Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-08-04
[June 10Th, tst6-read ]

j
To The Senate ofthe United States:
lay before the Senate proposal in
the form of convention, presented to
the Secretary of State on the 9th inst, by
the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of her Britanic Majesty,
for the adjustment ofthe Oregon Question,
together with the protocol of this proceed
ing. | submit this proposal to the consid-
Grafton of the Senate, and request their
advice as to the action, which in their
judgment, it may be proper to take in ref
erence to it.
In the early periods ofthe Government,
the opinion and advice of the Senate were
often taken in advance upon important
questions of our foreign policy. General
Washington repeatedly consulted the Sen
ate and asked their previous advice, to
which he always conformed his action.
This practice though rarely resorted to in
later times, was, in my judgment, emf
nently wise, and may, on occasions OF
great importance, be properly revived
The Senate are branch of the treaty
making power, and by consulting them in
advance of his own action, upon important
measures of foreign policy, which may
ultimately come before them for consider
alton, the PRESIDENT secures harmony of
action between that body and himself
The Senate are moreover branch of the
war making power, and it may be emf
nently proper fol. the Executive to take
the opinion and advice of that body in ad-
vance upon any great question which may
involve in its decision the issue of peace
or war. On the present occasion the
magnitude ofthe subject would induce me
under any circumstances, to desire the
previous advice of the Senate, and that
desire is increased by the recent debates
and proceedings in Congress, which render
it in my judgment, not only necessary and
proper, if not indispensable to insure har-
nlonious action between that body and the
Executive. In comforting on the execu-
/ tive, the authority to give the notice for
the abrogafion ofthe Convention of 1897.
the Senate acted publicly solarge part,
that the decision on the proposal now
made by the British Government, without
a definite knowledge of the views of thai
body in reference to it, might render the
Question still more complicated and diff.
cult of adjustment. For these reasons,
invite the consideration of the Senate tc
| the proposal of the British Government
d for the settlement ofthe Oregon question
and ask their advice on the question.
Il My opinions and my action on the Or
egon question were fully made known to
Congress in my annual message of the
ID December last, and the opinions threir
! expressed remain unchanged.
4 Should the Senate, by the constitution
al majority required for the ratification 0
treaties, advise the acceptance of this
proposition, or advise it upon such modifi
cations as they may upon full deliberatioI
deem proper, shall conform my actiontt
: to their advice. Should the Senate, how
| ever, decline by such constitutional major
| ity, to give such advce, or to express al
opinion on the subject. shall consider i
q my duty to reject the offer.
Il also communicate herewith an ex
tract from dispatch of the Secretary o
State to the Minister of the q. s. at Lon
don, under date of thes2Sth of April last
directing him in accordance with the join
/ resolution of Congress, Concerning the
Oregon Territory, to deliver the notice
to the British Government for the abroga
ton Of the Convention fthe 9Th August
1927; and also copy Of the notice trans