The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-01-13

day. Mriannegan's resolutions upon oregon
published yesterday were called up. We
copy below the debate thereon, from the
Washington papers. 1t will be seen that
Mr.. Calhoun adheres 10 the treaty-making
mode of settling the question, and, like MIR.
Winthrop in the House. he has introduced
resolutions TO favor a peaceful settlement Of
ofthe question. The Inlelligencer says the
debate was listened 10, by a very crowded
audience, with interest, for two hours.
Mr. flanagan moved that the resolution
be ptinted, and made The special order for The
third Monday in January.
Mr.. Calhoun said that he did not rise 10
oppose this motion, but 10 request that The
Senate would permit him 10 make few pre-
faiory remarks before submitting the a
mendment he intended 10 move 10 the reso-
lutions now before the Senate.
Mr. President, (said he, } though cannot
give my support TO these resolutions, l am
very much graIified that they have been NOV
ed by the Senator from Indiana. Whatever
objections there may be 10 them, they have
at least, the merit oil being direct, open and
manly. They deny, in direct terms, the au-
thority of this government 10 make a treaty
in reference to the Oregon territory, and de-
nounce, as | understand Them, by imputa
ton, the propositions that have been already
been made by our government 10 settle the
boundary by division along the 49th para;
lei of north latitude. II the Senate should
support these resolutions, il is clear that the
question can only be settled thereafter by
force Of arms; and should this be The case,
and a war be commenced between this coun-
Try and Great Britain, no peace can ever
take place between the two countries but by
our dictation at the cannon's mouth.
Mr.. President, the vote upon these reso-
lutions will draw a broad line which
cannot be misunderstood, between those who
are in favor Of settling the question by an ap-
peal TO arms, and those in favor OF more
pacific course. myself am in favor af pa
cifc course-of an adjustment, il possible by
negotiation; and under these views and m
pressions, Mr.. President, have prepared
series Of resolutions anita gonistical TO those of
the Senator from Indiana, and asserting the
opposite principle, which propose 10 move
by way of amendment 10 the resolutions Of
the Senator and ask also that they be print
ed. think it is a proper occasion for avow-
ing the sentiments which entertain upon
this subject. ] am for peace, ifpeace can be
homo rably preserved. | am in favor of adj
justing the difficulty, fit can be adjusted by
negotiation; if it cannot be adjusted by ne
COLLATION., | an in favor of that course 10 be
pursued by this government which shall
throw the onus of a war from our own shout
ders upon Great Britain. approve of the
CT urse taken by the government in offering
the 49lh parallel under all the circumstances
of the case, as the boundary. Ibelieve thai
the desire of the Executive is like my own
for peace-lor an honorable peace but if an
honorable peace cannot be preserved, il we
are TO have war, | will stand by my country
in every emergency. / shall never be found
antagonist to her, though overruled by those
who take an opposite view from my own
But should war take place, il is not going 10
be an ordinary wal; and while will give
every support 10 my country. will hold them
responsible who rashly precipiIate the coun-
try into war Sir, on a deliberate view of
the question, hope that whenever it comes
fairly before the Senate for discussion. we
shall discuss il in the calmest manner, and
when its true grounds are clearly seen and
understood, we shall come 10 the conclusion
to avert war if possible; but if not, that we
shall be united as one man in the support ol
the country.
Mr.. Calhoun's resolutions were then read
rs !ollows:-
Resolved, That The President of the
United States has power ''by and with the
advice and consent of The Senate, TO make
treaties, provided two-thirds OF the Senate
present concur"
Resolved, That the power OF making trea-
ties embraces that oiseiiing and fixing boun
daries between The territories and possessions
of the United States and those of other
pntuarc in nj rnnAicsiprr olaip,c h,-
tween them in reference TO The same.
Resolved, That however clear their claims
may be, in their opinion, 10 'ihe country in
cluded within The parallels Of AZ deg. and
81 deg. 40 min. north latitude, and extend
ing from the Rocky Mountains 10 the Pacific
Ocean, known rs The Territory of Oregon"
there now exists, and have long existed,
conflicting claims 10 the possession of the
same between them and Great Britain, the
adjustment of which have been frequently
the subject Of negotiation between the re-
spective governments.
Resolved, therefore. That the President |
of the United States has rghtlully the pow
er, under the Constitution, by and with the |
advice and consent OF the Senate. provided |
that two-fhirds of the members present con- |
cur. 10 adjust by treaty the claims ofthe two
countries 10 the said territory. by fixing a |
boundary between their respective posses
sions.
Resolved, That the President of the u
nited States, in renewing the offer, in the
spirit of peace and compromise. to establish
The 49th degree Of north latitude as line
between The possessions of the two countries
10 the said territory, did not abandon the
honor the character, and the best interest,"
of the American people" or exceed the
power vested in him by the Constitution 10
make treaties.
Mr.. flanagan resumed. and said the as
pect of things had changed since the Propo-
;ilion of the 49th parallel had been with
Drawn by this government, but if it were not
%, he was free man. and entitled TO the free
exercise Of his free opinion. He meni 10 con-
sey no censure upon the President. The
Senator from Souih-Carolina contends that
he adoption of the resolutions will lead 10
var. Mr.. flanagan loved peace, but when
,eace becomes degrading and dishonorable.
. war, even 10 determination, would be pre- J
cradle. There had been singular course
pursued with regard 10 the Oregon question,
l. .L-L, Z, contrasied sfranUelv with