The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-07

tages to those interests they have particularly in
view that csuld be reasonably desired. Ifthe only
Question upon which the adjustment of the Oregon
| question depended should he whether the yayiga
ton of the Columbia river should he granted for !
period sufficient TO subserye all the purposes OF
4 British subjects within the disputed territory OF
whether the right should be extended indefinitely "a
a particular class Of British subjects, | must be-
ieye that no Eng statesman, in the face Of his de-
NAL Of a similar privilege TO American citizens in
regard to the ST. Lawrence, would take the hazard
upon this point alone Of disturbing the peace of the
world. Indeed, If the same ministry from whom
the present offer proceeds should continue masters
OF their own proposition by remaining in Office until
the qualification am adyerting to would have TO be
dealt with, should feel entire confidence in the be-
lief have now expressed.
regret 10 say, however, that have not the least
expectation that less reservation than is pro-
posed IN favor Of the occupants Of land between the
Columbia and the 49th parallel would be assented
to. may repeat my conviction, founded upon all
the discussions in which have been engaged here,
that in making partition Of the Oregon territory the
protection Of those interests which have grown up
during the joint occupation ia regarded indis-
pensabe obligation the score of honor, and as
impossible TO be neglected. am quite sure that il
was at one time in contemplation to insist upon the
free navigation Of the Columbia river for British
subjects and British commerce generally, and that
Il has been ultimately confined TO the Hudson Bay
Company, after great resistance, and, In the end,
most reluctantly. Being confined, however, il
would be only reasonable 10 limit the enjoyment OF
the right to period beyond which the company
might have great object to use the river for the
purposes Of their trade. But the interests Of the
BRUSH subjects who have settled upon, and oc-
cupying, lands north Of the 49th, considered
permanent, and entitled, when passing under a new
jurisdiction, to have their possession secured. This
al least 10 the view taken Of the subject by this gov
eminent and not al all likely in my opinion to be
changed.
may add, too, that have not the least reason to
suppose u would he possible TO obtain the extension
Of the 49th parallel 10 the sea, TO give the
southern cape Of Vancoussr's island TO the United
States.
Il may not be amiss, before leaving this subject
to call your attention TO the position Of the present
ministry. The success Of their measures respecting
the proposed commercial relaxations is quite certain;
and the corn BILL having now finally passed the House
OF Commons, may be expected, at no remote day, to
pass the Lords by ma ority no less decisive
From that time, however, the tie which has hther.
to Kept the wing party in support OF Sir Robert
Peel, will be dissolved; and the determination of
the Proectionlst party, who supposed themselves 10
have been betrayed, to drive him from office, has
lost none OF its vigor power. Indeed il is con-
hdently reported, In quarters entitled TO great re-
spect that they have even offered to the leader Of
the wing party TO select his own time, and that,
when he Is ready, they will be no less prepared to
force ministers to resign. | have reason to know
that, at present, ministers themselves believe a
change to be inevitable, and are considering only
the mode and the time in which it will most likely
happen. IL will not be long, after the success OF
The measures for the repeal Of the "corn laws be-
lore opportunities enough for the accomplishment
Of the object will occur The "hciory bill," regu-
aung the hours OF labor, will afford one, and most
probably that on which the change will take place
With a knowledge that the change, sooner or later
must be unavoidable, and that the offer has been
made TO the probable head Of a new ministry to Sc
ect his own time, may it not be expected that in
stead OF waiting quietly to allow the wing leader to
select the time Of coming in, the present premier
VIII rather select his own time and mode Of going
'ut' ana, with his usual sagacity, regulate his
eurement as to leave few obstacles as possible to
lis restoration to power In that case it Is not very
Unlikely he would prefer going out upon the "fac.
DRY bill, before taking ground upon more impor-
ant measures and If so, it will not surprise me to
stness the coming in Of a new ministry by the end
u June, or earlier. With knowledge of the prop.
,siuon now to be made, | am not prepared to say
nat one more Objectionable might have been APP
,'ehended from wing ministry; unless, indeed,
ne present government may be supposed to be pre-
jared to accept qualifications when proposed by the
resident, which il was unwilling at fret to offer
Jpon that supposion Il might ha desirable thi The
oaihcations should be onered before the coming in
y a new minister, who, finding only the acts oil
is predecessor, without knowledge of his inten-
L Il