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

rejected by tho American government NJ
the negotiation Of $40 The proposition
was properly rejected by the American
plenipolentiary on the day it was submit.
te!. This was the only proposition on
the part Of Great Britain: having been
rejected, the British pIenipotentary re-
ques,ed that a proposition should he
modeby the United States for ian equi,a-
bic adjustment ol tie question"
When came into office, | found this
10 be The state Of negotiation. Though
entertaining the settled conviction. that
The BRUSH 2relensions of title could moi
be maintained to any portion Of tie Ore.
gon territory, upon any principle Of pub.
lic law recognized by nations, yet in de-
ference TO what had been done hv nv
predecessors, and especially in considera.
lion that propositions of compromise had
been thrice made by two preceding ad-
mInsiratIons. 10 adjust the question on
The parallel Of ID degrees, and in Two Of
them yielded 20 great Britain the free ma,
vigatinn of the Columbia. aud that the
pending negotiation had been commenced
on the basis OF compromise. | deemed II
10 be my duty not abruptly TO break it
OF. In consideration, TOO, that under the
conventions of 1918 and 1927 the citi-
zers and subjects Of fife two powers held
II join, occupancy Of the country, ! was
induced to make another effort to settle
this long pending controversy in the spi-
ril of moderation which had given birth
10 The renewed discussio A PROPOSE
ton was accordingly made. which was
rejected by the British plenipotentary,
who, without submitting any other pro-
position, suffered the negotiation 10 drop.
expressing his trust that the United
States would offer what he saw fl 10 call
"some other proposal for the settlement
of the Oregon question, more consistent
with fairness and equity, and with the
reasonable expectations of the British 20
vernmcn,." The proposition thus offer
ed and rejected repeated the offer of the
parallel OF 10 deg. of north latitude, which
had been made by two preceding admin
STATIONS. but without proposing to sur.
render TO Great Britain, as they had done,
the free navigation of the Columbia river.
The right of any foreign power to the
free navigation Of any Of our rivers, lhro'
the heart Of our country, was one which
was unwilling to concede. 1t also en-
braced a provision TO make free TO Great
Britain any port or ports on the cape oil
Quadra and Nancouver's Island, south OF
this parallel. Had this been new 9ueS-
lion. coming under discussion for the
first time. this proposition would not have
been made. The extraordinary and Who'll
Iy inadmissible demands Of the British
government, and the election Of the pro-
position made in Difference alone to what
bad been done by my predecessors, and
The implied obligation which their acts
seemed to impose, afford satisfactory evil
lence tina, no compromise which the u.
s. ought to accept, can be affected. With
his conviction. the proposition of com
promise, which had been made and rejec
ed. was, by my direction, subsequently
and our title 10 the whole Of
Oregon territory asserted, and, as is be-
eved, maintained by irrelragibe facts
md arguments.
The civilized world will see in these
a spirit tot liberal concession
N the part of the u. s., and this govern.
nent will be relieved from all responsible
ilv which may follow the failure TO set
lie the controversy.
All attempts to compromise having fail
I'd. it becomes the duty of Congress TO
consider what measures ii may be proper
% adopt for the security and protection
If our citizens now inhabiing, or who
nav hereafter lnhabi, Oregon, and for the
Of our just title TO that ter
rilorv. In adopting measures for this
purpose, care should be taken that moth
ng be done 10 violate the stipula,ions OF
The convention of 1927, which is still IN
force. The faith of treaties, in their let
Ter and spirit, has ever been, and, trust
will ever be. scrupulously observed by
he United States. Under that conven-
ion, years notice is required to be Civ
IN hy either party TO the other, before
he Joint occupancy shall terminate, and
before either can right(uIly assert or eX.
,rcise exclusive jurisdiction over any por.
ion Of territory. This notice i, would,
10 my judgment, be proper to give, and |
recommend that provisions be made by
aw for giving il accordingly, and lerml-
Mating in this manner. the convention oil
he sixth August, 1927.
1t will become proper for Congress al
determine what legislation they can IN the
meantime adopt without violating this
convention. Beyond all question the
protection of our laws and jurisdiction,
civil and criminal, ought to be immed-
lleIy extended over our citizens in Ore.
ron They have JUS, cause TO complain
Of on, long neglect in ,hi, particular, and
have, in consequence, been compelled
for their own security, and protection. 10