The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-14

and Mr. Pakenham and myself this city That govern
ment must therefore, have anticipated the result of it,
propositions to arbitrse before they were presented
deen on the Doth ulmo his lorshp complained of the
terms and manner in which had declined to accept Mr.
Pakenhsms first proposition to erbitrate; and "appre-
hended that from the nature of the answer and the cha
racter the debate the House OF Representa-
the President had determined to discourage any new
proposition on the basis Of compromise and to concede
nothing of the extreme demand"
The view of this subject presented by you his lord
ship is the correct one My answer was not intended
either to encourage or to discourage renewal of tho
collation. The President has at all times been prepared
TO receive and to treat with the utmost respect any pro
posal for a compromso which might emanats from the
British government Whilst he has not deemed it pro-
per to invite such proposal he has ever manifested
anxious desire to amcabe relations with Or
Britain To accomplish this purpose he would sacrifice
national honor. Lord Aberdeen hes drawn an inference
from my language Of which il is not n my opinion fair
second proposal Of Mr. fakenham for arbitration II is
with the government of Great Britain in desiring that the
present controversy may be amicably adjusted Of
this he has given the strongest proof before the whole
the earth moro closely bound together by the ties Of
commerce there are mono who ought to be more able
willing to do each other Justice, without the nterpo
sition OF any arbitrator"
This omission relates exclusively to portion IF a
previous despatch of Mr. Nc Lane relative converse
ton between him and Lord Aberdeen the subject Of
the warlke preparations by Great Britain Mr. Lane,
in subsequent despatch, states that the Secretary Of
State had misunderstood his meaning and therefore the
paragraph written under this alleged mistake, not
contemplated in justice both to Lord Aberdeen and
You strongly express the opinion notwithstanding the
existing difficulties, that it would be in my [your] pow
err, without any improver commitment of the President
to lead to renewal of the negotiation by this the Br
tish and to the submission unlss: another
MODE would be dosirable through its minister at
Washington, of proposition adopting that directed by
the President the 18th July last, with modi6ca.
tons not consistent according to the sense tyou
terrain of it, with national honor OF this [you]
should feel quite certain If [you] could officially know
that the proposition would probably be acceptable at
The concluding paragraph Of my despatch to you of
the aSh uitimo No aa which you will have received
to indicate the which the President would
in such offer should be made through the British
The President the date of his message has seen
no cause to change his opinion either in regard to
asserted But the federal Constitution has mads the So
nate to certain extent coordinate branch Of the
ymaking power Without their advice and consent,
treaty can be concluded This power could not be
trusted to wiser better hands Besides in their legs
alivc character they constitute portion of the
Of the treaty making power They are the represena
tives OF the sovereign States Of this Union and
snts rejection of the British utmatum might proba
bly, lead to war; and as branch of the legislative pow
err it would be incumbent upon them to authorize the
Under these considerations the President in Difference
the Senate and to the true theory of the constitution
eminent, will forego his opinions far to sub
NIT to that body any proposition which be made by
consistent with the rights and honor Of the cosntrv
Nor the fact to be disguised that from the speeches
and proceedings in the Senate, it is probable that pro
position to adjust the Oregon question the parallel Of
40 degrees would receive their favorable alton
But it is necessary to be moro explicit In your de-
spatch you have presented three propositions either Of
which you believe the British government would be
willing to make for the adjustment of the controversy
and you express strong conviction that the mode rs
indicated is entirely practicable" The first would offer
an adjustment OF the question the basis Of the Prcs
dents proposition Of the l2th of July last "but conce
privileges Of joint occupation including the navigation
Of the Columbia for period Of ten years Ion
you refer, that the Oregon Territory shall be d.
vded between the two countries by the 49th parallel of
ocean; offering at the same time to make free to Great
Britain port ports Vancouvers island south
this parallel which the British government may de-.
The President would feel hesitation in presenting to
the Senate for their previous advce and consent" this
II is nsces.ary howevsr that there should be clear
outstanding of what il meant by "a continuance of the
privilege: Of joint sccupason II thi. Be understood
tied period than the privilege of enjoying all
their existing with that Of hunt
arbors and rivers souh of the parallel of az degrees
hi, would not prevent the President from submitting
privileges would be extended to American cz ems north
Of ~ degrees nhere be any such north of that parallel
which doubtful But no concession could be made to
this company which would, in the meantime deprive
the United States of the power establish territorial
over the whole country south of - degrees
and to mako grants of land south Of this parallel The
President cannot, however, anticipate any possible
change Of circumstances which would induce him to
submit such proposition, il should contain surren
der to Great Britain of perpetual right to navigate
the Columbia grant of the free navigation of the St
Lawrence to the United State: would be no equivalent
IN n Iudo cd hiu koo
ratvey vausess in consequence of the construction
the railroads and canals leading to the harbors of New
channels Of import and export for the region within the
United States watsred by the st. Law and its trbu
The President IL DESTROYS adjust the Oregon ques
ton a. not to leave open any source from which might
proceea M. new amc1iies and new dangers, again to
vgaon OF the Columbia granted to Great Brita
this would become perpetual cause Of strife and COLI
sion between the citizens and subjects of the two
tries 1t would be almost impossible BY any vigilance
which could be exertcd to execute their respective
venue laws and prevent smuggling either side of the
river Besides there are several portagcs around the
falls and rapids Of the river and its the use Of
which would be necessary to the enjoyment Of i. free
Britain, with their merchandise into the heart of the
country and thus greatly increase the mischief beyond
the river To estimate the evils which would attend
such concession, have but to imagine what would
in securing for Il. subjects the free navigation
Of the Mississippi from its SURGE to s outlst in the gulf
of Mexico. H"1rw
The President would, ALSO consent, though with re-
uctance to submit the Senate the second proposition
suggested by you dividing the territory in dispute be-
tween the two countries by extending the boundary
the Pacific BY the forty parallel and the straits Of
Fuca but without the supsradded words with free
ports to both nations" These words indefinite and
he cannot infer from them the extent OF your meaning
In case the first proposition to which you refer should
be made by the British government the President would
not object to the terms Of his offer Of the 18th July last
TO make free to Great Britain any port ports Van
couvsr island south Of this parallel which the British
government may DESIRE II the cap Of this island should
however be surrendered to Great Britain would be
the case under the second proposition, then he would
consider the question in regard to free ports tsrmina
ted need not enlarge to you upon the
not to say impossibhy, under system of govern
ment after one or mole States shall have been estsb
lisbed in Oregon Ian event not far dtstant) of making
my of their ports free to Great Britain any other
nation Besides sy Of draw backs secures to
al If