The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-19


compensated by the advantages which theconyen
ton was about 20 confer on US, il we should have tn
wisdom to adopt the proper line OF policy TO Sc
cure them. The increase Of our population, and il
progress westward were rapidly extending our set
Elements towards the Rocky mountains, through
which pass had been discovered but few year
before which greatly increased the facility ofcolo
niking the territory.
In this state of things, il was clear TO my mind
that il we adhered to the convention, and respected
its provisions, the progress OF events would uti
mately give us a possession Of the whole territory
az our power TO settle the territory, and thereby
obtain possession, far greater than that OF Grea
Britain lbs distance from US was far less, and the
approach was through an open, grassy country
affording great facilities TO the active and hardy
pioneers Of the West, who emigrated with their fam
lies and herds, with lutte expense or fatigue
Very different was the case with Great Britain
The distance TO Oregon, by water, from her
shores cannot be much less than twenty thou
sand mies-a distance but Alttle short Of the
entire circumference Of the globe; while her APP
proach TO Il through her American possessions OPP
poses great difficulties 10 emgrton on large scale.
OF all the spots on the face Of thu globe nov opsa
colonization, and susceptible Of being coonized Il ia
the most remote from her, and the most difficult Of
access. She has many colonies much nearer TO heri
to which there il much greater facility ofaccess with
equal soil and climate, as yet very partially settled.
Even New Zealand in all these respects 70 superior
TO IT, With these great advantages in our favor in
settling the territory, and which were yearly rapidly
increasing it was clear TO my mind that all we had
To do was to adhere to the conventions To observe
all its provisions with most serupulous fidelity, in
order to obtain the actual occupation and possession
Of the whole country.
As far as could perceive, there was but one i'm
pedimsnt in the way and thar was thai Great Brit
an in orderto prevent US from obtaining possession
by settlement might give notice herself 70 terminate
the convention for joint occupancy. Bot Of this
little apprehension. ] had read the
Of former negotiations with atten
ton, and my inference was, that she placed
but little value on Oregon, az a place for
permanent settlement, and that she had, in
great measure, made up her mind, from its ge-
ographioal position, that it would ultimately pass
into our hands. Bot be this as Il may, could not
bot that there were great impedments in her way
Of giving such notice, as would preclude us from
The night Of settling. She has, indeed the right
10 terminate the convention OF 1927 that we have,
IS il is expressly provided that either may give IL.
But there il another convention which she claims
10 he still in existence, and 10 which we, hold ng
under Spain, are parties with her. | refer TO the
Nootka Sound convention. IL Is strictly analo-
,ous in its objects with that OF 1927 though dissm
lar in its language. But unlike the latter, 1t con-
aims no provision for giving notice, and can only
De annulled by violation. Under il, we, according
% her own showing, have equal rights with herself
o joint occupancy and settlement, OF which we
;onnot be deprived on the ground on which she
places her rights to the territory without breach
II faith.
Il seemed then to noe clear, That our true policy
vas such as have satsdi to adhere To the coz
'ention, and LEI settlement determine 10 whom the
erritory should belong sffording in the mean time
vhaeyer facilities we might think proper to our
,eople emigrating TO the territory, NOT inconsis-
ent with the provisions Of the convention, and ex-
ending our laws over them personally in like man.
,er, and To the same extent that Great Britain had
~ act Of Parliament. To me IL seemed clear that
10 means extend our laws over II territornlly
The necessary effects OF tina, would be 10 extend our
arIf acts to the territory, under express provis.
on of the constitution, which requires that all du
lea and taxes shall be laid uniformly throughout
he United States. The restrictions imposed by
,ur high tariff duties, on the infant commerce OF
he territory, would go far, not only to diminish the
nducement to emigration, but to ALLEVIATE the affection
,fits people To enjoy the blessings Of free trade
over the broad Pacific, with its numerous islands
md wdely-extended coast, will prove in the end to
De the strongest inducement TO emigration; and to
impose high duties, would do more to check emigra-
on, to ALLEVIATE its inhabitants, and separate them
rom Union, than any other cause Oregon will be
70 the Pacific what New England was to the Atlantic
END as earnestly for the unrestricted enjoyment Of
he trade Of the Pacific as New Englandcrs did for
that Of the Atlantic before the revolution 1t was in
Iced, one of the principal causes which led to the
revolution. Should we restrict by our high tariff
duties their infant trade, they might readily find
power prepared to extend to them all the advan-
ses Of free trade TO be followed by consequences
not difficult, to be perceived. Influenced by these
came to the conclusion that our
true policy was to let our people emIgrate and gov
crn themselves for the present with as little inter-
ference as possible on our part. In that respect,
they possess great capacity from their origin and their
native instincts. | would let them 90 there and
settle the country in their way, giving them all
the aid, countenance, and support which we could,
torialy, until it could be properly and safely done.
But be it done when it may, great Judgment and
caution will be required, for there lies the great diff
fcuy of reconcing their interest with that on the
eastern side Of the Rocky mountains. ... D..
The other line Of policy looked to the termina-
ton by giving notice and taking adverse possession
of the territory. The bill Of l843 already alluded
to, was intended as the first STEP opposed it, not
only because believed that some of its provisions
violated the convention, and that the course it indi-
Gated was highly impolitic. Ii seemed to me, in
Decd to require little reflection to perceive that ifthe
bill should pass, and the policy it indicated be
adopted that negotiation or war would necessarily
IOHOWi uIu III SnOulu De Tc6OTteu 10
in the first instance to prevent war, it would term-
nate either in compromise war. There could be
no other result. Nor was it more difficult to per-
ceive, that if the question was compromised, it
must be on the basis Of the 49th parallel. The
past history of the affair, the fact that it had
beea frequently offered by us substantially u-
imatum added to the fact that ago was the bounda-
ry on this side Of the Rocky mountains, left no
doubt on my mind that, If settled by compromise,
it must not be that basis. It is true that Of
fer heretofore that basis had been rejected, and
that it might thence be inferred that Great Britain
could not accede to it consistently with her honor.
am not of that impression. Things have greatly
changed since our offers were made and rejected by
her. Then the advantages under the convention
were all in her favor; but now they have turned in
favor Of US. Then our capacity to settle the coun-
try was SMALL but now, for reasons already stated,
they are great; and what is far from being inmate
rial, this increased capacity to settle and coonze
strengthens the foundation Of claims to the ter
rltory The capacity to settle and colonize con-
tiguous open region not capable of being settled or
colon'zed by asy other power, goes back to the
original principles which alb claim to territory ia
founded. .r ... 7..
Seeing that such would necessarily be the conse-
quence Of the line Of policy indicated by the bill,
and wishing to avoid both compromise and war,