The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-09

Mr.. ArCHlSON, from the Committee on PEN
sioDs, reported bill for the relief Of Geo. Ment-
ling which was read, and passed to second read
ing. ,~,s.>, -
coed TO the consideration Of the special order Of the
day; which motion was agreed TO.
oREGoN--THE "EoncE."
Mr.. EVANS obtained the floor and said; Mr.
President the resolution which is now before the
consideration Of the Senate, and which has engaged
its attention for many days past proposes 10 author
iIe the President Of the United States To give notice
to Great Britain that the convention Of 1918, and
Dewed in 1927, respecting the claims of the two
tons in the territory on the northwest Of Amer
ca shall be annulled and sbrogated at the expira-
ZION OF twelve months. This step, II has been agreed
by all parties, believe, is one Of very decided
character. The honorable senator from New York,
when he first addressed the Senate, so expressed
himself The honorable senator from Michigan,
who also advocates the notice. has referred to il in
the same manner. Both Of these senators, we'll
as others, have said that very important conse-
auences are TO follow from II. The honorable sena-
tor from Michigan, although he does not say that If
this measure Is adopted war Is inevitable, yet he
does say that il be adopted the United States cam
not recede, and in his view Great Britain piH NOT
and, although war il not inevitable he says he
no way in which war can be avoided. Now, sir, if
il be not esrtain-ift be IN any remote degree pos
sible that the adoption Of the is 20 lead TO
such momentous consequences-then II becomes US
all to weigh this matter with the utmost delibera-
ton; and those who ask Us TO Jake such an impor-
ant and decided measure this is confessed TO be
which raay lead (ifnot certain TO do SOY TO those
consciousness those who ask US TO take step Of
such a character, are bound, ~ ss.nas me TO
show beyond all possibility Of doubt that il is a
measure demanded by lust regard TO our honor aud
our interests-that il isa measure that can be de-
Tended before the face Of the civilized world.
4 in ahvioua air from the dIsclasona which
have already taken place. that among those who are
friendly 10 this important step, which is 10 produce
such mighty consequences for good for evil, and
change to such degree our relations with Great
Britain, If not the world, that there is very con-
siderable difference Of opinion as TO the grounds of
giving this notice. On the one hand several gentle
men-the senator from New York well az the
senators from Illinois and Indsna-hsve all said
that this is the first step we TO takei and that
are TO take this step in yindicaton Of title to the
whole Of what they are pleased TO call Oregon that
il we give this notice. we give 1t for the purpose of
asserting and maintaining our title TO the extreme
limits Of $40 40; that there is TO be no compro-
mise no adjustment, no further negotiation in
spect To any Just compromise settlement Of line
OF boundary between ourselves and Great Britain.
They regard II as question Of title TO the whole.
The senator from Illinois says he does not mean TO
preclude negotiation altogether, because there are
several matters, Justly the subject of negotiation,
which will arise afterwards-such as making GER
tain concessions to the Hudson Bay Company, and
so on; but oil negotiation as 10 an adlustment Of
line Of boundary that coast is TO be out Of the
question. Now, If the notice which il is proposed
TO give ia to be considered hus-ifit is TO commit
the Executive and those who vote for the measure,
the full measures they conceive are TO follow-it
seems to me there are very great and weighty OBJ
jections to such a step. On the other hand gen.
tlemen who are understood to speak the views Of
the President, tell US to give the notice-not to
assert our tte-not for any such purpose-Rot at all
They tell US that the President has already made prop
osons to settle line Of boundary; not TO adjust the
question Of title, but to settle line Of boundary by
which all the country beyond the 49th degree Of
north latitude is TO be given to Great Britain, and all
TO the south Of that line retained and although the
President has made that proposal and Withdrawn
it. vet that he still and Intends II the offer
shall be renewed TO himor II, by such a change in
the circumstances of negotiation he can fairly re-
new it-he is bound TO accept it, and adjust the diff
fcutes in the matter; that il not The meaning
or true sense Of the Presidents language, that
ascribed to him by some friends of the notice-but
that that measure was regarded as one to enable
him to negotiate and compromise, which is the OBJ
ject sought to be accomplished by the Executive,
who is to carry il into effect whatever Congress
may order him. Here stand debating what we
are to do. What will be its effect IL seems to me
we might well pause here, and say we will not
20 further into this matter without some distinct as
if il pass. The senator from Illinois thinks there
il not great difference after all between these vari-
Gus propositions here proposed He approves of
that which emanates from the Committee on Foreign
Reations--which is prompt, decided, unqualified
because it asserts our title to $40 40 at all hazards
At the same time he says the amendment of the
senator from Georgia is very Objectionable, but no
great harm can come Of it, because, by its adop-
ton, the notice will still be given and the Presi-
dent is committed on the subject, and he will take
care that our claims to the whole are asserted
Now, sir, that is what want to know desire to
know if the adoption Of the amendment of the sem
ator from Georgia takes place, the Senate is to
consider the President as pledged thereby to
our title to $40 40, or if they resolve to stand by
him in that policy at all hazards and whether, if
we do it, do it in this On the other hand
the senator from North Carolina tells US he has no
particular objection to the resolution Of the
Committee Foreign Affairs; for, although
it is in favor of a prompt and unqualified
notice, yet we have the commtta of the
President that he will settle and adjust this mat.
ter on the basis already offered Who is right
When is this notice to be carried OUT What is to
be made of it if passed have already said we might
well pause and call upon those who represent the
if there are any such here, tell
what are the purposes intended to be accomplished
by the executive if this notice from either
house of Congress. Because, if it is to be pushed
to the extreme point, as some gentlemen say, and
that tnere Is 10 DC no IuTtneT attempt at adjustment,
no negotiation to settle a boundary, but for some
minor negotiations; if the results oft are, in the eye
of the experienced Senator from Michigan, a remote
10 sever the pacific relations now existing
between the two nations, then / say those who do
not desire to sever these relations would like to
know it, that they might give their votes accord
ingly. The step we see proposed is Of so decided,
marked and strong character, as to be likely to
lead to such results The senators on the other side
have all avowed they would not recommend it, and
the senator from New York said it was only 10 be
justified by perfect conviction of title to Oregon
being clear, unquestionabe, and ndispuable and that
duties and responsibilities resting upon US wise
and prudent statesmen, we should not rush over
this course 80 as to be involved in such manner.
That il his opinion. Now if il should happen that
there are any who think their title the best, who
possess the strongest hope, that it may be found
clearif in review Of all this, they differ in opinion
with those who assert it clear and UNREASONABLE
the fullest extent, they would be justified by the
senator's own argument in taking this decided step.
They could not Justify themselves to their consciences
or their country. While it was matter of ques-
ton, they at least could not give their votes to real