Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-12

the right should be extended indefinitely
to particular class of British subjects, |
must believe that no English statesman in
tho face Of his denial OF similar privilege
to American citizens in regard to the ST.
Lawrence, would take the hazard upon
this point alone, Of disturbing the peace of
the world. Indeed, If the same ministry
from whom the present offer proceeds,
should continue masters Of their own pro.
position by remaining in once until the
qualification | am adverting to, would have
to be Gealt with, should feel entire conf.
dence in the belief / have now expressed.
regret to say, however, that have not
the least expectation that less reserya-
ton, # proposed, in favor of the occupants
of land between the Columbia and the 49th
parallel, would be assented to- | may re-
peat my conviction, founded upon all the
discussion in which | have been engaged
here, that in making partition of the Ore
gon territory, the protection of those in.
terest which have grown up during the
joint occupation is regarded as an indis-
pensible obligation on the score Of honor
and as impossible to be neglected am
quite sure that it was at one time in con-
temptation TO insist upon the free naviga-
ton of the Columbia river for British sub
jects and British commerce generally !;
and that it has been ultimately confined to
the Hudson's Bay Company after great
resistance, and in the end most reluctant
ly. Being so confirmed, however, it would
be only reasonable TO limit the employ
ment Of the right TO period beyond which
the Company might have no great object
to use the river for the purposes of trade.
But the interest of the British subjects who
have settled npon and are occupying
lands North of the forty-ninth, are consid-
ered as permanent, and entitled, when
passing under new jurisdistion, TO have
their possession secured. This, at least,
is the view taken Of the subject by this
government, and not at all likely, in my
opinion, to be changed.
| may add, too, that have not the least
reason to suppose it would be possible to
obtain the extension Of the 49th parallel TO
the sea, so as TO give the Southern Cape
of Vancouver's Island to the United States.
Itmay not be amiss before leaving this
subject, TO call your attention to the posi-.
ton of the present ministry. The success
Of their measures respecting the proposed
commercial relaxations is quite certain and
the corn bill having now finally passed The
House Of Commons, may be expected Of
no remote day TO pass the Lords by a ma
lorty no less decisive. From that time,
however, the tie which has hitherto kept
the party in support of Sir Robert Peel
will be dissolved; and the determination oil
the protectonist party, who suppose them
selves to have been betrayed, 10 drive hin
from office, has lost none of its vigor oil
power. Indeed, it is confidently reported
in quarters entitled 10 great respect, tina
they have even offered TO the leader Of the
whig party TO select his own time, and tina
when he is ready, they will be no less pre-
pared to force ministers to resign. | have
reason TO know that, at present, ministers
themselves believe change to be ineylla
Bile, and considering only the mode anc
the time in which it will most likely hap
pen. 1t will not be long, after the sue
cess of the measures for the repeal of the
"corn laws" before opportunities enough
for the accomplishment of this object will
occur. The "factory bill" regulating thu
hours OF labor, will afford one, and mos
probably that on which the change vii
take place. With knowledge that thu
change, sooner or later, must be unavoid
able, and that the offer has been made tt
the probable head of a new ministry t
select his own time, may it not be expect
ed that instead oil waiting quietly to ALLOW
the wbig leader to select the time Of com
ing in, the present minister will rather Sc
Iect his own time and mode of going out
and with his usual sagacity TO regulate hi
retirement as 10 leave as few obstacles a
possible TO his restoration to power? II
that case, it is not very unlikely he woul
prefer going out upon the "factory bill,
before taking ground upon importan, meas
ures--and il so, il will not surprise me 4
witness the coming in ola new ministry a
the end OF juno or earlier. With know
edge of the proposition now to be made
| am not prepared 10 say that one or NOR
Objectionable light have been apprehend
ed from Wing ministry; unless, indeed
the present government may be suppose
to be prepared to accept the qualification
when proposed by the President, which
was unwilling at first to offer. Upon tina
supposillon, it might be desirable that tn
notifications should be offered before tn
coming in Of new minister, who findin
only the acts oil his predecessors, without
knowledge of his intentions, might not b
so ready TO take the responsibility of a.
senIing to change.
TREATY.
, Convention betDeen the United Stat,