The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-10

'bssa.;s ;ndniIsd IN Ons orator in describing the
eagle represented him as soaring Tar peyohu mortar
vision into the blue emPyrean, anu 'heh PopnSnS
down on the British lion, making nm spout olood
| like a whale. Sometimes, during the description,
became doubtful whether il eagle at all, but
some obscene bird Of prey, But all this has not d.
yered the minds Of the people from the consequent
ees IN flow from war. They said, in their memo
rial that the present foreign relations Of the country
had excited painful interest in the people OF the
United States. They observed that it is the cause
of widespread agitation, which, II not aayed by
some Unforeseen events, will be productive Of the
most disastrous effects They regard the preserya'
ton Of peace as the true policy and glory OF the
country, not the martial achievements apparently
desired so ardenuy by many honorable gentlemen.
They were disposed to inquire what are our rights
in this territory and in doing so they went fully
into the old Spanish title. They were well ac-
quainted with all the negotiations that had taken
place on the subject and the treaties that had been
made since 1918; and accordingly they knew the
fact that for twenty-eght years we have held ms
territory in conjunction with Great BritaIn-a fact
which they say they cannot but conclude Is either
an admission Of some title on the part OF Oreat
Britain, or a proof Of great delinquency IN our ru-
lers. They say il Spain had good and per-
feet title to this territory in 1878, the Unit
ted States were wrong in combining to rob
falling state Of her right, for II must, al all
events, be admitted that the United States agreed
a POoSco'Aou
the whole The memorialists had examined all the
principles Of national law in regard to title by diseoy-
| ry occupation, and settlement. The said that Tor
two hundred years Spain never had settlement on
the main land, either by authority from the crown,
OF the act Of her subjects; and that there was one
| made under peculiar circumstances which was
abandoned afterwards; hence they have no hesi-
tation in pronouneing this title, az derived from
Spain as void and useless. They say they are sat
isfed the question ought to be settled, and think II
be settled; that II may be settled without dero-
CATION Of the rights Of Great Britain or the United
States without injury to either, or involving US In
war In this sentiment he concured with the me-
moralists He believed that this matter could be set
Iled and he would say further that he trusted If the
administration had taken any erroneous steps, they
would retrace them. He hoped they would allow
no phantom Of false honor TO lead them astray to
the injury Of the true interests OF their country And
as they can settle this question without injury to
these interests, they will, in doing so, be sustained
by nine-tenths Of the people Of the countryj they
certainly shall have his support. He asked that the
| memorial be laid on the table, and be printed
| Mr.. FAIRFIELD said he did not rlse TO reply
at length to the remarks Of the senator from Mary
land, or to enter upon the discussion Of the main
question presented; but simply TO correct what he
deemed TO be impressions Of that senator
in regard TO the convention executed in 1917 and
that Of 1923 affecting the interests Of Maine. II he
understood them rightly they afforded no prece-
in regard to the Oregon territory. He had not the
treaty Of 1914 before him. but he apprehended that
| the senator from Maryland, on recurring to the
treaty Of Client, under which this commission Of
| 1917 was appointed would find that question Of
line a question Of boundary was provided for and
by the parties in the treaty Of 1885, and the only
| question to be settled whether the running Of
that line left certain islands the American or
the British side. The title to the territory was not
submitted any further than was involved in the loca
ton Of q line previously agreed upon. The commits
soners had no power to create line, 10 exam
inc the munlments Of title, and determine whether
| our title was good bad. The question for the
commissioners to determine was a geographical one
merely. They were to ascertain and determine
where, upon the face Of the earth, line previously
agreed on between England and the United States
would fall. The duty was rather mechanical than
Judicial. They were surveyors, and not judges or
arbuators. But il this was such arbitration
the senator from Maryland supposes, instead Of
exulng their acquisitions under it, they should
rather lament their losses. Il should serve a SOL
emn warning TO them not to subject again their terri
torial rights to any such tribunal. Why, instead Of
gaining anything under that commission, they
| lost two of the most magnificent islands in
the world-islands to which their title per-
feet it is to any square foot Of the whole ter
ritory of Oregon. He referred to the islands Of
Campo Bello and Grand Menan. In regard to the
former, which was given up to England, one might
| stand upon the American shore and toss biscuit
upon it, A grosser perversion Of right--of sacri.
fee Of tiue--was never witnessed No, instead Of
this furnishing any argument in favor Of arbitration
of the Oregon question, it should serve as an admo-
milton against it. Sc again to the convention of
1927, by which the king Of the Netherlands was
made arbitrator between England and the Uni
ted States, by recurring TO It's terms II will be found
that the question of title wac not submitted. His
duty was simply to decide where upon the face of
the earth the line agreed upon in the treaty of 1888
would fall And it will he recollected that what he
called his award in this set aside and disre-
garded by both parties. Why? Because he undertook
go be ond the terms of the submission and make
new line, when his power and duty confined to
the locating of old and subsistIng one Ii
not for the king of the Netherlands say whether
title good or bad, where a division Of
the territory would be most convenient for the par
ties Hence his award set aside and disre-
garded. Ii is submitted, therefore, to the judgment
of the senator from Maryland whether he fair
y use this precedent for such submission
is proposed in the case of the Oregon territory
Mr.. PEARCE had but one word to say in reply
The award Of the king Of the Netherlands set
aside because it did not decide the title. The sena
tor said that two islands had been lost by reference
to the commissioners. If so, the title must have
been submitted. II Great Britain got the islands, he
| supposed she had some title to them. II not why
did they not 90 to and reclaim themi He was
sorry that any fresh ingredients had been thrown
into the discussion, on which he had then no desiga
to enter.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. STURGEON presented the petition of Ben
amin Crawford, asking remuneration for the loss
OF property and imprisonment, in consequence of
arrest, by an officer of the United States army while
trading with the Creek Indians, in 1910; which was
referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. s. also presented the memorial Of Jones,
Baker, and others, praying payment of certain
treasury notes purloined from the mail, and put in
circulation instead Of being forwarded to the Pc
utioners; which was referred to the Committee on
| the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr.. CASS presented the memorial of citizens of
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin, praying the establishment
of daily mail between Detroit and Milwaukee;
which was referred to the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads.
Mr.. c. also presented the memorial Of John
Halber, of Michigan, praying remuneration for ex-
ira services as sub Indian agent in the above State;
| which was referred TO the Committee Of Claims.
Mr.. MILLER presented the memorial of men,
bers Of the bar of New Jersey, praying the paymen,
to the district judges Of that State OF the unexpended
\