The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-30

| NJ
session OF Congress. In this country, Parliam.n,
and the nation have been content TO wait the eon,.S
OF events, and TO leave untouched by pTemAtn,s
controversy one Of the important functioDs Of
The executive government, and one Of the high
est prerogauYes OF the crown. But in spite Of IN,
! excessive discussion TO which the Oregon terri
tory has given rise on the other side OF the Atlantic
and the extreme reserve which has hitherto been
| maintained on this there is at bottom the sam,
deep and earnest hope in both countries that mi,
question will be amicably settled and we trust Their,
Is AN equal resolution in the governments Of both
countries to make every exertion consistent with their
true interests and honor to terminate the controversy
II Is In this spirit that willing TO receive the no
uce Tor the termination Of the existing convention
In this spirit, and with express Recommendation
TO that effect the resolutions have been framed and
carried through IN both houses Of Congress; and in
the same spirit we do not doubt that the nego-
uaton Will be forthwith renewed. The alternative
Is now distinctly indicated. The utmost term to
which the peace Of the world can DO prolonged, is
one twelyemonth II indeed circumstances do not
bring about much earlier rupture, unless the par
luton Of the Oregon territory be finally settled with.
in that period. Never was a heavier responsibility
incurred by public men. Never grayer ques-
ton poised in the balance Of Providence. The pro-
vsional agreement under which our pacific relations
with the United States have subsisted for 30 years
is TO be superseded by final definition OF our res.
pectve rights upon the northwestern coast Of Amer.
lea, or 10 be succeeded by war. The vessel is al.
ready loosened from the moorings al which she lay
in peace The convention Of Joint occupancy 10 viz.
tually ended; and the destines Of these Two great
nauons-f, indeed, they can be called twain, which
have so great name, language, and freedom in
common with each other-are exposed to the hac-
tuations OF adverse and conflicting claims. The
emergency is, doubtless, most serious one; but
happily for the honor Of this country, it is accom-
panied by none Of those feelings Of excitement
| amongst ourselves which have so often perple1ed
| nj he nd N will lie with
deliberate energy Of men, as conscious Of our duties
as Of our strength.
The form in which the resolution has been uh.
matey adopted by the Senate Of the United States
is extremely digni6ed and becoming, and in this
respect II may be regarded as triumph Of the
moderate party over the violent and excessive
preensions Of the gentlemen who act with Mr.. Al.
len. In the final division which took place, "a votes
out Of 40 belonged to the wing party; whilst only
two wings voted with the extreme party against
the form in which It was proposed that the
tice should be given. So that, although the d.
vson had nothing Of a party character, the ad
heson Of the wings secured that moderation OF
language for which is remarkable. IL seems that,
according to the forms OF Congress, the House
Of Representatives must concur in the resolution
as amended by the Senate, and for this purpose
it will undergo some further debate in the lower
house. As the notice stands in Mr. Criuendenh
motion, there is not an expression in the preamble
with which we do not cordially concur; and II
forms a striking contrast TO the peremptory and
| unqualified expressions used by Mr. Polk in his
| official communications. In fact, when the Senate
Of the United States speaks Of the "ey consequences
| OF the divided allegiance OF American and Brit
ish population and Of the confusion and conflict OF
national jurisdiction" in Oregon, they substantially
recognise that principle Of division which Mr. Polk
has hitherto denied, and they impose upon him the
prosecution Of a negotiation which he has endea-
vored to render impossible.
Thus far, then, and in more respects than one,
the American notice materially improves the pros
pect Of speedy settlement. Il recognises, in
general terms, the basis upon which alone such q
settlement, be attempted, and, by putting an
end to the period Of joint occupancy 1t prepares
TO maintain the fullest extent the rights derive
from present occupation. Whatever be the fate Of
the provisional treaties, we presume that no will
contest that the rights and interests which have
grown up by their protection and authority are sa-
cred both under the letter Of those treaties, and
der the original rights to which revert in all
their force. Our position as claimants upon an
equal footing with the United States for the partition
of the whole territory in dispute is rather strengthen
ed than weakened by the abrogaton Of the treaty,
and cannot doubt that the ministers Of the crown
| will be ready, upon the receipt Of the notice, firmly
and explicitly to declare TO the cabinet Of Washing
ton what those tights which they have long been
"resolved and prepared to maintain" Every incl
dent which has occurred in the course OF those dis
cussions has more'and more fully convinced US
i that whilst compromise is necessary, and indeed,
our statement Of our claims suggests division,
no surrender Of those claims can be attempted. We
are not conscious Of having advanced any argument,
or made any assertion, which is not greatly within
the strictest limits to which British rights might
have been carried; and below the line which has
been traced for the policy Of this country lies moth
ing but insecurity and disgrace. To that position
we therefore adhere; have doubt that the min
listers Of the crown will adhere to it no less firmly,
confident that in the maintenance Of just rights,
well as in securing peace, they are supported by the
unanimous resolution of the people of England
| From the Morning Chronicles Of May g.
The decision Of the American Senate upon the
question of giving the notice requisite to terminate
the Joint occupation of the Oregon territory, is
strong evidence Of the change for the better which
has recently taken place in the public opinion Of tho
| United States. The resolution authorizing tho
tice has been agreed to, but amended to mako
it very doubtful whether it will receive the sanction
| Of the House of Representatives, to whom it has
been sent back and further doubtful whether, lift
should receive that sanction it will be acted upon by
| the President.
The Senate declares its motive in the proceeding
to be to quicken the efforts of the tive governments
to effect 'amieable settlement" Of the dispute and
authorizes the President to give the notice tat his
discretion" having retained those words by dis
tinc vote of 80 against %. The responsibility of
giving the notice is thrown entirely upon the Presi-
dent, and there arc many reasons why he should
| be in no haste to incur it.
From the London Times of May g.
The resolutions authorizing the President Of the
United States TO give notice for the termination Of
the Oregon convention OF 1927, have now received
the sanction of the Senate by majority Of 40 to IL
| votes.
In spite Of the excessive discussion to which the
Oregon territory has given rise the other side Of
| the Atlantic, and the extreme reserve which has
hitherto been maintained on this, there is at bottom
the same deep and earnest hope in both countries
that this question will be amicably settled and wc
trust there is an equal resolution in the governments
of both countries to make every exerton consistent
with their true interests and honor to terminate the
| controversy. -.s ......s -. ...gl...,
1t is in this spirit that are willing to receive
the notice for the termination Of the existing con-
venuon. In this spirit, and with an express rec
concentration to that effect, the resolutions have
been framed and carried in both houses of Congress-;
and in the same spirit do not doubt that the ne
collation. will be forthwith renewed The aterna.