Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-10-10


ten under this alleged mistake is communicated in justice
both to Lord Aberdeen and Mr. McLans.]
You strongly express the opinion, notwithstanding the
listing difficulties that would be my your power with
any improper commitment Of the President TO lead to
renewal Of the negotiation by this the British Government
and TO the submission, unless another mode would be
desirable through its Minister at Washington of proposition
adopting that directed by the President the 18th July last
With notifications inconsistent according the
sense lyon entertain of il, with national honor OF
this you should feel quite certain, if you could officially
know that the proposition would probably be acceptable
! Washington"
The concluding paragraph omy despatch you of the 29h
uimo Ono ~ which you will have received shortly after
making this suggestion is perhaps sufficient to indicate the
which the President would pursue case such an
Offer should be made through the British Minister Wash
ngton
The President since the date Of his message seen no
TO change his opinion, either in regard title
Oregon the in which il ought to he asserted
But the federal constitution has made the Senate certain
extent, coordinate branch OF the treaty making power
Without their advice and treaty be concluded
This power could not be entrusted TO wiser better hands
Besides in their legislative character they constitute portion
OF the war-makng, in their executive capacity they
pose part OF the treaty making power They the
personalities OF the sovereign States Of this Union and are
regarded the best index Of the opinion their constituents
rejection Of the British umatum might probably had
war and as branch OF the legislative power would be in
cumbent upon them TO authorize the necessary preparations
render this successful Under these considerations the
President Difference to the Senate and the theory
tho constitutional responsibilities of the different branches Of
the Government will oego his opinions far as to
submit 10 that body any proposition which be made by
the British Government, not in his judgment wholly ncon
sIstent with the rights and honor of the country Nor the
fact 10 be disguised that from the speeches and proceedings
the Senate is probable that proposition to adjust the Ore
question the parallel of 40 degrees would their
favorable consideration.
But IT necessary to be explicit In your despatch
you have presented three propositions, either of whchyou be-
eve the British Government would be willing make for the
adjustment OF the controversy and you express g strong
conviction that the mode first indicated is entirely practicable
The first would oeran adjustment of the question the basis
OF the Presidents proposition of the 18th July last but
cedng TO the Hudsos Bay Company continuance of the
privileges OF Joint occupation, including the navigation of the
Columbia, for period of ten years ongeL" The
proposition made by the President which you refer was
that the Oregon Territory shall be divided between the two
countries by the 49h parallel of north latitude from he Rocky
Mountains TO the Pacific Ocean offering the
make free to Great Britain any port ports Vancouvers
island south of this parallel, which the British Government
may desire"
The President would feel no hesitation in presenting to the
Senate for their previous advice and consent this popo
sltlon modified according to your suggestion.
1t is necessary, however, that there should be
Outstanding OF what by continuance of the pr
veges Of JOINT occupation If this he understood securing
to the Hudsons Bay Company, during that limited PERIOD no
more than the privilege Of enjoying all their existing establish
menS together with that of hunting fishing, and trading
with the Indians and the harbors and south of
the parallel of 40 degrees this would prevent tie Pres-
dent from submitting such proposition to the Semte. Of
course, similar privileges would be extended American c-
oil
PARALLEL which doubtful But concession could be made
to this company which would, the time deprive the
United States of the power establish territorial govern
mcn the whole country south Of 40 degrees and make
grants of land south of this parallel The President cannot
however anticipate any possible change of
which would induce him to submit such proposition if
should contain surrender to Great Britain of the perpetual
right navigate the Columbia grant Of the free navga
ton of the St Lawrence the United States would he no
equivalent for such concession. Indeed this has become
comparatively vaueess in consequence of the of
the railroads and canals leading the habos of New York
and Boston, which have rendered these the channels of
import and export for the region within the United
tered by the St Lawrence and its tributaries.
The President DESTROYS adjust the Oregon question
not TO leave open any from which might proceed
new difficulties and new dangers again to threaten the peace
OF the two countries If the free navigation Of the Columbia
granted Great Britain this would become perpetual
cause OF strife and collision between the citizens and subjects
of the two countries would be almost impossible by any
vigilance which could be exered their respective
revenue laws and prevent smuggling either side of the ri
ver Besides there several poages around the falls and
rapids of the and It's branches the of which would
be necessary to the enjoyment of its free navigation This
would Introduce the subjects of Great Britain their
chandse into the heart of the country, greatly in
crease the mischief beyond what it would he if they
fined to the channel Of the To the evils which
would attend such concession, have but imagine what
would have been the consequences had the British Govern
ment succeeded in securing for its subjects the navigation
OF the Mississippi from its to its outlet in the Gulf Of
Mexico.
The President would also consent though with reluctance
to submit to the Senate the second proposition suggested by
you, dividing the territory dispute between the
tries by extending the boundary the Pacific by the 49th
parallel and the Strait of Fuca but without the supeadded
words, with free ports to both nations These words
indefinite, and he cannot infer from them the of your
meaning In the first proposition to which you refer
should be made by the British Government the President
would object the of his offer of the 18th July last
" to make free 10 Great Britain any port ports Vancou-
ves island south Of this parallel, which the British Govern
ment may desire. II the cap of this island should how
ever be surrendered Great Britain would he the
under the second proposition, then he would consider the
question IN regard to free ports terminated need not
large you upon the inconvenience mpossbty,
under system Of Government after States shall
of making any OF their ports free to Great Britain any
other Besides system of drawbacks
other nations the material advantages of free ports without
their inconvenience.
There point which il necessary to guard whether
the first second proposition should be submitted by the
British Government The Strait OF Fuca is Of the
and under the public law, all nations would possess the
same right to navigate throughout It's whole extent they
have to the navigation Of the British channel STILL to
prevent future difficulties, this ought be clearly and dis
ncty understood 1t is rendered the necessary when
recoect that the Russian Government many years
asserted claim to the exclusive navigation OF the north
Pacific ocean, between its Asiac and American terrific
RES on the principle that it ga close sea"
From what have said you will perceive that the third pro-
position to which you refer will appreciation of
the President, to the extent Of submitting the
Senate.
Thus have presented frank and unreserved exposition
Of the views Of the President this important subject To
what you should communicate them Lord Aberdeen
is left entirely to your discretion The Ptesdent relies
with implicit confidence your sound judgment prudence,
and patriotism.