The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-02-21

oSo w u iFOis uhu uStuoiiy uNiuCu tuc
territory In dispute between the par.
ties by "the middle Of the deepest chan
mel Of the st. Johns"
"The undersigned will proceed tC
state single reason, which, apart from
the intrinsic difficulties Of selecting 8
suitable arbitrator, as well as Other
considerations that might be adduced
Is conclusive on the mind Of the Presi.
dent against reference ofthis question
to arbitration, in any form which can
be devised, no matter what may be the
character of the arbtrator-whe thel
sovereign, citizen or subject. This rea
son is, that he does not believe The ter
ritorial rights of this nation to be g
proper subject for arbitration. 1t may
be true, that, under peculiar circum
stances, if the interests at stake were
comparatively small, and if both par
ties stood upon an equal footng, there
might be no insuperable objection to
Sut IA Il COulSG.
"But what is the extent Of territory
in dispute ON the present occasion? 1t
embraces nearly thirteen degrees oflat-
itude along the northwestern coast OF
the Pacific, and stretches eastward to
the summit of the Rocky Mountains.
Within its limits several powerful end
prosperous States of the Union may
be embraced. 1t lies ntiguous, on
tins continent, to The acknowledg ged
territory of the United States. and is
destined, at no distant day, 10 be peo-
pied by our citizens.
"Ths territory presents the avenue
through which the commerce of our
western States can be pToGtably con-
Quoted with Asia and the western coast
Of this continent; and its ports, the on
Iy harbors 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 dimen-
slons, 1t contains not o single safe and
commodious harlor from its southern
extremity until we approach the 49th
parallel Of latitude.
ut is far from the intention OF the un-
dersigned again to open the discussion
Of the conflicting claims of the two pow
ers TO the Oregon territory. 1t is sufli-
cient for him to state the continued
conviction Of the President, that the
United States hold the best title in ex-
istence to the whole OF this territory
Under this conviction, he cannot con-
sent 10 leopard for his country all the
great interests involved, and 10y any
possibility, however 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, nor nearly equal, value to the
two powers. Whilst it is invaluable
to the United States, it is of compara-
lively small importance to Great bri-
tain. To her, Oregon would be but a
distant colonial possession of doubtful
value, and which, from the natural pro-
gress Of human events, she would not
probably long enough enjoy TO derive
from it essential benefits; whilst to the
United States it would become an in
tregal 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 IT.
reparable.
"rhe undersigned is perfectly aware
that such considerations can have no
bearing upon the question of title of ell
ther party. They are presented solely
for the purpose of explaining the views
of the President in his refusal to adopt
any measures which should Withdraw
our title from the control of the govern
ment and people of the United States,
and place it within the discretion of any
no matter how intelligent
and respectable.
The President cordially concurs
with the government of Great Britain,
in desiring that the present contro versy
may be amicably adjusted. OF this. he
mas given the strongest proof before the
Whole wolld. lie believes that, as
there are no two nations on the earth
more closely bound together by the ties
Of commerce, so there are none who
ought TO be more able or will ng to do
zach other justice, without the interPo-
,ition of any arbitrator"
Here the correspondence closes. A
good feeling seems to exist between the
Two governments, and there is a proba-
DiIity that the negoiiations,thus reopen
ed, may lead TO an amicable adjustment.
From the New York Herald.
VERY IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO--AN.
r.