines Mr P.'s proposal, as it would Ii
nit our possessions to narrower bounds thar
what we had clear right TO. Mr.. Calhoun
then enters into an able argument on our claims
to the territory drained by the Columbia, ari
sing from our proper right, and those derived
from France an1 Spain. The former he ground.
, as against Great Britain, on priority of discove
~, exploration and settlement-Th prior dis
covery is claimed for Captain Gray, citizen o
the United States. May IL, 1872, who gave the
river its name. The discovery is opposed by
; those of Meares and Vancouver The forme