The daily union., 1846-10-26
4a9h lt1 lf 90 From the PeIlnsy lsanian
THE OREGON QUESTIONING. 4

ss The r.jsetion ef ais proposition By he British
gosernm<ni.
The rejection by the British government Of the
Presidents proposition TO settle the Oregon quss-
ton, by adopting the Ash parallel Of latitude as the
boundary between the Two countries, entirely re-
lesed him from The embarassment in which, al the
outset, be had found himself involved by the pre-
vious acts offers, and declarations Of his predeces
sors.
His course had now become plain and natural,
though highly responsible and he pursued il TO the
and without falleripg. The documents already
published clearly neye cal that course. IL was, first
Of all and above all, TO assert, and so far as the
Executive Was concerned, 10 maintain our right up
the parallel Of $40 4U and abide the consequences,
whatever these might be, This was equally due
TO bus convictions OF duty, and to the dictates OF
sound policy. ...-. ...
To ihe dictates Of sound poIicyi because admit
ting, what al the time deemed highly improba-
bic, thar be would be sustained by Congress and the
country-eyen Ia that event, this was the only
course by which the British government could be
brought 10 abandon the basis Of negotiation, TO
which they had adhered with iDyineible enaeity for
more Ihan a quarter Of a century, and to recede
north Gsrd from the ne OF the Columbia river TO the
49ih parallel Of latitude. Past experience has fully
demonstrated, thai so long as we should limit our
claim 10 this parallel, this would never be con-
oeded.
The circumstances under which this just and wise
policy was adopted, were peculiarly fortunate, Mr.
Pakenham, by rejecting the American proposition,
without presenting any counter proposal, had i'm
posed the duty on the British government Of making
the first offer la they should renew the nego-
tation. This relieved the President from all embsr-
Iassment, which otherwise might nave resulted from
his fixed determination 10 "aceept nothing less than
the whole territory, unless the Senate should other
wise determine II the British government should
offer 10 establish boundary the continent, south
OF the parallel Of l9o this would, of course, be
promptly rejected On the other hand, should they
return, substantially our own proposition, OF the
parallel OF 49o, the President lefl perfect lib
erty To follow the precedents Of Washington and
jackson in similar cases. and 90 submit this offer TO
the Senate for their previous advice In either case,
the British government would have Just cause Of
offence Should the Senate advise the acceptance
ofths proposition by majority of two-thlrds OF
the body, such advice would afford conclusive evil
denes that public opinion, expressed through the
appropriate constitutional organ, was against the
Presidents demand Of the whole territory and in
this he wo0lI be bound To acquiesce, On the other
ham, should The Senate reject the proposition, and
unite with the President in asserting and maintain
ing our ue 20 the whole territory, he would be rea'
dy aud wiling, under their SANCTION to 90 to the last
extremity ia sustaining what he has ever believed
TO be our JOS, lnd righteous claim.
This poliGy, 80 clear, so comprehensive, and so
wisely adapte 70 meet every contingency, Is pre-
sened ia bold relief on the face of the documents
IT. the view Of the subject which have thus pre-
istralion on the Oregon question becomes plain as
the light 81 day.
Bur, before we proceed to any citations from these
documents, 1t is proper to observe, that the deter
mined but respectful tone in which Mr. Buchanan,
by his letter TO Mr.. Pakenham Of the goth Of Au-
gust, has asserted our title and our claim to the
whole Of Oregon, had already produced its natural
effect upon the British government We do not
mean TO insinuate thai this government either was
or Could be, intimidated. Far from it. But they
felt cris TO be approaching in the relations be.
tween the two countries, and were disposed to con
slider the question more seriously than they had
ever done before. Proof Of this is found in the fol-
lowing passage Of Mr.. Buchanan's letter to Mr.. Nc.
Lane, OF the 5th November, I545:
'sSince the receipt, on the 2lst ultimo, of your
No g. have held several conversations with Mr..
Pakenhau His purpose, doubtless, was to ascer-
tain whether the President would not take back his
withdrawal of our proposition Of compromise, and
suffer II to stand the basis of further negouaon
aad, if this could be done, to obtain some
rance In advance as to the manner in which a new
proposition from the British government would be
received He did not accomplish either object. In
these conversations, gave him distinctly to under
stand that the President could not consent TO recall
what had been alrea y done, nor 10 modify in any
degree the withdrawal of offer. AT the same
time, observed, in answer to question propound-
ed by him, that fthe British government should
think proper to make any new proposition to the
government of the United States for the settlement
of the Oregon question, it would be respectfully
considered by the President, without, however, feel
ing himself committed in any degree by the offer
which had been already made and rejected, and af-
terwards withdrawn" ... .... ~.
No sooner has Mr. Pakenham communicated
with his government, than he comes forward, as
we here see and socits the President TO take back
his withdrawal of our proposition of compromise,
and suffer 70 sand the basis OF further negota-
tion Aud this was the same proposition which,
hit hrae fba haf .ha had ntad IN
consistent "with fairness and equity, and with
the reasonable expectations of the British govern
ment.n t. Elr. ......r, u.s...r.- a,.-.i
This conversation enabled Mr. Buchanan to COM
mnnicae to the British government, through Mr
Pakenham, all that it proper they should know
OF the Presi iens intentions; and this done in
clear and distinct manner ., ... ...' ~. al. -,
But II was necessary to disclose TO Mr. McLane
the entire policy of the President. Although he
had not been sent abroad to negotiate the Oregon
question, yet IL was foreseen that he would have re
quent opportunities of conversng with the British
ministers on the subject, and thus rendering, as
he did, essential service to his country 1t was I'M
dspensable therefore, that the determination of the
President, under the changed aspect of affairs,
should be communicable to him, in such terms as 10
render mistake impossible. Otherwise, being unt
informed himself, he might have led the British
ministers into error. q o aa,... .gt
1t is from the letters of Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.
McLane, communicating this information, as well
as ron Mr. Buchanans letter TO MI. Pakenhain oI
the both August, and the Presidents last annual
message to Congress, that have deduced and de-
lneaed the policy Of the administration the Ore
gon question. That we have done this correctly,
will appear from the citations which we shall now
proceed to make. aH @ paaf... I7
Mr.. Buchanan, in his letter Of the 5h November,
l645, informs Mr. McLane, that af o, r
'sMr Pdkcnham's note Of the 30th July, reject
ing our proposition, became Immediately after its
receipt, the subject Of grave deliberation by the
President. Upon full consideration Of the whole
question, and after waiting month for further de-
velopmcnts he arrived at the conclusion that il was
a duty which he owed his country to withdraw the
proposition which he had submitted. This was ac-
cordingly done by my note to Mr. Pakenham Of the
Both Of August last The President thus took his
ground, from which he will not depart. IL the Brit
ish government have any rev proposition TO sub
nit, il must proceed from them voluntarily, and
without any previous invitation or assurance Oh
our part; and then such propagation will be re-
spectfully considered by the government Of the Un
ted 2fate 2 4 4 4 +. II