Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-13
mr. Bpeianan to Mr.. Palcnhdm.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,

Tho UNDERSIGNED, Secretary of State OF The
TTn;,sd S,aies has The honor 10 acknowledge The
receip, OF The note OF MIR. Pakenham, her b.i'ah-
mic Maiesly's Envoy Extraordinary and MINIS.
Ter Parliamentary, dated on the 10th uliimo, oy
which he again proposes reference OF inc vie.
eon question TO arbitration. Under ms Pleeen,I,
proposition the powers Oh tne aioi'ia'ol n;
vision of the territory between The paThes. oul
would extend 10 The question OF their conn'cnhs
titles.
There is, however, a condition annexed 10 'his
offer which exposes il 10 The same opIection, ~
point of fact, if not in form, which was pron'-
nenlly presented in The answer of Inc hnnei-
signed to Mr. Pakenham's last proposal inis
condition is, "lhat if neither [paryJ should DC
found. in The opinion OF the arbitrator, 70 pos
sess complete title 10 the whole territory, there
should. in that case be assigned TO each thal
norton of territory which would, in the opinion
Of The arbilrating power, be called for by a Just
appreciation OF the respective claims Oh edch,
II The Government OF The United States should
consent 10 an arbitration upon such condluon,
this might, and probably would, be construed
inlo an inlimalion, if not direct invitation 10
the arbitrator 10 divide The territory between inc
parties. n.:,. ,ndor ,nv
circumstances 10 consent 10 refer The subject 10
arbitration. the title and the little alone, detached
from every other consideration, is The only ques.
ton which could be submitted If no. confined
10 single point, so strong is The natural DISPOSE
lion of arbi,raors TO please both parties that in
almost every instance, whether OF national or in
divIdual controversies, they make compromls-
ing award We have memorable example OF
this in our last arbitration with Great Britain
Notwithstanding that The arbitrator, under The
terms of the submission, was clearly and expi-
4 rho pfu
line of highlands described in the treaty of peace
of 1888, vet, instead OF pursuing any range OF
highlands whatever, he advised that The line
| should run along the bed of river and actually
di-ided The territory in dispute between the par
lies By 'the middle Of the deepest channel OF the
ST. Johns"
The undersigned might content himself in an
swer TO The present proposition, with a reference
10 the observations contained in his last note 10
Mr.. Pakenham of The third ultimo. In mai, II
was plainly intmated, not only that there are
,olher conclusive reasons for declining the pro.
positon.n independently OF the one which had
been prominently stated, but it was expressly as
serted, as The belief of the President THAT any al
tempt 10 refer this question to third power
would only involve il in new difficulties"
The undersigned will, however, proceed 10
state single reason which, apart from The intrin-
sic difficulties OF selecting suitable arbitrator,
as well as other considerations that Inlshl De da-
duced, is conclusive on the mind OF The PRESIDENT
against reference of this question TO arbitration,
in any form which can be devised, no matter
what NAV lie the character oflhe arbilrator-whe-
,her sovereign, citizen or subject This reason
is that he does not believe the territorial rights Of
This nation 10 be proper subject for arbitration.
II may be true thai, under peculiar circumsan-
ces il the interests at stake were comparatively
small, and if both parties stood upon an equal
footing, there might be no nsuperable objection 10
such course.
But what's the extent Of territory in dispute on
the present occasion /, embraces nearly hir-
Teen degrees Of latitude along the northwest
coast OF The Pacific, and stretches eastward 10 The
summit Of the Rocky mountains. Within its
limits several powerful and prosperous States Of
the Union may be embraced. Ii lies contiguous,
on this continent, 10 The acknowledged territory
of the United States, and is destined al no dis
tant day, 10 be peopled by our citizens.
This territory presents The avenue through
which the commerce OF our western States can
be proftably conducted with Asia and the west
ern coasts OF this continen and is ports, The on
ly harbors belonging 10 The U. States, 10 which
our numerous whalers and other vessels in that
region can resort. And yet, vast as are its d.
mensions it contains not single safe and COM
modious haTbor from lis southern extremity until
II is far from the intention Of the undersigned
again TO open the discussion OF the conflicting
claims Of the two powers 10 The Oregon territory
Il is sufficient Tor him 10 slate the continued
viclion Of The President that the United States
hold The best title in existence 10 the whole of this
territory Under this conviction, he cannot con-
sent 10 leopard for his country all The great inte
rests involved, and BY any possibility, however re-
mote 10 deprive the republic OF all The good har-
bors on the coast, by referring The question 10 az
bitraion.
Neither is the territory in dispute of equal, or
nearly equal value 10 the Two powers. Whilst
il is invaluable TO the United States, it is of COM
para,ively small importance 10 Great Britain
To her, Oregon would be but distant colonial
possession Of doubtful value; and which, from
the natural progress OF human events, she would
no, probably long enough enjoy TO derive from ii
essential benefits; whilst TO the United States il
would become an integral and essential portion
of the republic. The gain TO Great Britain she
would never sensibly feel; whilst the loss 10 the
United States would be irreparable.
The undersigned is perfectly aware that such
considerations can have no bearing upon the
question Of The title of either party. They are
presented solely for the purpose Of explaining the
views of the President in his refusal 10 adopt any
measures which should withdraw our title IRON
the control of the Government and people oil The
United States. and place it within the discretion
Of any arbitrator, no matter how intelligent and
respectable.
The President cordially concurs with The Gov
eminent of Great Britain in desiring that The pre-
sent controversy may be amicably adjusted. OF
this, lie has given the strongest proof before the
whole world. He believes that, as there are notwo
nations on The earth more closely bound together
by the ties OF commerce, SO there are none who
ought 10 be more able or willing 10 do each other
Justice without the inerposilion Of any arbilra-
tor.
The undersigned avails himself OF this occa-
sion to renew to Mr. Pakenham the assurance OF
his high consideration.
Right Hon. RICHARD PAKENHAM, &C., &c.