The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-02-27

| tHS iihO o''oH.H 'u' oAOHS VIZ SNN Va
a river, and actually divided the
territory in dispute between the par
ties by ''the middle of the deepest
channel of the St. Johns
The undersigned might content
himself, in answer to the present
proposition, with reference to the
observations contained in his last
note to Mr.. Pakenham, of the Sd III
timo. In that, it was plainly intima-
ted not only that there are "other
conclusive reasons for declining the
| propositions" independently Of the
one which had been prominently sta
ted, but it was expressly asserted as
the belief Of the President, "that any
attempt to refer this question to a
third power would only involve it in
new difficulties"
The undersigned viii however pro-
coed to state "A single reason which,
apart from the intrinsic difficulty
OF selecting suitable arbitrator as
well as other considers tions that
might be adduced, is conclusive on
the mind Of the President against a
reference Of this question to arbitra-
ton, in any form which can be de-
yised, no matter what may be the
character Of the Observation-Disclosures
er sovereign, citizen, or subject.
This reason is. that he does not be-
lievc the territorial rights Of this ma
ton to be proper subject for arbi-
tration. 1t may be true that, under
peculiar circumstances, If the inter-
est at stake wete comparatively
small, and if both parties stood upon
an equal footing, there might be no
insuperable objection to such a
course. But what is the extent of
territory in dispute. on the present
occasion? 1t embraces nearly thir-
teen degrees of latitude along the
northwest coast Of the Pacific, and
stretches eastward to the summit of
the Rocky mountains. Within its
limits several powerful and prosper
Gus States Of the Union may be en-
braced. It lies contiguous, on this
continent, to the acknowledged ter
rjtory of the United States; and is
destined, at no distant day, to lie peo-
pied by our citizens. This territory
presents the avenue through which
the commerce Of our western States
can be proftably conducted with
Asia and the western coasts Of this
continent, and its ports the only har-
bors belonging to the United States
to which our numerous whalers and
other vessels in that region can re-
sort. And yet, vast as are its di-
mansions, it contains not single
safe and commodiouS harbor from
its southern extremity until we ap-
roach the 49th parallel of latitude.
1t is far from the intention of the
undersigned again to open the dis
cussion Of the conflicting claims of
the two powers to the Oregon terri
tory. 1t 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 territory. Under this
conviction, he cannot consent TO
leopard for his country al the great
interests involved, and by any pos
sibiIity, however remote, to deprive
the republic of all the good harbors
on the coast, by referring the ques-
ton to arbitration.
Neither is the territory in dispute
Of equal, or nearly equal, value 10
the two powers. Whilst it is inval-
liable to the United States, it is of
comparatively small Importance to
Great Britain. To her, Oregon
would be but distant colonial pos
session, of doubtful value, and which,
from the natural progress of human
events, she would not probably long
enough enjoy to derive from it es-
sential benefits whilst to the Uni
ted States it would become an inte-
grail and essential portion of the re-
public. The gain to Great Britain
she would never sensibly feel; whilst
the loss to the United States would
be irreparable.
The undersigned is perfectly a
ware that such considerations can
have no bearing upon the question
of the title of either party. They
are presented solely for the purpose
of explaining the views of the Pres-
dent in his refusal to adopt any mea-
sure which should withdraw our IT,
tie from the control Of the, govern
ment and people ofthe United States,
and place it within the discretion OF
any arbitrator, no matter how intel
ligent and respectable.
The President cordially concyrs
with the government Of Great Britain
in desiring that the present contro-
versy may be amicably adjusted.
OF this he has given the strongest
| nrnof hnfore the ,vholo yyorlJ IIo