Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-20
To the Editors Of the Whig:

~ Nv - NV
Gentlemen:-lhave read the last speech OF J. Y. Adams
on the Oregon question. and it is, TO my humble cspscity,
the most eItraoidinsry Of his whole political life. lhavs
always awarded to Mr.. A. the need OF patriotism and de.
vsion TO the best interests OF our common country. lhave
always viewed him., with ali his eceenIiciies. take him all
in all, e. one of the greatest men that ever lived, and al
though old enough 10 be in his second childhood, he has
the memory Of vigorous youth, and il, indeed, as has been
said OF him before, "a living record of the history OF his
country" With al NV admiration for his virtues, his wig
or Of intellect, his tne talents, his general acquaintance
with the customs and us,ges Of mankind 10 other words.
the laws Of na,ions-l cannot but think that his last effort
falls far below the man. In attempting 10 add something
in the discussion o. which, 'every argument, every fact,
and every confederation Of every sort, that could have pow.
er over the human mind, had been brought forward" he has
to my mind, made a lame argument. He refers to Holy
Writ Us the foundation of our claim to Oregon, and specih.
cilIy points TO three verses in the LIST chapter OF Genesis.
IN which we are told that "God made man In his own image,
and gave Tim dominion ever ell things, and commanded
him Ia be fruitful and multiply. aud replenish the earth and
subduc il" II this be the foundation o. our title, may not
England or any other nation claim II by the same authorityi
M. a. tells u that discovery "eonters no title in Itself
Exploration gives but little more OF II utle." "Nothing 10
complete but sciual possession" But does he tell US how
we are 10 get possesSonl Give the twelve months notice
according To the terms of the Convention : What then 7
Suppose England toiuses To quit What Is the conse-
quencel Viii he drive ieT away No other course Is left.
His whole arCum-n, is b sed on the idea OF force. Force
mus, be used to dislodge England from her strong holds in
Oregon. Can we succeed by f'rcel IL IS evident we
cannot. But Nj. A. has fuund out that the Convention
was adopted not FOR Joint occupation, but for non-oeeuPa-
ton. tits readily admitted that neither party hal exclusive
rights or suIhorty IN the iernIorr, and IN that state OF
thugs il was agreed that the whole country, 'wiiha all its
natbors. BAYS, creeks, and the navigation OF all rivers,
within the same, be free and open for the term OF ten years.
and afterwards, by the Convention Uf 1897, extended indie
fnitely, to the vessels, citizens and subjects OF the two pow.
ers;" with ia, proTision that either party might withdraw
by giving the twelve m 'ntns notice. II this IL not joint
occupation, what isl ii : argument Is TOO absurd 10 imposs
upon the humhesi eaprciy. But, says MI. A. Occupation
Is what | want, aud what | would get BY putting an end 10
the Convent on OF 1925" Woula he, by tais hasty and
rash measu c, involve this nauOn in all the horrors OF war;
Would he cut the thing up by the roots ut once, and close
the door forever 10 all future negotiation, and thereby lose
Oregon in a contest about III Or, IL he determined, like
VIZ. Polk, to accept nothing that England can otieri /
ask the people to read the late correspondence between
Mr.. PakenhAm and MIR Buchanan. Task them, after they
have So read, II a iairer proPos ton was ever madet The
proposition 70 arbitrAte the PARTITION OF territory was reject
ed becsuse IL might be said It Nss an admission on our part,
that We did not own the whole Territory -thatit was a cues
uon Ut utle ard not OF partition. MIR. ?. then proposes to
arbitrate the question oil title. and that was refused. and
upon grounds wh ch cannot be sustained by the people
Nr. 4 aud Others tell " there will be no war. For my
part cannot see how it's TO be avoided, unless England
gives up every thing. The eAacrons Of our Government
increase in the proportion that the tone VI the British PEG
pie Is eonciiatory aud pacific. The course Of me English
press upon the reception Of the Presidents Message, is
worthy II oil praise. and VIC should have the mssnanimity
10 meet England hSl!-way, in the came spirit, and not M
crease our demands as she comedies her cl-lms. WI Mr.
4. tell lle s,untrv how war Is to be avoided Suppose En-.
gland, as suggested oy The London Times, make the propn-
siti1n made by Mr.. g. illatn. will Mr. Pulk accepiii lie
will not, because that proposition gives up the navigation OF
the Columbil 10 England. Under these circumstances,
see no way TO escape a var, aud It it does come, we shall
be To ba me. and must be responsible Tor its csiamiues -
May God avert II! BRUNSWlCh.