The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-03

1878; and it was further provided that g il shall
be competent, however, TO either of the contract
ing parties, in either should think fit at any
time after the twentieth of October, 1928, on Civ
ing due notice of twelve months TO the other con-
tracing party to annul and abrugate this conven-
ton and it shall in such case, be accordingly en-
tirely annued and abrogated after the expiration
of the said term of notice. In these attempts to
adjust the controversy, the parallel of the forty
ninth degree of north latitude had been offered by
the United States to Great Britain. and in those
of 1919 and 1926, with further concession of the
free navigation of the Columbia river south of
that latitude. The parallel of the forty ninth
degree, from the Rocky mountains to it's intersec-
ton with the northeasternmost branch of the
Columbia, aud thence down the channel of that
river tn the sea, had been offered by Great Brit
ain, with an addition of small detached territory
north of the Columbia. Each of these PROPOSE
tlons had been rejected by the parties respectively
Ia October, lS43. the Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister PlenipotentIary of the United States
IN London was authorised to make similar of
fer TO those made in 1918 and 1926. Thus stood
the question, when the negotiation was shortly
afterwards transferred TO Washing ton; and on the
twenty-third of August, 1874, was formally open
ed, under the direction of my Immediate prede-
cessor. Like all the previous negotiations it was
based upon principles of compromise - and the
avowed purpose of the parties was, s. TO treat of
the respective claims of the two countries TO the
Oregon territory, with the view to establish
permanent boundary between them westward of
the Rocky mountains TO the Pacific ocean" Ac-
cordingly, on the twenty sixth of August, 1914,
the British Plenipoten,iary offered to divide the
Oregon territory by the forty ninth parallel of
north latitude, from the Rocky mountains TO the
point of its intersection with the northeasternmost
branch of the Columbia river, and thence down
that river to the sea leaving the free navigation
of the river to be enjoyed in common by both par
tes-the country south of this line to belong to
the United States, and that north of it TO Great
Britain AT the same time, he proposed in add.
ton, to yield to the United States detached
territory north of the Columbia, extending along
the Pacific and the Straits of Fuca, from Bull
fnch's harbor inclusive, to Hoods canal, and TO
make free to the United States any port or ports
south of latitude forty-nne degree, which thew
might desire, either the main land, or on
Quandra and Vancouver's island. With the ex-
cepton of the free ports, this was the same offer
which had been made by the British, and reject,
ed by the American government in the negotia-
ton of 1926. This proposition was properly re-
jected by the American pleniPotentiary on the
day it was submitted. This was the only propo-
sition of compromise offered by the British pleni-
potentlary. The proposition on the part of Great
Britain having been rejected, the British pleni-
potentiary requested that a proposal should be
made by the United States for " an equitable adj
Justment of the question:
When | 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
recognized by nations, yet, in Difference to what
had been done by my predecessors, and especially
In consideration that propositions of compromise
ma do nv fxun H
tratons, to adjust the question on the parallel of
OF tOrty-n degrees, and in two of them Welding
to Great Britain the free navigation of the Column
ba, and that the impending negotiation had been
commenced on the basis of compromise, deemed
it TO be my duty not abruptly to break it off. In
consideration too, that under the conventions of
1918 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 modera
ton which had given birth to the renewed dis
cusson. A proposition was accordingly made,
which was rejected by the British plenipotentiary,
who, without submitting any other proposition,
suffered the negotiation on his part to drop Ell
pressing his trust that the United States would
offer what he fit to call some further propo-
sal for the settlement of the Oregon question.
more consistent with fairness and equiety, and
and with the reasonable expectations of The Brit
1871 SO'oiHlbeHt' He pIOpOSIllOn mus OfIeTed
and rejected repeated the offer of the parallel of
forty nine 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 CO.
lumbia river. The right of any foreign Power
to the free navigation of any of our rivers. through
the heart OF our country, was one which was un-
willing to cOncede II also embraced provision
to make free TO Great Britain any port or ports on
the cape fQuandra and Vancouver's island south
OF this paTallel.-Had this been a new question,
coming under discussion for the first time, this
proposition would not have been made. The ex-
traoTdinary and wholly inadmissibe demands of
the British government, and the rejection of the
proposition made in Difference alone to what had
been done by my predecessors, and the implied
obligation which their acts seemed to impose, af-
ford satisfactory evinence that no compromise
which the United States ought to accept, can be
effcted.--Wth this conviction, the proposition of
compromise which had been made and rejected ,
was, by my direction, subsequently, Withdrawn.
and our title to the whole Oregon territory assert
ed and as is believed, maintained by irrefragable
facts and arguments
The civilized world will see in these proceed
ings spirit Of liberal concession the part of the
United States; and this government will be re-
lieved FROM all responsibility which may follow