Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-25
The Oregon Treaty.

publish this morning the Oregon treaty. with
the Documents which transmitted with it to the SEN
ate, including tho Confidential Message OF the President
From the latter appears that the President, adhering
tho views expressed in his Annual Message Congress-
IN which he affirmed the validity Of the American le to
'tho whole" OF Oregon. and declared that compromise
tnhieh the United States ought accept BE- Effected "
made known to the Senate his purpose, they should
advise the acceptance Of the proposed by the
iuonal majority, they should refuse upon the
rubec, ALL and the question his individual
rPonsiby, Ne Should the proposition OF the British
This fixed fac OF deprves the Pre-
sdent of the credit (or the Fifty -four Fores say, OF the
dshonor) Of adjusting the Oregon controversy But for
the OF the Senate that question would be
and in oil probability the parties it would be-
fore this have appealed the Sword To the pru-
donco and patriotism Of the Senate alone indebted
for its "amieabe" arrangement II is clear that Mr. Polk
personally any compremse-tha he adhered
10 the position assumed in his Inaugural Speech and his
Annual Messagesnd that for the course Of the Sem
ate distinguished equally by wisdom and rmness moth.
ing short OF the entire abandonment Britain of
claim portion OF the disputed territory would have
satisfied him. The Fiityfour Forties, 1t s apparent
were tho true opponents Of his opinions and feelings
whether their gratitude for his adherence this position
words, will not be outweighed by their anger the act,
which threw the responsibility OF its decision upon
the Senate, with pledge OF his aequieseence although he
well knew that that decision would be hostile his
views, ii is for say. Very few of "the party"
have the courage maintain attitude OF hostility to
Executive dietaten; and take for granted that Allen
Cass and Co. have made up their minds submit de-
cson resistance to which might deprive them of the spos"
and place them OF the cline Of safe presidents"
hereafter 1t is delicate dilemma when one who has
supported the doctrines OF Executive Message con-
strained 10 eat his words by the incompatible Of
the funetionary whose lead he has followed But
TO the Fifty four Fores say that they eyneed all
the suppeness and subissveness which any Sultan could
require OF his Janissaries.
From Mr. McLsue's letter to Mr. Buchanan, it is appa
rent that that gentleman coneurred with Mr. Polk in the
opinion that the proposed by the British Government,
ought not To be acceped-and render their rejection
more probable he expresses the opinion that they
designed by the BRUSH Government an uItaaun and
that they would be modified if Government should n-
s upon change in of the more Objectionable fea-
lures Had Lord Aberdeen been aware that such eoun.
sci had been given by the American Minister Secre
ary OF State is improbable that he would have qua
lined somewhat the Of praise which he re-
Gently referred 10 Mr.. McLane.
is not unlikely that difficulty may still grow GU
o the indefinite language used the nayieA-
lion of the Coumbis river. The London Times ant
other English contend that the treaty coniers upoI
Great Britain tina perpetual right OF navigation; while il
this country it is claimed that the right IS limited to tn
Hndson's Bay Company and to those trading with during
the existence OF its present charter. The we-nforme,
and accurate Washington correspondent Of the Padel
phlo North Amecan states that this
much importance discussed in the Senate while the treat
was under consideration IAN amendment The says) wa
introduced by Mr. Niles to define the Imitation whic
called forth the best ability OF the Senate II was argue
by Mr.. Webster, Mr. R. Johnson, Mr. Huntington an,
Others comprehendng the highest legal talent Of the Sen
ate that the privilege prescribed by the duration Of thu
charter" Mr.. Benton concurred in this opinion But wha
IS OF more importance told that "Mr Pakenhan
was consulted to the meaning Of the article according
10 his view the British penipoientary He did not he
tate TO express TO several Senators among others the
distinguished Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Az
fairs, Mr. Archerha he regarded the navigation Of th
Columbia limited the existence Of the Hudson's Ba,
Company" This ought Of course be regarded as AZ
authoritative exposition Of the matter by the British gov
eminent Weconcur in opinion with the correspondent Of
the Philadelphia paper that "the controversy
hardly worth the dispute believing that the navigation
the unnavgabe river Of no great either coun
Try, and that Ffazors river will become the outlet Of Br
ush trade-su is Of some importance that the spuaton
OF the treaty should be properly understood by our owl
people and that the of others should be corrected