Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-02
"Orcgon Controversy settIed.m

Under this imposing caption we transferred to
our last paper, without comment, an article from
the New York Journal of Commerce, announ-
cling, in the most positive and unqualified manner,
the adjustment of the Oregon question-that is to
say, that the prelminaries have been informally
agreed upon, with the concurrence of both par.
ties, and that it now only remains to embody them
IN treaty, and give them the sanction of the
usual official forms. This information the Jour-
nal Processes to have obtained from letters recev
ed by the Great Western "lrom high sources"
stating that the latitude of 40 to the Straits of
Fuca, and thence through said Straits to the Pa
ci6c, leaving the whole of Vancouver's Island to
Great Britain, and the navigation of the Coum-
bia for term of years, bad been agreed upon as
the basis of the treaty of pacifcation.
The Journal is not in the habit of heedlessly
throwing out important statements Of this charac-
ter, from the silly ambition Of anticipating its
cotemporaries, or for the more reprehensble pur-
pose oil affecting the stock market, and enabling
the "Bulls" to prey upon the "Bears." At the
first blush, therefore, were iDdisposed 10 ques-
ton the accuracy Of IFS statement. But subse-
quent reflection induces to apprehend that it
has been itself msled and that sits wish is father
10 the thought" 1t may be- indeed, as the En-
quirer of yesterday commenting on the Journals
article, remarks that there is some probability OF
the prospective realization of the settlement de-
scribed;" but we cannot believe that it has vet
been concurred in by the high contracting parties
1t is not probable, certainly, in the first place.
that during the tendency of the discussion on this
subject in the American Congress, and while it
fa; .Ao, H.. IL r
Its final action, the British Government would re-
sumo the negotiation, twice before abruptly bro
ken off, by submitting a new proposition and
they have not had time to do so, of course, since
the adoption of the joint resolution. And in the next
place, the editorials Of the Official Journal with.
In a few days past, urging the Senate, in a some.
what imperous tone, promptly to follow up the
notice, "bY carrying out the other measures re.
commended by the President in relation to Ore
goD, the most important of which, extending the
jurisdiction of our laws over our citizens in Ore
gon, has already passed the House of Representa-
tives, satisfy that the editor of that paper could
not have been in possession of this information,
upon which the Journal so confidently relies, and
which, if it had been well founded, we take it for
granted, must have reached Washington prior to
u
formed upon the basis stated by the Journal of
Commerce, the "o;her measures" referred to,
though still to some extent necessary, must be
materially modifed-and the Union would
overwhelmingly have exhibited such feverish
anxiety for the speedy action of Congress upon
the bills in their present shape, had it been aware
that the outlines of treaty, rendering some Of
their provisions inapplicable and precipitation in
all OF them both unnecessary and unwise, had
been already agreed upon.
The article in the last London Quarterly Re.
view, which seems to be regarded as semi-official
in its character, indicating a considerable abate.
ment of British pretensons and an earnest desire
to adjust the controversy peaceably in connec-
ton with other significant circumstances, leaves
us but little room to doubt that both the British
Government and The British people are willing TO
make treaty upon the basis suggested in tine ar.
tcle Of the Journal Of Commerce. Surprising
that difficulty removed there is Of course no rea-
son TO aPprehend hostile issue, if our own Co.
vernment is prepared to assent TO terms of COM
promise, which, however just in themselves fall 80
far short Of the high ground heretofore assumed
by the President and his Cabinet We have felt
serious apprebensions that here would be found the
great obstacle to the pacific settlement of the con-
troversy. These aPPrehenSions have been to
some extent relieved, we confess, by the remark
in yesterdays Enquirer, Ito which we hope we
do not give more weight than il is entitled, that
"there may be some probability of the prospec.
tive realization Of the settlement described" by the
Journal of Commerce. While, therefore, we
think the annunciation Of the Journal premature,
we are not without hope that it truly foreshadows
coming events.