The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-04-14

/ 10 the whole territory. DID the Presl-
/ dent mean TO adhere to that, even to the
extremity of war! If so, he should have
known that, after what has happenad in
years past, the country was not likely to
sustain him. Did he mean to say this,
and afterwards recede from ii! If SO,
why say it at all! Surely the President
could not be guilty of playing so small
part, as TO endeavor to show himself to
possess spirit. and boldness, and fearless
ness of England, more than his predeces-
sors, or his countrymen, and yet do all
this in the confident hope that no serious
collision would arise between the two
countries. So low an ambition. such
pallry motives, ought not to be imputed.
When the President declared that, in his
| Judgment, our title to the whole of Oregon
was ''clcar and unquestionable,' did he
mean to express an official or a mere per-
sonal opinion! If the latter, il certainly
| had no place in an official communication.
/ Ii the lormer-if he intended solemn
official opinion, upon which he was re-
solved to act officially, then it is very
grave question how far he is justified,
without new lights. or any change of cir
| cumstances, to place the claims of this
country, in this respect, on other grounds
than those on which they had stood un-
der his predecessors, and with the con-
currence of all branches of the Govern
ment, for SO many years; for il is not to
he doubted that the United States Govern
ment has admitted, through long series
of years, that England has rights in the
northwestern parts of this continent
which are entitled to be respected.
Mr.. President. one who has observed
attenhvely what has transpired here and
in England, within the last three months,
must. think, perceive that public opin-
ion, in both countries, is coming TO con-
clusion that this controversy ought to be
settled; and is not very diverse, in the
one country and the other, as to the gen.
eral basis of such settlement. That basis is
the offer made by The United States TO
England in 1926.
There is no room TO doubt, I think,
that this country is ready to stand by that
offer, substantially and in effect. Such
is my opinion at least, and circumstances
certainly indicate that Great Britain would
not. mall probability would not, regard
such proposition as unfit to be consid-
cred. | said, some weeks ago, that did
not intend 10 discuss titles at length, and
certainly not TO adduce arguments against
our own claim. But it appears to me
that there is concurrence of arguments,
or considerations. in favor Of regarding
the 49th parallel as the just line OF de-
well respect. 1t has, for many years,
been the extent of of our claim. We
have claimed up 10 49', and nothing be-
yond it. We have offered to yield every
thing north of ii. Il is the boundary be-
tween the two countries on this side the
Rocky Mountains, and has been since
the purchase of Louisiana from France
/ do not think il important either to
prove or disprove the fact, that commits
sioners under the treaty Of Utrecht estab-
lished the 49th parallel as the boundary
between the English and French posses
sions i'll America. Ancient maps and de-
scriptions so represent il; some saying
that this line of boundary is to run ''in-
definitely west," Others saying, i'll terms,
that ii extends "to the northwestern O.
cean." But, what is more important, we
1 have considered this boundary as estab-
lished by the treaty Of Utrecht, at least
on this side Of the Rocky Mountains
ii was on the strength of this. that we
drove back the British pretensions, after
we had obtained Louisiana. north, from
the head waters of the Mississippi to this
parallel of 49'.
This is indubtable. We have acted,
therefore, and induced others TO act, on
the idea that this boundary was actually
established. II now so stands in the trea-
/ ty between the United States and Eng
land. If, so the general notion of coNTI-
Guilty or coNTISCITY, this line be contin-
ued .'indefnitely west" or is allowed TO
run to the northwestern ocean," then il
leaves on one side the valley of the CO.
lumbia, to which, in my Judgment, our
title is maintainable on the ground ofGray s
discovery.
The Government of the United States
hasnever offered any line south of forty
nine, with the navigation of the Colum-
bia. and il ne yer viii. 1t behooves all
concerned to regard this as a settled point.
As to the navigation of the Columbia,
permanently or for term of years, that
is all matter for just, reasonable, and
friendly negotiation. But the 49th par
allel must be regarded as the general line
of boundary, and not to be departed from
for any line further south. As to all
straits, and sounds, and islands, in the
neighbosing sea, all these are fair subjects
for treaty stipulation. If the general ba-
sis be agreed 10, all the rest, it may be
presumed, may be accomplished by the
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