Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-05
THE BRITISH PROPOSITION.


The Courier and Enquirer, after a careful COLA
ton of all its advices by the Hibernia, concludes
that the leading article in the London Times of the
Sd inst on the subject Of Oregon had an official
origin, and that it shadows forth proposition of
compromise which has come out to Mr. Packen-
ham in the Hibernia to be formally submitted to
our Government The material portion of that ar
tcle is as follows:
An equal line Of partition would be a continu-
alton from the Rocky Mountains, not of that line
which has already beenfxed on as the commence
ment OF the boundary, but of line one degree to
the South OF 1t, drawn to the Southern Cape on the
outlet Of Juan de Fuca Straits. This would as
nearly as it is possible be the divisional line OF the
disputed district, aud would give US a greater ex-
toni of eoaet land to the North than we care 10
claim But the 49th parallel of North latitude
having already been fixed on by the Convention of
London as the commencement of the boundary
such division is of course out Of the question
we only notice it TO show that our starting point
Is not one OF perfect equality. As the matter al
ready stands, u previous Convention has ratified a
certain principle Of concession.
1--WE have not claimed all that the crcumstan-
ces OF the case and the ambiguity of right would
have justified us in claiming. And, knowing this
we feel that we are bound by our duty to our coun-
Tymen resident in those districts to protest against
any wanton or careless compromise of their inter-
ests. We are not socitous to push our right to
It's extreme point We, therefore, will not claim
Tor them, nor for ourselves that capacious district
between the Southeast bank of the Columbia and
the Rocky Mountains. We concede this-we con-
cede 1t because we prefer a settlement to litiga-
ton, compromise to a contest, peace to war. We
concede naked right for the retention of an I'M
denlable good. But we cannot acquesce in the
surrender of positive and long-enjoyed benefits
Ue think, then, that every purpose both of honor and
interest 'cond be answered. u the British Minister,
on aehom noiC deuOives The di,ty Of making fresh
! IN he De1f nj he fniJs
l0ere TO reneW on his part The otsr made to England
by Nh CdllrtiH IN The Presidency and under The d.
rection Of Mr. .4ilnls. That proposal was to take
the 49th degree of North latitude as far as the sea.
as the boundary line, reserying to Great Britain
Nancouver's Island, and the free navigation OF the
Columbia. This would be concession as far as SUI
perhclal area OF the ground is concerned 1t would
leave the United States masters Of the greater pal
Of Oregon. But it would secure the principal adj
vantages of the country, the free navigation of the
Columbia, to the servants of the Hudson's Bay
Company, as well as harborage, anchorage and set
Elements for English vessels trading with China
and our possessions in Australia and New Zealand.
1t would concede all that the most successful war
could acquire-a sovereign but barren dominion
! it would secure all the commercial blessings of an
! honorable compromise and rational peace. 1t
! would not deprive the native Americans of any
equitable advantage, but would retain for English
men that privilege to which they are justly entitled
-lHe privilege ol MUulg III inc udIlC between
| North America and the English settlements in the
Pacific. No impartial man expect that an En-
glish Minister would ever consent to transfer to the
United States the monopoly Of the carrying trade
between Hudsons Bay and English colonies in that
| sea.
! NE hope that rules Of diplomatic etiquette
toW p,evei! Our representative at Washington from
making some proposal Of this KIND, We hope also
that no false pride or more ignobie sentiment, lcM
preclude the Ministry of Washington from accepting
II. And if they do reject it as coming from Us we
do not see how, after such a rejection they can re-
fuse 10 submit the question Of miles still let 10 The
arbitration of some neutral Po,eer. To reject an
offer conceived in the spirit of peace and modera
ton, and at the same time to demur to the sugges-
ton of a reference, would be to deserve, not less
than TO provoke, the imputation of the most repre-
hensible obstinacy or the most insolent injustice"
! The Montreal Pilot, in the course of paragrah
on the aspects of the Oregon controversy speaks
thus of the attitude and course Of the American
government;
F" Nothing has yet taken place to prevent an am