The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-08-06

10 THn senate OF THE UNITED STATES
/ lay before rho Senaie, a proposal in the
form of a Conventfcq, presented TO the Sec
tetafy Of State nSthe 9th inst, by the
Envoy Extraordinary and Df,ais,er Plenipo-
Tertiary of her Britannia Majesty,SG the ad-
justment of the Oregon question, tosether
with a protocol Of this proceeding. ! sub,
nit this proposal TO the consideration Of the
Senate, and request their advice as 10. the
action which, in their judgment, il may be
proper 10 take in reference TO il. g ,ssa.
/ In the early periods of the government,
The opinion and advice Of the Senate we're
often taken in advance upon imporiantques-
tons OF our foreign policy. Gen. Washing
ton repeatedly consulted the Senate, and
asked their previous advice, TO which ne al
ways CONFIRMED his action This practice,
though rarely resorted TO in later times, was,
| in my Judgment eminontly wise and may,
on occasions ofgrcat importance, be proper
ly revived; The Senate is branch of the
treaty making power, and by consulting them
in advance of his own action, upon important
measures of foreign policy which may ulti-
mately come before them for consideration,
the President secures harmony of action be-
tween that body andhimself The Senate
are moreover branch of the war-moking
power, and Il may be erinently proportion
the Executive 10 take the opinion and advice
of that body in advance, upon any great
question which may involve in its decision,
the issue of peace or war, On the present
occasion, the magnitude Of the subject would
induce me, under any circumstances, 10 de-
sire the previous advice of the Senate, and
that desire is increased blythe recent debates
and proceeding in Congress, whichrender it
in my Judgment, not only respectful TO the
Senate, but necessary and proper, IL not in
dspensable, TO ensure harmonious action be-
tween that body and the Executive. ln
comforting on the Executive the authority TO
give the notice for the abrogation of the
Convention of 1927; the Senate acted pub
licly 50 large part, that the decision on the
proposal now made by the British Govern
ment, without definite knowledge of the
views of that body in reference to il, might
render the question stll more complicated
and difficult of adjustment. For these rea-
sons, invite the consideration of the Senate
to the proposal of the British Government,
for The settlement of the Oregon question,
and ask their advice on the subject.
Ny opinions and my action on the Oregon
question were fully made TO Congress in my
annual message Of the Cd December last,
and the opinions therein expressed remain
unchanged o
Should the Senate, by the constitutional
majority required for the ratification of Trea-
ties, advise the acceptance Of this prop
osition, or advise it with such notifications
as they may upon full deliberation deem
proper, Ishall conform my action TO their
advice. Should the Senate, however, de-
cline by such constitutional majority 10 give
such advice, or express such an opinion on
the subject, Ishall consider it my duty TO re-
iect the offer. -lrm
l also communicate herewith an extract
from despatch from the Secretary of State
to the Minister of the United States at Lon
don, under date of the 2Sth April last direct
ing him, in accordance with the joint resolu-
lions of Congress, "Conccrning the Oregon
Territory" TO the Notice to the British Gov
eminent for the abrogaton Of the yConven-
ton of the 9th August, 1927 and also copy
Of the Notice transmitted TO him for tina,
purpose, together with extracts from a des-
paich of that Minister to the Secretary Of
State, bearing date the 18th May last.
JAMES X. POLK. 4
Washington, June 10, ls46.
D !