The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-17
SPEECH
Mr.. SOLOMON FOOT, OF VERMONT
ON THE

ON THE
OREGON QUESTION.
Delivered in the House Of Representatives., U.
S., February 6, 1876.
The Committee of the Whole on the state
Of the Union having under consideration a
resolution reported by the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. entitled "A resolution of no
tice to Great Britain to annul and abrogate
the convention between Great Britain and
the United States Of August 9th. 1927, rela-
tive to the country OH the northwest coast OF
America, westward OF the Stony mountains,
commonly called Oregon
Mr. FOOT, of Vermont, having obtained
the floor, addressed the committee as fol-
lows:
MIR. CHAIRMAN: Il has been my misfor-
tune TO have been confined at my lodgings BY
severe indisposition, for the most part of the
time during the progress Of this debate. !
know but little OF the character and scope OF
the dicussion, except as have occasionally
glanced at the reports. Under these circum-
stances, | can expect 10 do little more than
TO travel over track already beaten; TO say
little more than has already been often and
better said by gentlemen who have preceded
me. Indeed, under any circumstances, II
would be little better than arrogant presump-
ton in me to essay TO add any new argument,
or to give any new interest 10 question after
it had undergone so long, so elaborate, and
so able discussion the question now be-
fore US has received. 1t was my desire and
my purpose in the early part of this debate TO
have expressed my views to the committee,
had not my attendance upon the House been
interrupted. Feeling, as l do, the embar
rassment Of addressing the committee at so
late period Of the discussion. and after the
question under consideration has called forth
the best talent, the highest eloquence, the
profoundest research, and the rpest expert
ence upon the floor Of this House, that pur-
pose would now be abandoned but for an inn
perative sense of obligation | feel, that. upon
a question of such momentous and vital con-
sequences to the whole end every part of our
country as is involved in the resolution before
us, the State, which l in part represent here.
should be heard upon it. even though ii be
through the voice Of the humblest of her rep
resentatives upon this floor. Much rather
would have been saved the task. flor ii is
with the most extreme and uaffected reluc-
lance that | ever attempt TO address this
House, and that what trust and believe to
be the prevailing opinions and sentiments Of
The people of that State upon this subject.
shonld have been expressed by either one OF
nv more learned and gifted colleagues But
as il is, Mr.. Chairman, | must beg the indul-
seuce of the committee while | venture to
submit TO their consideration some general
views upon the subject which has already
occupied so much of their attention.
Allow me 10 say, in the first place, Mr.
Chairman, that do not propose, in the few
remarks which my recovering strength will
enable me to present. at the present lime, 10
go into al examination OF the grounds Of the
respective claims of Great Britain and the
UniIed states to the Oregon territory. The
lime allotted me is insufficient at the same
time to allow me 10 present some other views
in connection with this controversy between
| the two Governments as | desire to do
Moreover, the question Of title has been very
| fully discussed both here and elsewhere.
| The result of the best and most impartial ex-
animation | have been able to give TO the
subject, upon nv own mind is, that both Gov
ernmeuts have certain rights and claims
there, not, perhaps, very clearly defined thai
neither Government has a clear or perfect
title TO the whole of the Oregon territory
that neither can rightfnlly assert an excu-
siye claim TO The whole, or extend its own ex-
elusive jurisdiction over the whole of it, con-
sistentIy with the rights and claims of the
other. The question Of title in controversy
is peculiarly of that character, which renders
it eminently fit and proper subject for ne
gotiatIon and compromise. However we
may affect TO regard our title TO the whole Of
Oregon as clear and perfect. England is
doubtless equally convinced that she has the
better title TO part OF that territory. Not
unlike all parties 10 a controversy, we very
readily, and easily, and naturally satisfy our
selves that we are in the right, that the oppo-
sing party is in the wrong. The controversy
in this instance, as to the question Of right, as
to the question of title, let US bear in mind, is
not among ourselves; it is with another par
~, with another Government, which claims
title against US TO "a part Of this territory
This controversy has existed for more than
twenty-five years. 1t is question Of con-
fictiug title between two Governments, each
urging and insisting that it has the stronger
and better claim. The arguments which
have been addressed by each Government to
the other, through their diplomatic cores
pondence, however ingenious and able they
may be, are nevertheless rather the ingenious
and able arguments OF counsel for client,
than Of The judge pronouncing au impartial
decision upon the merits of The case. These
conflicting claims have been the subject of
discussion, of argument, of negotiation, of
mutual propositions Of compromise and set
Elements at different periods and under differ
ent administrations, representing the views
and policy of the two leading diverse politi-
cal parties in the country, during this whole
period of time. Both Governments have &C.
cupied the disputed territory, in the mean
time. TO certain extent, and Tor certain pur-
poses, as they now occupy it by virtue of
conventional agreement.
The direct question which is now presen-
ted to US, and which | undertake TO say is
prematurely and inconsIderately forced upon
the consideration of the popular branch OF
the Legislative Department is. whether Con-
gress shall direct by unconditional notice shall
forthwith be given for the termination Of the
convention of 1927; and whether, as neces-
sary resulting consequence of such notice, af-
Ter the abrogation Of the treaty, we shall as
sert an exclusive claim to the whole oil the
oregon territory, and extend over the whole
OF II our own exclusive sovereignty; or