Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-20
The Oregon Treaty.

The Oregon Treaty.
The Baltimore Patriot, apparently accurately informed
the SUBJECT furnishes with synopsis OF the treaty
recently signed by the British and American negotators,
and before the Senate conssts Of FIVE articles, as
follows:
"ARrcLr l. FIXES the territorial boundary between the
United States and Great Britain West OF the Rocky
tains the line OF 80 degrees till reaches Queen Char
o,es SQUAD and then through the Straits OF fuea to the
which gives Great Britain Van Couvers Island
"ARr. p Declares the navigation OF the Columbia river
up where it strikes the line Of - deg be free the
Hudson's Bay Company, during the continuance Of its
charter.
"Akr The rivers ports and harbors north Of the i9h
deg. to be free to the commerce OF both nations.
AR e. Indemnity for the forts and trading stations of
the Hudson's Bay Company south OF 40 deg and OF the
Americans north Of the same. II any there be.
"AKr s. Indemnity for private property Of citizens
subjects who may be south north OF ~ deg they wish
10 retire within their own territory"
The Washington Union copies similar of the
provisions OF the treaty from Philadelphia paper, with he
remark, that the version be one, "Grcst Britain
has yielded much more and much better terms than
she has shown any disposition offer accept
The obvious reply this remark, which is evidently
thrown preliminary TO the future laudsuon Of the
President bringing the Oregon controversy, By
policy TO close, is, that in accepting the proposition
Mr.. Polk yields Great Britain much more and much
better terms, than he has shown any disposition
TO offer accept" So tina, the parties to the COM
WISE by mutual concessions, OF old and complicated
controversy which, for paly party purposes had been
necessarily and prematurey forced crisis leading them
tie very verge OF long and bloody which would
have been, according Gen Cas- the leader the Fifty
four Fortcs, "ineviiablc," If the WHOLE OR NONE
doctrine OF the Organ had been adhered to- or IL our
clear and unquestouable" title the territory
nquished Great Britain, embracing six degrees of Ia
ttudo. had been abandoned. What credit the Pros-
dent deserves for us bringing the Oregon controversy TO
close by his new policy"-which. according to letter
from New York the editor OF the Union to insist
upon 81 49, order 40, which we are gr.voy
told {" was all that he really wanted and which, il
be true, shows that the President admirably qualified
for the station OF petty huckscr, but wholly discredits
his character high minded Statesman ASKING MOTH
RIGHT, we say what credit the President
deserves for retreating, at the last moment from his
IRENE position and assuming VINO GROUND for occupying
which, originally, that party almost denounced as
traitOrs submit cheerfuy the decision OF an enlgh,
ed people. The Presidents "new policy" would have
brought the controversy to close doubt but it would
have been catastrophe of blood had been nfieSiby nd
hered to-for will believe that he was guilty of the
contemplate and unworthy equvoque OF demanding set,
element upon the line of 81 40 matter of clear and
unquesuonabe right, while in truth he "Teay raAisd
only the line OF 40 We will believe it, notwithstand
ing fluid assertion tina, effect admitted into the
columns Of his organ because admission of that
kind discredIable hi. honesty than his OIL
gna assertion Of right his Judgment and we prefer
10 question the accuracy OF hs information rather than to
DE compelled to impugR the integrity of his character
Again II upon the reception of the proposition OF
The Brush Government Mr. Polk had promptly accepted
it, ayowing that his opinion originally expressed in re-
gard the validity Of the American title thS whole
had undergone change, but that, spirit Of compro
mise and for the sake of peace, he willing to waive
of our shoud he
withhold from him all praise Tor his wisdom and modera
Hon Even in his appeal the Senate IL shall appear
that he recommended he acceptance Of The British pro
position by that body, shall deny that in so doing he
deserves his full SHARE Of the applause which is richly due
TO all who may have participated in the pacific termination
of the Oregon controversy. But IT, the other hand it
be true and il is said be- that, in his Message to the
Senate, Mr.. Polk declared that WHILE it two.thrds of that
body should sdyse the acceptance of the British offer he
would yield his assent, lie nevertheless was individually
averse TO it, and that in his Judgment ought 10 be re-
Jeettd iii this be ask emphatcay with what grace
will his frients claim Tor him the credit Of act TO which
he thus ayOwed his hostility and which he reluctantly as
scented under the pressure Of public sentiment too DOW
erfu for his resistance?
Just as we took up pen, opened the Misdgvlle
Federal Union, the leading Locofoco paper in Georgia
containing letter from Washington giving O!craby &c
cura,c outline Of the BRUSH proposition as it has since
W
iight-plO," because forsooh the terms proposed are
identical with those months ago suggested By Daniel
Websier-which curious fact" the letter writer ndycrt, 10
pfesumPve evidence that Mr. Webster was In the con-
fdence and pay Of the British Minister And yet now that
the Administration itself has fallen from its high preten
sions and taken the very position occupied by Mr. Web
sier months ago, and thus stgmszod blue Ehtpot
As the basis Of the settlement Of this yCIed question: we are
told that Mr.. Folks" policy has conquered p,aee
without ny sacrifice Of our rights or honor!
We are strongly impressed with the opinion that bu,
for the powerful and triumphant speech Of Mr. Benton so
oppora2ey delivered few weeks ago. which the gh
OF the British government to the territory moth Of the 4gh
degree Of latitude was uedly demonstrated and the DO
sition Of Mossu. Polk and Buchanan upon IS 80 was
shewn TO be wholly untenabls-but for that Speech tho
effect OF which upon public sentiment was decisive and
overwhelming Mr.. Polk would have taken the response
bv without consulting the Senate Of rejecting the pro-
position Of the British Government We do not mean TO
tsy that The President hs Secretary Of State was con-
Nnced by that lucid Argument that they had pushed the
American claim beyond its aud proper limit but they
Were aware that II had produced Tremendous reaction in
pubic opinion which would be safe to encounier-
fheH reeat therefore, ungracelu a. it is reucsnt
aud we know OF no than the assumption
Oi some Of their friends that to their new policy n the
Satisfactory adjustment Of this controversy 10 DO ascrbsd
Tor,
"Pai'c undcservd is 'aure diszui,,."
Secretary Marcy.
IIsa G.rt u.Nu u..t.