The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1846-03-06

Wus cl6urlY and explicitly confined TO the
decision Of which was The line Of highlands
described in The treaty Of peace Of 1883, yet
ins.ead of pursuing any range Of highlands
whatever, he advised that the line should
ruu along tho bed river, and actually divid>
sd lho territory IN dispute between the par
ties BY, the middle Of The deepestchannel Of
the ST. John's.n
The undersigned might content himself,
in anweI 10 The present propositions, with a
reference 10 tho observations contained IN
his last note 10 Mr.. Pakenhaui Of the Sd ult. |
In that, Il was plainly intimated not only
that there are ~Other conclusive reasons for
declining The proposition" independently Of
the one which had been prominently stated
hui IA was expressly asserted as the belief Of
the President, .'that any attempt to refer THE
question TO a third power would only involve
Il in new difficulties
The undersigned will, however, proceed
10 state a single reason which, apart hom
the intrinsic difficulty Of selecting a suitable
arbitrator, as we'll as ether consultations that
might be aGduced,is conclusive on the mind
of the President against a reference of this
question to arbitration, in any form which can
be devised, no matter what may be the
character Of the atLiualor-whelher sover
ereipn. citizen or subiecl The reason is, that
he docs not believe the territorial rights Of
this nation 70 be proper subject for abiira>
lion. limay be true, that, under peculiar cir.
cumslances. IL the interests at stake were
comparatively small, and If both parties stood
upon an equal footing, there might be no
insuperable objection to sucl, course. But
what is the exiept Of territory in dispute on
the present eccasion2 II embraces nearly
thirteen degrees Of latitude along the north.
west coast Of the Pacific, and stretches east
ward 70 the summit Of the Rocky Mountains
Within its limits several powerful and pros
prrous States Of the Union may be embraced.
II lies contiguous on this continent, to the
acknowledged Territory Of the United States,
and is destined, at no distant day, 10 be peo-
pied by bur citizens. This territory presents
the avenue through which the commerce OF
our Western States can be prO6tably con-
Quoted with Asia and the western coast Of
this continent; and its ports, the only haTbors
belonging 10 the United States TO which our
numerous whalers and other vessels in that
region can resort. And yet, vast as are its
dimen,ons, il contains not a single safe and
commodious harbor from It's southern extrem
i'y until We approach the lo:ty ninth paral~
ell Of latitude.
II far from the intention Of the under
signed again 10 open the discussion Of the
conflicting claim Of the two powers TO tie
Oregan territory Il is sufficient for him to
state the continued conviction, of the Pres
ident; that the United States hold the best
title in existence to the whole Of this terri.
tory. Under this conviction, he cannot con-
sent to leopard for his country all the great
interests involved, and by any possibility,
however remote, to deprive the republic OF
oil the good harbOrs on the coast, BY refer
ring the question 10 arbitration.
Neither is the territory in dispute Of equal,
or nearly equal, value to the two powers.
Whilst il is invaluable to the United States,
it is Of comparatively small Importance TO
Geat Britain. TO her, Oregan would be but
distant colonial possession Of doubtful val
ne; and which, from the natural progress of
human events. she would ont probably long
enough enjoy to derive from it essential ben.
Eft whilst to tue United States it would
become an intergal and essential portion Of
tuO lePuolCs lH5 Bdlh 10 NIodl DUtdln sue
would never sensibly feel, whilst the loss TO
the United Safes would be irreparabe. .
The undersigned is perfectly aware that
such considerations can have no hearing upon
the question Of The title of either party
They are presented solely for the purpose Of
explaining the views Of the President in his
refusal to adopt any measure which should
draw our title from the control Of the COVER
ment and people Of the United States, anC
place it within the discretion Of any arbitra'
tor, no matter how intelligent and respecta
be
The President cordially cOncurs with The
government OF Great Britain in desiring tina
the present conToversty may he amicabl
adjusted. OF thsshe has given the stronges
proof before the whole world He believe
that, as there are no two nations on the cart
more closely bound together by the ties q
commerce, so there are none who ought t
be more able or willing to do each other lus
lice, without the intepostiOn Of any arb
traitor.
The undersigned avails himself Of this &C
casion TO to Mr. Pakenham the as
suraRces Of has high consideration
JAMES BUCHANAN.