Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-22

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place in an official communication. fifth
former--lf he intended a solemn officia
opinion, upon which he was resolved I
act otiicially--lhen il is very grave ques
ton how far he is justified, without ne,
lights, or any change Of circumstances, t
place the claims of this country, in thi
respect, on other grounds than those OF
which they had stood under his pradeces
sors, and with the concurrence Of all bran
ches OF the government, for so man
years; for il is not TO be doubted that tn
United States government has admitted
through long series of years that Eng
land has rights in the northwestern part
OF this continent which are entitled to b,
respected.
Mr.. President, one who has observed
aitentlvely what has transpired here auC
in England within the last three months
must, | think, perceive that public opinion
in both countries, is coming to concIu
sion that this controversy ought to be set
tied; and is not very diverse, in the one
country and the other, as to the genera
basis of such settlement. That basis is
the offer made by the United States tc
England in 1926.
There is no room to doubt, | think, tha
this country is ready to stand by that of:
Ter substantially and in effect. Such is my
opinion, at least, and circumstances Ger
tainly indicate that Great Britain would
not, in all probability would not, regard
such proposition as unfit to be consider.
ed. said, some weeks ago, that did
not intend to discuss titles at length, and
certainly not TO adduce arguments agains,
our own claim. But itappears to me thai
there is concurre nee OF arguments, OF
considerati ons,. in favor Of regarding The
49th parallel as the Just line Of demarca
ton, which both countries might well re-
spect. 1t has, for many years, been the
extent of our claim. We have claimed
up to 40, and nothing beyond it We
have offered to yield every thing north of
it. II is tho boundary between the two
countries on this side the Rocky noun
tains, and has been since the purchase of
Louisiana from France.
| do not think it important either 10
prove or disprove the fact, that commits
slonors under the treaty of Utrecht estab.
Iished the 10th parallel as the boundary
between the English and French posses.
slons in America. Ancient maps and de-
scrptions so represent it; some saying that
this line Of boundary is to run "indefnite-
ly west" others saying, in terms, that il
extends "to the northwestern ocean" But
what IS more important, we have consider
ed this boundary as established BY the
treaty of Utrecht, at least on this side of
the Rocky mountains. 1t was ON the
strength Of this that we drove back the
British pretensons, after we had obtained
Louisiana north, from the head waters of
the Mississippi TO this parallel of 40.
This is indubitable. We have acted,
therefore, and induced others to act, on
the idea that this boundary was actually
established. II now so stands in the trea.
ty between the United States and Eng.
land. II, on the general notion of coatigu.
ity, or continuity, this line be continued
indefinitely vest" or is allowed TO run
TO the northwestern ocean," then it leaves
on our side the valley of the Columbia, to
which, in my judgment, our title is main
taInable on the ground of Gray's discovery.
The Government of the United States
has never offered any line south Of forty.
nine, with the navigation of the Colum.
bla,) and it never will. 1t behooves all
concerned 10 regard this as settled point.
AS 10 the navigation of the Columbia,
permanently, or for term of years, that
is all matter for Just, reasonable, and
friendly negotiation. But the doth parai-
lei must be regarded as the general line
Of boundary, not to be departed from for
any line further south. As 10 all straits,
and sounds, and islands in the neighboring
sea, all these are fair subjects for treaty
stipulation. 1.-THE general basis be agreed
TO, all the rest, tmay be presumed, may
be accomplished by the exercise of spirit
OF fairness and amity.
Mr.. W., in conclusion, dwelt upon the
Importance and necessity of an early adj
justment Of the controversy.
Mr.. ALLEN said: The Senator from Mas.
sachuselts has made this the occasion of
doing what | estimate as Of more impor-
lance than expressing his opinion on the
subject Of this resolution. 1t is undouht
eddy true that, constituiionally, and In our
intercourse with each other on this floor,
all the members Of this body enjoy per.
feet equality. But it is also true, that
the long experience which some Senators
have enjoyed, and the place they have ac-
quired in the judgment of their country,
make what they say upon this floor of
much more importance than if il fell from
the lips Of some other Senators. The Sc
nator from Massachusetts, has, for the first
time, taken. this morning, in this cham
Der, position on the question Of Oregon.