Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-02-20
and the folly and madness of running head.
long into afrutless war:


Isl. That neither Of the two Powers has an
absolute aud indsputable right to the Who'll.
contested territory that each may recede f,or,
its extreme pretensons without imparino r.'
tionnl honor or wounding national pride and
that the way is therefore still open for renew.
al of negotiations.
Cd That the avowed object Of the United
States in giving notice Of the abrogaton Of The
convention, is the determination to assert and
maintain their assumed right If absolute and
exclusive sovereignty over the whole territory:
that Great Britain is fully committed on that
point, and has constantly and explicitly declar.
ed that such an attempt would be resisted, and
the British interests in that quarter be protect.
ed and that war is therefore the unavoidable
consequence OF such a decisive step-a war not
only necessarily calamitous and expensive,but
in its character aggressive, not justifable by
the magnitude and importance of ito object,
and Of which the chances are uncertain.
81. That the Inconvenience of the present
state Of things may in great degree be avoid.
ed that if no war should ensue, they will be
the same, il not greater, without than undera
conve ntion That no single object can be gain.
ed BY giving the notice at this time, unless il
be TO do something not permitted by the pre-.
sent convention, and therefore provoking reels.
lance and productive Of war. II a single other
advantage can lie gained by giving the notice.
let il be stated.
4th. That it has been fully admitted BY
Great Britain that, whether under or without
question, the United states have the same
rights as herself to trade, to navigate and to
occupr, and make settlements in and over ev.
cry part of the territory; and that If this state
of things be not disturbed, natural causes must
naturally give the whole territory to the Uni>
ted States.
Under these circumstances, il ID only asked,
that the subject may be postponed for tho
present; that Government should not commit
| itself by any premature act or declaration that
| instead OF Increasing the irritation and excite.
meEt which exists on both sides, time be given
| by mutual reflection, and for the subdual or
subsidence Of angry and violent feelings. Then
and then only, can the deliberate opinion Of the
American people on this momentum question
be truly ascertained. 1t is not perceived how
he postponement for the present and for time
can in any shape or in the slightest degree, in-
jure the United States.
The establishment Of kindred and friendly
Power on the Northwest coast Of America 10
all that England can accept, all perhaps that
he United States ought TO desire. 1t seems
almost incredible. that whilst that object may
be attained by simply not impeding the effect
| OF natural causes, two kindred nations, having
such powerful motions to remain At peace. and
standing at the head of European and Amor.
lean civilization. should in this enlightened age.
give to the world the scapdalous spectacle, per-
haps not unwelcome TO some of the beho'ders,
of an unnatural and unnecessary war; that
they should apply all their faculties and ex-
haust their resources in INJECTING, each on tho
other, every injury in their power, and for what
purpose? The certain consequence, indepen.
dent Of all the direct calamites and miseries Of
war, will be mutual increase of debt and tax
alton. and the ultimate fate Of Oregon will
be the same as if the war had not taken place.
ALBERT GALLATIx.