Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-03-07

IND s.stE es.is4@{t 81. ssf.a=a.s s-sas33s IF FL
Il Z, 1916. n xt3asq II
only feasible step which could be taken
and the best calculated to allay the existing
efervescence Of popular feeling which
might otherwise greatly embarrass the cf-
forts Of both governments to preserve a
friendly understanding between the two
seolthtrics.Sf -ttf-- Z MI n aetssafff IA
The government Of the United States
will see in tire proposal which the uAdet-
signed is thus instructed to make, proof
Of the confidence Of the British government
in the justice Of their own claim. They
will also see in il proof of the readiness
Of the British government 10 incur the.
risk Of great sacrifice for the preserva-
ton of,peace and of their friendly rela-
lions with the Emitted States. It is made
in spirit Of moderation and fairness Of
which the .wsfllsa will Judge. IN.
The British government confidently
hope that the government or the United
States will not reject proposal made with
such . friendly attention, and for pur-
pose 50 holy, -3s =
There is nothing in it, they are convinc-
ed, not perfectly compatible with the stfiict-.
est regard for the honor and just interests
Of both parties, particularly when it is con-
sidered Of what small value to either is the
portion of territory which in reality forms
the subject o., controversy, compared with
the importance OF preserving state Of
peace and good will betw cen two such ma
TONS sd
The undersigned takes advantage Of this
opportunity tos+fenew 10 the Hon. James
Buchanan the assurance Of his high con-
sideration. @ s
R. PAKENHAM. ).
The Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, &c., sc.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr. Pakenhsm.
DErkRTMEHT or STATE,
Washington, Jan. 3, 1916.
The undersigned, Secretary Of State of
the United States, has the honor to ack-.
nowledge the reception Of the note Of Mr..
Pakenham, her Britanic Majesty's envoy
extraordinary aid : minister pleniPcten-
tiary, dated the 9th ultimo, by which,
under instructions from his government,
he proposes 10 the government Of the Uni
Ted States s'the expediency Of referring
the whole question Of an equitable divis-
ion Of that (the Oregon) territory to the
arbitration Of some friendly sovereign or
State" a. @
The undersigned has submitted this note
to the President; who, after having be-
slowed upon it that respectful considera-
ton so eminently due to any proposition
emanating from the British government,
has instructed him to give it the following
answer, ~ $50,
The British government do not propose
to refer Ia arbitration the question OF The
title to the Oregon territory, CLAIMED BY
the two powers, respectively. 1t is n
proposiiionlto refer to ., friendly sovereign
or State, merely the partition or 'equita-
bic division" Of that territory between the
parties. 1t assumes the fact that the title
Of Great Britain to portion Of the terri
tory Is valid, and thus takes for granted
The very question in dispute. Under this
proposition. the very terms Of the SUBJ
mission would contain an express ack-
nowledgement Of the right Of Great Brit
ain to a portion Of the territory, and would
necessarily preclude the United States
from claiming the whole before the arbi-
traitor. This, too, in the face Of the note
Of the undersigned to Mr.. ,Pakenham Of
the aOth, August st,,by which the Pres
ident had asserted, in the most solemn
form, the title Of the United States 10 the
whole Territory. Even if there were not
other conclusive reasons for declining the
proposition, this alone would be deemed
sufficient by the President. T..
THE President heartily cencdtrs with the
British governm ent in their regret that all
attempts to settle the. Oregon question by
negotiation have hitherto failed. He can
not, however, concur with that govern
ment in the opinion that resort to arbi-
tration, and especially on the terms pro-
posed, would.be followed by happier con-
sequences. On the contrary, he believes
that any attempt to refer this question to Q
third power, would only involve it in new
difficulties. !.
In declining this propositions the prcsi-
dent refers to the sentiment expressed in
the note Of the undersigned Of the Both
August last, to which allusion has already
been made, that be .scherishes the hope
that this long-pending controversy May We,
be finally adjusted in such manner a.
not to disturb the peace, or interrupt the
harmony now SO happily subsis,ing be-
tween the two nations" sH.fa F4J
The undersigned avails himself of thi.
occasion to renew to Mr.. Pakenham as
surances Of his distinguished consideration
| JAMES BUCHANAN.
| Hon. RICHARD PAKESnAM, &c., Sc.
H
| Mr.. Pokenham to Mr. Buchaaan.
WAsH1NGToN, Jan. 6, 1915.
The undersigned, her Britanic Males.
tvs envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotcntiary, has had the honor ore
ceive the note Of the Secretary OF State o
the United States. dated the Sd instant, il
answer to that Of the undersigned datet
2Hh ultinno, containing proposal for re.
ferring the question Of an equitable parti.
tion Of the Oregon Territory to the arbitra