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

occupation, would most probably inter-
pose the greatest difficulty in the way of
an amicable I'D usiment. And it is now
obvious that the proposed reservation of
the right TO the Hudson'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 il is probable that more or
less pride may be felt giving up now. with.
out what they may deem an adequate
equivalent, what has been hitherto tender
ed by our negotiators.
In fact, except in the surrender 10 the
United State of the title 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-
sibility, be commended that there is no ma.
terial difference between the present pro-
position and that offered to Mr. Galatin
by Messers. Arlington and Huskisson, the
British negotlators, in 1927
1t is scarcely necessary for me to state
tUul tu0 piopooihul, uS hpW euouilt'Su'
has not received my countenance.
have, therefore, felt il my duty TO dis.
courage the expectation that it would be
accepted by the President; or, if submit
ted 10 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 it 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 De
expected.
1t may be considered certain, also, in
my opinion, that the offer now TO be made
is not to be submitted as an ultmatum, and
is not intended as such; though have
reason 10 know Mr.. Pakenham will not be
authorised TO accept or reject any modif-
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 10 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 Pres-
dent, demanded il. 1t must not escape OBJ
seryaion that, during the preceding ad-
ministraion OF our Government, the ex.
tension of the line on the 49lh parallel to
the Strait of Fuca, as now propos I'd by
Lord Aberdeen, was actually suggested by
my immediate predecessor as one he
thought his Government might accept; and
that, in regard to those English subjects
who would be left within American iuris-
diclion by adopting that boundry, he con
sdered the provisions of the I'd article O
jays treaty as precedent for conye
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 Abcrdeen''
proposition, but would be allowed the op
ton to continue as British subjects anC
without any allegiance to the government
Of the United States; which, according t.
Lord Aberdeen's offer, as understand it
they would not possess. In point o. fact
therefore, the substantial points of the pre-
sent offer, and those which may be expec
ted 10 be regarded as most Objectionable
are little more than the embodiment OF TIT
various offers and suggestions which a
different times have, in some form or other
proceeded from our own negotiators.
have myself always believed, the ex
tension of the line of boundary on thu
49lh parallel by the Strait Of Fuca to thu
sea would be acceptable to our govern
ment that the demand of right freely tt
navigate the Columbia river, could b.
compromised upon point of time, by con
ceding it for such period as might be ne
cessary for the trade Of the Hudson's la.
Company, north and south of the 49th par
allel. Entertaining great confidence il
thai opinion, and deeInng 1t only reason
able, confess that, from an early period
have used every argument and Persua
sion in my power to reconcile Lord Aber
deeu 10 such limitation; and, although
am quite aware that, with portion of tn
British public, an importance it by NJ
means deserves, is attached 10 the navlga
lion Of the Columbia river, and that II
others it is undeservedly regarded as
point Of pride, | have been disappointe
by the peitinociiy with which it has beer
with so much risk, insisted upon. Fee
ing very sure, however, that the presen
offer is not made or intended as an ult
nahum think it only reasonable TO il
fer an expectation on the part of thos
who are offering it, not only that modlt
cations may be suggested, but that the