The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-12

on the same parallel TO the sea-
Mr. Rush. with great ability, attempted to execute his
instrucuons lie hrst proposed 81 degrees, and after
wards 40 degrees but in vain These propositions were
severaiiy rejected by the British Plenipoentaries
(Messrs Huskisson and Stratford Canningj who pro.
posed the 49th parallel boundary
tho two countries until should strike the northeastern
most branch OF tho Columbia river McGllivray and
thence down the same to its junction with the ocean,
the navigation of the whole channel heinz perpet,ay
free to the subjects and citizens of both parties" This
proposition was rejected by Mr. Rush, and here the
goiiation ended
1896 III during the administration Of MIR Adams and
was conducted by Mr. Gallatn American Plenipo,en
uary under instructions from MIR Clay then Secretary
OF State. The third article of tho convention of Oco
Der, 1875 was about 10 expire by its limitation and
adjust this vexed question but it utterly failed This
negotiation displays great research and ability both
sides Mr. Gallatn, in behalf of the United States,
again offered to compromise the question by adopting the
49th parallel Of latitude the dividing line between the
two countries west of the Rocky Mountains and to
agree that the navigation of the Columbia should be
perpetually free to the subjects of Great Britain
mon with the citizens Of the United States provided
this lire should strike north easernmost or any other
branch OF that river at point from which was navga-
BILE for boats.
This offer was rejected by the British plenpotenares
lNessrs. HuskissOn and Addington,) in very strong
terms. They repeated the offer which had been made
to Mr. Rush the part OF Great Britain in 1924, with
this addition, that they willing to concede to the
United States the possession Of Port Discovery the
southern coast of De Fucas inlet and thereto a
that tract Of country comprised within line be drawn
from Cape Flatery along the southern shore OF De Flu
cas- inlet to Point Wilson, the IN extremity
oil Admiralty inlet from thence along the western shore
OF that inlet the entrance Of Hoods inlet to the
point Of land forming the northeastern extremity of the
said inlet from thence. along the eastern shore of that
Inlet to the southern extremity OF the from theme
direct to the southern point OF Gray harbor from thence
along the shore of the Pacific Fatey before
mentioned"
This proposition was rejected by Mr. Galatin and the
negotiation terminated in the convention OF August 6h
1917 which continued the third article of the CONVENTION
OF October 1918 until il should be abrogated by the
party or the other by giving notice OF twelve months
to that effect This Convention has ever since remained
linipr surOv isiO Tho IA.
Jects Of Great Britain have enjoyed the rights
the whole territory as the citizens of the United States
This joint occupation has continued for than
quarter OF century and it is not to be supposed that
the British government will by negotiation
government had thrice offered divide by the parallel
Of 40 degrees and they had thrice refused this offer
even when accompanied by grant of the free naviga-
The next notice of This question will be found under
the administration Of General Jackson 1t is contained
in the instructions Of Mr. Livingston to Mr. Van Buren,
dated on the LIST August 1891 with copy Of which
far as they relate to this subject you shall be furnished
From this you will perceive that General Jacksons ad
ministrston, 80 far from Directing to the occupation Of
the whole territory by the British in with
selves entirely to suffer this state OF things
to continue These instruction do not proceed upon
the principle Of claiming the whole territory for the
United States although they express strong opinion in
favor OF our right After stating that the term of joint
occppausn was indefinitely continued for the purpose in
the language Of the treaty of giving time to mature
hnite settlement OF the claims of each party said terri
tory they 60 to this subject then open
De settled by negotiation, ours can suffer nothing by
delay"
These instructions evidently look to settlement of the
rights ofthe respective parties by negotiation, and not
to an absolute exclusion Of Great Britain from the whole
territory. hf
From the LIST of August 1884, the date of Mr. Living.
stons instructions to Mr. Van Buren, until the 9th Of Oc
ober s43 no further notice of he Oregon question
taken in any instructions from this department On that
day Mr. Upshur, then Secretary of State under Mr. Ty
ers administration addressed Instructions to Mr. Everett
the subject Following in the course of compromise
4 MIR IInghti he
offer Of the 49th parallel of latitude although it has
been rejected may be again rendered. together with the
right OF navigating the Columbia upon equitable terms
Boy ond this the President is prepared to 60
Neverhe may propose receive subject to the
approval Of this government, any other terms oil COM
promise which in the progress of your discussions may
appear to promise satisfactory adjustment Of this inn
portant question"
Next came the existing negotiation which the Presi
dent found pending on his accession to Office.
