The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-05-09
OREGONlAND ENGLAND.

House OF LORDS, Friday, April a.
rIJEj OREGON QUESTION.

N
Io-d Aberdeen said he would willingly
law before the House the details of the me-
ootiaior, upon the subject of the Oregon ter
TJory, and appeal 10 them for his entire JUS
d6cation in the face of Europe; but although |
this might hereafter be necessary it would
now certainly be impolitic. He declined
to enter into an examination OF the BRUSH
little 10 the ieritery in dispute, but proceeded
to explain the course the negotiation had
taken since the signing of the treaty of Wash |
ington, and quoted the expressions OF Pre-
sident Tyler in his message of the l9,h OF
February as indications of a friendly feeling,
and of desire that the question might be
brought 10 an amicable solution. In fort
night after, however, Mr.. Polk had delivered
his inaugural address, in which he claimed
for the United States an undlsputed title to
the whole country. 1t was indeed, 10 be
observed, that this speech did not possess
the force of an official document, as 10 Min
istry had been formed, Congress was not in
session and it formed no part of legislative
proceedings; but il was still worthy OF the
most serious attention. Our position was
precisely the same as it had been for the last
10 years, under the treaty of 1897. The
provisions of that treaty had been prolonged
for an indefinite period, subject TO the right
of either party 10 terminate it by giving
years notice. This could not be done with
out vote of Congress, and that body would
not assemble until December, so that suf1i-
cient time was still left 10 bring the matters
in dispute to satisfactory conclusion. The
negotiation had commenced, and would con-
tinue upon The principle of an amlcable ad-
iustment by the mutual concession OF extreme
claims; and although he was daily accus-
toned to see himself described as "pusl-
luminous. cowardy and base," he was per-
lectly satisfied that those vituperatlve terms
might be translated as applicable 10 conduct
consistent with justice, reason and common
sense. No one was ever more aidently
dcsirous of peace, or rdisposcdto to make great
er sacrifices to preserve it, but there were
limits which could not be passed, and al
though our character and position enabled
lis 10 regard with indifference matters res
pec,ing which other countries might be justly
more sensitive, our honor must never be ne
elected, and we might owe it 10 ourselves
r and to ouT poa,erity to adopt course which
was repugnant 10 all our iuclnations. With
the most anxious desire of peace, he still
trusted that this question might be amicably
concluded; but if not, we possessed rights
clear and unquestionable, which, continued
the noble earl, amidst loud and general cheer
ing, by the blessing of God and the support
of Parliament, the Government is prepared
to maintain.
/. House Of Commons.
r In the House of Commons, Lord J. Rus
sell, on reading the order of the day for go
ing into committee of supply, called the al
tenlion of the House 10 that part of the mes
sage Of the President Of the United State!
which related 10 the territory of Oregon. /
was not his intention, he said, to enter at al
into the question of the foreign policy of Hel
Maiesty's Government, or even Of their policy
on this very subject of the Oregon, neitho
was it his wish by any observations which he
might then make TO embarrass their proceed
ings. But the inaugural address of Prcsi
dent Polk had taken this question out of The
ordinary course of diplomatic arrangement
and required some notice on the part of The
members Of that house. That distinguishet
I functionary had adopted course entirel,
new, which, if it were not met with some
thing unusual on their parts, would let tques
tions of great national importance be decided
hereafter by popular address from The heat
of the government, and by the popular actor
resulting thercform. The President, in hi
message, had alluded 10 the annexation o
Texas TO the United States, an allusiol
which he only noticed for the purpose o
showing that the present policy of the exc
cutive government of the United State
tended TO territorial aggrandisement. In hi
next sentence, the President declared his in
tcntion 10 assert and maintain, by all consti
tu,ional means, the right of The United States
10 that part of their territory which was stu
ated beyond the Rocky Mountains. "Ou
litle," said he, "to the country of Oregon il
clear and unquestionable, and already are
our people preparing 10 perfect that title ),
Occupying it with their wives and children
In consequence of this declaration, he I.ort
j. RusselD felt compelled TO call the atten
ton of the house and country TO this ques
ton, in order that they might see how ia
the President was justified in saying that hi.
title TO the country of the Oregon was clea
and unquesiionable, and in declaring his in
tention 10 take it into his possession wilhou
any regard TO those treaties, which were
generally the bonds of peace between the
independent nations. There were three
modes by which title might be acquired tc
a country like the Oregon: the first was by
ancient discovery. the second bv treatv
and the third, by discovery, ancient or mo
dern, followed up by occupation and settle
ment. He then entered into statement
for the purpose of showing, that if the title
to The Oregon rested on ancient discovery