The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-23
From the National LnteHgencer.
The Oregon Negotiation.


The communication Of confidential
nature made by the President Of the u
nited States to the Senate, whatever may
he its precise character-now known to
refer to the controversy between the u
nited States and Great Britain concern
ing the Northwestern boundary line-is
vet before the Senate, and is debated, of
course, with closed doors.
We have already had occasion 10 say
that the confidential nature of that COM
munication pats il ont Of our power to
state the particulars Of it. Were we E.
ven acquainted with them, we, pertna-
nently posted here, should feel ourselves
debarred, bv the confidential manner IN
which such information must have been
acquired, from placing ii before our read
ers. Gentlemen in this city who cor
respond with distant papers are different
" situated, and Justly feel at liberty TO
communicate, TO the journals for which
they write, any information which they
can collect from sources in which they
confide, though,it may be not either Of
fetal or direct.
We have seen numerous letters from
this place in the Baltimore, and Phlladel-
pha, and New York papers, stating a
great deal more than we know OF the
contents of the Presidents Message a
bore referred 10. Desirous that our read
ers shall have some information upon a
matter respecting which others know so
much, we have selected for their infor-
nation the following, which gives proba-
bly, as correct an account Of what IS be-
fore the Senate IN secret session as any
letter that has been written:
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE NORTH AaERI-
CAM"
WASHINGTON, JUNE l0-7a Z. NJ.
The Presidents message. communlca-
ted to the Senate to-day, contains pro-
tocols Of the conferences between Mir.
PAKENHAM and Mr.. BUCHANAN, IN refer
ence to the adjustment OF the Oregon con-
troversv. From the strict inluction I'M
posed On the members Of the Senate, and
from the manner in which | received
such information as possess, regret 1t
is not in my power 10 refer to the terms
and character of the message as explicitly
as / could desire. can, however, give
a general outline, sufficient for all purPo-
ses Of public information. In my letter
of Sunday last, | mentioned the inter-
views that had occurred IN reference to
this subject between the functonarles OF
the two Governments, and named the
general features, to wit: the 49th parai-
lel-ihe free navigation OF the Columbia
river during the charter Of the Hudson
Bav Company, which expires in 1858,
and its re-charter, if one should be given
-yancouver's Island, and common
right through the Straits of Fuca.
Mr.. PAKENHAM's power Of settlement
is conditional. Ii the Senate will ap-
prove of the proposition as it stands, then
he is authorized to 90 on and complete
treaty without further instructions from
the Home Government. If not, and any
important amendment is inserted, II must
be referred back again. Great Britain
never will consent 10 abandon the nayiga-
ton Of the Columbia river entirely. From
the evidence submitted in the Senate, Ii
is possible she might consent to a sllPula-
ton of years in regard to the necessary
rights. The British Government takes
the ground that upon considerations OF
national pride, as well as from good faith
towards her subjects, they cannot be sur
rendered without remuneration. 1t IS
left optional, however, with the United
States TO take them at a fair valuation,
and whenever it may be most acceptable
and convenient. There is letter among
the papers from Mr.. McLANE, which
induced The authorities here TO expect
more available terms than have been sub
mitted. He seems to have misappre-
hended some points.
Should the SENATE refuse to advise,
the most alarming emharrassments are
visible in the future. hlr. Polk has said
enough in his message to convince that
chamber that unless they pursue this
course, no immediate alternative of adj
justnent is left open.
The terms do not embrace any thing
that has not at one time or other been Of
fered to Great Britain by the United
States.
Rulnored Movements OF tEae
Arnly.