Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-03-04
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE

Below we iay before our readers the correspondence
between Messrs Packenham and Buchanan, on the
Oregon question. We trust it will be carefully read
and remembered.
Mr.. Packenham to Mr.. Buchanan.
WASHINGTON, December, 81, 1916.
An attentive consideration of the present state of
affairs with reference to the Oregon question, has de-
termined the British government to instruct the I'M
dersigned, her Britanc Majestys envoy extraordina
and minister plenpotentiary, again to represent in
.,ressino> terms, to the government of the United
States, the expedienc Tor II tie whole question
of an equitable division of that ter--Fy to the arbl
tration of some friendly sovereign or State.
Her maesty's government deeply regrer the fail
ure of all their efforts to effect friendly settlement
of the conflicting claims by direct negotiation.
They are still persuaded that great advantages
would have resulted to both parties from such mode
of settlement had it been practicable but there are
difficulties in the way of that course OF proceed
ing which it might be tedious to remove, while the
importance of an early settlement seems to become
at each moment more urgent.
Under these circumstances, her Majesty's govern
ment think that resort to arbitration is the most pru
dent and perhaps the only feasible step that could be
TAKEN and the best calculated to aay the existing eff
of popular feeling, which might otherwise
greatly embarass the effort of both governments to
preserve friendly understanding between the two
countries.
The government of the United States will in
the proposal which the undersigned is thus instruc-
ted to make, proof of the confidence of the British
government in the Justice of their own claim. They
will also see in it proof of the readiness of the Brit
Al, -,e1 -ofo IfIco
for the preservation of peace, and ofther friendly
iatons with the United States. 1t is made in spr
it of moderation and fairness, of which the world will
Judge.
The British government confidently hope that the
government of the United States will not reject pro-
posal mde with such friendly intention, and for a
purpose SO holy.
There is nothing in it, they convinced not per-
SsctIy compatible with the strictest regard for the
honor and Just interests of both parties, particularly
shen it is considered of what small value to either
she portion of territory which in reality forms the
subject OF controversy, compared with the impor-
lance of preserving state of peace and good will be-
tween two such nations.
The undersigned takes advantage of this opportu-
nty to renew to the Hon. James Buchanan the
surance of his high regard. r. PAKENIAM.
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, sc.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Pakenham.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washin gton January B 1916.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United
States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of the note of Mr.. Pakenham, her Britanc Majesty
envoy extraordinary and minister penipotentiary, da
ted the 9th ultmo by which, under instructions OF
his government, he proposes to the government of
the United States g the expediency of referring the
whole question of the equitable division of that 1.-THE
Oregon) territory TO the arbitration of some friendly
sovereign or State
The undersigned has submitted this note to the
President, who, after having bestowed upon it that
respectful consideration eminently due that po-
sition emanating from the British Government has
instructed him to give to it the following answer:
The British government do not propose to refer to
arbitration the question of the title to the Oregon
Territory, claimed by the two powers, respectfully.
1t is proposition to refer to friendly sovereign
State merely the partition Equitable division of
that territory between the parties 1t assumes the
fact that the title of Great Britain to portion of the
territory is valid and thus takes for granted the
ny question in dispute. Under this proposition the
yezy terms OF submission would contain an express
acknowledgements of the right of Great Britain to
portion of the territory, and would necessarily pre-
clude the United States from claiming the whole be-
fore the arbitrator. This too, the face of the
Of the undersigned, to Mr.. Pakenham, of the 3Oth o.
August last, by which the President had asserted in
the most solemn form, the title of the United States
to tae whole territory. Even if there were not other
conclusive for declining the proposition, this
alone would be deemed sufficient by the President.
The President heartily concurs with the British
government in their regret that all attempts to set
tie the Oregon question by negotiation have hither-
to failed. He cannot, however, concur with that
government in the opinion that resort to arbitra-
ton, and especially to an arbitration the terms
proposed, would be followed by happier consequent
ces On the contrary, that any attempt to refer this
question to third power would only involve it in
new difficulties.
In declining this proposition, the President refers
to the sentiment expressed in the note of the under
signed of the 3oth of August last to which allusion
has already been made, that he "cherishes the hope
that this long pending controversy may yet be final
~ adjusted in such manner as not to disturb the
peace Or Interrupt the harmony now so happily sub
sisting between the two nations.'
The undersigned ayais himself of this occasion to