Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1846-06-10
What they did not know

- <.-.s...-s.-.--------.-
possess, we have acquired. What they did not know
we have discovered We have extended our claim
by new purchase and VIC have ascortancd. what
Mr.. Madison appears to have suspected, that the
historical statement respecting the establishment of
the parallel OF 40 deg at any west of the Rocky
mountains is incorrect. and that no such line exists
And the same remark applies, although to less
EXTENT 10 lhe cabinets OF Mr.. Monroe, and of Mr.
Adams, both Of whom have been appealed to by the
Senator from Missouri IN support of his position
Florida was not purchased unl towards the close of
the first term OF Mr.. Monroe, and after that time the
notion that the 49th parallel had been established
under the treaty of Utrecht and extended nerbnps
west OF the Rocky mountains may have produced
some impression But 1t is obvious that it did not
permanently influence the course of the government
For Mr.. Rush offered the 5lst parallel as a compro-
mise line for our boundary; and Mr.. Gallatin, as
have already said, repudlated the early offers. and
went back TO the whole claim.
Now, sir, where is this monstrous inconsistency
and injustice which the honorable Senator sees in the
assertion of claim by the present
north OF the 49th (! If the cabinet of Mr. Adams
believed we were included by the treaty of Utrecht
and by line established under it, how they came TO
pass beyond that line, and to offer as a compromise
two degrees of latitude north of it, indicating by the
very offer itself, that Just claim went beyond that
limit And what was meant by the em-protea of
Mr.. Gallatln, announcing that the preceding proposals
those OF 81 and i9-having been It ected his gov
eminent would now contend for the full claims of the
United States! These full claims of course went
beyond 81 deg; and having cot 50 far on the north
side of ~ deg, and 81 40 with tine cabinet of
Mr.. Adams, | shall leave to the honorable Senator
from Missouri the task of reconciling their conduct
with the belief that this barrier of 10 rises like
great ratification 10 check further progress in
northern direction
The Senator from Missouri has again submitted his
views respecting the establishment of tie parallel of
Az under the treaty of Utrecht. In the former dis
cusslOns his object was to vindctae the truth of his
tory, and to redeem the character of the American
Senate from the charge of ignorance. He expressly
stated that he made practical application of the
main fact. Now the ground seems to be changed
The Senator says that my endorsement of Mr..
Greenhow's error in laundering book, lays him
under the necessity Of correcting third error rhich
the ftty-tour tortieS hug to their bosoms
We do not claim any exemption from the ordinary
fralltles OF humanity. If hug 10 our bosOmS the
rights and interests of country, bear be
sneered at, though at the same time may be per-
ml,ed to investigate the facts and the deductions by
which the charges against confidently urged.
| shall not 90 over this matter of the treaty of
Utrecht | am unwilling to allude TO it again
But cannot be driven from my position, surrender
ii without defence shall. however, touch the topic
very briefly, combining myself the views pre-
scented by the Senator from Missouri.
The Senator says that my endorsement of Mr..
Greenhow's plumbers has rendered this vndicaton
necessary. In the first place, have not endorsed
Mr.. Greenhow's assertions conclusions be they
plumbers be they truths. With respect to the only
point made by the Senator before the establishment of
the parallel of 40 east of the Rocky mountains, |
expressly stated that it was a subject upon which
reasonable men nigh! differ. | stated that the posi-
tive and negative evidence produced by Mr. Green
how had induced me TO believe that such line had
been run, but expressly dscaimed the very endorse
ment which the gentleman now charges upon
But will add, that all my subsequent examination
and reflection have fortified this belief and am more
and more convinced that the assertion respecting the
establishment of this Inc is an historical error which
should be removed from all debates this subject
In the second place, the honorable Senator has re-
newed this discussion for purpose, not before
avowed 1t is now not alone with view to vindicate
history, and to redeem the character of the Senate
on the former occasion but also for much more
important Oblect-for the establishment 81 p0itical
right. The subject ceases to be of speculation
and becomes one of action. This line is now pushed
across the Rocky mountains and Is interposed
barrier to the extension of the territorial claim which
our government has asserted.
Before proceed further, allow me to say that the
tfty0ur-Ores occupy the negative side of this posi-
ton. The proof must from their opponents
1t is said that our claim is limited by the parallel of
~ deg. The existence of claim is conceded on all
hands. 1t Its extension north, it is met by the
sertion, that Its further progress in that direction
is stopped by line on the parallel 10 deg. estab
llshed by the treaty of Utrecht more than century
ago. Now let those who say this prove 1t. The
burden is upon them. The assumption, till shown,
and satisfactorily shown, purely gratuitous. And
the proof must be reasonable, and such suits the
circumstances; not loose assertions and quotations
from historical works, without authority upon such
subject And more especially when there as vast
number Of circumstances of positive and negative
character which discredIt the establishment Of such
boundary And when the notices referred to seem to be
repeated successfully from work TO another
without any examination of their authenticity, and
depending perhaps on common and erroneous
origin. Why, the very discussion in which we are
engaged proves the necessity of adherng to estab-
lished principles suit for ia cents could not be
maintained upon such proof as is here adduced when
so much better Is within the reach of the parties.-
Two months are amply sufficient to produce from
the archives of London or Paris evidence upon this
subject which would terminate the controversy. I'M
til that is produced, l. for one, shall protest against
the rights of our country being limited or affected by
the assumption ola line resting merely upon loose
sertlons and upon deductions made for them
With respect to the existence of this line under
the treaty of Utrecht, what evidence, not already
sldered and, think, fairly reu:ed has the
from Missouri produced shall glance at, rather
than examine, the facts he has brought forward
First, he states that the British Indian traders ask
ed as favor to be permitted to trade in Louisiana
south of 40. which was refused. The official conmu
nication of the British ministers, referred in sup
port of the above assertion respecting this parallel
does not support it. The application made under
the treaty of 1874 Louisiana acquired subse-
qucntly. No specific boundaries are alluded to- but
claim is made to trade with the Indians in Louisiana
But the honorable senator states that Major Sod-
dart, who them think, not governor of Louis
lana, but military commandant at st. Louis, in his
sketches of that country speaks of his northern bound
airy as follows:
The Of Crozat by the of the patent
tended the utmost limits of Louisiana that quarter
which the treaty Utrechi In Lib fixed