The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-10
DEBA TIE in the Senate on the
Oregon Question.

The following resolutions, offered by Mr.
Hannegan, were called up:
/. Resolved, that the country included with
in the parallels offorty-two degrees and fit-
ty-four degrees forty minutes north latitude,
and extending from the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific Ocean, known as the Territory of
Oregon, is the property, and part and parcel
the territories ofthe United States.
|. Resolved, that there exists no power in
this Government TO transfer its soil and the
allegiance ofits citizens to the dominion, au-
thority, control, and subjections of any for
eign Power, Prince, State, or Sovereignty.
3. Resolved, That the abandonment or
surrender of any portion of the Territory OF
Oregon would be an abandonment the hon
on, character, and the best interests ot'the A
mcrcan people.
The resolutions having been read
Mr. flanagan moved that the resolutions
he printed, and made the special order for
the third Monday in January,
Mr. CALHOUN said he did not rise to oppose
this motion, but to request that the Senate
would permit him to make n few predatory re
m lrks before submitting the amendments he
Intended to move to the resolutions now be-
fore the Senate.
Mr. President, (said hey though / cannot
give my support TO these resolutions, | am
very much gratiied that they have been NOV
ed by the Senator from Indiana. Whatever
objections there may be to them, they have
at least the merit of being direct, open and
manly. They deny, in direct terms, the au-
thor'ty of this Government to make treaty
in reference TO the Oregon territory, and de-
nonce, as ] understand them, by imputatOn,
tic propositions that have already been made
by our Government TO settle the boundary by
a decision along the 10th parallel ofnorth lat
itude. 1.-THE Senate should support these res
olutions, it is clear that the Question can be
settled thereafter only by force of arms; and
should this be the case, aud war commenced
between the two countries, the United States
aud Great Britain, no peace can ever take
place between the two countries but by our
dictation ut the cannon's mouth.
Mr. President, the vote upon these resolI-
tons will draw broad line, which cannot be
misunderstood, between those who are in ia
vor Of settling the question by an appeal to
arms, and those in favor of more pacific
course. | myselfam in favor of a pacific
Course-ofan adjustment, if possible by ne
gOtiation; and under these views and impress
sions, Mr. President, have prepared series
ofresOmtions antogonistical to those of the
Sanqtor from Indiana, and asserting the OPP
poste principles, which propose to move
hv way of amendment to the resolutions of
the Senator, and ask also that they be printed
| think it is proper occasion to avow the SEN
timents which entertain upon this subject
! am for peace, ifpeace can be honorably pre-
served. | am in favor ofad justiug the diff
guilty. lift can be adjusted, by negotiation; if
il cannot be adjusted by negotiation, am in
favor ottlIat course to be pursued by this
Government which shall throw the onus of
war from our shoulders upon Great Britain
Iapprove ofthe course taken by this Govern
al, M ii oil
the circumstances ofthe case, rs the bounda-
rv believe the desire ofthe Executive is
like my own, for peace-tor an honorable
paace: but it an honorable peace cannot be
preserved, if we are to have war, will stand
Ivy my country in every emergency. q shall
never he fouiul antagonist TO her, though ov-
crrued by those who take an opposite view
from my own. But should a war take place,
il is not going to be an ordinary war; and
while will give every support to my co,m-
try, will hold those responsible who rashly
precipitate the country INTO awar. Sir, on a
deliberate view of the question, ! hope that
whenever it comes fairly before the Senate
for discussion, we shall discuss it in the calm
est manner, and when its true grounds are
fairly seen and understood, we shall come TO
the conclusion to avert n war if possible; but
If not, that we shall be united as one man in
support ofthe country.
Mr. C.'s resolutions were then read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the President ofthe Unit
ed States has power, "by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, to make treaties,
provided two-thrds of the Senate present con
cur"
Resolved, That the power of making trea-
iise embraces that of settling and fixing boun-
diaries between the territories and possessions
of tho ITnitad States and those of other Pow
crs, in case of conflicting claims between
them in reference to the same.
Resolved, That however clear their claims
may be, in their opinion, to "the country III
.cluded within the parallels of AZ degrees and
"a degrees and 40 minutes north latitude, and
extending from the Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific Ocean, known MS the Territory of Or
.egon," there now exists, and have long exist
ed, conflicting claims to the possession OF
the same between them and Great Britain,the
adjustment of which has been the subject of
negotiation frequently between the respec-
tive Governments.
Resolved, therefore, That the President of
the United States has rightfully the power,
under the Constitution, by and with the adj
vice and consent ofthe Senate, provided that
two-tIirds ofthe members present concur, to
adjust by treaty, the claims of the two coun-
tries to the said territory, by fixing bounda-
ry between their respective possessions.
Resolved, That the President ofthe United
States, in renewing the offer, in the spirit of
peace and compromise, to establish the 49th
degree of north latitude as line between the
possessions of the two countries to the said
territory, did not "abandon the honor, the
character. and the best interests ofthe Amer
lean people," or exceed the power vested in
him by the Constitution to make treaties.