Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-04-09

" me Oonnuhfy between Ihe Two co1nlrlt
on this side The Rocky Mountains, and h,
been since the purchase OF Louisiana tro
France.
I do not think it important either To prov
or dlsprove the Tact, that commissioners undo
the treaty Of Utrecht established the 49t
parable as the boundary between tho Engls
, and the French possessions IN America
Ancient maps and descriptions so rcprcser
1t some saying that this line OF boundary
\ To run tInde6nilcly wcst,' others saying. /
terms. that II extends "to the norlhwesler
ocean," But, what is more important, W
! have considered this boundary M estab llshe
by the treaty Of Utrecht, al leas, on tins sid
of the Rocky Mountains. II was on lh
strength Of this that we drove back The Brltsl
pretenslons. after we had Obtalned Louisiana
north, from The head waters Of the Mississippi
to this parallel of 40.
This is lndubtable. We have acted there
fore ard induced others 10 &C, on the idea tha
this boundary was actually established. II
now so stands in tho treaty between the
United States and England. II on the gen
eral notion of coniiguiiy or continuity. this line
be continued "Indehnliey west" or is allow
ed TO run 10 the "nOrlhwestern ocean," then
/ u leaves on our side the valley Of the C0um,
/ bia, to which, in my judgment, our title is
malntanable on the ground Of Gays dis.
cOvery.
The government of the United States has
never offered any line South of forly-nlne.
with the navigation Of the Columbia and II
never will. 1t bchooves all concerned to re.
gard this as n settled point AS to the navl-
CATION of The Columbia, permanently or for d
term of years. that is all matter for just rcn-
sonable and friendly negotiation. But the
49tb parallel must be regarded a. the general
line Of boundary, md not to be departed
from for nny line farther South. A. for all
straits, and sounds, and ISLANDS, in the neigh.
boring sea. all these are fair subjects for
treaty stipulation. II the general basis be
agreed to, all the rest. II NAV be presumed,
may be accomplished by spirit oi fairness
and amiiv.
And now, Mr.. President. if this be So why
should this settlement be longer delayed p
Why should either Government hold hack
longer from doing that which both, ] think.
can see must he done. II they would avoid n
rupture? Every hours delay - injurious TO
the interests Of both countries. |, agltalcs
both, dlsiurbs their business, interrupts their.
intercourse, and may. in time, serlonsly at.I
feet their friendly and respectful feeling to-
ward each other.
Having said this. Mr.. President. il would
be needless for mr, rYop ifi' were proper, Ia.
add more. | have expressed nv own opIn-
IONS plainly and without Disguise ] think !
see clearly where THIS business must end, #
It is 10 end without serious collision, and
earnestly hope that those IN whose hands
power Is on both sides, will exercise that
power promptly. in removing the great evils
produced on both sides hv The pcndcncy OF
his unfortunate, disturbing, aud dangerous
IL is not cnse in which either Govern.
nent should stand on matters Of form or
The Interests AT stake arc too I'm
porinnt fo- that. |, rs not hnmllmton. It j..
nu' condesccnson even. for cIther Govern.
ncnt to signify to the other us readiness to
10 NJ once what II seems must he done ul,.
natcly. Thus far tho dispute docs not touch
he honor of either G"verument let, then,
he proplllous moment be seized let candor.
md fairness. end prudence rule the hour and
et thcs" two great nations be- restored tn the
nI enjoyment of their vast useful and har.
nOniOuS intercourse. i
Mr.. Alien sold that tho Senator from
Massachusetts having expressed 1t as hls
opinion that the resolution calling for certain
niormn,ion from the Executive should for the
PRESENT be suffered TO lie on the table. which
uggeslion, he presumed, would be complied
ylih, II became unnecessary Tor hm To cutter
lpon the discussion of The resolution.
II Is tue constliurlonally, (Sald Mr. A. J.
md true m regard To our luicrcOurS" with
'ach other here, that oil The members of the
Senate are on n strict equality with each
,ther bu, II Is nlso irne that the long cy-
,crencc Of some Senators in the public
,usiness of the country, and the place they
'ave acquired in the Judgment OF The coun-
ry, make whatever they say here on great
rational question oi much more importance
han i: would be If IT fell from some others
rhe Senator from Massachusetts has taken
lls position this morning, for the first time,
m this great Oregon question. And not
,nly has he done this but he has also taken
prccaGl'on against the posi-
'llity of having his position mistaken "A
'recauion growing by no means on Of any
want Of capacity to address the Senate with
nj such full and accurate notes of what he
: about TO say. There is = solcmn'y IN the
orm with which his opinions have been an
,ounced to. day, which, connected with the
;nown character, ability, and influence OF
hat distinguished Senator, makes The de.
lnraIlon one OF great Importance.
There nrC three pnluts stated by him. A
The frs, is, that IN hI> Judgment the Prcsl-
lent of the United States has committed II
mistake on this Oregon question ; that he
las made mistakes of several descriptions
,ut mainly m having asserted the clcnrness
II The American TILE 10 the whole nf the
erri'ory up TO the Russian lInc. and in the fact
hat he did this IN hc same message m
yhlch he recommended The termination ol
he convention of ONT occupation. The
senator thinks that, by announcing that ttl"
n immediate conncxron with such a recon-
neudatlon. the President has embarrassed
he Oregon question and that therefore
hn,cvcr mHy be the results Of the action ol
congress upon the question, NIL the dlfli"ul.
les Which NAV cnsuc are tu be traced back
o this error Of The President ~ his message.
Now this II the first orcasIon-ihc very
irsi, that | have hcnid, on the n ,ot uf th".
senate, any blame east on the President by
my Senator, who like The Senator from Mas
nchuseits. has no difficulty ~ comprehend
ng the meaning and lnicuiun ofthc mcs.nn'.
Other =, nators have SAID That 'ii The m.s~agr'
means .hiS, ntn against n. mud II n means
hat I disagree with ~ iIui ihc Senator
A ..