Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-11

states, and that north OF il to Great Britain at
the same time, he proposed, in addition to yield 10
the United States a detached territory, north of
the Columbia, extending along the Pacific and the
Straits of Fuca, from Bulfnch'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 Quadra and VancouVer's
island. With the exception of the free ports, this
was the same offer which had been made by the
British, and rejected by the American government
inih negotiation Of 1926. This proposition was
prrp$y rejected by the American plenipotenary
on ~ day it was submitted. This was the only
proposition of compromise offered by the British
peniPotentary. The proposition on the part Of
Great Britain having been rejected, the British
penIpotentiary requested that proposal Should
be made by the United States for 90 On equitable
adjustment of the question"
Wen came into office, found this to be the
state Of the negotiation Though entertaining
the settled conviction, that the British pretensions
OF title could not be maintained to any portion of
the Oregon territory upon any principle of public
law recognised by nations, yet, in Difference TO
what had been done by my predecessors, and es-
pecially in consideration that propositions of COM
promise had been thrice made by two preceding
administrations, to adjust the question on the par
allel OF forty-nne degrees, and in two Of them
yielding to Great Britain the flee navigation Of tho
Columbia, and that the pending negotiation had
been commenced on the basis of compromise |
deemed it 10 be my duty not abruptly TO break it
off In consideration too, that under the conven-
tons of 1878 and 1927 the citizens and subjects of
the two Powers held joint occupancy of the
country, was induced to make another effort to
settle this long-pending controversy in the spirit
OF moderation which had given birth 10 the re-
newed discussion. A proposition was accordingly
made, which was re- ected by the British penipo-
Tertiary, who, without submitting any other prop
ositlon, suffered the negotiation on his part TO
drop, expressing his trust that the United States
would offer what he saw fit to call {" some further
proposal for the settlement of the Oregon ques-
tiOn,more consistent with fairness and with the rea-
sonabe expectations of the British government"
The proposition thus offered and rejected repea-
ted the offer OF The parallel of forty-nne degrees
of north latitude which had been made by TWO
preceding administrations, but without proposing
to surrender to Great Britain, as they had DONE
the free navigation Of the Columbia river The
right of any foreign Powerto the free navigation
of any of our rivers, through the heart of our coun-
try, was one which was unwilling to concede.-
1t also embraced provision to make free to
Great Britain any port or ports on the can Of
Quadra and Vancouyer's islands, south OF this
parallel. Had this been a new question, coming
under discussion for the first time, this proposition
would not have been made. The extraordinary
and wholly inadmissible demands of the British
government, and the rejection Of the proposition
made in Difference alone to what had been done
by my predecessors, and tho implied obligation
which their acts seemed to impose, afford salts
factory evidence that no compromise which the
United States ought to accept, can be effected
With this conviction, the proposition Of compTom-
Use which had been made and rejected was, by
my direction, subsequently withdrawn, and our
title to the whole ofOregon territory asserted, and,
rs IS believed, maintained by irrefragabe facts and
Arguments.
The civilized world will see in these proceedings
spirit of liberal concession the part of the
United States and this government will be reIey-
ed from all responsibility which may follow the
failure to settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having failed, it be-
comes the duty of Congress to consider what meas
sures it may be proper to adopt for the security
and protection Of our citizens now inhabtng, or
who may hereafter nhab Oregon, and for the
maintenance Of our just title to that territory. In
adopting measures for this purpose, should be
taken that nothing be done to violate the stipula-
tions Of the convention Of 1927, which is still in
force, The faith of treaties, in their letter and
spirit, has ever been, and, | trust, will ever be,
scrupuously observed by the United States I'm
der that convention, years notice is required to
be given by either party to the other, before the
Joint occupancy shall terminate, and before either
can Flgnllully assert OF GAeTCSe eACiuSVe lufSuC-
ton any portion Of the territory. This notice
it would, in my judgment, be proper to give and
l recommend that provision be made by law for
giving it accordingly, and terminating, in this man
ncr, the convention of the sixth of August, 1927.
II will become proper for Congress 10 determine
what legislation they can, in the mean time, adopt
without violating this convention. Beyond all
question, the prot lection Of our laws and luris-
dction, civil and criminal, ought to be Immediately
p1oA rs.itiy in hn,.o
had just cause to complain of our neglect IN this
particular, and have, in consequence, been COM
PEELED, for their own security and protection, to
establish provisional government for themselves.
Strong in their allegiance and ardent in their at
tachment to the United States, they have been
thus cast upon their own resources They
anxious that laws should be extended over
them, and recommend that this be done by Con-
gres5 with little delay possible, in the full ex
tent to which the British Parliament have proceed
ed in regard to British subjects in that territory, by
their act Of July the second, 1921, " for regulating
the fur trade, and establishing criminal and civil
jurisdiction within certain ports of North America
By this act Great Britain extended her laws and
jurisdiction, civil and criminal over her subjects,
engaged in the fur trade in that territory. By it,
the courts Of the province of Upper Canada were
empowered to take cognizance of causes civil and
criminal. Justices Of the peace and other judicial
officers were authorised to be appointed to Ore
gon, with power 10 execute all process issuing from
the courts of that province, and to sit and hold
courts Of record for the trial of criminal offences
and misdemcanors," not made the subject of cap
tul punishment, and also of civil cases, where the
cause Of action shall not " exceed in value the a.
mount or sum Of two hundred pounds"
Subsequent TO the date of this act Of Parliament,
a grant was made from the 4" British crown" to the
Hudson Bay Company, Of the exclusive trade with
the Indian tribe in the Oregon territory, subject to
a reservation that it shall not operate to the excu
sion 4" of the subjects of any foreign States who,
under or by force OF any convention for the time
being, between us and such foreign States respec-
lively, may be entitled TO, and shall be engaged in,
the said rade.''
1t is much to be regretted, that, while under this
act British subjects have enjoyed the protection of
British laws and British judicial tribunals through
out the whole Of Oregon, American citizens in the
same territory, have enjoyed such protection
from their government. AT the same time, the
suit illustrates the character of our people and their
institutions. In spite of this neglect, they have
multiplied and their number is rapidly increasing
in that territory. They have made no appeal 10
arms, but have peacefully fortified themselves in
their new homes, by the Iadoption of republican
institutions for themselves furnishing another ex-
ample of the truth that self government is inherent
in the American breast, and must prevail. II is due
to them that they should be embraced and protect