The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-14
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Me Lane.
mo. al
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


DEPARTMENT OF STATE, !
WARRINGTON, January %, l846.
SR-four dispatches to No 81, inclusive, have been
duly received at this department Having already
munica'ed 10 you copy Of Mr. Pakenham note OF the
question now enclose herewith Transcript ofmy re-.
ply to that note dated ca the 81 instant.
paItment, and delivered me note Of which transmit
you copy renewing his proposition to soitrate but
changing the terms This note hs: not yet been an.
doubt as to the propriety of rejecting the proposition
but from desire before pre- my answsT to ssee,
ministry and people by the Presidents and the
accompanying correspondence had anticipated visit
from Mr. Pakenham after the arrival OF the Hiber
MIA; but he has not since called at the department
Mr. Pakenhams last proposition to arbitrate 10 liable to
nv answer to the first is true that he nos proposes
to refer arbitration the question of title in either
nexed to this Offer there is condition that il neither
should be found in the opinion Of the arbitrator
sess complete title to the whole territory" then he
shall divide them according to just sppye
citation OF the respective claims OF each" II the gov
upon such terms this would be construed into an
inmation if not direct invitation the arbitrator to
divide tho territory between the parties. Were posi-
bic for this government under any circumstances
fer the question to arbitration, tho title and the title
alone detached from every other consideration ought
be the only question submitted II not confined this
single point we should have another compromising
award like that OF the King of the Netherlands.
But arbitration in any form is out Of the question.
The title of the United States the vast territory on
the northwest coast Of America, with all its commercial
|
ring to the decision of any individuals whether sove
regns, citizens, subjects. Toireat Britain it would
whh p% hs nature Of nrs Se cannot Ssr
long enjoy blu. TO the United Sates 1t is invaluable.
Whilst vibration is therefore, out of the question it is
probable that under the peculiar circumstances of the
case and from anxious desire to preserve peace the
Senate, if the question were submitted to them, might
advise the President not TO insist upon the full extent of
rights but could place in the power of
arbitrator to deprive of foot of the soil the
continent south Of the 49h parallel of latitude and Of
the valuable harbors OF Pugeps sound. Such is the
fixed discrimination Of the President.
Again even if this not the case, and q treaty
should be submitted to the Senate for arbitration, il
could not by any possibility obtain the necessary
Upon the whole. the pursuit of arbitration by the Bri.
fish government produce other effect than to in
volve the question IL difficulties, and, perhaps by
the delay render amicabe adjustment Of it mposs
ble The fact be disguised that the feeling of
the country is becoming daily more unanimous and in
tense in favor OF asserting right to the whole terri
tory and the debates in Congress- and their delay
in accordance with the recomme ndatons of the Pres
dent only serve to increase the popular excitement
Resolutions of state conventions and State legislatures
nov in succession being adopted in favor of adher
tend to make proposition to this government, they
have not an hour to lose fthey desire peaceful erm
| nation Of the controversy.
Notwithstanding all you may have seen in the public
papers the notice. unless am greatly mistaken, will
pass Congress- in form other by large maorties
of both Houses, as we'll as the other
mended by the President
The President will abandon the position he has
taken In his message Clearly convinced of the right
the United States to the whole territory in dispute and
relieved by the refusal of the British government to
accept this offer OF compromise from the embarrassment
in which the acts OF his predecessors had placed
would not now authorize the conclusion OF treaty on
that basis But the Senate his constitutional advisers
are now in session. The question OF peace or war mry
be involved in the issue They are branch of the war
ference the senate under these circrm.tances he
would in the first instance feel it to be his duty to
is manifest, therefore, that the British government
should at once present their ulmatum. II Mr. Paken
ham should offer less the hope that having thus re-
commenced
induce me to say what the President would consent
accept nothing than the whole territory unless the
Senate she ud otherwise determine. The only question
which he will decide is, whether the now proposition,
should any such be made be Of character justify its
submission to the Senate for their pre- vious advice
Under all the circumstances by which you may be
surrounded IS left to your sound discretion whether
any such communication intimation shall be
-''1 A's'Ne'A ~ JAMES Ne BUCHANAN.
LOUIS McLAsE, Esq. &c. &C. SC.
mo- AL ~ ~ LONDON February ). 1886.
SR: =
Notw outstanding these difficulties still entertain tho
opinion that it would be in my power, without any i'm
proper commitment of the President to lead q renewal
~ this and to the sub
through its minister at Washington, of proposition
adopting that directed by the President the iath Of
July last with some notifications not Inconsistent &C
cording to the sense entertain Of it, with national
honor Off this should feel quite cerain could officially
know that the proposition would probably be acceptable
at Washington; and should attempt it informally and
upon my individual responsibility with scarcely less con-
fdence Of success, it, while acting in that way, could
encourage a like result.
lis due, however, to my position, and to those
with whom brought into intercourse upon this sub
ject the opinions have thus expressed are
not founded upon any direct communication from those
in official stations but are rather the result Of series Of
facts and inerences entitled however in my judgment
| at least to not less weight r.,-
After these observations, particularly to
myself to state that believing from the history of
previous negotiations tho Oregon question that
may be settled upon the basis Of compromise and
tSt~p
the joint the territory Without Poaos
of any duty which public owes to the rights and
the Presidents proposition OF the iath July basis
final adjustment of the question according to that
proposition but conceding to the Hudsons Bay Company
continuance of the privileges Of joint occupation
cudng the navigation Of the Columbia for period of
seven or ten years longer and hope may be allow ed
to add. that would be willing to assume the response
bity OF asserting to an adjustment by extending the
straits Fuca with free ports to both nations; or by ex
tending the free navigation OF the Columbia river for
longer period provided similar advantages upon the ST.
Lawrence could thereby be secured to the United States
believe that upon Of these grounds perhaps upon
either, an adjustment may be concluded; and have
strong conviction that the mode first indicated is entirely
practicable. rf Ell .l.f.
am however, constrained at the same time to state
have believe that favorable terms than
those have above advered would under any crcum
stances be consented to by this government.
Mr.. buchanan to Mr. Nc Ertrocf,
mo. % DEPARTMENT STATE,
Washington, February 26, 1876.
sR:Your dispatches to No 81, inclusive, have been
| received, and laid before the President.
transmit herewith copy OF my answer. under date
of the 4h inst TO Mr. Pakenhsm last proposition to sub.
nit the Oregon question to arbitration.
Independently Of the prominently presented in
my reply, thai ths President docs not believe the
rights of This nation to be proper subject for
art itraon" there other powerful reasons sgainst
such course, which might have been had
deemed proper a communication to the British minis
ter These you occasion may require.
IN the first place, without pretendng to know the
opinions OF individuals senator's hazard but little in
sertng that treaty for arbitration could obtain the
constitutional majority Of the Senate necessary to its
ratification Several Of the senators who might assent
to compromise upon the parallel Of forty nine degrees
would not be willing to leopard oy arbitration the pos
session OF the harbors on Admiralty inlet and Pugets
sound south OF that parallel Indeed for commercial
purposes the United States might almost as we'll aban
don the whole territory deprive