The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-31

had upon any Of importance enough for recapitula-
ton.
The prior orders were taken up and first on them
was the unfinished discussion on Mr.. Claytons re-
solution OF inquiry, calling for copies OF correspoh-
dence had between this government and ihat OF
Great Britain. relating TO Oregon, since the commu-
nicaton of the last correspondence to Congress
Mr.. Webster rose with ample notes before HIM.
He advised Mr.. Clayton to forbear from pressing
his resolution for three days TO come-he
had doubt but that there were letters recently re-
ceived from Mr.. McI.ane and besides the chairman
of the committee on Foreign Relation (Mr. Alen.)
desired short delay: and he further said that If the
Senate is imperatvely called upon to act they ought
to know all. This inquiry to the President might
cause some degree Of embarrassment. Ifnconveni-
ent nexpedient to tell all, il is because negotia
tion is going on or if suspended, may be resumed.
Uncaed for it will be the duty of the President to
communicate the whole at some fnture time.
In his opinion, the mistake was in calling on
Congress to give the Notice-negotiaton should
have been tried first He (the PresidenD goes on
the ground that the giving of the notice is the
proper province or authority of Congress. He
would not argue or dispute that now He thought
the President wanted it as weapon. He doubted
if notice would hasten or retard negotiation. Still,
there might be as much Inconvenience in standing
still as in advancing. But for previous declara-
ton to maintain our rights, &c.-the notice would
have been harmless; but as it was it alarmed both
countries. 1t was a mistake to accompany the no.
uce with the announcement of an intent to claim
and take the whole territory. Did the President
mean to stick to the whole none or did he mean
to recede from his declaration !? He could not be
presumed to have made it for bravado--to make our
people think he bold and brave, when, at the
same time, he intended to recede from that position
such motive should not be attributed to him. (the
Presldent or to any other man, either personally
officially.
Our Government had for a long series of years,
admitted England had rights of some kind and to
some extent, and entitled to some respect. The
controversy ought to be settled the basis offered
by this country in 1926, viz: line divergng from
the 49th parallel SO to give England the naviga-
ton of the straits of Tuca and the navigation of ihe
Columbia river. There were circumstances to show
that Great Britain did not think that offer utterly
unworthy of consideration. The line of demarka-
tion-ef 49 should be the extent of our claim. He
thought we ought to wait another month and post
pone the further consideration of the Oregon notice
tonthat space of time. Ancient maps state the line
OF 49 degrees as the boundary between the French
and North American possessions, and say that it ex-
tends as such boundary line, ''to the Pacific" There
are maps to this effect in existence five go on
contguity or continuity, the line it takes gives us
the valley of the Columbia river, and the navigation
of the straits and sounds.
The Government of the u. S. never offer
ed any thing south of 40, and never ,oiu The
navigation of the Columbia river for term Of
years is probably subject for investigation;
but permanently England must not think of
attaining any title. Having said this much he
deemed 1t unnecessary TO say more. The gen
eral mind OF both countries contemplated this
lima III, hoe of n IL. 1 I.
as yet touched the point of honor Of either go
vernment Ii would not be descension now
for either government 10 yield some-to settle
soon on whnu after all would eventually have
to be the settlement. II would suit his views
to have the consideration Of the question of
the notice postponed month, and fin that time
negotiation might be closed favorably, and so
we would avoid the necessity for the notice at
all. lie did not propose or advise the Senate
10 such proposluon-he only suggested it.
1.-THE matter is not settled by negotiation in that
time, there were strong considerations arising
at home that would make this notice necessa
ry. He wished Mr.. Clavton's resolution of
inquiry, TO lie on the table for some DAYS to
come.
MIR. Allen rose to answer the distinguished
Senator from Massachusetts. That Senator
had rendered the immediate further discussion
on Mr.. Claytons's resolution unnecessary; but
he has stated much more important one
ca message from the House interrupted Mr.
a. 1t bore the enrolled bill on water rotted
hemp.)
MIR. A. proceeded-Mr w. had taken po-
sition for the first time this session upon the
Oregon question, and he had taken the unusu-
al, and to him unnecessary, precaution of
speaking from eiaborately prepared notes and
this made what proceeded Of him of more i'm
portance His remarks had resumed or taken
three points or positions. The first was that
the President had made mistakes in reference
to his course on the Oregon question Of several
descuptons-ln having asserted the title of the
United States 10 the Russian boundary, and,
that by such asserting, in connection with the
Recommendation OF the notice, he had embar-
rassed the question, and that therefore, achat-
euer The action Of Congress may r1o,o or hereafter
be, he, the President, is TO be held responsible
for all the difficulties that may ensue, though
brought on by refusal TO carryout his recon-
mendations. All are TO be traced to the Presi
dent, and he is to be held accountable for them
If disasterous! This was one effect desired
to be attained by the Senator from Massachu
sets by his first point.
The second was, and it was the first occa-
sion he had ever heard any fault ascribed to
me President by any one who comprehended
what he did mean twas that the President had
done WRONG in cla ininor tho xUholo and @ tinU