Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-13
M. Pakcnham 10 Mr. Bueianan.
WASHINGTON, January l6, 1916.


With an anxious desire TO contribute by every
means in his power 10 a satisfactory conclusion
Of The question pending between the Two govern
men,s respecting Oregon, the undersigned, her
Britannia Maesty's Envoy extraordinary and
minister penpo,eniiary, has reflected on the con-
tents of the note addressed to him on the Sd inst,
nv The Secretary OF Stale Of the United STATES,
in answer to that which the undersigned had
The honor 10 address 10 him on the 9th OF last
month.
The note of the undersigned proposed 10 the
Government of the United States, that The whole
question Of an equitable partition OF The Oregon
territory should be referred TO the arbitration OF
some friendly sovereign or state.
In his answer, the Secretary OF State informed
the undersigned that his proposition could not be
accented. That it did not propose TO refer 10 ar
bi,ration the question OF the title TO the Oregon
territory claimed b. the two powers respectively
That in proposing TO reterto friendly sovereign
or state merely the partition or equitable DIVISION
OF the territory between the parties II assumes
The fact, that the title of Great Britain 10 por-
lion OF the territory is valid, and thus takes Tor
granted the very question IN dispute.
| That under this proposition the very terms OF
| the Submission would contain an express &C.
acknowledgement of the RICH, of Great Britain 10
portion OF the territory and would necessarily
| preclude the United States from claiming the
whole territory before The arbitrator; and this, loo
The Secretary of State goes on 10 observe, N The
face OF his note 10 the undersigned OF 3Olh Au'
gust BIZ which The undersigned had asserted, IN
The most solemn form the title OF the United States
/ 10 the whole tsrritoly.
II is no, the purpose Of the undersigned in the
present note To renew the discussion as 10 the u
lie of either party, Great Britain or the United
States, 10 The whole or 10 any part Of the Oregon
territory.
He must however, beg leave, with reference tc
the observation which he has jus, quoted, TO re-
mind the United States Secretary OF State, that, j
The Government of the United States have for
mally advanced claim TO the whole OF Oregon
il is no less certain that Great Britain has, in a
manner equally formal declared tina, she, loo
has rights in the Oregon territory incompatible
with the exclusive claim advanced by the United
States.
This declaration, arising from conviction
equally sincere, will, the undersigned is peTsua
ded, Re viewed with the same consideration by
the Government Of the United States, as they ex.
pect that their own declaration should receive a
The hands of the Government OF Great Britain.
This promised, tic object Of the undersigned in
addressing TO Mr.. Buchanan the present commu'
nication is TO ascertain from him whether, suppo'
sing the British Government TO entertain no OBJ
lection TO such course, il would suit the
\
TO arbitration, not as has already been proposed,
the question OF an equitable partition of the terri
tory, but the question OF title in either OF the two
powers 10 The whole territory, subject, OF course
10 The condition that, if neither should be found,
in the opinion ofthe arbitrator TO possess COM
plete title 10 The whole territory there should 10
that case, be assigned 10 each that portion Of ter
ritory which would, in the opinion OF The arbi,ra-
Ting power, be called for BY just appreciation OF
the respective claims OF EACH
The undersigned has suggested reference on
the above principle to some friendly sovereign or
STATE
This the undersigned believes 10 be the course
usually followed in such cases; II is tina which
has already been resorted 10 by the Two govern
ments, (and more than once) But there may be
other forms OF arbitration, perhaps, more agreea-
| BILE TO the Government of the U. States.
/ There might be, for instance, mixed commits
sion, with an umpire appointed by common con-
sent; or there might be board, composed Of the
most distinguished civilians and jurists of the
time, appointed in such manner asshould bring
all pending questions 10 the decision OF the most
enlightened, impartial and independent minds
| In the present position of affairs, and feeling
! how much the interests OF both countries require
an early as we'll as an amicable and satisfactory
| adjustment of existing difficulties, the undcrsign-
ed earnestly invites the Secretary Of State TO lake
the subject of this note into consideration. with
view 10 such an arrangement, on The princi-
| pie of arbitration as may seem to The Government
Of the United States 10 be mos, just, wise and ex-
| pedient.
The undersigned takes advantage ofthis oppor-
tunity TO renew 10 The Hon. James Buchanan the
assurance of his high consideration.
R. PAKENHAM.
| To the Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, Sc, &c, &c.