Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-02-28

form which can be devised, no matter what
may be the character OF the arbitrator
whether sovereign, citizen, or subject.
This reason is, that he does not believe the
territorial rights Of this nation 10 be prop
err subject Tor arbitration. Ii may be true,
that, under peculiar circumstances, if the
n 'erests at stake were comparatively small,
and If both parties stood upon an equal
footing, there might be no insuperable OBJ
lection TO such a course. But what is the
extent Of territory in dispute on the pres
enl occasion 1t embraces nearly thirteen
degrees of latitude along the north. ives,
coast Of the Pacific, and stretches eastward
10 tie summit OF the Rocky mountains.
Within its limits several powerful and pros
porous States Of the Union may be embra
ced. Ii lies contiguous, on this continent,
to the acknowledged territory Of the Uni
ted States, and is destined at no distant
| day to be peopled by our citizens. This
territory presents the avenue through which
the commercS.of our wsotAsn States can be
piofitably conduM r. With Asia and the
western coasts of this continent and its
ports; the only harbors belonging to the
| United States to which our numerous wha.
lers and other vessels in that region can re-.
sort. And yet, vast as are its dimensions,
it contains not single safe and commodi.
Gus harbor troufiN southern extremity I'm
Ill we approach tfe 4sth parallel OF latitude.
1t is far frorn. the intention of the under.
signed again {, open the discussion of the
conflicting claims of the two powers to
the Oregon territory. Ii is sufficient for
him 10 sta:e the continued conviction OF
the President, TINT the United States hold
the best title in existence to the whole OF
this territory. Under this conviction, he
cannot consent TO leopard for his country
all the great interests involved, aad by any
possibility, howevea remote, to deprive the
republic Of all the good harbors on the coast.
by referring The question TO arbitration.
Neither is the territory in dispute Of equal,
or nearly equal, value to the two powers.
Whilst it is invaluable to the United States,
it is of comparatively small importance t"
Great Britain. To her, Oregon would be
but distant colonial possession Of doubtful
value and which from the natural progress
Of human events, she would not probably
ong enough enjoy TO derive from it essen,
tiaI benefits {; whilst to the United States II
would become an integral and essential por-
ton Of the republic. The gain to Grea'
Britain she would never sensibly feel
whilst the loss to the United States would
de irreparable.
The undersigned is perfectly aware tina,
such considerations can have no bearing
upon the question Of the title Of either par.
ty. They are presented solely for the pur.
pose Of explaining the views Of the Presi
den, in his refusal to adopt any measure
which should withdraw our title from the
control OF the government and people OF the
United States, and place it within the dis
erection Of any arbitrator, no matter how IN.
lteligent and respectable.
The President cordially concurs with the
government Of Great Britain in desiring
that the present controversy may be ami
cably adjusted. or this, he has given the
strongest proof before the whole world
He believes that, as there are no two ma
tons on the earth more closely bound toge
Their by the ties of commerce, so there are
none who ought to be more able or willing
10 do each other justice, without the inter
position of any arbitrator.
The undersigned avas himself of this oc
casion to renew to Mr.. Pekenham the assn
rance OF his high consideration.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Right honorable RICHARD PAKENHAH, &c.
&c. &c.