Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-09
Twemtp-Nintb Congress.
In the Senate. March 80.

The resolution calling on the President for informa-
tion relative To the Oregon negotiation, offered
some weeks since, by MIR. ]. M. Clayton, was again
taken up, and Mr.. Webster took occasion to express,
at some length, his views of the course pursued by
the Executive with regard to the Oregon question,
and the duty Of the governments Of both countries to
bring this controversy TO a speedy termination by
agreeing to settle it substantially on the basis of the
offer made 10 Great Britain by the United States In
1926. He desired the further consideration Of the
subject by the Senate to be postponed for a month, in
order to allow time for negotiation, which might
obviate the necessity of the notice; and requested
that Mr.. Clayton would allow his resolution to be
passed over informally.
From the report of Mr.. Webster's remarks in the
9 Union" we make the following extract, which
defines his position
"When the President declared that, in his judg-
ment, our title to the whole of Oregon was g clear
and questionable, did he mean to express an official,
or a mere personal opinion 7 If the latter il certainly
had no place in an official communication. If the
former-if he intended a solemn official opinion, upon
which he was resolved to act officially, then ii was a
very grave question how far he is justified without
new lights, or any change of circumstances, to place
the claims of this country, in this respect, on other
grounds than those which they had stood on under
his predecessors, and with the concurrence of all
branches Of the government for so many years for
it is not to be doubted that the United States govern
ment has admitted, through a 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 attentively what has
t~ranspired here and in England, within the last three
months, must, | think, perceive that public opinion,
in both countries, Is coming to a conclusion that this
controversy ought to be settled and is not very d.
verse in the one country and the other as TO the gene
raj basis of such settlement. That basis is the offer
made by the United States to England in 1896. There
is no room to doubt, | think. that this country is ready
to stand by that offer, substantially and in effect.
Such is my opinion, at least, and circumstances GER
tainly indicate that Great Britain would not, in all
probability, regard such a proposition as unfit 10 be
considered. l said, some weeks ago, that | did not
intend to discuss the titles at length, and certainly
not to adduce arguments against our own claim.
But ii appears to me that there is a concurrence of
arguments, or considerations, in favor of regarding
the 49th parallel as the Just line of dema rcation,
which both countries might well respect. 1t has, for
many years, been the extent of our claim. We have
claimed up to 400, and nothing beyond it. We have
offered to yield every thing north of it. 1t is the
boundary between the two countries on this side of
the Rocky Mountains, and has been since the purchase
Of Louisiana from France. l do not think it impor-
tant either to prove or disprove the fact, that commits
sioners under the treaty of Utrecht established the
10th parallel as the boundary between the English
and the French possessions in America. Ancient
maps and descriptions so represent it some saying
that this line of boundary is to run " indefinitely
west" others saying, in terms, that it extends 9 to
the northwestern ocean," But, what is more impor-
tant, we have considered this boundary as established
by the treaty of Utrecht, at least on this side of the
Rocky Mountains. 1t was on the strength of this
that we drove hack the British pretensions, after we
had obtained Louisiana, north, from the head-waters
of the Mississippi to this parallel of 40 deg. This is
indubitable. We have acted, therefore, and induced
others to act, on the idea that this boundary was
actually established. 1t now so stands in the treaty
between the United States and England. If. on
the general notion Of c~ontiguity or continuity. this
line be continued 80 indefinitely west" or is allowed
to run to the " north-western ocean,, then it leaves
on our side the valley of the Columbia, to which, in
my Judgment, our title is maintainable on the ground
of Gray's discovery. The government of the United
States has never offered any line south of forty-nine,
with the navigation of the Columbia J and il never
will. 1t behooves all concerned to regard this as a
settled point. As to to the navigation of the Column
bia, permanently or for a term of years, that is all
matter for just, reasonable and friendly negotiation.
But the 49th parallel 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 neigbboring sea, all these are fair sub
lects for treaty stipulation. If the general basis be
agreed to, all the rest, 1t may be presumed, may be
accomplished by the exercise of a spirit of fairness
and amliy.
Mr.. Allen replied. defending the administration
from the charges of Mr.. Webstar, and entirely repu.
dating the idea of any exhibition of faltering indie.
cision on the part of the Senate at this critical stage
of the Oregon question.
Mr.. J. Nj. Clayton made some remarks in vindica-
tion of his motives and objects in offering the resolu-
tion-repeated in substance his reasons for desiring
the notice to be given at once-and concluded by ex-
pressing his willingness to allow his resolution to lie
for the present on the table. in Difference to the wishes
of gentlemen on the other side of the chamber.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the
special order. Mr.. Barrow addressed the Senate for
nelrly three hours. The speech was rather discur.
sive but he expressed himself In favor of the notice,
as a measure tending 10 peace.
Mr.. Cass has the floor tomorrow.
The House, setting aside the regular business OF
the day, which was the call of the States for resolu-
tons, went into ~ommittee. and voted on the amend
ments to the bill to supply deficiencies in appropria-
tions. The bill was reported to the House, and finally
passed by a very heavy vote.
The House then again went into ommittee and
took up the Independent treasury bill. The debate
was continued until a late hour.
In Senate, March 81.
Mr.. CAss spoke at length on the subject and in
favor of the Oregon notice.
Mr.. Cass argued that the 10th parallel was not the
boundary of our claim, and had never been made so
by the treaty of Utrecht or by any admission on our
part.
He intended, as he declared, to march up to 81 40,
if he could.
Mr.. Ashley took the floor for tomorrow.
In the House the Sub-Treasury bill was taken up,
and Mr.. Chapman spoke in favor of it.
On Thursday, at one o'clock, the bill is to come
out of committee.
"a MISTAKE OF THE PRINTER."-In the case of
DR.. Ambrose Barber, of Macon, Geo., who lately died