The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-02-07
careful and ample examination which
the UNDERSIGNED has been able to bestow


the undersigned has been able to bestow
upon the subject, he is satisfied that
the Spanish American title now held by
the United States, embracing the whole
territory between the parallels of 40
degrees and 54 degrees 40 minutes, is
the best title in existence to this entire
region; and that the claim Of Great Bri-
tain to any portion OF it has no sufii.
cient foundation. Even British geo.
graphers have not doubted our title to
the territory in dispute. There is q
large and splendid globe now in the
Department of State, recently received
from London, and published by Malby
and Company, "manuiacturers and
publishers to the Society for the difiu-
sion Of Useful knowledge" which as
signs this territory to the United States.
Notwithstanding such was and still
is the opinion OF the President, yet, in
the spirit OF compromise and conces-
sion, and in Difference to the action Of
his predecessors, the undersigned, in
obedience TO his instructions, proposed
TO the British plenipotentiary to settle
the controversy by dividing the terri
tory in dispute by the 49th parallel Of
latitude. Offering at the same time to
make free to Great Britain any port or
ports on Vancouver's island, south Of
this attitude, which the British govern
ment might desire. The British pleni-
potentiury has correctly suggested that
the free navigation ofthe Columbia riv-
er was not embraced in this proposal
toGreat Britain; but on the other hand,
the use Of free ports on the southern
extremity of this island had not been
included in former offers.
Such a position as that which has
been made, never would have been au-
thorized by the President, had this been
new question.
Upon his accession to office, he found
the present negotiation pending. 1t
had been instituted in the spirit and up
on the principle Of compromise. Its
object, as avowed by the negotiatorS,
was not to demand the whole territory
in dispute for either country; but in the
language of the first protocol, "to treat
of the respective claims Of the two
countries to the Oregon territory with
the view to establish permanent boun-
dary between them westward of the
Rocky Mountains to the Pacific ocean,"
Placed in this position, and consid-
ering that Presidents Monroe and Ad-
ans had on former occasions offered to
divide the territory in dispute by the
forty-ninth parallel of latitude, he felt
it his duty not abruptly to arrest the
negotiation; but so far to yield his own
opinion as once more TO make similar
offer.
Not only respect for the conduct of
his predecessors, but sincere and an
xious desire to promote peace and har-
mony between the two countries, in
fuenced him to pursue this course
The Oregon question presents the on
ly intervening cloud which intercepts
the prospect of a long career of mutual
friendship and beneficial commerce be-
tween the two nations, and this cloud
he desired to remove.
These are the reasons which actuat-
ed the President to offer proposition
soliberal to Great Britain.
And how has this proposition been
received by the British plenipotentiary?
1t has been rejected without even
reference to his own government.-
Nay, more; the British plenipotentiary.
to use his own language, "trusts that
the American plenipotentiary will be
prepared to offer some further propo-
sal for the settlement Of the Oregon
question more consistent with fairness
and equity, and with the reasonable ex-
pectations of the British government"
Under these circumstances, the un-
dersigned is instructed by the Presi
dent to say that he owes it TO his own
country. and just appreciation other
title to the Oregon territory. TO with
draw the proposition to the British gov
ernment which had been made under
his direction; and it is hereby accord
ingly withdrawn.
In taking this necessary step, the
President still cherishes the hope that
this long pending controversy may yet
be finally adjusted in such manner as
not to disturb the peace or interrupt
The harmony now SO happily subsst-
ing between the two nations.
The undersigned avails himself, &c.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
The Right Hon. r. PAKENHAM, &c.
From the W o. Times, Jan. IA.
MEXICO.
Important news arrived here yester-