Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-10
Ms. BueHASAs TO Ma. PAKESHAs.
DIPARTAEST OF STATE,

WAsHISGToS Feb. 4, 1876
The undersigned Secretary of State OF the United States
has the honor acknowledge the receipt Of the note OF
Mr. Pakenham her Britannia MSjesiy's Envoy EGuaordi
nary and Minister PenpOtontay, dated the 10th ut-
mo- by which he again proposes reference Of Oregon
question " arbitration. Under his pr proposition tho
powers Of the arbitrator would not, his last be limit
ed in the division Of the territory between the
parties, but would extend 10 the question Of their conflict
lg titles There Is, however, condition annexed h
offer which exposes 1t TO the Objection point Of
fact, II not IN lorm which prominently presented in
the Of the undersigned to Mr.. Pakenhnn's Last
proposal This condition is that II neither (pariyl shou Id
be found, the opinion Of the arbitrator 90 possess com.
plete title TO the whole territory there should IN that
be assigned each that portion Of territory which would
IN the opinion II the arbaIng Power be called for by
just appreciation OF tho respective claims Of oneh" Ii the
Government Of the United States should consent to an
afbuation upon such condition. this might Ind probably
would be construed into intimation, direct in.
vtaton 10 the arbitrator divide tho territory between
the parties. Wore possible for the President under any
circumstance. refer the subject TO arbn-
ton, the itc and the title alone, detached from every
other considerations IL tho only question which could b.,
submitted. II not confined TO single point strong 10
the natural Opposition nf afbWaurs please both paes
thatin almost every instance whether Of national " nd
gidus controversies, they make compromising award.
We have memorable example Of this u our lat arb tfs
ton with Great Britain. Notwithstanding that Tho srbi.
taor. under the OF the subn ssion wss clearly and
explicitly confined to tho decision Of which was tho limo
Of ghand, described IN the csy Of peace Of 1853 vet
instead Of pursuing any range Of highlands whaevor he
advised that The line should along Tho bed Of liver
and fciusl divided the Territory in dispute between tho
parties, by he middle u the deepest channs OF the st.
Johns"
The undtrigned might content himself In answer TO
the pre'ont proposition with reference to the observe
tons contained IN HE last 20 Mr. Pakonha of the
ID ulumo In that plainly inumaed not only that
eio ore "oher conclusive for tcnng ptopo.
sion" independently II the which had been proni.
nenty stated but expressly asserted ~ the belief Of
the President that any atempt refer this question 90
third Power would only Involve IL In now diff -uldes"
The undsfs Rned will, howovcr proceed 70 state Gin.
gle reason which, apart from the intrinsic diff sully Of
selecting suitable arbitrator, well other considers.
ions Inst might be adduced conclusive the mind ~
the President aRanH reference ~ ths gu lon 10 a'bi
uation, IN any form which be devised, MISTER what
may 10 tho character Of the nbiraiOf~ heher sovereign
citizen, cub This reason IT, that he dcts not be-
ove the territorial rights II this be proper sub
loct Tor arbitration. II may be true, tha under peculiar
circumstances, tho Interests stake we're comparative
" small and n both parties stood upon equs footing
lhore gbt be insuperablo objection such course
But wha s tho Of territory In dispute on the pro
sent ooessonl II embraces nosrly thirteen degrees Of
latitude alang the northwest Of the Pacific. and
stretches eastward tho summit Of tho Rocky Montana
Within is limits several powerful snd posperou, Slaes Of
the Union msy be ombfaeed. IL lies contiguous on this
States, and destined, distant day. b. psoped by
our citizens This territory presents the through
Which tho Of Western States can be proia>
bly, conducted with Asia and the ~ The
continent; and its prrs the only habofs belonging ~ the
United Siaies 10 which whalep and other
vessels 10 that region can resort, And yet vast