Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-07

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different parties; but since we have right
fully acquired both those of Spain and
France, and concentrated the whole in our
hands, they mutually blend with each other
and form one strong and connected chain
OF title, against the opposing claims of all
others, including Great Britain.
In order to present more fully and per-
fecty the grounds on which our claims TO
the region ia question rests, il will now
be necessary 10 turn back to the time
when Astoria was restored TO rs, under the
provisions of the treaty of Client, and to
trace what has since occurred between
the two countries IN reference to the ter
ritory, and inquire whether their respec-
tive claims have been affected by the set.
dement's since made in the territory by
Great Britain, or the occurrences which
have since taken place.
The restoration of Astoria took place
under the provisions of the treaty OF Client,
on the 9th day of October, lSlS-ihe ef-
feet Of which was to put Mr.. Provost, The
agent authorized by our government TO re-
eelve it, in possession of the establish
ment with the right at all times to be re.
instated and considered the party in pos
session, as was explicitly admitted by
Lord Caslereagh in the first negotiation
between the two governments in reference
10 the treaty. The words of Mr.. Rush,
our plenipotentiary on that occasisn, in his
letter 10 Mr.. Adams, then Secretary of
State, of the 18th of February, 1918, re-
porting what passed between him and his
ts4Io III Il
mitted in the mos: ample ertent our right
to be reinstatcd, and to be the party in pos
session, arllile treating Of the tile"
That negotiation terminated in the con-
venlion of the Goth Of October, lSl9-the
third article of which is in the following
words:
1T is agreed that any country that may
be claimed by either party on the north
west coast OF America, westward of the
Stony mountains, shall, together with lis
harbors, bays, creeks, and the navigation
of all rivers within the same, be free and
open, for the term of ten years from the
date of the signature of the present con-
yention, TO the vessels, citizens and sub
Jects OF The two powers; il being we'll un-
derstood that this agreement is not to be
construed 10 the prejudice of any claim
which either of the two high contracting
parties may have to any part of The said
country; nor shall it be taken TO affect the
claims of any other power or State 10
take any part of the SAID country; the on.
ly object of the high contracting parties,
in that respect, being to prevent disputes
and differences amongst themselves"
The two acts, the restoration of our
possession and the signature Of the con
venion, were nearly contemporaneous-
the latter taking place but fourteen days
subsequently to the former. We were
then, as admitted by Lord CastIereigh, en-.
titled:o be considered as the party in pos
session; and the convention which stipu-
lated thai the territory should be free and
open, for the term of ten years from the
date of its signature, to the vessels, cIii-
zens, and subjects of the two countries,
without prejudice to any claim which Ell
Their party may have to any part of the
same, preserved and perpeiuated all our
claims TO The territory, including the ac-
knowledged right TO be considered the par
ty in possession. as perfectly during the
period Of lis continuance as they were The
day the convention was signed. OF this
there can be no doubt.
Alter an aborlive attempt 10 adjust the
claims Of the two parties to the territory,
in 1924, another negotiation was commen-
ced in l626-which terminated in renew
ing, on the 9th of August, 1927, the third
article Of the convention of 1918, prior 10
its expiration. II provided for the indef-
mite extension of all the provisions of the
third article of that convention; and also
that either party might terminate il at any
time it might think fit, By giving one years
notice, after the goth OF October, 1928.
1t took, however, The preeaution of provi-
ding expressly that /" nothing contained In
this contention, or in the third article OF
the convention of the 2OM October, 1878
hereby continued in force, shall be cOnstrn.
ed 10 impair or in any manner affect the
claims ,0hich either of the contracting par
ties may hare 10 any part of the country
westward Of the Stony or Rocky noun
fdinS." That convention is now in force
and has continued to he so since the ex.
piralion of that of 1918. BY the joint
operation of the two, our right to be con
sidered The party in possession, and all the
claims we had 10 the territory, while in
possession, are preserved in as full vigor as
they were at The date Of lis restoration in
1918, without being affected or impaired
by the settlements since made by the sub
iects of Greal Britain.
Time, indeed, so far from impairing oul
claims, has greatly strengthened them
since that period; for, since then, the trea
ty Of Florida transferred 10 US all the
.inh,s claims nnd nrnfnns;nns oc Snain