Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-01-06

party IN possession while treating Of the
title" The undersigned is not inclined to
dispute an assertion resting on such re
spectabilty that the reservation implied by
the words "whle treating of the tlle," ex-
cludes any inference which might other
wise be drawn from the preceding words
prejudicial to the title of Great Britain; and
further, that when the authority Of the
American minister IS thus admitted for an
observation which ispleaded against Eng
land, it is but fair that, on the part Of the
United States, credit should be given 10
England Tor the authenticity Of dispatch
from Lord Castereagh 10 the British minis
ter at Washington, which was communica.
ted verbally 20 the government Of the Uni
ted States, when The restoration Of the es.
tabliShment called Astoria, or For, George
was in contemplation, containing com.
plete reservation Of the rights Of England
TO the territory at the mouth Of The Colum-
Establishment Of the British plenipo,en-
tiaries, Dec. 1920
In fine the present state Of the question
between the two governments appears TO
be this: Great Britain possesses and exer-
cises in common with the United States a
right OF joint occupancy in the Oregon ter
rltory, of which right she can be Invested
with respect to any part Of that territory.
only by an equitable partition Of the Whole
between the two powers.
| Ii IS, for obvious reasons; desirable that
such a partition should take place as soon
as possible; and the difficulty appears to be
in devising line Of demarcation which
shall leave to each party that precise pot-
ton Of the territory best suited to its inter-
est and convenience.
The British governmt entertained the
hope that by the proposal submitted for the
consideration oethe American government
that object would have been accomplished,
According to the arrangement therein
contemplated, the northern boundary of the
United States east Of :he Rocky Mountains
would for considerable distance be car
rled along the same parallel Of latitude
which forms their northcrnboundary on the
eastern side of those mountains-thus uni
ting the present eastern boundary of the
Oregon territory with the western boun-
Diary of the United States from 49th pare-
lei downwards.
FIom the point where the 10th degree Of
latitude interseets The northwestern branch
Of the Columbi1 river, (called, in that pant
of its course, McGllvray's rIver) the pro-
poseo line Of boundary would be along the
middle Of that river till il joins the Column
bia; then aleng the middle Of the Columbia
10 the ocean--,he navigation of the river
remaining perpetualy free to both parties.
In addition. isreat Britain aaars a sapa-
rate territory on the Pac fic, possessing an
excellent harbor with further understand.
ing that any port or ports, whether on Van
couver's island or on the continent south
of the 49ih parallel, 10 which the United
be made free ports.
1t is believed that by this arrangement
ample justice would be done 10 the claims
of the United States, OH whatever ground
advanced, with relation to the Oregon Ter
rltory, As regards extent Of territory,
they should obtain, acre for acre, nearly all
ofthe entire territory TO be divided. As
rel4tes TO the navigation Of the principa
river, they would enjoy perfect equality
of right with G. eat Britain shows every dis
positionto consult their convenience in that
particular. Ga the other hand, were Great
Britain 10 abandon the line of the Columbia
as frontier, and 10 surrender her right to
the navigation of that river, the prejudice
occasoned TO her by such an arrangement
would, beyond all proportion, exceed the
advantage ACQUIRING TO the United States
from the possession OF a Few more square
miles Of territory. Ii must be obvious TO
every partial investigator ofthe subject, that
in adherng 10 the line of the Columbia,
Grea, Brta n is not influenced by motives
of ambition with reference TO extent of terri
tory, but by considerations Of utility, not To
say necessity, which cannot be lost sigh, of
and for which allowance ought to be made
in an arrangement protesting TO be based
on considerations of mutual convenience
and advantage
The undersigned blicves that he has now
noticed all the arguments advanced by the
American plcnipoientiary in order TO show
that the United States are flirly entitled to
region drained by The Columbia river. He
sincerely re greis that .her views on this
subject should differ in so many essentials
respects.
1t remains for him TO request that, as the
American plenipoteniiarv declines the pro-
Posals offered on the part CT Great Britain,
he will have the goodness to state what ar
fragment he is, on the part of the United
States, prepared o propose for an equitable
adjustment of the question: and more es-
pecally that he will have the goodness 10
define the nature and the extent of the
claims which the United States may have
10 other portions of the Territory, TO which
ausion is made in the concluding parts of
his statement; as it is obvious that no ar
rangenent can be mlde with respect to a
portion of the territory in dispute while q
claim is reserved to any proportion OF the
remainder.
The undersigned, British plenipoieniiary
has the honor 10 renew 10 the American
plenipoeniiary the assurances of bis high
consideration.
r. PACkENHAM