Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-10

own country for suppose the right Of manifest destiny
Spread will not be admitted to exist any nation except thu
universal Yankee nation This right of manifest desti
N.Y. Mr. Speaker reminds Of another source Of title which
worthy Of being placed beside it. Spain and Portugal
all know in the early part of the sixteenth century laid claim
the jurisdiction Of this whole northern continent Of Ame
ca Francis is related have replied to this pretenson
that he should like to the clause in adams VII in
which their exclusive title found Now sir look for
early reproduction Of this idea have no doubt that if
due search be made copy Of this prmeyal instrument with
clause giving the whole Of Oregon, be hunted up
Perhaps may be found in that Illinois in which
the Mormon Testament has been discovered commend the
subject the attention of those in that neghborhood and
will promise to withdraw all my opposition giving notice
taking possession whenever the right of manifest des
ny can be fortified by the provisions of great first pa
rents will.
Mr. Speaker, there is third and in INV Judgment still
more conclusive for regarding this question for
negotiation and compromise refer history, and to the
admissions both sides which that history contains. For
thirty this question has been considered and treated
one not OF title, but Of boundary To boundary line
between Great Britain and the United States from the Rocky
Mountains to the oceanhs has been the avowed object
each successive negotiation 1t has been treated by Mr.
Monroe, and Mr.. Adams and Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Rush.
and by all the other American who have treated
at ALL Offers Of compromise and arrangement have been
peaedy made both sides this basis Three times
have offered Great Britain divide with her the 49h
parallel OF latitude and to give her the navigation of the Co
umba into the bargain Mr.. Polk and Mr. Buchanan them
selves have acted upon the principle up the
Of the final abrupt termination of the negotiations They have
offered again make the 49th parallel the boundary line be-
the possessions of Great Britain and the United States
IN the Northwestern Territory With what face, then,
turn round and declare that there boundary line
to be rum nothing negotiate about and that any such
would involve cesson and surrender Of American soil Such
course would be impeachment Of the conduct of the dis
ungulshed statesmen whose have mentioned II inn
plies mpuaon upon the present President of the United
States and his Secretary of State And explain may
would be regarded as an unwarrantabe and offensive
sumption by the whole civilized world.
Sir, am glad to perceive that the language of the Pres
dents message degree conornable this view
He tells that the history Of the negotiation thus far affords
satisfactory evidence not that compromise ought to be
made, but that " compromise which the United States
ought to accept can be effected"
And this brings another Of my propositions take
issue with the message this point deny that the
ton of the precise offer which made to Great Britain last
summer has furnished satisfactory evidence that compro-
mise which the United States ought accept be effected
Certainly regret that Great Britain did accept that offer.
Certainly think that this question might fairly be settled
the basis Of the 49h parallel and believe sincerely that,
precpate and offensive steps be not taken part the
question will be settled that basis But there may be little
deviatons from that line required to make it acceptable TO
Great Btain and, ought not to hesitate in making
them deny that the precise offer of Mr. Buchanan the
only which the United States ought accept for the sake
of peace Such suggestion impeachment of the wis
dom and patriotism of men by his interiors who have
made other and more liberal offers think that ought to
accept compromise least favorable to Great Britain
give her the navigation of the Columbia should provide
equivalent for it. If the question to be amicaby set
tied, must be settled consistent ich the honor Of
both parties And nobody imagine that Great Britain
will regard consistent with her honor take line less
favorable her interests than that which she has three times
declined within the last thirty years Let say, however,
in regard to the navigation Of the Columbia, that if under
stand Alright il is Of very little importance whether give
withhold it, the river believed not to be nayigabe
all where is struck by the parallel Of latitude
trust that shall add folly to crime, by going to
ther than yield the navigation of unnavigabc river
And here sr have word TO say In reference to a
mark made by the honorable member from New York who has
just taken his seat (Mr PREsTos KISG) understood him
say that the Administration in making the offer of the 49h
parallel Great Britain during The last summer did il with
the perfect understanding that would be rejected appeal
to the honorable member say whether have quoted him
correctly
Mr. KING said had heard it, and believed il to be
Mr.. WINTHROP. There is an admission to which | wish
to call the solemn attention of the House and Of the country
trust in Heaven that the honorable member is mistaken
trust for the honor Of the country that the chairman of the
Committee Foreign Affairs will obtain official authority
contradict this statement
Mr.. G. j. INGERSOLL. will wait for any authority.
deny. il most unquaifedy.
Mr.. p. KING. have no other authority this subject
than public rumor and this believe TO be
Mr.. WINTHROP. 1t cannot be correct What sort of
an Administration you supporting if you believe them
to have been guilty Of act of such gross dupcy in the
face Of the world, in order furnish themselves with pre-
text for would not have heard herenemy suggest such
an idea.
Mr. P. KING, mr. W. again yielding the floor for expa
nation Any OF common might have known that
such proposition the British Government would be reject
ed it has been, without being RENTED the
water.
Mr.. WINTHROP. Better and better. / thank the hon.
oae member for the admission he has made
Mr.. p. KING. You welcome to it.
Mr.. WINTHROP. | am under particular obligation to
vindicae the Of the present Administration. But
American citizen, withoutregard party and with single eye
to the honor Of country would Indignantly repe the idea
that Government whose hands might could be
guilty Of scandaous and abomnable that which
has been imputed it by of its peculiar defenders
But the honorable member admits that any Of
have understood that the Minister Of Great Britain
would refuse the offer which was thus hypocrltcay he
beeves made and would refuse precisely it has been
refused without transmitting the What
them becomes Of all the indignation which has been expressed
and implied by the Administration and its friends from the
Secretary of State downwad the rejection, and par
tcuarly at the of the rejection of that offer Why,
seems after ~ that the honorable member and myself
not very far apart This admission Of his is entirely in
codance with the which have already expressed, that
any compromise whatever to be made, (and rejoice
find that the chairman Of the Committee of Foreign AT
fairs has this morning empatcaly denominsted himself
copromser the rejection Of this precise offer does not
thorze to leap the conclusion that compo
mise which the United States ought accept be effected
Government has thus far made Offer except one
which 'any of common might have known would
be rejected precisely has been, trust will behink it.
self of making another hereafter which will afford to Great
Britain less reasonable petext for so summary proceeding
But Mr. Speaker il is certainly possible that with the best
intentions both sides Of the water all efforts atneg6atng
compromise may fail i may turn out hereafter, though