Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-05


So Tins perplexing question is settled,
and if we may credit the remarks of the
speakers in the house of Commons, every
cause Of quarrel between the United States
and Great Britain is terminated d" with
honor TO both countries" We give the
remarks of Sir Robert Peel, in relation to
this subject, and call particular attention
to them.
"lf there was anything which could
give me anything like qualification on re-
signing office after the decision of that
house against me. it would have been that
| should have declared my resignation on
the day on which intelligence has been
received from the United States as to the
favorable result of perhaps our last at
tempt to close the differences between this
country and the United States of America,
which unless speedily terminated, would
would have endangered the peace Of both
countries, and perhaps involved them in
a war. The house will probably recollect
that, when we made an offer of arbItra-
lion, and that offer had been rejected the
President of the United States sent a
mess TO the two houses of Congress
of that country, which led to a dis
cusson with regard 10 the termination
OF that convention, which provided for a
temporary adjustment of our differences,
at least for temporary avoidance of quar-
rel, and enable the two-cOuntres Jointly to
keep the territory called the territory of
Oregon. The two houses of American
Congress, although advising the President
of the United States to signify to this
country the termination of the existing
convention, by giving a years notice, ad-
| ded TO that advice which might perhaps be
considered of hostile character, a decla-
ration that they advised notice of sus
| nensinn Of The convention, IN order that il
| might facilitate the amicabIe adjustment
| of the differences. We thought the add
ton of these words by high authorities
the expression of hope that the termina-
ton Of the convention might more strong
y impress upon both countries the neces-
ity Of an amicable adjustment. We thought
that this expression removed every bar,
rier TO a renewal by either country of an
attempt to settle the question. We did
not hesitate, therefore within two days af-
ter the receipt of that intelligence, al
though the office of arbitration had been
rejected, to do that which, in the present
state of that dispute, it became essential
to do-namely, not only 10 propose re-
| newed and heightened negotiations, but to
specify frankly, and at once, the terms on
which we would consent TO a partition of
| the territory. Whatever NAV have been
the expressions made by the President on
receipt of these terms, | will not refer TO
them. but he wisely at once determined to
proffer our proposals to the Senate to that
authority whose consent was required for
the termination of negotiation of this
kind. The Senate again acting in the
same spirit of anxiety for the public peace
at once adopted the terms Of negotiation.
{Cheers trust, from the importance of
the subject and considering that this may
be the last day on which may have the
opportunity of addressing the house as IA
minister of The crown, beg to state to The
house the terms of the negotiation.
(Cheers.) Twill not1read the propositions
which were made, but will Just read the
two main proposals
"tl. From the point at which the 49th
parallel of north latitude shall be found TO
intersect the great northern branch of the
| Columbia river, the navigation of said
branch shall be free and open TO the Hud-
son Bay Company, and 10 all British sub
ects trading with the same, to the point
where the said branch meets the main
stream of the Columbia, and thence down
the said main stream TO the ocean, with free
access into and through the said river or
rivers, it being understood that all the usu.
al portages along the line thus described
shall in like manner be free and OPEN In
navigating the said river or rivers British
subjects with their goods and produce
shall be treated on the same footing
as citizens of the United States,it being.
however always understood that nothing
in this article shall be construed as pre-
venting, or intended to prevent the United
States from making any regulations re.
speeding the navigation of the said river or
rivers, not Inconsistent with the present
treaty.
"'2. From the point to the 10Th parallel
of north latitude, where the boundary laid
down in the existing treaties and conven-
tons between Great Britain and the Uni.
| ted States, terminates the line of bounda-
nv between the territories of her Britain.
mic Majesty and those ofthe United States.
shall be continued westward, along the
said 49th parallel of north latitude to the
middle of the channel which separates the
continent from Vancouyer's island ond
thence southerly through the middle OF