Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-20

have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir your
obedent servant, X. PAKENHAM.
Hon. JoHs G. CArHous
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Mr.. Calhoun to Mr.. Pakenham.
DEpARTxEsr OF STATE,
WAsHISeroS, JASUARr 81, ls45.
SIR have laid before Che President your communication
81 the 18th instant, Offering the part of her Meys Co
the two countries in reference the Oregon territory to arb
tration.
The President instructs inform you that while be
unites with her Majesy Government the desire the
question settled early may be practicable he cannot
cede to the offer.
Waving all other for declining it, tits sufficient
state that heconnues entertain the hope that the question
may be settled by the negotiation now pending between the
two countries and that he is Of the opinion would be unad
vsabe to entertain proposal resort any other mode
long there hope Of arriving satisfactory settlement by
negotiation and especially which might rather retard
than expedite its final adjustment.
avail myself Of this occasion to to you the
ance of my distinguished consideration.
The Right Hon, r. PAKESHAm, &c.
q. B.)-Nr. buchanan 10 Mr.. Pakenham.
DKPARrMKsT OF SrArE,
WAsHINsToS, JULY IL, ls45.
The undersigned Secretary Of State of the United States
proceeds to the negotiation the Oregon ques
ton, the point where left by his predecessor.
The British Plenpoenary, in his note to Mr.. Calhoun Of
the 18th September last requests that, the American
PIenipotentary declines the proposal offered the part Of
Great Britain he will have the goodness TO state what arrange
he is, the part of the United States prepared pro-
pose for equitable adjustment of the question and
pcay that he will have the goodness define the and
extent of the claims which the United States may have
other portions Of the territory which aluo Is made in the
concluding part Of his satemen 1t is obvious that
rangemen be made with respect part Of the territory
in dispute while claim is reserved any portion Of the
mainder."
The Secretary Of State win proceed, reversing the
order in which these requests have been made in the first
place. present the title Of the United States the territory
north Of the valley of the Columbia and will then propose on
the part of the President the terms upon which, in his opn
this long pending controversy be Justly and equaby
terminated between the parties.
The title Of the United States that portion Of the Oregon
territory between the valley of the Columbia and the Russian
line $40 4V north latitude, recorded in the Florida
M Under this treaty, dated the 22d February, 1872
Spain ceded the United States all her rights claims and
preensons TO any territories west Of the Rocky Mountains
and north Of the AID parallel Of latue We contend that
at the date Of this cession, Spain had good title
against Great Britain TO the whole Oregon territory and if
this be estahed the question then decided in favor Of the
United States
Bm the American title is now encountered at every step by
declarations that hold subject all the conditions Of the
Nootka Sound convention between Great Britain and Spain,
signed 1t the Escuria the 18th of October $780, Great
Britain contends that under this convention the title of Spain
was limited right of Joint occupancy with
herself the whole territory To employ the language Of
the British Plcnpotenary "If Spain could not make good
her own right Of exclusive dominion over those regions still
hence Great Britain argues that from nothing deduced from
the treaty Of 1919 the United States valid claim
70 exclusive dominion any part Of the Oregon territory
Hence Il s that Great Britain resting her preensons the
Nooska Sound convention has necessarily limited her claim
70 msfs light Of joint occupancy the whole territory in
common with the United States the Of Spain,
leaving ne right Of exclusive dominion in allegiance.
~ ~ then, Of the first Importance that we should ascertain
the true construction and meaning Of the Nootka Sound con-
vention. NJ.
should appear that hs treaty was transient In its very
nsue THAT conferred upon Great Britain no right bat that
Of merely trading with the Indiana wh the country should
remain unsettled and mskinghs necessary establishments for
this purpose that did not interfere with the ultimate soye
ren Of Spain The territory and above mi thai Il
annuIed by the between Spain and Great Britain n
1885, and has since been renewed by the paft;es
then The British claim to any portion this territory will
prove TO be destitute Of foundation. ~ XXX
Is unnecessary detail the circumstances out Of which
this convention ssufcient say that John Mesres
British subeot smiling under the Portuguese aae LANDED !.
Noota Sound in 1884, and made temporary estabIshmen
there for the purpose Of building vessel and hst the Span
ards in 1888 took possession Of this establishments under ths
orders Of tho vceroy Of Mexico, hocIsied Spain the az
elusive sovereignty Of the whole territory the nohwest
coast Of America up the Russian line Meares appeasd
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