Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-12-18


With respect 10 the claim urged Tor Heceta ant
Gray TO The discovery Of the Columbia (boih vesiina
in the United States be II Temembered) he says heS
conflict but allowing them both be vested in III,
United States If Iecela's claim be good then G. d. ha,
| joint claim by the treaty of 1880.
lie then proceeds to consideration of the British
claim SAYS the United States had no claims when
they became n nation, and that those Of France are
worth nothing, urges the commercial intercourse oil
Great Britain with the North West coas, the voya.
gcs Of Cook. the discoveries Of Meares, and survey OF
the coast and Islands of Vancouver and saws that by
these G. b. has strong claim by discovery and ex-
poration as can be well imagined.
He sets the accuracy and authenticity of Cooks and
Vancouyefs survey against the discovery of the mouth
of the Columbia BY Gray.
On exploration, he says that Mackenzie, British
subject crossed the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific in
1885, and discovered the upper waters Of Frazcr's y-
en- which in the process Of time traced to the sea,
near latitude 40, and this he puts TO counterpose to
Lewis and Cark's discovery Of the upper waters of the
Columbia.
Priority of settlement, he saws, amounts TO q
trading post inIslI, which has moi been occupied by
the Americans since its surrender aner the war
10 connlerpose 10 the declaration Of Lord Cas-,
through Mr. Rush, he puts that nobeman's dispatch
to the British Minister as Washington, at the time Of
giving up Astoria, claiming the whole territory.
lie says that the state Of the question is, that the
parties are in joint occupancy, and Great Britain can
only be Invested Of her right TO that joint occupancy
by an equitable partition OF the whole between the two
powers.
He says Great Britain, IN adherng 10 the line Of the
Columbia, sis not Influenced by motives of ambition
with respect 10 extent of boundary but 10 consdera-
lions Of utility, not TO say necessity which cannot be
lost sight Of" &c.
He concludes by requesting proposition from the
American Plenipotentary, and also a statement of
the claims which the u. s. now have to other portions
Of the territory, alluded 10 in Mr. Cshouns state
ment.
On the Goth Sept, 1874, Mr. Calhoun rejoins TO this
statement by Mr. Packenham.
The statement oi Mr. p. has not weakened his con-
fdence In the American claim.
He does not understand Mr. p. TO deny that the
Spanish Navigators the first to discover and ex
pore The entire coasts Of the Oregon Territory, the
claims of Heceta and GRAY TO The discovery of the
Columbia On the other hand, he understands him as
admitting these cnims, but that Spain Invested herself
OF her exclusive rights resulting from them by the
treaty OF 1880 But having thus put aside the claims
of Spain by this assumption the counter statement
opposes the claims OF U. s. by those founded on the
voyages Of Cook and Meas, sc.
II will not be expected that he will undertake 10
repe what he regards as a mere assumption unsusian-
ed by any In his opinion there is nothing in
the Nootka Sound Convention TO warrant the nssump-
lion. On this assumption the counter statement rests
lis objection TO the well founded American clam.-
Without II, there would not be left plausible object
ion 10 them.
As 10 MeKenzic's discovery of Frazer's river, il is
an inferior stream, and eannot affect the discovery Of
the Columbia
In reply the request Tor statement OF claims 10
other parts of the territory, Mr. c. states in general
terms that they derived from Spain by the Florida
treaty, and gives US right 10 the extent TO which
they can be established, unless better be propos
ed.
Mr. Packenbsm to Mr. Calhoun
Washingt ton, 18th January, 1s45-Siaies that he
has sent all that has passed here before to Her Maes
ly's Government, and that they have il under consd
efation but IN the meantime he is instructed 10 pro-
pose arbitration, leaving the choice Of arbteI be sub
sequenty determined apon.
Mr. Calhoun 10 Mr. Packenham-
Washington, January 81, Is45-States that he has
ald his proposal before the President and is instructed
10 inform him he cannot accede To the ofier.'
Waving all other reasons for declining H. il is suf
ccnt TO state that he continues to entertain the hope
hat the question may be settled by the negotiation
now pending between the two countries and that he
S oil The opinion II would be inadvisabe TO entertain
hope Of arriving at satisfactory seiement by ne.
,otiaon-snd especially TO one which might rather
etsrd than expedite its final Adjustment
Mr. Buchanan 10 Mr. Packenham---
Washington, July 10, 1s45-The Secretary of
tate resumes the negotiation, and proceeds in reply 10
Dr. Packenhams note Of the 9Th Sept, answer his
equcst 10 proposition liom the U. S. Government,
nd also for settlement Of title He commences with
he title irst and rests it upon the cession from SPAIN
shat at the date of this cession Spain had
good title as against Great Britain TO the whole Or
gon territory, and Of this he established the question
s then established in favor OF the u. s.
lie proceeds first 10 ascertain the meaning of the
'ooika Sound Convention and maintains that il con-
erred no rights upon G. b. but trade with the In
ians, was transient in its nature, and did not interfere
'ilh tho sovereignty Of Spain the Territory, and
bove all that Il was annuled by the war between
treat Britain and Spain in 1896 and has never since
cen recovered, and consequently that the claim Of
treat bnan TO any portion OF the territory is dest-
ute oil foundation, Mr. Buchanan proceeds 10 enforce
hese positions with great ability and force and Of great
myth.
Having established these Positions he states the no
tions which he considers Mr. Calhoun has proved of
ur rights to the whole of the Territory drained by
he Columbia, and maintains that the Treaties OF Joint
occupancy specially exempt this title from being i'm
aired by them, or any subsequent action Of Great
'rtain Our own title is Older than that acquired BY
be Florida treaty, and admitting the application of the
vodka Sound Convention is now sought TO be enloc-
by Great Britain it cannot affect our title to this
Territory. These grounds maintained and en-
breed with great ability, and al length.
He says the President entertaining these views Of
Ut title, would not have consented TO yield any por-
ion OF the Oregon Territory, had he not been embar-
asset II not committed by the action of his predeces-
ofs 10 Office, and with aview to manifest TO the world
hat he is actuated by spirit Of moderation he offers
he 49th parallel 10 the ocean with any port on Van
ouver's Island, south of that parallel.
a. Packenham to Mr. Buchanan
Washington, Goth July, 1S45.-In this communica-
ion, which is Of considerable length, Mr. Packenham
ombas most strenuously The position Of Mr. Buchanan
that claiming The American title 10 the val
oil the Columbia 10 be older than the treaty of 1919
lasmuch as in another part Mr. B. had said that the
Tile oil Spain so far north the 6ls deg, had never
erionsly been questioned by any European Nation,
nd II this were the case, the Americans could not uc-
uiIe any title to that to which the Spanish title was
erieci, while If the Spanish title were not perfect and
he American title by discovery is good ag ansi that
lie, then he claims that there earlier British dis
overies He also brings forward the American offer
divide the Territory previous to the treaty with
pain in 1919, and he maintains that the u S. can
'Im no claim on discovery, exploration and settlement
hR ID 40 - q
piles Of the NOolka Convention and consequent va
iy olthe parallel claims of Great Britain founded on