Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-02-14

estaoHsileS now INC pOucy Oh FRANCO u
with reference to the general relations of
France and America. Mr.. Polk has ap-
piled language to the conduct of the
French Government in the affair Of Texas
which is more unmeasured, because it was
more uncalled for, than his declarations
agains, ourselves. We are persuaded that
the Cabine, of the Tuilleres will take the
earliest opportunity of answering these
aspersions and attacks as they deserve.
There is not one c. nservative policy in
Europe and another in America. The
cause Of peace and the principles of order
are everywhere the same. They cannot,
under any circumstances, be sacrificed
with IMMUNITY to local interests or to polit.
cal theories The consistency and the in
tegrty Of the leading statesmen of Europe
require that the preiensons Of the United
Sts'cs should be explicitly denied; and the
Cabinet of Washington will ere long per.
ceive that we have taken our stand, no,
upon a mere question of territorial right,
though that is one not easily to be shaken,
but upon the general and fundamental laws
Of nations; and that on this ground we
have with US the consent Of all conserva.
tive Powers and statesmen who stand op.
posed to war and to aggression in every
part Of the globe.
The joint occupation of the Oregon by
British and American settlers is no longer
Judged expenient. Partition is recon.
mended and desired. On what principles
ought that partition to be madel--Evidently
on those of equal benefit and advantage.
In our view of the question. the Ameri.
cans, having no exclusive right Of sover-
eighty, cannot treat our fellow subjects as
mere tenants at will. nor drive them to
whatever corner ofthe Oregon they choose,
at the same time claiming for themselves
great credit for forbearance. They have
both an equal right to the disputed terri.
tory-a RICH, arising from occupation nearly
identical in time and similar in purpose.
And if a greater share Of land is 10 be
accorded to one than the other, this award
must be made, not as recognition of right,
but Of those considerations which the prox.
unity, numbers, and the past abors of
American settlers introduce US necessary ell.
emen,s in the adjustment, of the dispute
considerations which, in all such important
matters it is impossible to merge ia the
technicalties of law or The minu,ia of title.
: But if the award Of territorial distric,
may be modified by these considerations
care must be taken that no such modifica.
tIon be carried to the extent of positive
deprivation; and that though the British
settlers may lose in the superficial measure
ment of their area, yet they shall moi lose
. any Of those collateral advantages which
!, are absolutely indispensable for the prose
g culion of their trade-such as the grea
!. water privileges of the Columbia and the
. harbor at its mouth.
u We think that every purpose both Of
= honor and interest would be answered, il
2 the British ministers, on whom now de-
q wolves the duty of making fresh proposal.
10 the Government of the United States
. = were to renew on his part the offer made ,e
g England by Mr.. Gallatin in the Presidenc,
:. and under the direction of Mr.. Adams
:, That proposal was TO take the 49lh degree
{ Of north latitude as far as the sea as tn,
- boundary line, reserving 10 Great Britain
:, Van Couver's Island, the harbor of ST. Ju
; an de Fuca, and the free navigation of th
- Columbia. This would be concession a.
=, far as superficial area of ground is concern
=, ed. ltwould leave the United States mas
10 tiers of the greater part of the Oregon
20 But it would secure the principal advantag
- of the country, the free navigation of III,
!. Columbia, to the servants of the Hudson
~ Bay Company, as well as harborage, an
n chorage, and settlements for English yes
)" sells trading with China and our possession
:, in Austria and New Zealand. 1t woul,
- = concede all that the most successful wa
=, - could acquire--a sovereign but barren do
=. !" minion; but it would secure all the com
g. s. mercial blessings of an honorable compro
~ mise and rational peace. 1t would no
-, deprive the native Americans of any equit
. able advantage, but it would retain 70
= Englishmen that privilege to which the,
- are justly entitled--the privilege of sharin,
&c in the traffic between North America an,
'e the English settlements in the Pacific. N
" impartial man can expect that an Englis
minister would ever consent to transfe
'e to the United States the monopoly of tn
~ carrying trade between Hudson's Bay AM
81 English colonies in that sea.
ST We hope that no rules of diplomat
etiquette will prevent our representative a
H. Washington from making some proposal q
'e this kind. We hope. also, that no falls
g. pride, or more ignoble sentiment. will pre-
n clude the ministry of Washington fror
'e accepting il. And if they do reject it a
e. coming from US. we do not see how, afte
81 such rejection, they can refuse to submi
ar the question of miles still left in dispute I
II the arbitration of some neutral power. #
lie reject an offer conceived in the spirit q
u peace and moderation, and at the same t