Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-05-09
VIEWS OF THE OREGON QUESTION.

To those of our readers who have read with at
tention as most Of them doubtless did, the extract
in our first page, from the London Times of
the 18th of April, supposed to present the views of
the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs as to the
boundary line fiji to be established between the two
countries, il will be matter Of interest to learn
how lar It compares with the suggestions on the
subject, made on this side of the water, just one
month earlier, from a source friendly rather than
otherwise to the present Administration of this Co.
vernment. We therefore insert below, for their ex-
animation, an article prepared and published before
expression had been given to the sentiment Of Con-
gress on the subject and which cannot be attributed
to any party bias or prejudice, but to the sober
Judgment of the writer Of it, whose information on
the subject may be much relied upon perhaps
as most of those who have undertaken to discuss
it. The only difference, the reader will perceive,
between the adjustment OF this controversy pro-
posed in the subjoined article, and that which the
Times stands out for, is the additional requis-
tion by the latter Of an indemnity to the Hudson's
Bay Company for property to be surrendered. II
is not possible that any difference upon question
of this sort-of mere dollars and cents-can ever
be suffered to stand in the way Of the settlement Of
question involving considerations SO much more
important than any mere matter of money.
COMMERCE MARCH IL.
OREsoN.Public settlement in this country has settled
down with great unanmity upon latitude 40 proper
basis of compromise the question, and there is
hope that Great Britain will be willing us there
We speak of latitude 49 the proper basis Of compromise
because convinced that slight devia,ions
will be indispensable Great Britain, and ought be
ceded by For nstance the only available entrance into
the Gulf Of Georgia Cor whatever the Sound lying between
Vancouvers island and the main land may be caed south
of latitude 49, though north of 4s. 1t would be peposterou
attempt exclude Great Britain from the natural access to
her COAST the coast which would be hers CASE
latitude 49 should be adopted the general boundary This
inlet therefore, commonly called the Straits of Fuca must
common entranceree to and equally belonging both
nations Vancouvers island, which borders these straits
the north, should also be conceded Great Britain because
fourhs Of is north of latitude 49, and for
it should not have divided ownership Again. if there is
good harbor the main land north Of 49, and there are
plenty Of good habos just south Of that latitude Gas there
said to be) at least Of them should be allotted
Great Britain, where she establish her depos and whence
she communicate with her territory in the Interior with
out the necessity Of crossing In compromise Of this
kind the advantages Of the territory, whatever they may be-
should be placed within the reach Of both countries
can be done without injury to either For instance six har-
bors within the distance of hundred miles would be about
as good to but the difference either party be-
tween good harbor and at all would be immense
As to the free navigation Of the Columbia by Great Britain
do deem all Objectionable no vessel Of any ma
ton ascend that river higher than the Cascades
tance hundred and twenty miles from the ocean This
but fifteen miles further than the distance of New Orleans
from the mouth Of the Mississippi which port all foreign
vessels have much to the advantage of
try well theirs If the navigation of the entire river
ississppD made free all the world foreign vessels
would be seldom fever above New Orleans because the
trade be much economically carried on by the local
conveyances. So il would be the Hudson We how
ever, not going to propose any innovation regard
these rivers We mention them just by way of illustration.
If the banks Of the Columbia below 49o should peoped
by Americans they would derive much advantage from the
presence OF foreign vessels whether British otherwise OF
all such vessels be subject supervision by
proper officers, the same American vessels.
The value Of the Columbia Great Britain arises chiefly
from lis aorng the readies communication with Canada
which present circumstances permit But the only way
which it is navgated above the Cascades M below them
by light canoes, which be transported around the
rous falls and rapids Our opinion is that if latitude 49o
should be adopted the boundary, whatever communication
there might be from the Pacific Canada would go across the
country from Puget Inlet vicinity to point in Columbia
river above 4so the distance being quarter great
by the Of the river If Americans should con-
sruct canals around the falls and rapids south Of that latitude
British subjects might that make of the paying
tolls and other charges :" according to law"
If the Governments will themselves work Us two
intelligent merchants would for the adjustment Of this Oregon
question, they will find difficulty in bringing a salts
factory conclusion There no need of any passion about
it is matter of business let il be settled honoraby
and fairly.
DEBT AND TAXES OF NEW YORK CITY
The public debt the ls Of September, ls45, and the
amount OF taxes for the year lS5 of the city Of New York.