The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-06
New ORLEANS, December 90, l845.

NEW ORLEANS, December ~, lS4J. g.
To the Editor Of the Union: ..0
SIR: have noticed, with regret, that an effort ia
being made by certain correspondents at Washing
ton Of certain oracuar presses in divers parts Of the
country, 10 force our government back, in the Ore
gon controversy, on the old proposition cfht free
navigation Of The Columbia 10 England Before the
publication of the correspondence on the subject,
would cheerfully have acquiesced in such settle
ment of the controversy; but now that am ac-
quanted with its merits, and the character and en-
tent of the privilege would give, cannot for a
moment entertain the proposition. Under no con-
sera,ion can the claim and jurisdiction Of the Uni
ted States be renquished at all south of the cele-
brated 49th degree, except for harbor and coast
privileges contained in the last proposition of the
Secretary of State; nor the claim Of the United
States to the exclusive navigation of the Columbia
up to the 49th degree be for moment abandoned.
do not wish TO appear arrogant, or presumptuous,
or forward in matter of so much moment; but I
cannot withhold freely expressing myself on the
subject, when hear so many fugemen pipe to the
same tune for peace on any ternts' When honora
BILE senator's disposed TO relinquish what they
are pleased to term the navigation Of worthless
river, or navigabe for but hundred and fifty
miles, to purchase peace with graspng and power
ful nation and their echoes repeat all the coun
try worthless, barren country and rirer nargabt for
only hundred and fifty miles, it appears TO me TO
he high time for the people 10 speak out, TO say
what estimate they put on the matters in dispute.
The Columbia is altogether within the 49th degree
except small bend of one OF its branches. It's
mouth is down as low the 46th degree; and its
arteries and veins ramify through the whole valley
down to the AID degree. In Short The Columbia is The
only rirer Of the 9meoaa Oregon territory and is to
il what the Mississippi river is to the valley which
bears its name. Suppose, for instance, we were to
give Great Britain the right Of navigating the Mis-
sssipp, in like it is proposed TO allow
her to navigate the Columbia, and to what would il
lead' In word, she would pierce and penetrate
into every valley between the Allegheny and Rocky
mountains Her steam vessels would visit all the
States TO which its waters are tributary; and we
would have before us the Illuminating spectacle Of
foreign espionage in the heart of the nation. And
shall this eyer be said Of any part Of the territory
within the Jurisdiction OF the United Slates-of the
valley Of the Columbia for insiancei Not trih ynu
eOnssni! But IL the navigation Of the Columbia il so
worthless, why is England so pertinacious in her
camsl Ifshe wants hqrbors she has them nj Vancou-
ver's island, comparatively only few miles further
north. IL is not for that therefore, that she con-
tendsit is for principle told and for principle
she will goto war; or IL not for principle for pride Of
character Well, it is for principle contend. The
tides are clearly ours; and f she 60 to war for
principle without tile can afford 90 into il tciih
both title and principle. II she can afford il under
the state Of the case, we can also.
But am trsnscending the limits which had pro-
posed to myself in this letter. and will merely repeal
that the government Of the United States cannot,