The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-12


it was basedupon principles
OF "compronnse:" and the avow ed purpose
of the parties was, "to treat OF the respec,
tive claims OF the two countries to the
Oregon territory; with the view to estab.
lish perm nsnt boundary between them
westward Of the Rocky mountains TO the
Pacific ocean," Accordingly, on the 26th
of August, 1914, the British plsniPotsn-
tiary offered to divide the Oregon terrific
~ By the 4oth parallel Of north latitude,
from the Rocky mountains to the point OF
its intersection with the northermost
branch Of the Columbia river, and thence
down that river to the sea, leaving the
free navigation OF tho river TO be enjoyed
in common by both parties--the country
south of this line 10 belong TO the Upited
States; and that north of it 10 Great Britt
ain. At the same time, he proposed, 10
addition, to yield TO the United states
a detached territory north of the Column
bia, extending along the Pacific and the
Straits of Fuca, from BuI6uch's harbor,
inclusive TO Hoods canal, and to make
free to the United States any port or ports
south Of latitude forty nine degrees, which
they might desire, either on the main land,
or on tluadra and Vaucouter's Island
With the exception Of three free ports,
this was the same offer which had been
made by the British and rejected by the
American government in the negotiation
of 1925. The proposition was properly
rejected by the American plenipotentiary
on the day it was su omitted. This was
the only proposition of compromise offer
ed b, the British plenipoteutiary: The
propositlor on the part Of Great Britain
having been rejected. the British pleni-
potentiary requisite ed that proposal shofd
be made by the United States for Gan
equivalent adjustment of the question"
When came into Office, found this to
be the state of the negotiation. Though
entertaining the conviction, that the
: British preteusion Of title to Oregon could
not be maintained to any portion Of the
. Oregon territory upon any principle Of
y public law recognized by nations, yet'
in Difference to wha had been done by my
i. predecessors, aud especially 10 consider.
5j alton that propositions of compr ornIse had
,f been THRICE made by two preceding adN
r. ministratiOns, 10 jaIjus; the question on
G the parallel Of forty-nine degrees, and IN
ia two Of them yielding to Great Britain the
,r free navigation of the Columbia, and that
At the pending negotiation had been com
!. menced on the basis Of compromise. }
N deemed il 10 be my duty not abruptly to
ID break il off 10 consideration, too. that
or under the convention Of 1918 and 1927,
10 the citizens and subjects of the two pow"
e. ers held joint occ upaDcy of the country.
rs I was induced 10 make another effort to
s. settle this long pending controversy In
9, the spirit of moderation which had given
g birth to the renewed discussion. prop.
OF ostion was accordingly made, which was
~ rejected by the British plenipotentiary
n who, without submitting any other propo'
of sition, suffered the negotiation on his part
ct TO drop, expressing his trust that the Uni
to ted States would offer what he saw fit to
b. call "some further proposal for the settle
at ment of the Oregon question, more con
nd sisteut with fairness and equity, and will
the reasonable expectations Of the Brit
We ish government" The proposition thet
IS offered and rejected, repeated the ofe
Of the parallel Of forty nine degrees o
ii. north latitude, which had been made b!
,e. two preceding administrations, but with
6. out proposing to surrender TO Great Brit
ue ain, as they had done, the free navigation
o. of the Columbia river. The right of an!
m foreign power to the free navigation Q
,r. any of our rivers, through the heart OF oul
81, country, was one which was unwilling
of to concede. 1t also smbraces a provision
er to make free to Great Britain auy port OF
m ports Oh the cape Of Quadra and Vancoa
of yers island, south Of this parallel. Has
No this been new questions coming unde
n. discussion for the first time, this PROPOSE
4. ton would not have been made. The ex
er traordinary aud wholly inadmissibla de
/, mands OF the British government. and the
~. rejection of the proposition made in def
~ erence alone TO what had been done By
al nv predecessors, and the implied obliga
- ton which their acts seemed to impose
IN afford satisfactory evidence that no com
i. promise which the United State ought 4
IA accept, can be effected. With this con
=. viction, the proposition Of compromis
-. which had been made asd rejected. was
"a BY my direction, subsequently, withdraw o
- and our title to Oregon territory asserted
= and. as is believed. maintained by IRE
:; fragable facts and arguments,
se The civilized world will see in thess
If. proceedings spiris Of liberal concession
Gu the part of the United States: and this
l. ......r.rr m LII ha relieved from all re-