The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-08

5ected, and now Withdrawn, 10 the tifimatum OF the
American Government IL does strike my mind
Mr. Chairman, If ! occupied the position which
have supposed British statesmen to occupy that my
mind would be drawn very clearly 10 the conclusion
that the American Congress are not prepared 10
concur in the opinion expressed by the Executive OF
the United States; and that refusing to give the no
tice for the termination Of the JOINT occupancy the
American Congress has brought itself TO one Of two
conclusions viz. either that the title which the
PresdeDt 80 confidently relies is not clear TO the
mind of Congress, or else that the Congress OF the
United States is Of the opinion that the Executive
should submit, in conformity with the suggestion of
the British minister in the close Of his last commune
cation, more favorable proposition TO the British
government Well, sir, submit not 70 the AmerI-
can Congress- but TO any member OF AZ, whether he
Is prepared, by his course OF conduct, 10 justify on
the part OF Great Britain, inference so clearly de-
uacible from the course Of conduct which We are
called upon to pursue by those who oppose The glv
ing this notice, and which is SO manifestly opposed
TO the known sentiments and opinions OF the Amer
lean people, If we are determined then Mr.. Chair
man. not TO sacrifice this territory, and not to sub
nit to the British government more liberal propo-
son than the one which has been rejected, is IL not
due to the American governments Il not due TO
her national Character to her national feelings that
she should no longer permit another power, howev-
or great, however naughty, however domlneering,
10 enjoy in common with her rights TO which she
has no clear title, TO which she has no title what
ever
Mr. Chairman, Has Great Britain ever made a
proposition the United Siales-haye her statesmen
ever suggested a proposition OF compromise upon
this Oregon question which would meet the response
of an isolated voice in the American Congress- Do
gentlemen anticipate more favorable proposition
Than the which the British government has sub
mitted TO us' lfSo, | desire TO be furnished with
the reasons for that opinion. Here in her uLnatn,
her whole course Of policy has evidenced. There
is the neutrality-suspicious. sir, beyond the uliinatum
Of the American people, which has been submitted
by our government. We are divided by gulf we
will not cross it, and we have no reason 10 believe
that the British government is prepared TO meet US
on our side. Our title is clear; our rights un
questionable; hers are the reverse. Unless, then,
you intend TO hold out inducements 70 the British
government to anticipate falling back, a surrender,
still further surrender on The part Of the American
government, IL strikes my mind that the question
requires prompt, energetic, decisive action on the
part Of our government--such action as is recon.
mended IN the Presidents message; such as is con-
templated by the resolution on your table.
But there is another view, Mr.. Chairman, in
connexion with the state Of the negotiation which
4 desire 10 submit TO this House. Ii this Con-
eress should adjourn without having authorized and
empowered the Executive to give this notice for
the termination Of this joint occupancy, there Is
other inference which may be very clearly and dis
tncily drawn by the people and the government Of
Great Britain. Will they not be prepared to say to
themselves and TO the world that there exists in the
American government division of opinion between
these two Departments OF that governmental the ex-
cculiye ana the legislauye-which weakens the
ton OF the government, and enervates her energy
and ability The Executive marks out a course OF
policy evldencing disposition on the part Of that
department of the government firmly, encrgetically
to assert and maintain the rights of the government
Congress falters falls back Great Britain ners and
justly nfers, that there exists the part of our
government such a diversity of sentiment between
the two different departments of the government,
8 or hal
the occasion requires to he carried out, and those
clear rights OF our government properly to be MAN.
tanned. Are gentlemen prepared by their policy and
course of conduct 10 authorize inference of this
character on the part Of the British government
Mr.. Chairman, am not INDUCING in our course OF
reflection so much from the apprehension that the
British government will make these differences; If IL
were not that in my humble judgment our course Of
conduct would authorize them TO infer and give the in
ference strength and importance, would disregard
such considerations. But cannot say that such
Of conduct part would not authorize and
Justify inference of this sort the part of OPP
ponents in this contest Let Congress adjourn with
out giving the notice under this state Of the facts
connected with Degotation-under the fact that the
recommendation has been made by the Execu-
tive-and that If Congress fails TO comply with it
and will not both Great Britain and the civilized
world who feel any interest in it, be authorized to
draw this inference, that the "cear," ndisputable
and "unquestionabe" title of our government to the
iohoie of Oregon, is not strong and forcibe
have attempted to make III But why, sir, after
twenty-five years, more than twenty-five years Of
negotiation, when the American Congress have be-
fore them the proposition which has been made
upon the other side, and no substantial reason can
be given why any other proposition will be finally
agreed upon, when you have been informed by the
executive department Of the governmcnt--to whose
hands this matter is specially committed--that no
proposition will be made which this government ought
TO accept-when, under all these circumstances you
lear AM ndia utal,l and
right and then refuse to assert that right adopt
measures for the preservation of that right will il
not in the eyes Of the world weaken, our title to
Oregon, and throw veil care not how thin
over that which we now consider SO bright and
clear, to our conception at least' Go to the
French government, to the British government,
or to any other government, and, after the action
of Congress-, refusing to give this notice---re-
fusng to take possession of what we declare and
believe to be ours, and then tell me whether our
rights are not weakened in the estimation Of those
governments; tell me whether our hand is not less
strong than when we first entered into the contest
The world will consider it, and will say that SO
far from 1t, there are shrinkings back, and misgv
ings among us; and we ourselves will look back to
the crisis, which consider the present moment to
be, with regret that we allowed il to pass by with
out doing justice to ourselves, and without doing
justice TO the honor of our own nation.
1t is with me, Mr.. Chairman, question invol-
wing our rights, and our FINAL will not say acaui-
sition--but our final, complete possession of the
whole of this our own territory.
There is another view in reference to the nego-
tiation, which l propose to submit to you Mr.
Chairman, and to this House. If gentlemen will
put themselves to the trouble to investigate the
gotiaton between this government and the govern
ment Of Great Britain, on the subject Of Oregon,
commencing with its earliest inception, and coming
down to the present time they will find that the
same reasons which control the conduct Of an in
divieual in the management of his private affairs,
ought sometimes to be applied TO nation in con-
Quoting affairs of national Importance and the very
reasons which now urged for thefurther post
ponement of action, efficient action the part Of
our government, will be found to have exercised an
undue influence in times gone by do not say
nor do wish to be understood, as intimatng that
there ever has been period, in the history of this
negotiation when action Of this character has been SO
imperatvey trcqured on the part Of our government
as az the present government; but do believe that