The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-10

the question were submitted TO them, might adyis
the President not TO insist upon the full extent
our rights but we could never place il In the powe
OF any arbitrator TO deprive us OF foot Of the sol
on the continent south Of the 18th parallel Of lati
tude, and Of the valuable harbors Of Pugets sound
Such Is the liked determination OF the President.
Again; even il this were not the case, and trea
~ should be submitted TO the Senate for arbitration
II could not, by any possibility, obtain the necessary
majority in that body. :
Upon the whole, the pursuit Of arbitration by the
British government can produce no other effect thar
TO involve the question In difficulties, and per.
, haps, by the delay, render amicable adjustment
OF II impossible. The fact is not To be disguised
that the feeling of the country is becoming daily
more unanimous and intense in favor Of asserting
our right to the whole territory; and the debates in
Congress, and their delay TO act in accordance with
the Recommendations Of the President only serve 70
increase the popular excitement Resolutions OF
State conventions and State legislatures are now in
succession being adopted in favor Of adhering to the
line Of $40 40 II the British government intend to
make proposition 70 this government, they have
not an hour to lose, ifthey desire peaceful termi-
nation of the controversy. '. "
Notwithstanding all you may have seen in the
pubic papers, the notice, unless ] am greatly mrs
taken, will pass Congress in some form other, by
large majontes Of both houses as W. as the other
measures recommended by the Psesillst. y
be has taken in his message. Clearly convinced
Of the right Of the United States to the whole ter
rltory in dispute, and relieved, by the refusal Of
the British government 10 accept this offer Of COM
promise from the embarrassment in which the acts
OF his predecessors had placed him, he would not
now authorize the conclusion Of a treaty on that
basis. But the Senate, his constitutional ad-
ylsers, are now in session. The question or
peace or war may be involved in the issue. They
are branch of the war-making as well as Of
the treaty-maklng power. In Difference TO the
Senate, under these circumstances, he would, in
the fret instance feel il TO be his duty to submit such
a proposition for their previous advice. IL is mani
fest, therefore, that the British government should
at once present their utimatum. If Mr.. Pakenham
should offer less, in the hope that, having thus re-
commenced the negotiation, he might, in its pro,
gress, induce me to say what the President would
consent to accept, he must be disappointed. The
President viii accept nothing less than the whole
territory unless the Senate should otherwise deter
nine. The only question which he will decide Is,
whether the new proposition, should any such be
made, be Of character to justify its submission to
the Senate for their previous advice
, Under all the circumstances by which you may
be surrounded, ii is left to your sound discretion
whether any such communication or intimauon
shall be made to Lord Aberdeen.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
LOUIS McLAsE, esq, &c, &c, &c.
Mr.. .MeLane 10 Mr.. Buchanan.-Ertraci.
mo. 34.l LONDON, February 3, 1886
Notwithstanding these difficulties, still entertain
the opinion that it would be in my power, with
out any improper commitment OF the President, TO
lead TO a renewal of the negotiation by this govern
ment, and to the submission, unless another mode
would be more desirable, through its minister
at Washington, of proposition adopting that d.
rected by the President on the 18th Of July last,
with some notifications not inconsistent, according
TO the sense enterein of it, with our national hon
or. Of this should feel quite certain, If l could
officially know that the proposition would probably
be acceptable at Washington; and should attempt
il informally and upon my individual responsibility
with scarcely less confidence Of success, if, while
acting in that way, could encourages like result
1t is due, however, to my own position, and to
those with whom am brought into Intercourse up
on this subject, to state that the opinions have
thus expressed are not founded upon any direct
commun ication from those in Official station; but
rather the result Of series Of facts and differences,
entitled, however, in my judgment at least TO not
less weight. ~ 'a.r I'D.
After these observations, | owe it more particu-
larry TO myself to state that, believing, from the his
tory Of our previous negotiations as TO the Oregon
question, that it may be settled upon the basis
of compromise, and with reference to interests
which have grown up during the joint occupation Of
the territory, without violation of any duty which
public man owes to the rights and honor of his
country, | would not be unwilling taking the Pres
dents proposition Of the 18th July basis, to
urge final adjustment of the question according TO
that proposition, but coneeding to the Hudsons Bay
: Company a continuance of the privileges of joint
occupation, including the navigation of the Column
bla, for period of seven or ten years longer; and
hope may be allowed to add, that would be will
hing to assume the responsibility Of asserting TO an
! adjustment by extending the boundary to the Pa
cifc by the 49th parallel and the straits of Fuca,
. luytth hath hu he
free navigation of the Columbia river for longer
period, provided similar advantages upon the St.
Lawrence could thereby be secured to the United
3 States.
believe that upon one of these grounds, perhaps
4 upon either, an ad ustment may be concuded and
have strong conviction that the mode first indicated
I is entirely practicable.
I | am, however, constrained at the same time to
state from all that has come to my knowledge here
that have to believe that more favorable
terms than those have above adverted to would
under any circumstances, be consented TO by this
government. '" -
Mr.. Buchanan 10 Mr.. McLane.--Eriraeis.
mo. 23.l DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, February &C. 1876.
Sin: Your dispatches to No. 81, inclusive, have
been received, and laid before the President.
transmit herewith Q copy Of my answer, under
+ date Of the 9TH inst, TO Mr.. Pakenhams last propo
IsitiOn W hc cieSoh luesuoH W
o independently of the reason prominently present
= ed in my reply, that the President docs not believe
n the territorial rights Of this nation to be prope
subject for arbitration" there other powerful
9 reasons against such a course, which might hav,
1 been stated had it been deemed proper in commu
: nication 10 the British minister These you car
IS use an occasion may require.
l. In the first place, without pretending to know the
= opinions of individual senator's, hazard but little
g in asserting that treaty for arbitration could oh
tain the constitutional majority Of the Senate
sary to its ratification. Several of the senators witt
= might assent to compromise upon the parallel o
1t forty nine degrees, would not be willing to eopart
q by arbitration the possession of the harbors Ad
t mralty inlet and Pugets sound south Of that paraI
lei. Indeed, for commercial purposes, the Unitet
10 States might almost well abandon the whole ter
y ri,ory as consent to deprive themselves of thes
e harbors; because, south Of them, within its limits
e no good harbor exists. The rejection Of such
2 treaty by the Senate would involve the question il
IS far greater embarrassments than exist at present
" nd apnicahe adiuafnoept