This negotiation, like all which had precededi it,
based upon the principle OF compromising the claims of
the parties and not OF demanding the whole territory for
the United States The first protocol signed by Messrs
Calhoun and Pakenham, the 23d August last states
that instituted to treat Of the respective claims Of
the two countries to the Oregon Territory, with the
view to establish permanent boundary between the
two countries westward Of the Rocky mountains to the
Pacific ocean,"
The President at very early period of his adminstra
of or continue this negotiation Placed in such respon
sbe position, he first inquired whether the national
honor required that he should abruptly terminate it by
demanding the whole territory in dispute War before
dishonor maxim deeply engraven upon the hearts Of
late his conduct towards foreign nations But i'm
possible for him to conceive that there could be dhonor
in pursuing the which had been adopted by Mr.
Monroe his patriot revolutionary than
quarter OF century ago. and had been either expressly
sanctioned or acquesced in by all succeeding admnist
tons.
His next inquiry was, would a compromise of the
claims ofthe parties by adopting the parallel Of 40 de-
The entrance Of the States of Fuca Admiralty Inlet and
Pugets Sound with their fine harbors and rich surround
Ia north al lint from
ton we have obtained is with the exception Of few
spots wholly unfit for agriculture and incapable Of
tanning any considerable population Its chief indeed al
most its only value consists in the furs which may yet
collected upon it, and in this particular it is not of
Arbitration being of the question: the alternatives
which remained either to compromise the claims of
the parties upon terms similar to those which had often
been proposed by the government of the United States
and rejected by that of Great Britain to demand the
exclusive sovereignty the whole territory in dis
pute and thus to render almost inevitable In the
present enlightened and christian age ought TO be
the last alternative OF nations and should be resort
ed to unless for which lrenders it imperatively
To rush into hoslites if this be honor.
ably avoided would subject the United States the
domination of all christendom. The President doubts
whether the judgment Of the civsed world would be in
our favor in waged for a comparatively worthless
territory north of 49 degrees which his had
over and again offered to surrender Great Britain
ded she would yield her preensons to the country
south of that latitude Besides, war for such cause,
whist would doubtless be sustained by the patriotism,
might not meet the appreciation of large portion Of our
own fellow citizens.
On the other hand, suppose the American proposition
of the 49th degree Of latitude should be again made by
the United States and again rejected by Great Britain
and then be the consequence, might appeal all
mankind for the justice and moderation OF our demand
The voice Of impartial world would pronounce our
cause TO be righteous and our citizens would be en-
Enthusiastically united in sustaining such war should
the negotiation end in disappointment the President
having done all that be required Of him for the pre-
serva,on Of peace, will afterwards feel himself peiecuy
free TO insist upon our rights in their full extent up TO
the Russian line. -,
Influenced by these important consde You wiii
all ffou, INV mt %
which now enclose uthat the Prsden has once more
proposed to government of Great Britain that the
territory west of the Rocky mountains which has been
under existing treaties free and open" to the occupa-
ton OF both nations since 1873 shall be divided
between them by the 49th parallel Of north latitude,
offering at the time to make free to Great Britain
any port ports Vancouves island, south Of this
parallel, which the British government may desire.
You will observe that the proposition is silent in re-
gard to the navigation OF the Columbia rivera privi
ege which has heretofore been repeatedly offered 10
Great Britain in former attempts to settle this question
Such privilege the President cannot concede alhough