The daily union., 1846-09-30
CON GRE ssIoNAL.
SUBSTANCE on SPEECH DELIVERED BY
HON. LEWIS CAss,
or MICHIGAN.

the ratification Of the Oregon treaty, with add
tons.
In the progress of our controversy with England
Mr.. President, for the possession Of Oregon, we
have at length reached the last step of our march
For almost hafa century that country has formed
a subject OF discussion between the two nations
ard recently il has threatened 10 become subject
fhoslilities.
A treaty Is nov presented to us, which, if rati-
fed, will terminate this cause Of difference by the
abandonment Of large portion Of our claim, and
what Is still worse, by the abandonment of more
than ever offered, contemplated IN any
one Of the various phases Of this diplomatic contest
say, II ratified; but il seems scarcely necessary TO
speak eondltIonslly upon this matter AS TO thr
English government, il can hardly refuse its formal
To instrument prepared by itself IL comes
10 us, as Il came from England, and, as has been
said, without ''the crossing Of the dotting Of
an I, ustouched and unchanged" And as TO the
issue Of our present discussion, the course II has
taken, and the vote we have already given, announce
but clearly that we shall return IL, as We re-
ceiyed IT, making its terms our own.
This Is the second chapter in the history Of this
convention. As | have said, IL was prepared IN
England, not jointly between our minister and q
Bfitlsh diplomatic agent, but by the British minis
t:y; and when il reached the Executive that func.
uonary, In the exercise Of an unquesiionable con
stIutional prerogatye, submitted II 10 the Senate,
asking their advice, respecting the expedieney OF
accepting It's stipulalons, and accompanying thi
application with unequivocal declaration, that ht'
oun opinions on The Oregon question, announced In his
annual massage al Inc commencement et The pTsani
session Of COngres, "rsmain unchanged" The ad-
vice, thus asked, was promptly gwen, wlthoul
printing the papers, referring the subject, agreea
by 20 invarable usage, and with but one day be
tween the receipt Of the message, and our final
tion upon it. So promptly indeed, that an honora
ble senator from Connecticut, while rebukDg tht
hot haste, which characterized proceedings, re-
lid hat .n.fehin1 af this
hungry dog snatches at a bone.
Well, the advice given 10 the President 10
negotiate with the British government, sgreeaby t.
their proposition, and the President as he had pre-
yiousy announced TO US he would do, II we recon-
mended it, caused this projsi to pass through the
usual forms OF negotiation, and it now comes to ut
as a treaty, drawn up and signed by the proper
diplomatic agents, and ready for our ratification OF
rejection, or il need be, for modification.
The first reflection which arises in the practical
consideration Of this subject is this that the propo-
sillon transmitted to Is not an ulmatum, or, ~
vlher words, il does not contain the most favorable
terms we can obtain. lis prCei to lie met in the
usual progress of diplomatic controversy by eoun
ter prajst One party says, ask so much. The
other answers, and SO much; and then follow mu'
tua CONCESSIONS, till both meet upon common
ground, part TO meet in Our minister at the
British cour-an able, upright and experienced
statesman, possessing the confidence Of the country
and OF the administration, and deserving it-has
said in despatch dated 18th May, ls46, and laid
before US by the President: alt may be considered
certain, llso, in my opinion, that the offer now to
be made is not to be submitted as an ultimatum,
and is not rendered such" at has not received
my countenance."
And. in another part of his despatch, he speaks
as distinctly and unequivocay upon this subject
Feeling very sure, however that the present offer
is not made or intended an ulmatum, think il
only reasonable TO infer expectation the part
Of those who offering il, not only that modlca-
tons may be suggested, but that they may be rea-
sonaby required"
al do not think" says Mr.. McLane, "there can
be much doubt, however, that an impression has
been produced here, that the Senate would accept
the proposition now offered, at least without any
material modification, and that the President would
not take the responsibility of rejecting 1t, without
consulting the Senate"
''lf there be any reasonable ground to entertain
such an impression, however erroneous, an offer
less objectionable, in the first instance, could hardly
be expected"
Certainly not, and circumstances indicate that this
impression of the British government, respecting
the action the Senate, will not be erroneous.
And why this hot haste' Is there anything in the
state of this controversy or in the relative condition
Of the two Countries, which requires US to act pre-.
cipitatey sacrificing our own just rights, lest the
future should deprive US of the present opportunity
purchasing security by concession' I'll the ex.
pration of year, from the time of the notice of the
dissolution Of the existing convention was given,
and Till one of the parties shall provide for excu
sve upaon Of the country in dispute, this con-
troversy car not become an armed contest And
within that period, we can communicate our own
views more than twenty times to the British govern
ment, and more than twenty times receive their
ceptance or modification of them. Surely this is
verge enough for consideration, without rushing to
decision at the expense of interests not to say
of our honor. 'r..
The honorable senator from MISSOURI has said
with great candor: "They, (the British ministers,
have not made their proposition an utmatum; they
leave it open to objections, and of mod
ifcatons. have no doubt the three minor articles
might be modified to my entire satisfaction" And
what are the provisions of the articles thus denom
mated minor, and not deemed worthy of an attemp,
at modification E'-''@ '.
One of them grants the free navigation of the Co
umba river; another the possessions Of the Hudson
Bay Company, and of all other British subjects
down TO the parallel of ago and the third the con.
frmation of the "farms, lands, and other property
of the Pugets Sound Agriculture. Company north Of
the Columbia river"
And what reason is given by the senator from
Miss uri for the instantaneous ratification Of the
treaty, with this knowledge that by asking we shal
obtain the REIMBURSEMENT of these demands; in the
Of the navigation Of the Columbia river known
TO ne injurious in ITSELF and particularly unaccepta
bic 10 the American people; and in the case Of the
grants and coDfrmatons, without the least evidence
W Eulue US US " tncH Suiuc, OF pOeluOn
Why, two motives for immediate action are present
ed One that the business Of the country is suffer
ing; and the other, that we are at war with Mexi
co, and that so long as difficulties unadjustet
with Great Britain, that circumstance ,oiu hare AZ
Encouraging influence the spirits Of our neighbor
"Let the treaty be rarifedet the news of the rati
fcation 60 to Mexico, and the tidings Of that even
will do more than army with banners to turn hel
thoughts upon peace with the United States. Peace
will then be her policy" &c. ,... ..
am not at all disposed to analyze these views.
would merely remark, that happen what may, W,
are seeking a doubtful good, at the certainty of q
gr at saerihce. think The honorable senator from
Indiana has clearly shown that the low price Of -four
charged by the senator from Missouri to 'these ru
mors Of war;" has its origin in an abundant croE
and limited demand, and has little to do with III,
Oregon controversy. But suppose we proceed with.
out delay TO give assent to this treaty. major
minor articles and all, and we should find that
kets did not rise in consequence Of it; that though
"there is not farmer but what has suffered in the
price OF his produce" yet that he would equally
suffer then, and that the business of the country
would not feel that elastic bound which is confident
l,,, ,l.v .rh ri of