The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-30
Is the Oregon Question Settled


Rumors begin to be circulated in the newspapers,
both sides OF the Atlantic, that the Oregon ques-
ton is seed-or about to be setiled-or, at least,
that propositions are about to be made by the Bril-
fish government which will lead to a very early
settlement of all differences between the two
nations
The Journal OF Commerce, OF this city, paper
that has always large surplus stock of religion
and hypocrisy hand, states that letters from the
highest source were received by the Great West
ern, giving the details of this settlement-namely,
on the parallel OF ortynne, to the Straits of Fuca
aad along those Straits to the Pacifc-giving the
whole of Vancouvers Island to Great Britain, with
the navigation OF the Columbia river, for limited
term of years. II is also added, that these terms
VIII be accepted by Mr.. Polk, shaped into treaty,
and confirmed by the Senate. We have, also, ru-
mors from Washington, that Mr.. Polk has given the
notice to quit, to the British Minister, who will
forthwith reopen the negotiations on the terms in
dicated
Alitnese rumors on re-opening the negotiation
and also stating the terms-we give for what they
are worth; but we doubt their accuracy, in a num-
Der OF important particulars. The Journal of CON-
n'erce thlnks that the terms proposed will be acce.
ded to by Mr. Polk, and confirmed by the SenateI;
but is very well known that these editors are very
easily deceived, In consequence of the extreme in
terest which they feel in favor OF certain exagge
rated view they take of the question. Any treaty
giving the whole Of Vancouver's Island, uncondi-
uonaly, 10 the British government, we do not be
heve Will receive the sanction of twothrds of the
United States Senate
Vancouver's Island is the key-the Gibraltar
OF the navigation of the Oregon Territory. It
commands the outlets and the inlets to all the
harbors of any value in that country, including
Puget's Sound, Admiralty Inlet &c. A fortiica-
ton on the south end of that island, would COM
mand all these harbors, and give England complete
naval control over the entire territory and the coast
that surrounds it, as much as Gibraltar gives her
over the Mediterranean. We are persuaded this
sort OF treaty will never be confirmed by the Senate
indeed, we know the opinions OF many of those de-
mocratc Senators who are in favor of the forty
ninth parallel, who will yet vote against treaty
which would recognise the right of England TO the
whole OF Vancouver's Island, with the liberty to
iortliy II as they choose. 1t has been suggested,
indeed, that England may agree never to erect any
forttcaton on the island, if she should receive it
under the terms OF treaty; but .slch security
would be rather equvocal.
According to all these rumors, probabilities and
iacts II may be reasonable to believe that negotia-
lions VIII soon be re-opened at Washington, on some
amlcable basis, under the action taken by the Presi-
dent on the notice question; but we have yet many
doubts of an early settlement OF the question be-
tween Mr.. Polk and Mr.. Pakenham. Both these
statesmen-the President and the Plenipotenuary-
are honorable, amiable and worthy men-great men
IN little matters; but their previous treatment Of
these mighty negotiations, and the blunderings
which they have already exhibited, show that they
are hardly equal TO the emergency which destiny,
IN one Of its freaks, has placed them in as negota-
tors upon an important question between two great
and leading nations Of the word-n which the
weighty questions of peace or war, throughout the
limits of civilization, mainly depend. Let us hope
tor the best, but prepare for the worst