Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-21
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE SPANISH TITLE TO OREGON.


The Union of the 18th instant contains an edi-
toral article, more than four columns in length, in
support Of the Spanish title the northwest coast
of America. In the commencement of the article
the writer says:
This title we regard not only as an important
element in the mass of materials upon our side of
the question, but as being Of itself complete and
sufficient, independently of any other, to authorize
action to any extent that good policy may permit or
require. We consider the treaties with Spain and
Mexico, to which we have alluded, as having con-
veyed to us, in the language Of the Presidents mes
sage, clear and unquestonabe title to the whole
Of Oregon, from the forty-second to the sixty-se-
cond parallel of north latitude which is still in force,
excepting so far as il may have been diminished by
the subsequent treaty with Russia, limiting ex-
elusive occupancy to 81 40.
To those who regard the Union as correct ex-
ponent of the views of Mr. Polk, or his Admins
tration with respect to the Oregon question, SO Ella
borate an attempt the part Of the editor support
bold and sweeping assertions appear somewhat
nous and startling But after all that have SEEM would
be severe hold Mr. Polk, the Administration,
or any intelligent individual, (even Mr. Richie himself
sponsbe for all that appears the editorial columns Of the
Union Mr. Richie the freedom of discus
enjoyed by editor Of the Old Dominion and has
yet acquired the habit Of weighing his WORDS those Of his
enthusiastic helpers with that caution and precision which
become second nature those who used dealing in
weighty and precious inAammabe matter. The article in
question no doubt thesis selected for the dis
play Of ingenuity Cor Of the want Of it, by ardent
youth, who still firmly believes that $40 40 is the shibbo
eth Of Democracy, and passport to Presidential smiles.
Since the question, however thus raised may be useful
inquire how far Mr. Polk his elevation the Pes
bos
insist upon the Spanish title the northwest coast upon
which title alone base claim the whole territory
up to $40 40.
The Union declares that the President in his message
asserted that have clear and unquesonabe title the
whole of Oregon" meaning the whole up $40 49, This
Is not exactly true.
In the first place Mr. Polk his inaugural address, said
sour title the country of the Oregon is clear and unques
able and already people preparing perfect that title
by occupying with their and children" Heidi not in
the language of the Baltimore Convention declare title
the cho of Oregon clear and unquestonabe Nor did
he that title perfect but merely that
people preparing perfect it, by acquiring what public
law declares be the best title, occupation title which
had denied ourselves by the subssng convention with
Britain.
In his message the opening of Congress Mr. Polk
these words Though entertaining the settled conviction
that the British pretensons of title could be maintained to
any portion Of Oregon territory upon any principle of public
law recognised by nations &C.; and he further .sThe
proposition of compromise which had been made and rejected
was by my direction, subsequently withdrawn, and title
to the whole Oregon territory asserted and believed
maintained by nrefragable facts ard arguments"
Now, if Mr.. Polk say that he entertained g a
settled conviction that title the territory up $40 40
clear and unquestionable, il follow, necessarily,
that he did not consider HIMSELF President Of the United
States bound to maintain and carry his individual opinion
however well settled, upon question Of great national i'm
Potance. He offered the 49th parallel and what he felt
free to may again. II he felt flee
from public considerations, yield part Of the territory
which he, individual believed title clear and
questionable, be may, from the considerations feel him
self at liberty hereafter to yield still larger part.
But the truth the Oregon, country Of the Ore
gon and Oregon territory, used by Mr. Polk and Others
indefinite and cquivoca No doubt that part of the dis
puted territory which shall obtain will be called Oregon
and it win be all Oregon what the British may obtain will
be designated by other We shall assuredy,
the question settled the whole Of Oregon because
after the division made, there will be other Oregon
existence than that which possess The very question
be settled is what shall be called Oregon
IL Mr. Polk had made up his mind insist upon
title to the whole northwest and territory up $40 4V
he would have been very careful avoid impaing any
the Spanish title, upon which claim the Who'll,
the REVERSE and permitted Mr. Buchanan needessy furnish
the British Minister with argument against the Spanish
title which its impossible for Government
In his letter Mr. Pakenham of 18th Of July last Mr.
Buchanan took occasion TO make the assertion, wholly
called for that the title of the United States the en
region drained by the Columbia river and its branches
perfect and complete before the date Of the Of join
occupa Of October 1918, and August 1927 !; and,
satisfied with this he goes to state particularly, that tn
title Of the United States the valley of the Columbia
older than the Florida feafy of February, 1919, undo
which the United States acquired all the rights of Spain
the northwest Of America, and EXISTS independently
Of IFS provisions Even supposng then, that the Bri
construction Of the Noota Sound convention
could not apply to this portion Of the territory in dispute
convention beeen Great Britain and SPAIN original
ing from dispute concerning petty trading establishment
Nooka Sound, could not abrdge the rights Of ofe
nations Both in public and private law, agreement be
tween parties bind third without his con
sent, express or implied"
Now, all this we may "most powerfully and potendy be
heve, and yet marvel why il thus down" Al
Mr. Buchanan very shrewdly remarked, in subsequent lee
to Mr.. Pakenham, g The argument conducted, no
agains, Spanish but British PIenipotenary." In dis
Pu,e with Spain there would probably have been hardly dis
sen,ng voice in country to the validity Of title te
the Columbia river and the bordering territory. Spain
Ventured to call Cor explorations and esab
ishments IN that territory. We had, and have, ga perfect
and complete title. against All the orlJ N The Columbia river