Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-19

The undersigned has suggested reference on the
above principle 10 some friendly Sovereign State
This the undersigned believes TO be The course usually
folowedn such cases; It 10 that which has already
been fesofed TO BY the two governments; (and more
than once) But there may be other forms Of arbra-
ton perhaps, agreeable TO the government ofthe
United States.
There might be, for instance, mixed commission,
with an umpire appointed by common consentj there
might be board composed Of the most distinguished
civilians and iorisls ofthe time, appointed in snch
manner should bring all pending questions 10 the de-
cison Of the most enlightened, impartial, and ndepen-
dent minds.
In the present position Of affairs, and feeling how
much the interests of both countries require early
as we'll as amicable aud satisfactory adjustment OF
existing difficulties, the undersigned earnestly invite
the Secretary OF Stale TO take the Subject OF this note
into consideration, with view to such arrange
menl the principle Of arbitration as may seem 10 the
government Of the United States TO be most Just, WISE
and expedient.
The next and last letter is MI Buchanan's reply 10
Mr. Pakenham, which, alter reciting Mr. Pakenham's
last proposition, proceeds
if the government OF the United States should con-
sent 10 an arbitration upon such condition, this might,
and probably would be construed into an invitation, IT.
not direct invitation, TO che arbitrator 10 divide the
territory between the parties Were il possible Tor the
President under any circumstances, TO consent TO re-
Ter the subject 10 arbitration, the title, and the title
alone, detached from every other consideration, is the
only question which could be submitted. II not con-
nned 10 Single polnt so strong u the natural usposl-
ton OF arbitTators to please both parties, thai in almost
every instance, whether Of national individual con-
troversIes, they make compromising award. We
have memorable example Of this in last afbilIa-
ton with Great Britain. Notwithstanding that The
arbitrator, under the terms of the submission, was
clearly and explicitly confined to the decision OF which
was the line Of highland described ia the treaty Of peace
ofi7sS;ye INSTEAD OF pursuing any range Of highlands
whatever, he advised that the line should run along
the bed Of river and actually divided the territory 10
dispute between the parties by the middle Of the
deepest channel Of the st. Johns"
The undersigned might content himself in answer
to the present proposition with reference To the OBJ
sewatons contained ia his last note to Mr. Pakenham
of the 81 utimo In that il was plainly intnated not
only that there other conclusive reasons Tor de-
clining the propositions" independently Of the one
which had been prominently stated, but il wns ex-
pressy asserted as the belief of the President, that
any attempt 10 refer this question TO third power
would only involve 1t in new difficulties"
The undersigned will however proceed to state
single reason, which, apart fDm the intrinsic difficulty
Of selecting suitable arbitrator, as well other
sidefations that might be adduced conclusive the
mind oil The President az anst reference of this ques-
ton TO arbitration, in any form which be devised,
no matter what may be the character Of the arbiira-
tor-whether sovereign, citizen subject. The fea-
is that he does believe the territorial rights Of
this nation 10 be proper subject for arbitration II
may be true that under peculiar circumstances if the
interests at stake comparatively small and fbolh
parties stood upon an equal footing, there might be
no nsuperable objection TO such course. But what
is the extent Of territory in dispute the present
cason II embraces nearly thirteen deg rees along the
Northwest Of the Pacific and stretches eastward
10 the summit Of the Rocky Mountains Within its
limits several powerful and prosperous states of the
Union may be embraced. II lies contiguous, on this
continent 10 the acknowledged territory of the United
states, and Is destined al no distant day, be peo
Piled by our citizens. This territory presents the ave-
nue. through which the commerce Of our Western
states can be prohiaby conducted with Asia and the
Western OF this continent: and its ports the
II. thal tfaA
our numerous whae and other vessels in that region
can resort. And yet, It's dimensions il con-
tains not single safe and eommodious haIbor, from
rs Southern extremity Until approach the 4olh par
alel of latitude.
II is far from the intention OF the undersigned again
TO open the discussion OF the conflicting claims Of the
two powers to the Oregon territory II is sufficient
Tor him TO state the continued conviction Of the Pres
dent, that the United States hold the best title in exis-
tenee to the whole Of this territory Under ihis con-
vcton, he cannot consent TO leopard for his county
a the great interests involved and by any possibility,
however remote. 10 deprive the Republic of all the
good hafbors on the coast, by referring the question
10 arbitration.
Neither Is the territory in dispute Of equal or nearly
equal, to the two powers. Whilst il Is invaluable to
the United STATES, il is Of small impor-
lance to Great Britain To her, Oregon would be but
distant colonial possession OF doubtful value; and
which, from the natural progfess Of human events she
would not probably long enough to enjoy derive from
u essential benefits; whilst the United States IL
would become an integral and essential portion OF the
Republic. The gain TO Great Britain she would new
or sensiby feel; whilst the loss 10 the United States
would be irfeparabe.
The undersigned is perfectly aware that such con-
sderations can have no bearing upon the question Of
The title OF either patty. They are presented SOLELY for
the purpose OF explaining the views Of the President 10
nls refusal 70 ADOPT any measure which should with
draw our title from the control of The government and
people Of the United States, and place il within the
discretion of any arbitrator, no matter how ntceen
and respectable
Dha f.i1..