Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-02-19

X ASodheu, dt no distant
day. to be peepled by our ci,izens.-
ms territory presents the avenue thro'
which the commerce of our western
States can be pro6tably conducted with
Asia and the western coasts IF his
continent; and its ports, the only har-
oors belonging to the United States 10
"nicn our numerous whalers and other
vessels IN hat region can resort. And
YET, vast as are its dimensions. If ron.
'alns not safe and commodious har.
Dor from us southern extremity until
we approach the 10th parallel Of la,i-
II is far from the intention Of the mn
designed againto open the discussion
OF the conflicting claims Of the Two
powers TO the Oregon territory. It is
sufficient for him to state the continued
convection Of the President, that the
United States hold the besttitle in ex-
istence to the whole Of his territory
Under this conviction, he cannot con
sent to leopard for his country all the
great interests involved, and BY anv
possibility, however remote, to deprive
the republic ofall the good harbcrs on
the coast, by referring the question to
arbitration.
Neither is the territory in dispute OF
equal, or nearly equal, value to the two
powers. Whilst it is invaluable to the
U. States, it is of comparatively small
Importance to Great Britain. 10 her.
Oregon would be but distant colonial
possession Of doubtful value: and
which, from the natural progress of
human events, she would not probably
long enough enjoy to derive from it es-
sentlal benefits; whilst 10 the U. States
ltwould become an integral and essen
t'al portion ofshe republic. The gain
to Great Britain she would never sensi-
bly, feel whilst the loss to the. United
States would be irreparable.
The undersigned is perfectly aware
that such considerations can have no
bearings upon the question of the title
OF either party. They are presented
solely for the purpose of explaining the
views of the President in his refusal to
adopt any measure which should with
draw our title from the government and
people of the .. States, and placed ii
wlshnthe discretion of any arbitrator,
no matter how intelligent and respect
able,
The President cordially concurs with
the government of Great Britain in de-
string that the present controversy may
be amicably adjusted. Ofthis he has
gwen the strongest proof before the
whole world. He believes that, as
there are no two nations on the earth
more closely bound together by the ties
OF commerce, so there are none who
ought TO be more able or willing to do
>ealh each other justice, without the in
deposition Of any arbitrator.
The undersigned ayaiIs himself of
this occasion 10 renew to Mr.. Paken-
ham the assurance Of high considera-
ton. M
= JAMES BUCHANAN.
Right Hon. R. PAKENHAM, &C., &c.
$50
From the Washington Union.
THE MESSAGE AND DOCUMENTS.
We lay before our readers the documents,
which the President of the United States has
sent in TO the House Of Representatives to-
day, In compliance with their call He would
doubtless have reserved the communication till
Monday when the Senate, who made the first
cati upon him, would be in session. Gas thew
were to-day if he had not been DESTROYS Of
laying these documents before the House at an
earlier day, that they might have such bear
ing upon their pending proceedings as its mem /
bels might deem them fairly entitled to exert.
He wishedihe House to judge of their avaia- |
bibty. lie did not think himself authorized to /
judge for them. Little as he might deem
these documents calculated to vary TIE position |
OF the question and the action Of the House. |
still he did not desire to arrogate the office off
deciding for them. He has laid these papers. !
therefore, before them on this day. He Keeps
nothing back. With the manly plain dealing
that becomes his own character, as well as the !
oltice which he fills, he lays these documents
that have transpired since his annual message |
before the representatives of the people, He |
sends IN not only the correspondence between
fseih po'IHtldfy duO we secretary |
CT State, but the letter Of our minister at Lon
don, concerning the military preparations
which England is now making. The Pres-
dent, with commemorate vigilance caused inqui- |
ry TO De made about the object Of these prepar-
ATOMS. lie whole is now before US; and we
Deem II our duty, not only to send them forth
70 the people as promptly as possible. bat 10
present, IN few frai*s words, the impressions
which they have produced upon ourselves
The correspondence between hlessrs. Paken-
ham and Buchanan relates to one subject only
comes in the form Of a proposition from he
= British plenipoteaiiary. to submit the coo,ro-
versy between the Two countries TO the aeci-
zion of arbiirators. Mr.. Pakenham pronoses
in his first letter to refer the partition Of the
territory Of Oregon. Mr.. Buchanan objects -
hisproposition. Mr.. Pakenharn then varies 4
into submission of the title Of the Two cam.
tries. Mr.. Buchanan also declines it. in q. re-
ply (which is 50 admirably written, that it Nil,
add even new leafto the bright chaplet which
his letter ofAngust last had already wcyhn
l. L~> ~s'~.