Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-12


quirod or have grown up during the Joint
occupation, would most probably inter,
pose the greatest difficulty in the way of
ali amicable adjustment. And it is now
obvious that the proposed reservation of
the right TO the lludson's Bay Company
of freely navigating the Columbia, and
that in favour of the British occupants
north Of the river, produced from this
source; although it is probable that more OF
less pride may be felt giving up now. win
out what they may deem an adequate
equivalent, what has been hitherto tender
ed by our negotiators.
In fact, except in the surrender TO the
United State of The tile of the lands not
occupied by British subjects between the
Columbia and the 49th parallel, and also
the surrender of the jurisdiction over the
river and the country within the same
limits, [ am afraid it may, with some plau-
sibiity, be Contended that there is no ma
terial difference between the present pro-
position and that offered 10 MIR. Gallain
by Messers. Arlington and Huskisson, the
British negotiators, in 1927.
1t is scarcely necessary for ME 10 state
that the proposition, as now submitted,
has not received my countenance.
have, therefore, felt it my duty to dis
courage the expectation that it would be
accepted by the President; or, if submit
ted TO that body, approved by the Senate.
do not think there can be much doubt,
however, that an impression has been pro-
duced here that the Senate would accept
the proposition now offered, at least with
out any material modification, and that the
President would not take the responsible
ty OF rejecting ii without consulting the
Senate. If there be any reasonable ground
10 entertain such an impression, however
erroneous, an offer less Objectionable, in
the first instance at least, could hardly Oe
expected.
1t may be considered certain, also, in
my opinion, that the offer now to be made
is not to be submitted as all ultimatum, and
is not intended as such; though have
reason 10 know Mr.. Pakenham will not be
authorised TO accept or reject any modifi-
cation that may be proposed on our part;
but that he will, in such case, be instruc
ted to refer the modification to his govern
ment.
1t is not easy to conjecture, with any
certainty, the extent TO which this Govern
ment might be induced to modify the pro-
position, even if they should be assured
that the Senate, no less than the Presi-
dent, demanded it. 1t must not escape OBJ
servatlon that, during the preceding ad-
ministration OF our Government, the eX-
tension of the line on the 49th parallel to
the Strait of Fuca, as now proposed by
Lord Aberdeen, was actually suggested by
my immediate predecessor as one he
thought his Government might accept; anC
that, in regard to those English subject
who would be left within American juris
diction by adopting that boundry, he con
sidered the provisions of the I'd article O
jays treaty as precedent for a conve
nient mode of dealing with them.
By the I'd article of jays treaty, how
ever, British subjects would not be secur
ed in the absolute title of all their land
and effects, as fully as by Lord Aberdeen
proposition, but would be allowed the Op
ton to continue as British subjects an
without any allegiance to the government
of the United States; which, according t
Lord Aberdeen's offer, as | understand il
they would not possess. In point o. fac
therefore, the substantial points of the pre-
sent offer, and those which may be eXpeC
ted to be regarded as most Objectionable
are little more than the embodiment of tn
various offers and suggestions which {
different times have, in some form or othe
proceeded from our own negotlators.
have myself always believed, ifthe e.
tension Of the line OF boundary on tn
10Th parallel by the Strait of Fuca to til
sea would be acceptable to our govern
ment, that the demand of right freely
navigate the Columbia river, could |
compromised upon point of time, by col
ceding it for such period as might be n
cessary for the trade of the Hudson's Be
Company, north and south of the 10Th pa
alel. Entertaining great confidence
that opinion, and deening 1t only reaso
able, confess that, from an early perlo
have used every argument and persu
sion In my power TO reconcile Lord Abe
deem 10 such limitation; and, although
am quite aware thai, with q portion of Il
British public, an importance it by l
means deserves, is attached to the navig
ton of the Columbia river, and that
others it is undeservedy regarded as
point of pride, have been disappoint
by the pertinacity with which it has bee
with so much risk, insisted upon. Fet
ing very sure, however, that the prese
offer is not ade or intended as an al
matum. think it only reasonable to
fer an expectation on the part of tho
who are offering it, not only that modI