The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-10

down. and this strip Of country, which by the Flor
ida treaty, we,had transferred TO Spain, and which
Mexico never conquered invaded was by this
government, unnecessarily transferred TO Mexico.
AT that Time SIR, could have been had Of Spain Tor
the asking perhaps for six shillings and nnepenee
Well, sir We still held on 10 our counties, and they
adhered TO US. No line was and no delivery
made, until Mexico and Texas got into their trou-
bles. In that contest, neither a soldier of Texas
or Mexico ever entered the country north of the
Sabine. But IN 1897, we acknowledged the in
dependence of Texas, and afterwards, in 1889
this line, designated by the Florida treaty, was
run, for the hrst time, and those people then
formally delivered over 10 a foreign power. Here
Is Casa strong case-of inhalation Of our ter
ntory. Add yet there is another. The. western
boundary OF Arkansas was established, | think, In
1924. That boundary commenced forty miles west
Of the southwest corner Of the State Of Missouri
and ran due south 10 Red river. This line was run
Immediately afterwards, and it formed the western
boundary Of all Of western countless Of which
there four Ave. In 1928, without the knowl-
edge OF Arkansas, and in despite Of my strenuous
efforts to pgyent IL, a treaty was made by which
a country opisututng the finest part oC Arkansas,
forty miles wide, and about three i sdred miles
long, organized into counties, IN winch we had
courts OF justice, tax collectors, the ngkt of suffrage
and representation in our legislature, was eeded
away. And 20 whom do you suppose, MIR. Presi-
dent To lndians-to the Cherokees and Choc-
laws; and that too without the decency ordinarily
extended TO Indians, Of paying these people for their
Improvements, from which, e was Stipulated they
were TO be expelled for ms bonent Of the fndixns.
Against the ratification Of this treaty there was the
voice Of the senator from Missouri, Mr.. BEsrox,
and few others only-all tho others, with fun
knowledge of all the facts (for | myself had taken
the trouble 10 lay the facts before the Senate voted
for the ratification Of this treaty. And yet SIR, the
people OF Arkansas, who were poetie4lly de-
scribed by an eloquent senator from Massaehuseus,
NJ C1.o L. hsinQ fha CHILEAN n H. .,a
paraking largely of the warmth Of his fires, sub
miued, without rebellion or an attempt al revolu-
ton, TO those high-handed acts OF injustice True,
sir they complained, for they felt this wrong most
deeply
mention these things only to show, that this
Senate, in the adjustment Of boundary lines, have,
in more Instances than one, coded away a part Of
the well.known and acknowledged limits Of the
United States: never, however, lightly or without
reluctance mention the instances Of our cessions
to Russia to Great Britain, TO Spain, and lastly To
the Indians as presidents, which the United States
il they choose, follow on the adjustment Of this
Oregon question, should it be considered wise under
all the circumstances, to ad Just il. And men,
ton these things for another purpose, which is to
show that if such arc the views Of any senator, il
may be done, without the unnecessary and fruitless
labor of endeavoring to disparage our title to any
part of Oregon.
But still, sir, honorable senator's will not vote for
this notice, because it may lead to war. And so
It may. Not necessarily, for we have the treaty
right give this notice. But, sir, | have thought
for some time that this Oregon difficulty likely
to bring war upon the country. | am no panic
maker, for despise them. have based this con-
cIuson upon the knowledge of my countrymen on
the one hand, and on a careful perusal Of all the
documents upon this subject, on the other. Thu
public mind in this country is intent and earne
upon the settlement Of this question for longer dc
lay; and, from all that | can see, the two gov
H., ,Aa1, g.
dement, ever. We have offered, in the spirit of
compromise, 49o to Great Britain, and il has been
refused by the British minister without even refer
ring that offer to his country for consideration.
Great Britain has not authorized her minster even
to discuss our title to the country north Of 400
Great Britain, through her minister, has offered 10
settle this controversy by the Columbia river as the
boundary. That river, as boundary, he tells us is
indispensable TO Great Britain and that the nayiga-
ton by Great Britain Of that river-which, by the
by, in its present condition, s not Manageable bot for
a short distance-cannot be given up. From all that
can discover, the parties stand firmly and stub
bornly planted upon their respective propositions
no symptoms Of concession on the part of either
our government claiming all, but offering 400; and
Great Britain refusing even to discuss the title the
country north of 400 and insisting upon the river
for the boundary, and its free navigation, in CON-
mon with the United States. What is to be the re-
suit? Both countries excited about it. and that ex-
element daily increasing. II the peace Of the two
countries is to be preserved, these are no times Cor
dilatory pleas or frivolous delays If the peace Of
the two countries is to be preserved, action, Prompt
action, regard as everything. This question mus
be settled now before the elections ara over
or it may assume form which will place il beyond
the power of either government to settle pesceably
Let this notice be given.
But senators hesitate-they cannot vote for it.
because it may lead to war! They stop, as shall
not to inquire into the value of Orr ,gon Thew ask
US if Oregon be worth war. War does not al
WAYS originate in the sandardy alue of the thing in
dispute. Wars, sometimes u &c most bIsody and
disastrous originate in triiiAg causes Our fathers
fought rather than pay unustly a few cents
pound upon tea; they fought for the unjust impress
ment Of few of their seamen. Thew considered
these things, though small in themselves, as in
volving great and Important principles, and hence
they fought. In That war they risked and suffered
great deal They went in debt in carrying on
those contests, but have since paid that deb,
entirely. They issued paper money, but have since
restored the constitutional currency. These things
we, senators, the legitimate descendants of those
fathers Have their examples Of devotion to coun-
try, of courage, energy, Suffering, of selfdenial
hunger, thirst, and exposure, ceased to influence
our judgment, or to animate our heartsi But
by a war we shall lose Orcgon--it will be lost
sight of in the contest! 1t may be 40; it may be
that Great Britain is powerful for the United
States, and that by war we shall lose Oregon
But do not believe it, Notwithstanding, in this con
nexon, we have been reminded Of Engand's thou
sand ships of war, of her 10000 sailors, and OF
her numerous battaions, which are said to be bet.
ter Disciplined and more efficient than any othe,
troops the world ever saw. All these things NAV
be so; yet they have no terrors for this country
As Prince Henry said of Percy: give thee, Eng
land "all the odds Of thy great name and estima.
ton" and yet fear thee not but, on the contra
ry, view thee us power, if need be, the more wor
thy of the manly energies, courage and arms oil
this young republic. Oregon to be lost by a war
Sir in ninety days we are capable, in contest like
this, where the hearts of the people are with u.s.
raise an army numerous, though not so well die
cpned, equally efficient, that led by the grea
emperor into Moscow-for, in this country, arms
constitute part every gcntleman's wardrobe, ant
guns are the playthngs of our children. Yet, after
all, upon our own SOIL and in so Just cause, we
may be vanqushed If we are, trust that, like
the gallant Francis, when he lost Pavia, after doing
all he could to prevent it, we shall have at the end
of this contest the consolation to feel that have
at least preserved honor But, sir, however
hDnoraby il may terminate TO the interest or fame
of this country want no war, IT II can be avoided