The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-23
THE OREGON TREATY.

THE OREGON TREATY.
Message from the President Of s Unfsd Ststes eomms-
niestins proposition on s part Of the Bss.isA Gossrn
men" J'' the aS'IMm. 70 o. ne orsssr qHe'fien
TO the Senate Of fhs Uaied States,
lay before the senat. proposal in the lorna of Con-
inst. by the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Psnpo-
Tertiary of her Britannia Majesty for the adjustment Of
proceeding Il submit this proposal to the consderaon
Of the Senate and request their advice a. to the action
which in their Judgment may be proper to take
In the early periods of the the opinion and
advice OF the Senate were often taken in advance upon
ngton repeatedly consulted tho Senate and asked their
previous advice, to which he always conforsd his &C.
times, was in my judgment, eminsniy WISE and may ON
occasions OF great Importance be properly revived The
senate are branch Of the treaty making power and by
important messurss of foreign policy which may ulti
msiely come before them for the Presi-
dent secures harmony Of action between that body
himself The Senate are, moreover branch Of the
making power and it be eminsntly proper for the
advance upon any great question which may involve
in its decision the issue Of peace On the pre-
sent occasion the magnitude Of the subject would induce
me- under circumstances desire the previous ad
vice Of the Senate and that desire by the re-
cent debates and proceedings in Congress- which render
necessary and proper not indispensable to nsure har.
monous action between that body and the Executive
notice for the abrogson Of the Convention Of Sa7 the
Senate acted publicly SO large part that the deciaon
on the proposal now made BY the British government
without definite knowledge Of the views Of that body
in reference to it, might render the question still more
complicated and difficult Of adjustment For these rea-
sons, invite the conside ration Of the Senate pro-
posa Of the British government the settlement of
the Oregon question, and ask their advice the
ject
My opinions and my action on the Oregon question
were FULLY made known to Congress in my annual mes
expressed remain unchanged.
Should the Senate by the constitutional majority re.
CURED for the ratification of treaties advise the acasp
lance OF this proposition or advise il with such mod
cations as they may full elaboration deem
shall conform my action to their advice. Should the
Senate, however, decline, by such constitutional ma
ory, to give such advice or to exppess an opinion
on the subject, shall consider my duty reject
the OFFER
| also communicate herewith an extract from de.
spatch Of the Secretary Of State to the Minister of the
United States at London under date Of the 2sth of April
last directing him In accordance with the Joint resou-
tons OF Congress, Concerning the Oregon Territory"
to deliver the Notice the British Government for The
also, copy Of the Notice transmitted to him for that
purpose together with extracts from despatch of that
Minister to the Secretary Of State bearing date the 18Th
WAsHiSeroS, June TO- 1896.
PROTOCOL.
conference was held ct the Department Of State on
the 9th june s46 between the honorable James Buchan
and right hon. Richard Paksnham the British Plenipo.
tentiay, when the negotiation respecting the Oregon
made verbal explanation Of the motives whcb had n
duced her Majesys government to instruct him make
another proposition to the of the United
The Secretary of State expressed his subtraction with
the friendly motives which had animated the British
Whereupon, the British Plenipotentiary submitted to
the Secretary Of State the draught Of Convention
lmarked A. setting forth the terms which he had been
instructed 10 propose to tne Government of the United
'-''' ~ ~ ' j, JAMES ss' BJ JSiiaI4A
RICHARD PAKENHAM.
Hero follows the draught of the Convention which
il in the precise words Of the treaty below givenl
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Me Lane Er.rsets
DEPARTMENT SrATB,
Washington, April u, ls46 ;
Convention Of the 9th August 1877, between Great BrI
tain and the United States, in accordance with the
in its second article This paper you will
devero her Britannia Majesty in person. or to hor Ma
estys principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
alter you shall have ascoraned which of these modes Of
presenting it will be most in accordance with her Ma
esty's wishes duplicate of the il transmitted
to be pllced file in the archives Of your legation
As the abrogaion Of this Convention an act of an
important and solemn character the delivery Of the No
tce ought to be aestcd with I'LL due formality The
len 70 hour own out would
in duplicate copy Of which should remain with the
British Government another with the Legation in Lon.
don, and the third be transmitted TO this partment
the delivery Of the Notice. the language of the pre-
COuCcrntuR
erritory," must necessarily be your guide. Con
grsss have spoken their will upon the subject in their
Joint Resolution and to this it is his the Presidency
To her Meje.fy VICTORIA. Queen efthe United King.
dom Of Great Britain and Ireland, etc. etc
Whereas, the Congress Of the United States have
adopted Joint Resolution concerning The Oregon
risoryn Of which the following is copy:
Whereas by the convention concluded the twentieth
day Of October, eighteen hundred and eighteen, be-
the United States of America and the King Of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the
daft and 6pita
ed and continued in force by another convention of
parties concluded the sixth day of August in the
twsnty-ssven il agreed that any country may
be claimed By either party the north-wsst Of
commonly called the Oregon Territory should to-
gether with its arbors bays and creeks, and the nav
gator, tS o. al rivers within the sane % free and open
but without prejudice to any claim which either of the
parties might have to any part Of said country and
with this further provision in the second article Of the
said convention of the sixth OF August eighteen hun
bred and that either party might abrogae
and annul said giving due notice oftweve
months to the other contracting party.
And whereas 1t has become desirable that the
respective claims Of the United States and Great Britain
should be definitely settled and that said territory may
longer than need be remain subject the evil
quence Of the divided allegiance of its American and
British population and of the confusion and conflict OF
national Jurisdiction, dangerous the cherished peace
and good understanding Of the two countries
With view, therefore. that steps be taken for the
eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, in the mode pre-
scrbed M second article end that the attention Of the
Government OF both countries may be the earnest
ly directed to the adoption Of ell proper for
speedy and amicabe adjustment Of the differences and
disputes in regard to the said territory
Resolved by tho Senate and House Of Representa-
lives OF the United States of America in Congress
bed That the President Of the United States be- and no
is hereby authorised at his discretion, TO give to the
Government Of Great Britain the notice required by the
second article ofths ssd convention ofthe 9th Of August
1897, for the sbrogaton Of the same"
Now, therefore, after careful consideration of the
prensss l. JAMES X. Polk, President Of the United
states in the exercise of the authority and discretion
vested in by the sad Joint Resolution concerning
the Oregon territory" and in pursuance Of the second
article Of the Convention Of 9th August 1927 therein
mentioned do hereby IN behalf of the United States give
notice her Majesty the Queen Of the United Kingdom
Of Great Britain and Ireland that at the end of twelve
months from and after the dev ofheae presents
the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoentiary
Of the United States at London to her Britannia Majesty
or TO her Maiestys principal Secretary Of State for
Foreign Affairs the said Convention shall be entirely
annulled and abrogated.
In testimony whereof have caused the seal Of the