Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-04-18
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
CLOSE OF THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.


day on the subject of fixing day for terminating
the debate on the Oregon question; which led by
common acquiescence, to agreement to close the
general debate on Thursday next, and proceed to
act on the several propositions before the body
After the above understanding took place, and
some morning business was transacted, the Senate
proceeded to the special order; when
Mr.. HUNTINGTON rose and said, that, in conse-
quence of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. UPHAM,)
who entitled to the floor, being still prevented
from attending in his place by indisposiiion, he
would take the opportunity of expressing his views
upon the subject before the Senate.
Mr.. H. did not approve of either the form Of no
tice proposed by the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, or that which had received the approval of
the other branch of Congress. The amendment Of
fered by Mr. CRTrTENDEN pleased him better, all
though that did not 60 quite far enough he wished
that It. instead of leaving entire latitude to the
Executive, had been accompanied with an express
sion Of the desire Of the Senate that the President
should along with the notice. signify his desire to
settle the boundary question between the two coun-
tries upon principles of mutual concession and
compromise, and that, when negotiation upon these
principles had failed, if il should do So it should be
left to the arbitrament of parties selected for the
purpose. He had no doubt that such an ar
rangement could be made as would finally adjust
the whole question, SO not to compromit either
the honor or the interests of either country. Mr.,
II. examined Mr.. BUcHANAN's opinion, as express-
ed in his communication to Mr.. PAKENHAM, that
"the territory of the country could never be made
the subject Of arbitration" He denied this, and
said that the history of the country proved directly
the reverse. He said that, in his opinion, the CIV
ing of the notice in any shape had better be defer
red he necessity for any immediate action !;
but he was aware that different opinion prevailed
in he He ho ad IN
vote for that form of notice which allowed the great
est latitude for negotiation, and afforded the best
chance for securing the peace of the country, upon
terms conducive to its honor, its interests, and its
dignity.
On Tuesday Mr.. WEsTcoTT, of Florida, addressed
the Senate on the Oregon question. The title Of
the United States to the entire line of coast from
42o to $40 4O and to all the interior country water
ed by, or upon the rivers and tributary streams
which issue into, the Pacific between those lati-
tudes, was, in the opinion Of Mr.. W., clear and in
disputable. He denied that Great Britain had the
shadow Of title to the sovereignty Of any portion
OF IT: this, he said, had been admitted by some of
her own statesmen and negotiators. She had claim
ed the privilege of residence for the purposes Of
trading, but had left that of possession or exclusive
jurisdiction in allegiance. The dividing line of
490 extended only to the Rocky Mountains. He
asserted that the title of Spain the whole country
had been admitted by Great Britain, and that our
treaty with Spain made our title complete. The
Nootka Sound Convention, he said, gave to Great
Britain nothing but the right of residence to her
subjects for the purposes of trade.
Mr.. WEsrcoTT then said that he had now gone
as far as he could with the Senators who claimed
up to $40 40. With respect TO the notice to Great
Britain, he did not think it expedent at present to
give it in any shape. He did not believe, if the
notice was given that we should be allowed the
year to make preparations in the interval would
be unnecessary TO Great Britain she would act
promptly, and call upon us 10 do the same. The
notice would not induce Great Britain 70 .bsss
jot or title OF her pretensions. For his part, he
would never agree to any treaty which ceded one
foot Of territory south Of 49, on Vancouvers Island
or elsewhere, or which gave to England the
permanent navigation of the Straits of Fuca or the
Columbia river.
He believed that Great Britain did not seek to
avoid with the United States but that, on the
contrary, occasion for would be sought; and
if it did not originate in any thing connected with
the Oregon question: it would be found in some
other quarter. He thought that the giving the no.
tice to Great Britain would bring war upon the
United States before we were prepared for it for
the twelve months notice wouldte waived by Great
Britain. There would be more DANGER he said, OF
collision between the two classes of settlers in
Oregon if notice were given than if it were with
held: both parties, in the former case, would feel
the irritating effects Of the approaching crisis and
peace and tranquility would be hard to preserve
Should Great Britain be averse TO settle the ques
ton upon fair and honorable principles, he would
60 for the whole of Oregon, and declare war to
obtain it.
He should vote against the notice in all its shapes
and under every possible mode in which it could
possibly be given. The naked notice was more
L. a. a. :. IT
would support motion to defer the notice, and tc
take immediate steps to protect and defend the
country at present our coast was in very unpro
teced state.
Mr.. WEsTcoTT regarded the giving notice a.
tending inevitably to war-if not immediate, Ger
tainy at the end Of twelve months The notice
would, under all circumstances, be essentially wal
measure in its results. This was question, he
said, in which he could not acknowledge the allie.
glance of party. He owed it to himself thus to
designate the course which he felt il his duty 10
pursue.
Mr.. McDUFFIE thought that the Senator from
Florida had misconceived some observations made
by Mr.. Fox, in the British House of Commons,
which he had quoted as asserting the goodness OF
the Spanish title to the Northwestern territory.
Mr. McD. read an extract from Mr.. Fox's speech
on the next page to that which Mr.. WEsTcoTT had
quoted, which led to directly different conclusion
MT. HousroN, one Of the Senators from Texas
addressed the Senate on Wednesday for about two
noers on me Oregon question. He was decidedly
III favor oil giving the notice IN Great Rr,tap The