The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-12-13


case, be accordingly entirely annulled and
abrogated after the expiration of the said
term of notice. In these attempts TO adj
Just the controversy, the parallel of the for
ty-ninth deg. of north lat. had been offered
by the United States to Great Britain, and
in those of 1918 and '26, with further con-
cession of the free navigation of the Colum-
bia river south of that latitude. The paral-
lei of the 49lh degree, from the Rocky
mountains to its intersection with the north
leasternmost branch of the Columbia, and
/ thence down the channel of that river to the
sea, had been offered by Great Britain; with
an addition of small detached territory
north of the Columbia. Each of these pro-
positions had been rejected by the parties
respectively. In Oct, 1913, the envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the U. S. in London was authorized 10 make
a similar offer to those made in 1918 and
'26. Thus stood the question when the ne
gotiation was shortly afterwards transferred
to Washington; and, on the 23d of August,
1874, was formally opened under the di-
rectioR of my immediate predecessor. Like
all the previous negotiations, it was based
upon principles of compromise" and the
avowed purpose of the parties was to treat
Of The respective claims of the Two par
tries 10 the Oregon territory, with the view
to establish permanent boundary between
them westward of,the Rocky mountains TO
the Pacific ocean. Accordingly, on the
18th. Of Aug, 1914 the British plenipoten-
tiary offered to divide the Oregon territory
by the 10Th. parallel of north latitude, from
the Rocky mountains TO the point Of its in
tersection with the northermost branch of
the Columbia river, and thence down that
river TO the sea; leaving the free navigation
of the river 10 be enjoyed in common by both
parties-the country south of thlsline 10 be-
long 10 the U. S., and that moth Of it TO
Great Bretain.
At the same time, he proposed, in addi-
ton, to yield to the U. S, detached ter
Iritory, 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 U. S.,any
port or ports south of latitude 40 deg. which
they might desire, either on the main land,
or on Quandra and Vancouer's island With
the exception ofthe free ports, this was the
same offer which had been made by the Brit
ish and rejected by the American Govern
ment in the negotiation of 1926. This
pro position was properly rejected by the
American plenipotehtiary on the day it was
suUmrIueu. MS was rrrc Uuiy PrUpu5trf,,1r
of compromise offered by the British pleni-
potentiary. The proposition on the part
Of Great Britain having been rejected, the
British plenipotentiary requested that pro-
posal should be made by the United States
for San equitable adjustment ofthe question:
When came into Office, found this to
be the state Of the negotiation. Though
entertaining the settled conviction thai the
British pretensions Of the title could not be
maintained 10 any portion of The Oregon
territory upon any principle of public lawre-
cognized by nations, yet, in Difference 10
what has been done by ms predecessors, aud
in consideration that propositions
of compromise had been thrice made by two
proceeding Administrations; to adjust the
question on the parallel of 40 deg. and in
two of them yielding to Great Britain the |
free navigation of the Columbia, and that |
the pending negotiation had been commenc
ed on the basis of compromise, Ideemed it /
to be my duty not abruptly to break it off. |
III COUSIUGfdllOIis lOO1 tuuI ullQOL luC COiI- l
ventions of 1918 and '27, the citizens and |
subjects ofthe two Powers held joint oc-
cupancy 60 country, was induced to
make another effort to settle this long pend
ing controversy in the spirit of moderation
which had given birth TO the renewed dis
custom. A proposition was accordingly |
made, which was rejected by the British
plenipotentiary, who, without submitting
any other proposition suffered the negotia
ton on his part TO drop, expressing his trust
that the U. S. would offer what he saw fit to
call "some further proposal for the settle
ment of the Oregon question more eonsis-
tent with fairnes IS and equity, and the reas-
enable expectations of the British Govern
ment." The proposition thus offered and
rejected, repeated the offer ofthe parallel of
40 deg. of north latitude, which had been
made by two proceeding Administrations,
but without proposing to surrender 10 Great
Britain, as they had done, the free nayiga-
ton of the Columbia river. The right of
any foreign power to the free navigation of
of any Of our rivers, through the heart of our
country, was one which was unwilling to
concede. 1t also embraced a provision to
make free to Great Britain any port or ports
on the cape of Quadra and Vancouyer's
island, south of this parallel. Had this
been new question, coming under discus
sion for the first time, this proposition would
not have been made. The extraordina,
and wholly inadmissible demands OF
British Government, and the rejectic
the proposition made in Difference al
what had been done by my predeces
the implied oblioafion which
seemed to impose, afford satisf