The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-09

Icularlly OF the position IN which now md mysel
placed To any one, and more especially to on,
unaecustonied to participate in its debates, the Oc
easion Of addressing body so influential and intel
ligent the Senate Of the United States, must ne
cessarily be attended with much embarrassment.
am, however, now about TO be called on to act, as
member Of this body, on subject of high impor
lance, and il therefore becomes my duty, as one Of
the representatives of State which has recently
become an integral part Of the great confederacy Of
this Union, to present my reasons, so far | may
be enabled, for the vote which shall give on this
occasion.
The proposition to abrogate treaty which has
existed for years with England is in accordance with
the undeniable right Of this government believe
both those in favor of the resolution and opposed to
it, have acquesced in that right The Executive has
thought proper, in his annual message to the Con-
gress Of the Union, TO recommend the abrogation OF
the treaty by giving the twelve months notice. ne
cessary under its provisions The question: then, ar-
ses-ls il polite and is II WISE TO exercise this right
Do the exigences Of the country require its exercised
think it discreet and necessary that such course
should be adopted and carried out, for the reason
that perceive rational ground for hope, that
by delaying the measure, its necessity will be obvi
ated or the rights of the country indicated. Nor
can perceive the possibility any detrimen TO the
interests Of the country by giving the notice
commended by the Executive.
Consequences may grow out of It which, at this
time do not anticipate; but that II is war meas
ure, or one likely TO produce war, ! cannot be-
lieve. Honorable and distinguished senator's think
differently on this subject.
IL we were disposed TO admit the opinions Of gen.
tlemen who have spoken on this question, war,
with all its caamites, inevitable, If this
is adopted. But this does not seem to me to be the
question. Is it wise policy in this government to
pursue this course' Is it necessary for the preser
walton of our rghtsrthat the notice should be gveni
This seems to me to be the question properly pre-
sented but not whether war is likely to result.
Were we to be restrained from action in a crisis
like the present by any considerations to the
possibility of war; the reverse, the public interest
would be liable to suffer deeply. five never dare
to adventure action, we can achieve nothing. Ii is
true am not in favor Of precptate action, but for
calm, deliberate and firm course of procedure.
No less than twenty-eight years have rolled
round without producing satisfactory result
Negotiations, though often attempted have failed in
eHectng settlement Of the controversy. Repeated
overtures TO England direct and favorable the
United States supposed, from strong desire to pre-
serve peace between the two countries, have been
made, yet they have not been met in correspond
ing spirit on the part Of that government.
They have been declined or rejected, again and
again. The last proposition made by our Execu-
tive, it appears, was, according to the representa-
tons of the English premier, decided upon by the
minister resident here inadmissible, and not
transmitted to his government. This to my mind,
is conclusive evidence that his government would
not have considered il more favorably than he did
himself No minister to foreign court would as
sumo so important decision, unless well aware
that it was in harmony and keeping with the policy
and opinions Of those who had delegated trust to
him. Nor have we any ntImation from the gov
eminent of England that il would have been other
wise considered by the ministry. think it is idle
to anticipate agreeable termination to our nego-
tiations with England upon the subject of Oregon,
unless ii is brought about by giving this notice.
England may desire to gain time, and she may
have desire to amuse the United States as long as
possible. 1t may be that England at this time is not
prepared for war, and therefore does not wish to
bring things 10 an issue with upon this subject
for If she contemplated any such basis for negotia
ton that offered by this government and rejected
by her envoy she has had, and yet has an opportu-
nifty to renew it. Does delay her part arise from
the fact that the resolutions now under consideration
have been introduced into the Congress of the Uni
ted States in accordance with the recommendations
of the Executive in his annual MESSAGE Can it
arise from the fact, that England considers herself
lnsuted because the Executive assumed our right
to the whole of Oregon in that state paper Can she
allege this satisfactory reason to this govern
ment for not stepping forward and making such an
offer, if she really had it in contempaton' To be
sure honorable senators have suggested that the
measure recommended by the Executive would be
regarded by England as held in terrorem over her,
and that she cannot consistently with her national
honor and dignity, accede to any proposition, nor
make one, until after Congress has adjourned.
Such opinions are advocated in and out of Con-
gress, and honorable gentlemen may really enter
tain them. But apprehend they will find that
England has other reasons, and that those which
they render to themselves are fallacious.
/ It has been said that the President could have
withheld this recommendation to Congress, and
thus relieved this body from unpleasant embarrass-
ments produced by no agency of theirs. cannot
ho,,y thofpy ,IacInn r
ly made. In my estimation he was bound to as
sumo his present position. The decision of the
American people, in his elevatonto the presidency,
left him no alternative. The question of Oregon
was one of the leading subjects in the last presden-
tial canvass, by which he was called to his present
station.
If the President had not assumed a claim to the
whole of Oregon--if he had not declared that our
right to it was Observation-Disclosures it belonged to
u.s. las have no doubt he believed to be the fact,
certainly he would have fallen far short of the dis
charge of his duty. The question had been mooted
and canvassed before the American people. 1t was
thing not done in a corner. The popular voice
was conclusive upon this subject. Enlightened
statesmen now entertain opinions in unison with the
recommendations of the Executive
Although the State from which come was not
at that time integral part of the Union, neverthe-
less, there was no subject of Importance IN
the United States of political agitation and excite
ment, which did not command auentlon, ana some
degree of feeling, in our country. We were OBJ
servant of all that passed here. again repeat, that
the Executive was bound to bring this subject be-
fore Congress, as he has done. Could he have act
ed otherwise, and yet taken his measures in accord
ance with the principles upon which he was eected'
Had the President claimed the country only as far
as forty-nine do you notbelieve that many who now
denounce his extended assumption of our claim to
the whole territory, would have been found ready to
denounce him for compromising the honor and in
terest of the country and as guilty of shameless
abandonment of American rightsi
Had he renewed the proposition made by MIR.
Gallatn what would have been the consequence
Would il not now be said here is colsioni The
joint navigation Of the Columbia river will at once
destroy all harmony between the two countries.
His object must be to throw in contact men Of diff
ferent political interests-the subjects of govern
ments of opposite character. War, in that case,
would have been inevitable; and the policy would,
indeed, have been energetically denounced. Cir
cumstances precluded the President from taking
such a course. That functionary assumed propo-
sition that all Oregon belonged to us; and whether
il is correct or erroneous will not now undertake
to determine; for II is not, in my apprehension, a
question necessarily connected with the investga-
r. lxof, h. Oh