Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-22


TO express an official or mere personal
opinion? If the latter, it certainly had no
place in an official communication. 1.-THE |
former-if he intended a solemn official |
opinion, upon which he was resolved to
act Oflicially-then it is very grave qnes-
lion 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 on
which they had stood under his predeces-
sors, and with the concurrence of all bran.
ches of the government, for so many
years; for it is not to be doubted that the
United States government has admitted,
through long series Of years that Eng
land has rights in the northwestern parts
of this continent which are entitled to be
respected.
Mr.. President, one who has observed
attentvely what has transpired here and
in England within the last three months,
must, | think, perceive that public opinion
IN both countries, is coming to a conclu-
sion that this controversy ought to be set
tied; and is not very diverse, in the one
| country and the other, as TO the general
basis of such settlement. That basis is
the offer made by the United States 10
England in 1926.
There is no room to doubt, think, that
this country is ready to stand by that Of
fer substantially and in effect. Such is my
opinion, at least, and circumstances GER
tainy indicate that Great Britain would
not, in all probability would not, regard
such a proposition as unfit TO be consider
ed. | said, some weeks ago, that | did
not intend to discuss titles at length, and
certainly not to adduce arguments against
our own claim. But it appears to me that
! there is a concurre nee of arguments, or
considerati ons,. in favor of regarding the
49th parallel as the just line of demarca-
ton, which both countries might well re-
spect 1t has, for many years, been the
extent of our claim. We have claimed
up to 40, 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 the Rocky noun
tains, and has been since the purchase OF
Louisiana from France.
| do not think it important either to
, prove or disproye the fact, that commits
5 sioners under the treaty of Utrecht estab-
lished the 49th parallel as the boundary
: between the English and French posses
sions in America. Ancient maps and de-
scriptions so represent it; some saying that
! this line of boundary is to run ''indetinite-
ly west" others saying, in terms, that il
2 extends " to the northwestern ocean," But
4 what is more important, we have consider
: ed this boundary as established by the
: treaty of Utrecht, at least on this side o
the Rocky mountains. 1t was on the
r strength of this that we drove back tbs
2 British pretensions, after we had obtained
! Louisiana north, from the head waters o
: the Mississippi to this parallel of 40.
e This is indubitable. We have acted
e therefore, and induced others to act, or
S the idea that this boundary was actually
n established. 1t now so stands in the trea
ty between the United States and Eng
t land. If, on the general notion of contigU
j ity, or continuity, this line be continues
n /" indefinitely west" or is allowed to ruI
n TO the northwestern ocean," then it leave
:, on our side the valley of the Columbia, t
d which, III my judgment, our title is main
y !ainabIe on the ground of Gray's discovery
d The Government of the United State
: has never offered any line south of forty
J. uine, with the navigation of the Colum
t. bIa,) and it never will. 1t behooves al
10 concerned 10 regard this as a settled point
ID As to the navigation of the Columbia
if permanently, or for term of years, tina
e is all matter for just, reasonable, an
Is friendly negotiation. But the 10th paral
1t lei must be regarded as the general lin
l. of boundary, not to be departed from fo
Is any line further south. AS 10 all strait:
= and sounds, and islands in the neighborin
y sea, all these are fair subjects for treat
le stipulation. If the general basis be agree
s. to, all the rest, it may be presumed, ma
N be accomplished by the exercise of a spir
n of fairness and amitv.
it Mr.. W., in conclusion, dwelt upon th
4 importance and necessity of an early ad
iustment of the controversy.
to Mr.. ALLEN said: The Senator from Mas
,e sachuseltS has made this the occasion
hit doing what | estimate as of more lmpo
Mt lance than expressing his opinion on ii
e. subject of this resolution. 1t is undoub
IN eddy true that, constilutionally, and IN OF
RS intercourse with each other on this foo
IN all the members of this body enjoy pc
r feet equality. But it is also true, thi
ii the long experience which some Senate
OF have enjoyed, and the place they have a
a quired in the judgment of their countr
to make what they say upon this floor
IS much more importance than if it fell fro
IS the lips of some other Senators. The S
ais nator from Massachusetts, has, for the FL