Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-14


Union expends many words, in his paper Of We'd
nesday night, TO prove that a line of compromise
which should give England the whole of vancou.
vers Island, would of necessity, convey with il the
entire sovereignty of Fucas Straits, and cut off the
United States from access to Admiralty Inlet and
all the sounds and rivers south of and the editor
in chief, we suppose, in order to mpart to the ar
gument all the graces of Locofocoism, intersperses
the article with the quantum Of personal imputaton
which usually adorns the editorials of the official
journal. These latter, il is true daily repeated as
they are, excite in bosoms some Indignation, but
much more pity that they should have become the
habtua if not favorite weapons Of one whose posi-
ton, ancient associations, and, we might add age,
had warranted the hope of better things. We re:
nit all such modes Of discussion to the contempt
with which they are viewed by honorable men Of
all parties.
AS TO the question whether line drawn west
from the southern point of Vancouyer's Island will
strike the southern cape Of Fucas Straits, all the
maps which we have been able to consult bear us
out in denying it; but we shall not waste words to
prove geographical fact which is too fixed" to
be changed by the dictum OF the Union, and which,
if existing authorities are insufficient or doubtful,
only be established by careful scientific survey
II was not, therefore, to pursue the discussion our
selves that we took up the pen, but to introduce a
reply from our correspondent whose first article, by
being quoted by the London Globe aad the Paris
Messenger, reused the ire of the Union, and gave
occasion TO the remarks which we thought lit to
interpose.
TO THE EDITORS.
GENTLEMEN am truly gieved that should have been
the luckess Of involving you in controversy with
learned and skiln antagonist who has now he appears
think, got you in tight place.
In communication sent to you two three months
ago. my object suggest line Of boundary for Oregon
in accordance with two weknown principles of public law
st That occupation gives the best title to territory 3D. That
when boundary be otherwise determined the terri
tory in dispute should be equally divided between the contend
ing claimants. As the communication was intended to be
very brief and hastily written, entered into no details
Of argument fact and rather nmated than said explicitly
that the line Of equal division in the Of Oregon would
be somewhere the 4sh parallel and would pass
the souhernmost point Of Vancouves Island and thus
vate what doubt insuperabe objection the part
of the British Government to the 49th parallel that of
from them large portion Of the island mentioned.
II entered into my head designate an exact spec
c inexihe line of boundary, wholly variance with the
very object of my suggesonan equitable compromise.
knew that any compromise line would be subject of cautious
negotiation between both Governments and that the
designating it would be carefully weighed and exactly
expressed and hence that it would be folly any private
individual having of obtaining information
of the topography of the land and waters in dispute to
tempt to describe line of boundary in such that
III
with marvellous condescenson, agree accept it. Nor did
consent to surrender the British exclusive pos
session Of the entrance Of the Struts of Fuca.
But the g Union says that the parallel Of latitude run
ming just south of the southenmos point Of Vancouver Is
land would touch Cape Fattery.
Now, in the 6rs place. deny this. and cab for proof
Watts the latitude Of the souhsmmost point Of ysncsa-
->s,4 I---Ja And sh~s y the lsfiiaae M ,h>
point of shst part OF the main land which hes south d the
Straits of Fucal 1t will do offer any chart still less
any map evidence unless accompanied proof that such
chart is the result Of actual observation and survey by skill
full observer who provided with good instruments.
In the second place. deny that give the British Co.
points, south and the other north of the
Straits of Fuca would necessarily give the exclusive right
to navigate the straits from and to the ocean.
If the Union" win have the goodness establish either
port Of the asseron-I will cheefully consent give up
what intended argue for, hini speci-
c inexibe parallel of latitude running just south Of the
southemmost point of Vancouvers Island and DETECTING
neither the north south, how many islands,
farms, arm-houses cut in two whose toes it chop
ped of.
The " Union" will not admit of any smitude between
the line proposed by Mr. GALLArS and that suggested by
your humble correspondent. Be it had faered
myself that there resemblance well in the prnci-
pies upon which he led to the proposal of his line
what seemed to be main object Of ito yield the whole Of
Vancouvers Island But Mr. GALLArIS ventured sug-
gest what after the ferocy displayed by the Government
print should have dared hint ahe concession of the
right navigate the Columbia river. II the Union" pre-
fes Mr. GALLArrSs proposition content. Any thing
for quiet life.
Mr. GALLATISs line would through the middle Of the
Straits Of Fuca for a certain distance How b this line
to be ascertained marked out Who knows how many
fine oysterbeds valuable pearl fisheries lie north of this
middle line Suppose American vessel should be found
Just crossing the line tack, would the British have
right in two, and carry off the moey good
prize
surprised that the Union" should seem to prefer
line having such manifest Disadvantages and giving up the
navigation Of the Columbia boot, that which suggest
lumba, giving only little iaHey in exchange for it
KY.
RETRoCEssI0N.
The correspondent Of the Baltimore American
gives the annexed synopsis Of the bill reported in the
House Of Representatives for retroceding Alexan-
dra and that portion Of the District south OF the