The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-08

any degree Of control they may exercise over the
result, Whatever therefore mighfbs prudent and |
regular in the ordinary course Of things. think II
Is Of the utmost Importance, upon the present &C.
casion, II the President should think proper to |
propose any modification Of. the offer to be made
by Mr.. Pakenham, that the modification should oe
understood a. possessing the concurrence Of the
coordinate branch Of the treaty power. go
Il Is not easy to conjecture with any certainty
Che extent to which this Government might pc in-
duced TO modify the proposition, even II they
should be assured that the Senate, no less than the
President, demanded It. II must not escape OBJ
servatlon that, during the preceding adminis!ra-
ton of our government, the extension Of the line
on the 4sth parallel 10 the Strait Of Fuca, as pro-
posed by Lord Aberdeen, was actually suggested
by my immediate predecessor as one he thought
his 20 vernment might accept; and that, in regard
to those English subjects who would be left with
in American Jurisdiction by adopting that boun-
dairy. he considered the provisions Of the second
article Of jays Treaty as precedent for conve-
nient mode Of dealing with them.
BY the second article of Jays Treaty, however,
Britishsubjects would not only be secured in the
absolute title Of oil their lands and effects. fully
as by Lord Aberdeen's proposition, but would be
allowed the option to continue as British subjects
and without any allegiance to the government Of
the United States, which, according 10 Lord Alb
erdeen's offer, as understand it, they would not
possess. In point Of fact therefore, the substan-
tal points the present ofer,and those which may
be expected to be regarded as most Objectionable,
are little more than the embodiment Of the various
offers andsuggesons which at tdifierentti times have,
in some form or other, proceeded from our own
4 negotiators
j have myself always believed, If the extension
Of the line Of boundary on the 49th parallel by the
Straits Of Fuca to the sea, would be acceptable 10
d our government. that the demand Of Alright freely
j to navigate the Columbia river, could be compro-
missed upon point Of time by conceding it for such
4 period as might be necessary for the trade Of the
u Hudson Bay Company, north and south Of the 49th
parallel Entertaining great confidence in that
opinion, and deeming it only reasonable, confess
that, from an early period, have used every argu-
: ment and persuasion in my power to reconcile
Lord Aberdeen to such limitation; and, although
am quite aware that, with portion Of the British
public, an importance it by no means deserves, is
attached to the navigation Of the Columbia river,
and that in others II is undeservedly regarded as
point of pride, have been disappointed by the
pernacity with which II has been at 80 much risk
) insisted upon.
Feeling very sure. however, that the present
, offer is not made or intended as an ultimatum. !
think only reasonable to infer an expectation on
the part Of those who offering it, not only that
notifications may be suggested, but that they may
t be reasonably required. And therefore Istill en-.
tertain the opinion that, although from variety Of
causss-in part, perhaps, from an expectation that
in the United States this point may not be abso.
lutey insisted upon, and 10 part from Difference I'd
interests and Impressions at home-they could moi
be induced in the first instance to make an offer
, with such qualification; yet, il the adjustment
of the question should be found to depend upon
this point only, they would yield the demand to
the permanent navigation of the river, and be con-
e tent to accept it for such number Of years d.
would afford all the substantial advantages to those
interests they have particularly in view, that could
0 be reasonably desired ~
, II the only question upon which the adjustment
2 Of the Oregon question depended should be, whe
5 ther the navigation OF the Columbia river shoult
be granted for period sufficient to subserve all TN
purposes of British subjects within the disputes
il territory or whether tho right should be extendet
indefinitely to particular class of British subjects
g | must believe that no English statesman, in tn
o face of his denial Of similar privilege to Ameri
can citizens in regard to the st. Lawrence, woul'
take the hazard upon this point alone, OF disurbn
the peace Of the world. Indeed. If the same min
:. isry from whom the present offer proceeds, shoul
II continue masters Of their own proposition by re
d naming in office until the qualification am ad
e yertjne to would have to bs dealt with, shoul,
q feel entire confidence in the belief have now ex
r pressed.
g regret to say, however, that have notthe leas
,, expectation that less reservation il proposed
Q favor of the occupants of land between the Coum
& bia and the 4Yth parallel would be assented to- .
'e may repeat my conviction, founded upon aii tn
J. discussions in which have been engaged here
al that in making partition of the Oregon territory
the protection Of those interests which have grow
j. up during the Joint occupation, 10 regarded a. al
Is indispensable obligation on the score of honor an
l. as impossible to be neglected. I am quite sur
that il was at one time In contemplation to inSi.
upon the free navigation of the Columbia river fe
y British subjects and British commerce generally
le and that 1t has been ultimately confined to III
'e Hudson's Bay Company after great resistance an
Or in the end most reluctantly. Being 50 confirmed
at however, il would be only reasonable to limit th
Mt employment OF the right to period beyond whc
the Company might not have no great object
use the river for the purpose of trade. But tt
interests oi the British subjects who have settle
q. upop and are occupying lands north of the 49tl
are considered as permanent. and entitled, whe
80 passing under new Jurisdiction, to have therpo
in session secured This, at least. is the view take
TX: Of the subject by this government. and not at
likely, in my opinion, to be changed.
NAV add, too, that have not the least reast
TO suppose il would be possible to obtain the e
tension OF the 49h parallel to the sea, SO as to g
Sde S the Southern Cape of vancouver's Island to Il
.' y. United States. ssEs
up The whg press declare that the country was n
bly, yer more prosperous, wheat slow and banks a
m plenty, eastern manufactures are declaring di,
ne dends Of l6 per cent per annum while the farm
MS tolls for little beyond the necessares Of life. WI
ia is his share Of this prosperity Not better mark,
OF nor better prices for his labor The whig TAI
tbs nearly closed the ports of England to agricutu
~ produce from the Union for nations only purchI
de- in proportion as they sell; as no country could 10
red sustain drain Of the east raise lars