Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17

iiions can be preserved WITHOUT scme rDedrfca
ftion Of extreme preteusious and upon the pre-
sent occasion, from the length of time iol
which the question had been depending, 10
gether with the often repeated propositions on
. both sides, the TWO governments could moi
have been reasonably expected TO come 10 an
amleabie arrangement without some mutual
concession Of tho1r Former demands.
n. on our side. BY dividing on the 49ih par
, allel and the Straits Of Fuca, we yielded the
Southern cap 81 EancouyeI's Island, Great
Britain surrendered her previous claim to the
jurisdiction aud unoCeup,ed territory between
the 49 parallel and the Columbia ngeF. AT
the same tlme We have affected material
modification ofcuT former offer 10 the surren-
der OF the perpetual nav CATION oilhe Column
bla river To British trade and British subjects
generally. Although from Difference to the
vows and opinions Ut others. which il was no
less iay wish than my DUTY 10 respect, ear
ncNiy endeaVored 10 effect a settlement upon
The bass 81 allowing he nav CATION o. the RIVER
g. general iaes cr peT.od OF twenty wears;
nevertheless. when ihat. from causes 10 winch
| need not now particularly refer. proved TO be
impracicabe. n suggest ng and urging that 1t
shuuia De restricted 10 ihe Hudson Bay Com
rany, thought was eflect.ng an object even
less Objectionable
1t seerns TO me that. in the present state OF
commerce. il i not only the interest but the
practice o. nations independent of some InYet-
eFale notions Of colonial policy, already yield
ing n more enlightened views, TO allow the
greatest freedom Of rivers and ports to the trade
Of the world; and il may be observed that. I'M
I'll the United States and Great Britain shall
determine 10 abandon the reciprocity secured
BY the existing commercial convention, the re-
cent Oregon ,rfajy coniers fewer privileges OF
navigation than may be claimed and enjoyed
under the commercial convention. | 'elt comb
dent. moreover. that long before the two gov
ernments would desire To alter their existing
commercial freedom, if, indeed, they should
eyer desire TO do so, during the continuance OF
peace the Hudson's BAY Company would
cease to have any occasion or motive to navi
gate such river as the Columbia is known TO
be. II would not be easy to imagine any use
they could make eft during state OF peaee,in
consistent with the commerce ant interests OF
our own citizens.
! Universal satisfaction at the adjustment OF a
difficulty so complicated and inyeterate was
scarcely to he expected. and vet II is a source
of satisfaction o know that lis general accep-
tableness TO the country at large affords sur
guarantee OF the continuance OF our future
peace The tone and temper with which the
negotiation was conducted. IN Their several de-
partments, by both governments. have been
credltable to their wisdom and moderation, and
have already served TO elevate our own in the
opinion of other nations.
| sincerely believe that these effects cannot
be TOO highly appreciated and if any portion
Of our fellow citizens, IN any section OF the
country, should ieei that they nave not obtain
ed all the territory or advantages they had ey-
pected to acquire, il may be hoped they will,
nevertheless. be satisfied that the national hon
or. so far from suffering, has really been eleya-
ted by the result, and that, IN preserving the
blessings OF peace, and keeping our country
steadily in career of glorious prosperity, they
will be amply compensated for any disarpolnt-
mcnt they may have experienced. and gam far
more than an equivalent for any doubtful adj
vantage to be sought only through the instTu-
mentality Of war.
Having now effaced upon honorable terms
the last cause that threatened the peace OF two
people of kindred origin, and associated by
commercial relations more extensive and I'M
portant than exist between any other two ma
tons of the globe. may we not now hope 10
begin new career Of International intercourse.
and by the uninterrupted pursui, OF commerce
and the arts, extend and cement our relations
Ii ought to be considered as fortunate that these
results have happened when. by the wisdom
and courage OF British statesmen, new and
important step has been taken i'll the enlarge
ment of commerce. by which the trade Of diff
ferent nations must be vastly extended, and
the motives OF harmonious relations indefinitely
multiplied. As between tie United States and
Great Britain especially, the causes which
ought naturally to associate the two people
upon an honorable basis, and contribute to
their mutual prosperity, may now have iaIr
play. and our competitions in future be con
fined TO a generous rivalry in all that can adj
vance the happiness of the people of both
countries and oi mankind at large
! would do injustice to the occasion II
should omit 10 state II as my opinion that, in
the country and among the people have just
left. these expectations begin 10 be generally
entertained and that the settlement of the
Oregon question Will soon come 10 be unvef-
sally regarded as the knea of those inveterate
lealousies and fueds which. it may be appre
hended, have so long exerted mischevious
influence over the people, II not upon the
councils of both countries.
may say with certainty. also, that what
ever may be thought OF the result by some re-
spectacle portions OF our countrymen, the terms
we have ultimately oDtalnec, no less IMAM inc
vndlcauon Of our rights and the ultimate ap-
provai OF an honorable concession, have added
another reluat.on TO the charge q undue am
biton, aud 10 the mpuisiion upon our nation
al faith anu stability. not unlTequently made
in some quarters Of Europe.
lfthese advantages be properly appreciated.
the time IS not remote when all will be ready
10 ackucwfgc and rejoice III the result.
The occasion may no, be inapt 10 bear my
testimony the sense universally entertained
abroad OF the enterprise and ppnctuality o'ihe
commercial classes OF the United SlaIes, and
&, he inHu,nce i has eXer,ed III SUSTAINING
hmsr can credit. n defiance of causes winch
J too deeply cHpioie 20 attempt al thus tine
NOR. particularly 10 aiude to. J will add too,
tAat even ,hes, causes are begun.ng 10 EEL the
nfurnge d Iuster views anu brighter hope;
and ,.ai Lite more ihan a perStveran by
some oi our local gov rnDentS, IN their exer-
uonS to n,anugn ,he public credit, is needed 10
e,eva,e our county 10 proud and enviabie
rank Among the nations o! the earth.
poT,ro DrsEAsE-The London correspon-
deut o, the boston Alas writes, under date OF
Angus, iS:-