The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-02

II
played by Great Britain upon the majority Of the
Senate. For the present we shall confae ourselves
TO pointing out from the documents how the proceed
ngs Of the Senate arrested the British government
When about 70 offer back 70 the President the prop
osiuon which they had rejected when offered by
him on the i2rh July, ls45.
Mr.. McLane, in his despatch TO Mr.. Buchanan
Of the 81 February, l846-a despatch written
whilst the British government had nothing before
them 10 relation To Oregon butlhe Presidents mes
sage, and the accompanying correspondence, togeu-
err with the enthusiastic and almost unanimous re-
Spouse TO its doctrines contained IN the American
press-stales that he entertained the opinion it would
be IN his power, without any improper commitment
of the President TO lead 70 renewal OF the nego-
alton by the British government and TO the sabmis-
sion, through its minister at Washington, ofa prop
ositioD adopting that directed by the President on
the 9Th July last with some notifications not in
consistent with our national honor OF this, he said
he should feel quite certain, If he could officially
know that the proposition would probably be ac-
ceptabe at Washington. IL is true that, whilst ex-
pressing these strong opinions, he states that they
are ''not founded upon any direct communication
from those in official station; but are rather the re-
suit of series of facts and nerences entitled, hoao-
spsr in my hs Judgment al least 10 not less ws'gh
He proceeds to stale particularly, shat
lhel would not be unwilling, taking the Presidents
proposition Of the l2yh July as basis, TO urge a
final adjustment Of the question according To that
pIOpOslloa, out tluusoh Day Som-
pany continuance Of the privileges Of joint oceupa-
tion, including the navigation of the Columbia, for
period Of or 10 years longer; and hope may be
allowed TO add, that would be willing 10 the
responsibility Of asserting 10 adjustment by ex-
tending the boundary TO the Pacific by the 49th par
ael and the strait Of Fuca, withree ports TO both
nations; or by extending the navigation Of the Co
lumbia river for longer period, provided similar
advantages upon the 81. Lawrence could thereby be
secured to the United States"
. 81 believe that upon one Of these grounds, per-
hsps upon either. an adjustment may be concluded;
and hare strong conviction thai the mode first tndt-
Gated Is saliTtiy practicable"
This despatch Of Mr. MeLane must have been re-
ceiyed at the State Department about the 10Th Of
February, and Of course II became necessary TO an
swer It by the steamer which was TO leave Boston
on the LIST Of March.
In the mean time the debate on the resolution to
give the notice had commenced in the Senate on the
10Th Of February and Mr.. Calhoun, just before Its
commencement, had offered a series OF resolutions
evidently pointing to a settlement Of the question on
the parallel of 40 degrees. On this debate we pur-
posely foIbear TO comment In the course OF II,
Messrs Allen, flanagan, Dix, and Dickinson in
succession did themselves great honor, and even
elevated the high character which they had pre-
viously acquired. Mr.. Colquitt, in the conclusion
Of speech delivered the 18th February, through
out which he had cast many doubts upon our title,
minated his intention Of offering an amendment to
Mr.. Cnttendens resolution. .F.H..f .. ..rH l....
On the 25th February, MIR. Calhoun urged that
the questions should be Immediately taken on the
amendments land called upon Mr.. Colquitt TO pre-
sent the amendment which he intended to offer as
substitute for that Of Mr. Crittenden. The amend
ment Of Mr.. Colqultt was read for Information, and
its second section was follows: ~
csc. 9 find be il further enacted, That il is
earnestly desired that the long standing controversy
respecting limits in the Oregon territory be speedily
II Il H.
tranquilize the public mind, and to preserve the
friendly relations OF the two countries"
This resolution came up to the point boldly in
good Kings English. Ii assumed that the contro-
yersy was not for the whole territory, but was
merely question Of limits between the two govern
ments. This question Of mere limits 1t proposed to
settle by compromise. And the resolution implies
thatits speedy settlements in the manner proposed,
was necessary TO preseTve the friendly relations OF
the two counries.n II at once surrendered all for
which the President had been contending, and
might well in terms have solicited England to set
lie the question on the parallel Of 40 deg. d.
The next day, Thursday, the 26th of February,
vasto be great feld-day in the Senate. IL was
the last days proceedings Of that body which could
reach Great Britain by the steamer Of the LIST Of
March. The notes of preparation were solemn
and imposing. Il was given out that on that day
the resolution Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
lions would be voted down, and the resolution OF
Mr.. Colqutt would be- submitted. No time was to
be lost as Mr.. Calhoun afterwards observed in the
debate. ale deemed il TO be important, and he
spoke without hesitation on this point tha, should
be passed this very day; because, whatever Onr de-
cison is, il desirable, in his opinion, that ii
should reach the other side Of the Atlantic speedily as
possible" ~ r7. ..a ~
Mr.. Pakenham, The British minister was present
in the Senate chamber from an early hour, hoping,
doubtless TO be able TO communicate to his govern
ment by the next steamer the joyful intelligence Of
the adoption of Mr. CoIqutt's resolution
Bot an unexpected difficulty was interposed. The
rule of order required that Mr.. Crittenden should
accept Mr.. Coqutt's resolution as a substitute for
his own, before the latter could be considered The
Kentucky senator was quite prepared to adopt the
first resolution of Mr. Colguitt, but he boggled at
the second. He was not then quite ready openly
and in terms to surrender at once all claims to
the territory north of 49 degrees This gave rise to
an amusing by-play between Mr.. Webster and him
selfthe former suggesting and the latter resisting.
Finally, @iwhen Mr.. Webster discovered that the
Senate would probably adjourn before the adoption
of Mr.. Colquitt's resolution, he sent out by the
steamer substitute for il, the following missive
to England 5|,
al have the fullest belief (says MIR. Webster)
shat the proposition Of the honorable senator from
Georgia, now on your a6le, concurs with the senti-
nent of large and decided majority of the SEM
ate; that's my judgment. Ia Senator: "Two-,
thirds"] A gentleman near me says two-thirds OF
the Senate. cannot say how that may bc;r but
say my belief is that the unequivocal judgment Of
the Senate is as have represented II; and am
willing to try itthis day, this hour this minute"
Next to the passage Of the resolution ITSELF moth
ing could have been encouraging to the British
government. Az this well might they "look 10 the
Senate" 3Ii1y jjgw
The Senate adjourned, however, without taking
vote on the question.
In addition to this favorable intelligence the
steamer of the Let of March took out to England the
completed series of MIR. Galatns letters, condemn
ing The Presidents course on the Oregon question,
together with letter or similar import from ex-Sen-
ator Rives. These letters were calculated to pro-
duce an effect abroad, to which they were by no
means entitled at home, for the that both gen.
tlemen had represented their country in high dplo
matte stations in Europe The former, whilst min
lister to Great Britain in 1896, had ably advocated
our title to the whole Of Oregon, and therefore his
change of opinion was calculated to produce the
more unpropitious influence the British ministry.
AT this crisis il became necessary for the Secreta-
ry of State TO Mr.. McLane's despatch Of the