Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-08-05
VOLUME III-NUMBER %.
CHAS. WOODRUFF, EurroR AND PRorRrBroR.
TERMS.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
OF the United States communicating a proposition
the part of the British Government, for the ADJUST
ment Of the Oregon Question.
June 10th, 1846-Read
To the Senate Of the United States:
lay before the Senate proposal, in the form OF
Convention, presented to the Secretary OF State on
the 9th inst by the Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenpotentiary o. her Brittanic Majesty fort
settlement CT the Oregon Question, together with
Protocol of this proceeding. submit this proposal
to the consideration of the Senate and request their
advice asto the action which, in their Judgment may
be proper to take in reference to it.
In the early periods of the Government, the opin-
ion and advice of the Senate were often taken in adj
vance upon important questions of foreign poll
cy. Gen. Washington repeatedly consulted the SEN
ate and asked their previous advice to which he al
ways conformed his action. This practice, though
rarely resortcd too in later times, in my judgment
eminenty wise, and may, occasions, of great i'm
portance be properly revived. The Senate are (is
branch of the treaty-makng power, and by consult
ing them Gt) in advance o. his action, upon i'm
portant measures of foreign policy, which may ultl
maely come before them for consideration, the Pres
ident secures harmony of action between that body
and himself The Senate are (is) moreover, branch
of the war-makng power, and it may be emlnently
proper for the Executive to take the opinion and ad-
vice upon any great question which may involve In
its decision the issue of peace war; On the pres
ent occasion the magnitude of the subject would IN
duce me- under any circumstances, to desire the pre-
yious advice the Senate and that desire is ncreas
ed by the debates and proceedings in Congress
which render it, in my judgment, not only respectful
to the Senate but necessary and proper II not nds-
pensible, to insure harmonious action between that
bodv and the Executive. In comforting on the Ex-
ecutye the authority to give the notice for the abro-
cation of the Convention of 1927, the Senate acted
nnbclv so lar part, that the decision the pro-
nosal now made by the British Government, without
definite knowledge of the views OF that body IN
reference to it, might render the question still more
complicated and difficult of adjustment For these
reasons invite the consideration of the Senate to
the PROPOSAL of the British Government for the set
Element of the Oregon Question: and ask their tits)
advice on the subject.
Nv opinion and action on the Oregon question
were fully made known to Congress IN my annual
Message of the I'd December last, and the opinions
therein expressed remain unchanged.
Should the Senate, By the Constitutional majority
REQUIRED for the ratification of treaties advise the ac-
ceptance OF this proposition, or advise 1t with such
notifications they may upon full elaboration deem
proper shall conform my action to their (lts) ad-
vice. Should the Senate, however, decline by such
constitutional majority to give such advice, OF to ex
press an opinion on the subject, shall consider 1t my
duty to reject the proposition.
I also communicate herewith an extract from dis
patch of the Secretary of State to the Minister OF
the United States at London, under date OF the 2Sth
of April last, directing him In accordance with the
Joint Resolutions of Congress " Concernlng the VI
egon Territory, to deliver the Notice to the British
Government for the abrogaton of the Convention OF
the 9Th of August 1927; and also copy OF the No
tce transmitted him for that purpose together with
extracts from dispatch of that Minister to the Sec
rotary of State, bearing date the 18th May last.
JAMES X. POLK.
WA sB1NGroN, June 10, 1916.