Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-10-10


the Hudson Bay Company Of freely navigating the Column
ba and that in favor of the British occupants north Of the
river, proceed from this sources although is probable that
more OF less PRIDE may be felt giving up now, without what
they may deem adequate equivalent what has been hher
TO rendered by negoiaors.
In fact except in the surrender the United States Of the
title Of the lands not occupied by British subjects between
the Columbia aud the forty ninth PARALLEL and also tile sur
render of the jurisdiction the and the country with
in the limits, am afraid may, with pausbity
be contended that there very material difference between
the present proposition and that offered To Mr. Galan by
Messrs Addington and Hussson the British negotiato
in 1927.
scarcely necessary for state that the proposition
submitted, has not received my countenance.
have therefore felt my duty discourage any expectation
that would be accepted by the President or if submitted to
that body approved by the Senate.
do not think there can be much doubt however, that an
impression has been produced here that the Senate would
cept the proposition offered, least without any mate
rial modification, and that the President would not take the
responsibility OF rejecting it without consulting the Senate. If
there be any reasonable ground TO entertain such impress
son however erroneous, offer less Objectionable, i'll the first
instance at least, could hardly be expected.
1t may be considered certain ALSO in my opinion, that the
oieI now to be made is not to he submitted utmaum
and is not intended such though have know
that Mr. Pakenham will not be authorized to accept reject
any modification proposed part but that he will in
such case, be instructed to refer the modification to his Gov
eminent.
1t is not to be disguised that since the Presidents annual
message and the public discussion that has subsequently
ken place in the Senate it will be difficult if not impossible,
to conduct the negotiation future stages, without refer
ence to the opinion of Senator'S free from sp cuaon
to the degree OF control they may exercse the result
Whatever therefore, might be prudent and regular in the
upon the present OCCASION if the President should think pro-
per to propose any modification OF the offer to be made by Mr.
Pakenham that the modification should be understood pos
sesng the OF the coordinate branch of the treaty
power.
It is not easy conjecture with any certainty the extent
to which this Government might be induced to modify the
proposition, they should be assured that the Senate
less than the President demanded it, 1t must not escape
observation that during the preceding administration of
Government the extension Of the line the forty ninth
ae to the Strait of Fuca, proposed by Lord Abe
deen actually suggested by my immediate predecessor
he thought his Government might accept; and that in
regard to those English subjects who would be left within
American jurisdiction by adopting that boundary be consider
ed the provisions of the second article OF Jay treaty pre-
ceden for convenient mode of dealing with them BY the
second article Of Jays treaty. however, British subjects would
not only be secured in the absolute title to all their lands and
effects fully by Lord Aberdeens proposition, but would
be allowed the option to continue British Subjects and
without any allegiance the Government of the United States
which, according Lord Aberdeens offer, understand
they would not possess In point of fact therefore, the sub
sana points of the present oer and those which may be
expected to be regarded most Objectionable little
than the embodiment of the various offers suggestions
which, at different times, have form other pro-
ceeded from negotiators.
have myself always believed if the extension of the line
of boundary ninth parallel by the Strait Of Fuca
70 the would be acceptable TO Government that the
demand of right freely to navigate the Columbia river could
be compromised upon point Of time by concedng for such
period might be necessary for the trade of the Hudson Bay
Company north south OF the iortyninh parallel Enter
tanning great confidence in that opinion, and deemng it only
reasonable confess that from early period, have used
every argument and power to reconcile Lord
Aberdeen to such limitation and although quite
aware that with portion OF the British public, Importance
by deserves attached the navigation of the
Columbia river and that in others is uneervedy regarded
as point of PRIDE have been disappointed by the pertnac
with which II has been much risk insisted upon Feel
ing very however, that the present offer is made
intended uimatum, think ii only reasonable infer
an expectation the part Of those who offering it, not
only that notifications may he suggested but that they may
be reasonably required. And therefore still entertain the
opinion that although from variety of causes-n part per-
haps, from expectation that in the United States this point
may not be absolutely insisted upon, and part from defer
to interests and impressions home-hey could be
induced in the first instance make offer with qua
LITIGATION yet, the adjustment of the question should be
found TO depend upon this point only, they would yield the
demand to the permanent navigation Of the river and be
tent TO accept for such number of years would afford all
the substantial advantages those they have pacu
lay in view that could be reasonably desired If the only
question upon which the adjustment of the Oregon question
depended should be whether the navigation of the Columbia
should be granted for period sufficient to suberve all
the purposes OF British subjects within the disputed territory
whether the right should be extended indefinitely pa-
cula class of British subjects, believe that English
statesman in the face of his denial of similar privilege
American citizens in regard to the St Lawrence would take
the hazard upon this point alone of disturbing the peace of
the world Indeed, the Ministry from whom the pre-
offer proceeds should continue of their pro-
position by remaining in office until the qualification am adj
vertng to would have to be dealt with, should feel entire
confidence in the belief | have expressed
regret say, however, that have the least expecta
ion that less reservation than proposed in favor of the
cupants of land between the Columbia and the 10th parallel
would be assened to. repeat my conviction, founded
upon all the discussions in which have been engaged here
that making partition of the Oregon territory the protec-
ton Of those interests which have grown up during the joint
occupation is regarded Indispensable obligation the
of honor and impossible TO be neglected quite
that time in contemplation insist upon
the free navigation of the Columbia river for British subjects
and British generally, and that has ultimate
y confined to the Hudson Bay Company, after great
ance, and in the end, most reluctantly Being confined,
however, it would I've only reasonable limit the enjoyment
Of the right period beyond which the company might have
great to the for the purposes OF their trade
But the interests Of the British subjects who have settled up
and occupying lands north of the 49th considered
permanent, and entitled, when passing under jurs
dction, to have their possession secured This, least
the view taken of the subject by this Government and
all likely, in my opinion TO be changed
may add too that have not the least suppose
would be possible 10 obtain the extension Of the 49h para
lei to the sea- give the southern cape of Vancouver
island to the United States.
1t may be amss before leaving this subject call your
attention TO the position of the present Ministry. The
Of their respecting the proposed commercial
axatons is quite certain and the corn bill having final
passed the House If Commons may be expected,
mote day, pass the Lords by majority less decisive
From that time, however the tic which has hitherto kept the
Wing party support Of Sir Robert Peel will be dissolved
and the determination Of the proecton party who supposed
themselves have been betrayed drive him from Office has
lost of It's vgor power Indeed, il is confidently
ported in quarters entitled great respect, that they have
OF TO