The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-01

convention we sent for the acceptance
of the United States was TO this effect,
that
"From the point at which the 49th
parallel Of north latitude shall be found
to intersect the great northern branch
Of the Columbia river, the navigation
of the said branch shall be free and
open to the Hudson Bay Company, and
TO all British subjects trading with the
same, to The point where the said branch
meets the main stream of the Columbia,
and thence down the said main stream
to the ocean, with free access into and
through the said river or rivers, it being
understood that all the usual portages
along the line thus described shall in
like manner be free and open. In nav
igating the said river or rivers, British
subjects, with their goods and produce,
shall be treated on the same footing as
citizens Of the United States, it being,
however, always understood that moth
ing in this article shall be construed as
preventing, or intended to prevent, the
government of the United States from
making any regulations respecting the
navigation Of the said river or rivers,
not inconsistent with the present
treaty."
Sir, | will not occupy the attention
Of the House with any more of the de-
tails Of this convention. | would only
state that, on this very day, on my re-
turn from my mission to her majesty
to offer the resignation of her majes-
ty's servants, ! had the satisfaction Of
finding an official letter from Mr.. PAX
enham, intimating in the following
terms the acceptance of our proposals.
and giving an assurance of the imme.
date termination OF Cur differences
with the United States:
"WAsHINGroN, June 13, 1916.
"MY LORD: In conformity with what
had the honor to state in my despatch.
No. SO, of the 9TH instant, the Presi-
dent sent message on Wednesday
last to the Senate, submitting for the
opinion of that body the draft of con-
vention for the settlement Of the Ore
gon question, which was instructed by
your lordship's despatch, No. 10, of the
18th of May, to propose for the accep-
tance of the United States. After a
few hours deliberation on each of the
three days, Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday, the Senate, by majority OF
thirty-eight votes to twelve, adopted
Yesterday evening resolution advls-
ing the President to accept the terms
proposed by her Majesty's government
The President did not hesitate to aci
on this advice, and Mr.. Buchanan ac
cordlngly sent for me this morning, and
informed me that the conditionss offer
ed by her Majesty's government were
accepted by the government otthe Uni
ted States, without the addition or al
teration Of a single void.
shave the honor to be &c.,
'R. PAKENHAM.
"The Rt. Hon, the Earl OF Aberdeen
X. Il. &c." Thus, sir. these two
great nations, impelled, | believe, By
the public opinion, which ought tc
guide and influence statesmen, have
by moderation-by the spirit OF mutua
compromise, averted that dreadful ca
lamity of a war between two nations
of kindred race and common language
the breaking out of which would have
involved the civilized world in calaml
ties to an extent it is difficult to fore
see, (not one year-probably not ont
month Of such war, but would hav'
been more expensive than the whole
territory that had called it forth9 bu
they have averted that war, | bellev
consistently with their true interests
consistently with perfect honor on tn
part OF the American government, ant
on the part of those who have at leng;l
closed, | trust, every cause OF differ
ence between the two countries. Sir
Imay say, also, to the credit of the gov
ernment of this country, that, SO ia
from being influenced in our views il
regard to the termination Of these dis
putes about the Oregon by the breaking
out Of the war with Mexico, We dis
tinctly intimated to Mr.. Pakenham
that although unexpected events hat
occurred, it did not affect, in the slight
est degree, our desire for peace. Mr.
Pakenham, knowing the spirit OF hi
government, being aware of the occur
renee of these hoslilities, having dis
cretIonary power in certain cases, iih'
had thought this offer would have beer
likely to proIong negotiations, or dl
minish the chance Of successful issue
yet wisely thought the occurrence o
Mexican hostilities with the Unltet
States was notone of the cases TO which
we had adverted, and therefore mos
r