The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-08
con RE s SION 4.
SPEECH OF Mr., NILES,
OF CONNECTICUT.

Il
ths convention Of joint occupancy Of the Oregon
territory.
Mr.. ParspEsr: Il was not his purpose, said Mr.
N 10 occupy much Of the tune Of the Senate Ia the
remarks he had TO submit on this subject; he spoke
of the general subject Of dispute concerning what 10
called the Oregon territory, rather than the partieu-
lar bdl under consideration; yet, considering It's
tensive nature, and various ramihcations, he was
admonished not 70 preface his remarks by any al
fusion 10 their breyity, lest he should add another
the many examples that such an introduction was
a sure indication Of a long speech. In what he
should have TO say 1t was not his intention 70 dis
cuss with view 10 demonstrate or strengthen it,
the e Of the United States to that territory in any
offs places nor did he propose TO examine the Brit
sh claims, although he might allude to the grounds
Of them and their extent, az compared with the
CLAIMS Of the United States. These topics had been
fully and ably debated here and elsewhere, and
probably all had been said that could be offered to
any advantage. Besides he did not regard the dis
cussion Of these disputed topics having a very
important bearing on fhe main question, which was
how this dispute between the two countries could
be settled satisfactorily TO the United States1 We
may convince ourselves, and our own people, that
our tide TO the whole Of that territory Is clear and
unquesuonabe; bat, flour facts and Arguments were
as 1strong as proof Of holy writ" would they con-
vince the government Of Great Britain or the peo-
pie Of England Will they read our arguments;
and il they do 80, win thy read them with that
impartiality which will admit Of conviction And,
II 10 any sense convinced, would il cot be the case
ola person convinced against his will, who re-
mains Of the same opinion still"
Nor did Mr.. N. propose TO discuss either posi-
lively relatively the power and ability Of the two
countries, to sustain and prosecute a war-a ques-
lion which, in his Judgment had little to do with
this controversy In the present Stage ofit-a ques-
lion which il would be time enough TO discuss when
hefa he ttUo
inevitable, or the danger Of il much more imminent
than be believed II to be at present Nor would he
indulge in that fruitful topic defamation the calam-
ies Of war either absractly or in respect to what
might be peculiar TO this country; however great
the evils OF might be, he did not regard that as
very sound reason why should not insist on such
settlement Of this dispute should recognise our
Just and reasonable rights. There were some other
things that he would not bring into this debate If
he did not attempt establish our title he certainly
would not labor to prove that the United States had
no ute al ALL Nor, If we had, would he argue that
we were so weak as compared with Great Britain
that il was the part Of wisdom not TO insist on our
rights, but to secure peace at any sacrifice. And he
would not repeat what others had done, and what
he had Witnessed with profound regret-he would
not bring into this debate the resolution Of the Bal
more convention either proof that title is clear
and UNREASONABLE, or az evidence of public opn-
ion this subject, nor as an argument to influence
II was subject with which that convention should
not have intermeddled. II was lac believed the first
and certainly dangerous example of giving party
character 10 question connected with our foreign
relaions-a dispute with foreign power which
might result in war' And supposing such result
should follow, would it not give occasion for all who
might be dissatisfied with the war to say that il had
been brought upon the country by the proceedings
of party convention and that the war consequently
was mere party war; When he had heard from
some Of his friends this illadvised resolution press
ed into this debate, he had been ready to exclaim,
as he now did, introduce any other topic, press any
other argument, but, in the name of Heaven spare
u.s. save us from an argument drawn from the reso-
luton Of party Convention, on a question invov-
ing the momentous issue of peace or war.
Attic commencement of the present session, said
Mr.. N, the President, in discharge of his constu-
tional duty, communicated TO Congress the CORES
pondence which had taken place between the Seore-
tary Of State and the British penipotentiary
gard to the disputed claims Of the two countries to
the territory on the northwest coast of America and
in his message gave history Of the negotiations
which have taken place on that subject since their
commencement in 1918. He also recommended
certain measures to the consideration of Con-
gress for the maintenance of our rights. Among
these measures, and what seems to be regard
ed as first in order, was the necessary author-
ty to terminate the convention Of l8l8 renewed and
continued by that Of 1927. This matter having
been brought before Congress, the first question
seemed to be, whether it was proper for US to do
anything in relation to it, Whether it was best to
act at all, or leave it where it lin the hands Of the
Executive--for him to, dispose Off And if it is
deemed advisable to do anything, the next question
is, whether is expeden to pass the bill under con-
alteration for abrogating the conyentioni What he
had to say on this subject was intended TO be of a
practical nature, and with view to results, it not
being his intention to discuss disputed abstract ques
tons Of right Several senators who have address
ed the Senate have expressed much doubt whether
they could vote for the authority to give the notice
for terminating the convention. They said that
would depend on circumstances on what might be
developed in the course Of the debate, on what use
was to be made of the power to give the notice and
what measures might be likely to follow it. Such
he understood to be the views Of the senator from
South Carolina, (Mr. CALHouN,l and the senator
from Maine, Mr.. EvANs.l The last named senator,
said that if there was even remote probability that
authorizing the notice would give rise to other meas
urcs which might disturb the peaceful relations be-
tween the two countries, it behooved US to pause,
and to act with great caution. To this he certainly
did net object; he thought himself, that before we
took the first step it proper and the part Of wis
dom to look ahead and see what other measures it
might become necessary to adopt, how far we may
be required to go, and where we can STOP and what
condition we shall be in in regard to this controversy
at that time. This measure might be unobjcction-
able IN itself, but II n necessarily leads to others
which would embarrass the subject, and tend to in
volve the country in war, that might be sufficient
objection to adopting it. Some gentlemen have
considered this measure as peaceful one; others as
hostile not because it in ITSELF but because
it would necessarily lead to measures Of hostile
and forcibe nature. His friend from Michigan,
[Mr. CASH. if he had understood him, seemed
to regard giving the notice to abrogae the conven-
ton as the first in the series Of measures which
would result in taking forcble possession of the dis
puted territory IL you abrogate the treaty, then
tend your laws and jurisdiction over the territory,
and attempt TO dpossess the British settlers there,
and il Great Britain should defend her subjects, as
he thinks she probably would, why. then, war be-
comes ipeyitable Nothing, perhaps, can be more
conclusive. IL the premises admitted, no one, he
presumed, could deny the conclusion But are
these measures the natural consequence Of abroga-
ting the treaty. Are they necessary result of IN
Ii we give the notice, shall we be bound to follow
up thai measure by oil or any of the measures he
had alluded TOT Mr.. N. thought not He did not
consider the notice as the first Of series Of meas
ures Cor orcible occupation Of the disputed terri
tory. We shall be left entirely at liberty to pursue
such measures as we please, pao,fc or otherwise,
after sbrogaling the convention. There is nothing,
therefore, in this objection. What reason is there
a. -