Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-06-11

by a new purchase, and we have ascertained, what
Mr.. Madison appears to have suspected, that the
historical statement respecting the establishment of
the parallel of 40 deg, at any rate of the Rocky
mountains is incorrect and that no such line exists
And the same remark applies, although to a less
extent to the cabinets Of Mr.. Monroe, and of Mr.. I
Adams, both Of whom have been appealed to by the /
Senator from Missouri in support of his position /
Florida not purchased until towards the close of
the first term of Mr. Monroe and after that time the
notion that the 49th parallel had been established |
under the treaty Of Utrecht, and extended perhaps
west OF the Rocky mountains may have produced /
some impression But it is obvious that il did not
permanently influence the of the government |
For Mr. Rush offered the 5lst parallel as compro-
mise line for our boundary; and Mr.. Gallatin, as
have already said, repudiated the early offers, and
went back to the whole claim.
Now, sir, where is this monstrous inconsistency
and injustice which the honorable Senator sees in the
assertion OF our claim by the present administration
north of the 10Th! If the cabinet of Mr.. Adams
believed we were included by the treaty of Utrecht
and by line established under it, how they came to
pass beyond that line, and to offer a compromise
two degrees of latitude north of it, indicating by the
very offer ITSELF that Just claim went beyond that
limit And what was meant by the semi-protest of
Mr. Gallatn announcing that the preceding proposals
those of 81 and behaving been rejected his gov
eminent would now contend for the full claims of the
United States! These full claims of course went
beyond 81 deg; and having got so far on the north
side OF Az deg and so near oil 40 with the cabinet of
MIR. Adams / shall leave to the honorable Senator
from Missouri the task of reconcilng their conduct
with the belief that this barrier of 40 rises like a
great fertilization check further progress in
northern direction
The Senator from Missouri has again submitted his
views respecting the establishment of parallel of
40 under the treaty of Utrecht In the former dis
cussions his object was to vindctae the truth of his
tory, and to redeem the character of the American
Senate from the charge of Ignorance. He expressly
stated that he made practical application of the
main fact Now the ground seems to be changed.
The Senator says that my endorsement of MIR.
Greenhow's IN a laundering book, " lays him
under the necessity Of correcting third error trhich
the ffty:four tortieS hug TO their boSomS."
! We do not claim any exemption from the ordinary
frailties of humanity. If we hug to boSomS the
rights and interests of country, bear to be
sneered at, though at the same time may be per-
m,ted to investigate the facts and the deductions by
which the charges against are confidently urged
| shall not 90 over this matter of the treaty of
Utrecht. / am unwilling to allude TO it again.
But cannot be driven from my position, surrender
il without defence shall. however touch the topic
very briefly, combining myself to the views pre-
scented by the Senator from Missouri.
The Senator says that my endorsement of Mr..
Greenhow's blunders has rendered this vindication
necessary. In the first place, have not endorsed
MIR. Greenhow's assertions conclusions, be they
plumbers be they truths With respect to the only
point made by the Senator before the establishment of
the parallel of 40 east of the Rocky mountains, l
expressly stated that 1t subject upon which
reasonable men might differ stated that the posi-
tive and negative evidence produced by Mr. Green
how had induced me to believe that such line had
been run, but expressly dlsclamed the very endorse
ment which the gentleman charges upon me.
But will add, that all my subsequent examination
and reflection have fortified this belief and am more
and convinced that the assertion respecting the
establishment of this line historical error, which
u. L 4 Al
In the second place, the honorable Senator has
newed this discussion for new purpose not before
avowed 1t is now not alone with view to vindcate
history and to redeem the character of the Senate
on the former occasion but also for a much more
important object-for the establishment Of political
right The subject ceases to be of speculation,
and becomes one of action. This line is now pushed
across the Rocky mountains and is interposed as
barrier the extension of the territorial claim which
our government has asserted.
Before proceed further, allow to say that the
fifty occupy the negative side of this posi-
ton. The proof must come from their opponents.
1t is said that claim is limited by the parallel of
40 deg The existence of claim is conceded on all
hands. 1t its extension north, it is met by the
sertion that It's further progress in that direction
is stopped by line the parallel 40 deg. estab-
lished by the treaty of Utrecht more than century
ago. Now let those who say this prove it. The
burden is upon them. The assumption, till shown,
and satisfactorily shown, is purely gratuitous. And
the proof must be reasonable, and such as suits the
circumstances not loose assertions and quotations
from historical works, without authority upon such
subject. And more especially when there vast
number Of circumstances of positive and negative
character which discredit the establishment of such
boundary And when the notices referred to to be
repeated successfully from one work to another
without any examination of their authenticity, and
depending perhaps common and erroneous
origin. Why, the very discussion in which we are
engaged proves the necessity of adherng to estab-
lished principles. suit for 12& cents could not be
maintained upon such proof as is here adduced when
so much better is within the reach of the parties
Two months are amply sufficient to produce from
the archives of London or Paris evidence upon this
subject which would terminate the controversy. Un-
til that is produced l. for one, shall protest against
the rights of our country being limited affected by
the assumption ola line resting merely upon loose as
sertions and upon deductions made for them
With respect to the existence of this line under
the treaty of Utrecht what evidence, already con-
sdered, and think, fairly refuted, has the
from Missouri produced / shall glance at rather
than examine, the facts he has brought forward.
First he states that the British Indian traders ask
ed favor to be permitted TO trade in Louisiana
south of 40. which was refused The official commu-
nicatlon OF the British minister's referred to in sup
port of the above assertion respecting this parallel
does not support it. The application was made under
the treaty Of 1874. Louisiana acquired subse-
quenty. No specific boundaries are alluded to, but
claim is made to trade with the Indians in Louisiana
But the honorable senator states that Major Stod-
dart, who was then, think, not governor of Louis
lana, but military commandant at ST. Louis, In his
sketches OF that country speaks of his northern bound
airy as follows:
"The by terms of the patent
tended to the utmost limits of Louisiana quarter
which, by the treaty Of Utrecht in 73 fixed at the
49th degree