The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-23

By The British gopsussni NOT Ia his judgment iohOtiy
Inconsistent 9th the rights and honor Of The country
speeches and proceedings in the Senate IL is proba
bic that proposition to adjust the Oregon question
on the parallel Of 40 degrees would receive their IA
yorable consideration.
"But il Is necessary TO be more explicit In your
despatch you have presented three propositions,
either of which you believe the British government
would be willing to make for the adjustment Of the
controversy; and you express "a strong conviction
that the mode first indicated is entirely practicable
/ The first would offer adjustment Of the question
on the basis Of the Presidents proposition of the
18th July last but coneeding 10 the Hudson Bay
Company continuance OF the privileges OF joint
occupation, including the navigation Of the Colum-
bla for aperiod OF seven or ten years longer The
| proposition made by the President to which you
refer. was, that the Oregon territory shall be d.
| ylded between the two countries by the 4sth par
allel Of north latitude from the Rocky mountains
The Pacific ocean, otieringat the same time to make
free TO Great Britain any port OF ports on Vancou-
ver's island, south Of this parallel which the British
government may DESIRE
THE President would feel no hesitation in pre-.
sentng TO the Senate, for their previous advice and
consent this proposition, modified according to
| your suggestion.
"lt is necessary, however, that there should be
clear understanding Of what Is meant by "A con-
unuance Of the privileges Of joint occupation II
this be understood as securing 10 the Hudson Bay
L "
the privilege ofeDjoying all their existing establish
ments, together with that OF hunting, fishing, and
trading with the Indians, and using the harbors aud
rivers south Of the parallel Of 40 degrees this would
| not prevent the President from submitting stsch
proposition 10 the Senate. ofcourse, similar prv-
leges would be extended TO American citizens north
Of 40 degrees il there be any such north of that par
| ael, which Is doubtful But no concession could be
| made 10 this company which would in the mean
time, deprive the United States Of the power to
esiablisha territorial government over the whole
country south OF 40 degrees, and to make grants Of
land south OF this parallel The President cannot,
however, anticipate any possible change Of circum-
stances which would induce him 10 submit such
proposition, IL il should contain a surrender TO
Great Britain of the perpetual right TO navigate the
Columbia. grant OF the free navigation Of the
st. Lawrence TO the United States would be no
equivalent for such concession. Indeed this has be-
come comparatively yaueless, in consequence Of the
construction Of the railroads and canals leading 10
the harbors Of New York and Boston, which have
rendered these the great channels Of import and ex-
| port Tor the region within the United States water
ed by the ST. Lawrence and ITS tributaries.
1.-THE President would, also, consent though with
reluctance TO submit to the Senate The second prop
osition suggested by you, dividing the territory IN
dispute between the two countries, 'by extending
the boundary TO the Pacific by the forty-ninth par
alel and the strait Of Fuca,' bat without the super
added words, with free ports to both nations
These words are indefinite, and he cannot infer
rom them the extent OF your meaning. In case the
hrst proposition to which you refer should be made
by the British government, the President would not
object TO the terms Of his offer Of the l2th July last
TO make free to Great Britain any port or ports on
vaneouver's island, south Of this parallel which the
Bnush government may desire Ii the cap of this
ISLAND should, however, be surrendered 10 Great
Britain, ms would be the under the second
proposition, then he would consider the question m
regard TO Tree ports as terminated. | need not en-
large To you upon the inconvenience not TO say inn
possibility, under system of government after
one or more States shall have been established in
Oregon, IAN event not far distant of making any
Of their ports free to Great Britain or any other ma
Iion. Besides, our system OF drawbacks secures To
other nations the material advantages of free ports
without their Inconvenience.
There 10 one point which il is necessary TO guard
whether the first the second proposition should
be submitted by the British government. The
strait Of Fuca is arm of the sea- and under the
public law, all nations would possess the same right
TO navigate 1t throughout its whole extent as they
now have to the navigation Of the British channel
Su, to prevent future difficulties this ought to be
clearly and distinctly understood Ii is rendered
The more necessary when recollect that the Rus
san government not many years ago asserted q
claim to the exclusive navigation of the northern Pa
cihc ocean between its Asiate and American terri
torres, on the principle that il "a close sea-
From what have said, you will perceive that the
bird proposition to which you refer will not meet
of submitting it to the Senate
Thus have presented frank and unreserved
exposition OF the views of the President on this i'm
portant subject"
In confirmation Of the view thus given Of the
Presidents opinions and purposes, Mr.. Buchanan
further writes to Mr.. McLane, on the 18th of April
following, as follows
Upon careful repisp of my despatch 10 uou mo
23) Of the 26th February last, the President finds moth
ing 10 change ,ou still continue to be the g,iide of
your conduct 10 that despatch have distinctly de-
cared that the President has, at all times been pre-
pared to receive and to treat with the respect
any proposal for compromise of the Oregon ques-
ton which might emanate fiom the British govern
ment. Whilst he has not deemed it proper TO invite
such proposal, he has ever manifested an anxious
desire to preserve amicable relations with Great
Britain These sentiments of the President YOU
may communicate TO Lord Aberdeen on delivering
the notice.
"n the present state of the negotiation Il is clear
that, lin the adoption Of all proper measures for
speedy and amicable adjustment of the differences
and disputes in regard To said territory the first
proposal ought to proceed from the British govern
ment It is deemed unnecessary to enforce so plain
a proposition by arguments, these will readily
occur TO your own mind, should this becomes cues
ton; which, however, cannot be anticipated"
This despatch Of the 2sth Of April, 1916, was re-
ceived by Mr.. McLane, in London, on the 18th of
May following; and three days afterwards ION the
18th Of May Mr.. McLane writes to MIR. Bucha-
nan, informing him of THE TREATY which the Brit
ish government had determined to offer for the set
Element of the question This treaty was laid before
the Senate for its previous advice on the 10th of
June; and in submitting il upon that occasion, the
President said, in his message:
MY opinions and my action the Oregon question
In
sage efhe I'd Of December last and the opinions therein
expressed remain unchanged. .. 49,
SHOULD the Senate, by the constitutional ma orty
required for the ratification of treaties I'D wise the
acceptance Of this proposition or advise with such
notifications as they may, upon full deberation
deem proper, shall conform my action to their adpice
Should he Senate however, decline by such constt
tiondl majority TO gpe such advice or 10 express an op
ION on s subject, shall consider my duty to reject
the offer"
With this citation, we close our array of docu-
mentary proof upon the subject The blindness