The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-24


on that occasion explained, in a speech delivered
on the subject. then saw that there were two
distinct lines of policy. which might be pursued
one was to adhere to the convention of 1927; op.
pose every attempt to annul it, and strictly OBJ
serve lis provisions. ! saw, that although for
time the convention had operated benefcally for
Great Britain period at hand when our
turn would come TO enjoy its benefits. Its opera
ton had, heretofore, thrown into her hands the
whole ur-trsde of the region and we had stood,
while she reaped the rich harvest, when it was
In our power at any time to annu the convention by
giving the years notice. But | saw that our for
bearance would be compensated by the advantages
which the convention was about to confer on u.s.
II we should have the wisdom to adopt the proper
line OF policy To secure them. The increase of
our population, and lis progress westward were
rapidly extending our settlements towards the
Rocky mountains, through which pass had been
discovered but few years before, which greatly
Increased the facility of coonizng the territory
In this state OF things, it was clear to my mind
that 1t we adhered to the convention, and respect
ed It's provisions, the progress of events would ul-
tima,ely give us 2 possession of the whole terri
tory as our power to settle the territory, and
thereby obtain possession, far greater than
that of Great Britain lis 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 emf
grated With their families and herds with little
expense or fatigue. Very different was the case
with Great Britain. The distance to Orepon.
by water, from her shores cannot be much less
than twenty thousand mes-a distance but little
snort OF the entire circumference of the globe;
while her approach TO it through her American
possessions opposes great difficulties to emigration
on large scale. OF all the spots on the face of
the globe now open TO colonization, and suscepti-
bic ot being colonlzed, ii is the most remote from
her, and the most difficult of access. She has
many colonies much nearer 10 her, to which there
is much greater facility of access, with equal soil
and climate, as yet very partially settled. Even
New Zealand In all these respects is superior to
It, With these great advantages in our favor in
settling the territory, and which were yearly
rapidly increasing, it clear to my mind that
all we had to do was to adhere TO the convention;
to observe all its provisions with most scrupulous
hdellty, In order TO obtain the actual occupation
and possession of the whole country.
As far as could perceive, there was but one
impeachment in the way, and that was, that Great
britain, IN order TO prevent from obtaining
possession by settlement, might give notice her
sell TO terminate the convention for joint occupan-
cy But of this | entertained little apprehension.
had read the correspondence of former negota-
tons with attention, my inference was, that she
placed but little value Oregon as place for per-
manent settlement, and that she had in great
measure, made up her mind, from its geographi-
cal position, that it would ultimately pass into
our hands. But be this it may could not but
see that there were great mpedlments in her way
OF giving such notice, as would preclude us from
the right of settling. She has, indeed, the same
right to terminate the convention of 1927 that we
have. as 1T is expressly provided that either may
give it. But there is another convention which
she claims 10 be still in existence, and to which
we, holding under Spain, are parties with her,
| refer TO the Nootka Sound convention. 1t is
analogous in its objects with that of 1927, though
dissimlar in its language. But unlike the latter,
1t contains no provision for giving notice. and can
only be annulled by violation. Under it, we ac-
cording to her own showing, have equal rights
with herself TO joint occupancy and settlement, of
which we cannot be deprived on the ground on
which she places her rights to the territory, with
out breach of faith
LConcludcd in our nextl