Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-01-08


in collision with Spain, and that too, under a So
vereign peculiarly tenacious of the territorial
rights OF her empire. This will appear, from the
letter Of Count de Eernan Nunez, the Spanish
ambassador at Paris, to NJ. de Mon,morin, the
Secretary Of the Foreign Department of France,
dated Paris. June 10th, 1910. From the letter
It seems, that complaints had been made by
Spain, TO the Cour; of Russia, against Russian
subjects, tor violating the Spanish territory, on
me Northwest coast Of America, South OF the
6ist degree OF North latitude; in consequence of
which, that Court without delay, assured the
Ming oil Spain "that it was extremely sorry that
the repeated orders issued TO prevent the subjects
OF Russia from violating in the smallest degree,
the territory belonging TO another power, should
have been disobeyed.'
! THIS is the Spanish title, as established by the
+ american neg9,aior in his correspondence viii.
the British Minister, under which we claim by
the Florida treaty Of 1SI9-and if il be as repre.
scented by him, that the Spanish claim was not
only full and complete, but recognised by all E,-
ropean nations for centuries before discoveries or
explorations had been made, either by that gov
eminent, or that of Great Britain, it would seem
that little value could be attached to such discov
cries or explorations on the part cf ei,her-and if
me mailer rested here, IL might appear satisfacto-
MY enough--that the title of Spain being estab-
lished, and that power by the Florida treaty of
1919, having coded to the United States .'all her
rights claims and pretensions 10 any territories
4
AID parallel of latitude" would justify the lam
guage, that has been lately and for the first time
employed that our title 10 the ,choic Of tie Oregon
territory was ''clear and unguestionable''-
,he matter does not rest here: side of story
is always good, until the other is told. What
says Great Britain as offset 10 the Spanish IT,
lie under which We claim to shew that this ces-
sion on the part OF Spain to the United States i'm
1919 did not entllle the United States 10 exclusive
do"nmon over any part of the Oregon territory!
take Mr.. Buchanan's own statement again:
"ln the year 1888, John Meares British SUBJ
lect' sailing under Portuguese flag landed at
Nooika Sound, aud made temporary establish
meni there Tor the purpose of building vessel;
ana The Spaniards In 1889 took possession of this
establishment under lhe orders Of tie Viceroy of
Mexico, who claimed for Spain the exclusive So
vereIgn,y of the whole .erriory on the north
coast of America up to the Russian line. Meares
appealed 10 the British government for redress of
Spain, and The danger of war between the TWO
nations became imminent. This was prevented
by the conclusion of the Nooika Sound Conven-
tion. That Convention provides, by its first and
second articles, Tor the restoration of the lands
and buildings of which the subjects of Great
britain had been dspossessed by the Spaniards,
anu payment OF an indemnity for the injuries
sustained. This indemnify paid by Spain;
bu; no sufficient evidence has been adduced that
either Nootka Sound, or any other spot upon the
coast was ever actually surrendered by that now
er to Great Britain"
! Observe, this is the Statement, and ack nowledr-
ment OF the American negoiiaior, and i appre-
mend 1t is of little importance as respects the va
lldity oil little, whether John Meares original de-
sign i'll making settlement was for a temporary
or permanent purpose; and that it is equally un-
important whether there was, was not an ac-
tual surrender of the spot TO the British author-
| ues-It is admitted by government that the
! Convention between Spain and Great Britain,
| signed at the EScurial on the 2Sh of October
1890, recognised the right of Great Britain to
| Tie settlement, and Spain stood pledged to res
torauon, and paid an indemnity for the injuries
sustained by British subject.
Out Mr. Pakenham adds, that sin lT92 Van
couver was sent from England TO witness the full
himent oil The above mentioned engagement, and
to effect survey of the North w est Coast"
But let us see what the Convention itself pro-
vides:
The third article is as follows: "In order TO
strengthen The bonds of friendship, and to pre-
serve In future, perfect harmony and good UNI
ders'andlng between the contracting parties, it is
agreed that their respective subjects shall not be
disturbed or molesed, either in navigating or car
rying on their fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, or i'm
Inc south Seas, or In landing on the coasts of
those seas, III places not already occupied for the
purpose OF carrying on their commerce with the
natives OF the country, IF making settlements
mere; the whole subject, nevertheless TO the re-
strlclions specified In the three following articles''
''lhe material one of which is" as Mr. Buch-
| anan himself says:
| Art. 5. ''As well in the places which are to be
restored TO the British subjects, by virtue of the
nrst article, as III all other parts Of the North
western Coasts OF North America or of the
islands adjacent, situate TO the north of the paris
| OF the said coast, already occupied by Spain
Wherever the subjects of either of the two pow
ers shall have made settlements since the month
OF April, 1889, or shall hereafter make any, the
subjects of the other shall have free access, and
snail carry on their trade without any disturbance
| or moleStation."
| 1t Will be perceived, that the first article has
iwo-iod object, and recognises and stipulaies
Ior Two distinct rights the part of Great Bri-
taIn-the first is an undsturbed right to navigate
and carry on their fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
or In the South Seas, and to land on the coasts
oil those seas, in places not already occupied far
me purposes ~ commerce ociM lie notives. So far
IL may be regarded as a commercial treaty; but
1t also secures TO Great Britain, The riohf 10 make
settlements, which implies right of Jurisdiction
and sovereignty, co-equal with that of Spain her
self. The 9Th article, and the only one relied I'D,
on, and referred TO by MIR. Buchanan, only secures
the right OF free access to the subjects of each ma
ton, to the settlements that may have been form
ed by the subjects OF the other, since April 1889,
or that may be formed subsequent TO the Con
veDtion.
The importance Of the discrimination, as to
the distinct objects of the 3Id article of the Com
vention above quoted, will be seen by reference
TO another portion of Mr.. Buchanan's communi-
cation, which will presently be noticed.
1t is manifest then. that if this Nooika Sound
t Convention was in full force and operation be-
tween Great Britain and Spain, at the time OF
the negotiation of the Florida Treaty. in 1870
f by which Spain coded to The United States tall
her rights, claims and pretensions to any terrific
ries west OF the Rocky Mountains, and north Of
the 42nd parallel of lalitude,'' that she would
mr. bav Icd tI,o 81, il