The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-01
The Oregon Treaty.

Treaty as concluded and ratified at Washington.-
It will be seen that il ID in the precise terms stated
in the extracts from the speech of Sir Robert Peel
published in this days paper. H
The Treaty and the accompanying documents
were first published in the Philadelphia NORTH
american. How they came into the possession
of that paper, before the injunction ofsecrecy was
removed by the Senate, we have notyet learned.
We publish also the Message of President Polk,
as being first in order. 1t will be seen that the
Presidents views as erprtsssd in his annual mes
sageof 2d December last, remain unchaaged!l !
By reference TO thatmessage we find that the Pres
ident uses the following language:
Though entertaining the settled conviction,
that the British professions Of title could not be
maintained to any portion of the Oregon territory
upon any principle Of public iaw recognised by
nations" &c.
Again: " With this conviction, the proposition
of compromise which had been made and rejected,
was, by my direction, subsequently withdrawn,
and our title to the schole IF Oregon territory as
Serted and, as is believed, maintained By 1retra-
gable facts and arguments"
e7a.bsf [ooNFIpENTIAL.1
Message from the President of the United STATES,
communicating proposition on the part ofthe
British Government for the adjustment Of the
Oregon question.
s [June 10, IS46.--read.] -.s
To the Senate Of the United States.-- "
l lay before the Senate a proposal in the form Of
aConvention, presented to the Secretary Of State
on the 9Th inst, by the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentary of her Brtanic Majesty,
tho ad;uetn, nj thp Oreuon mn esfon tnoath.
or with protocol of this proceeding. Isubmit
this proposal to the consideration of the Senate, and
request their advice as to the action which, in their
Judgment may be proper to take Interference TO it.
In the early periods af the government, the opin-
ion and advice of the Senate were often taken in
advance upon important questions of our foreign
policy General Washington repeatedly consulted
the Senate and asked their previous advice, to
which he always cenformed his action. This prac-
tice. though rarely resorted to in later times was
In my Judgment, enninently wise, and may, on oc-
casions Of great impoI tance, be properly revived.
The Senate are a branch of the treaty -making
power, and by consulting them in advance of his
ownaaction, upon important measures OF foreign
policy which may ultimately come before them for
consideration, the President secures harmony of
action between that body and himself The SEN
ate are, moreover abranch of the war-making pow
er, and it may be eminenty proper tor the Execu-
tive to take the opinion and advice OF that body in
advance upon any great question which may in
volve 10 its decision the issue OF peace or On
the present occasion the magnitude of the subject
would induce me, under any circumstances, to de-
sire the previous advice of the Senate and that de-
sire increased by the recent debates and proceed
ings in Congress, which render it, in my judg-
ment not only respectful TO the Senate, but neces-
sary and proper, if not Indispensable to insure har-
monious action between that body and the Exec
utive. In comforting on the Executive the au-
thority to give the notice for the abrogation of the
Convention of 1927, the Senate acted publicly so
large part, that the decision on the proposal now
made by the British government, without def
mite knowledge Of the views of that body in refer
ence 10 it., might render the question still more
complicated and difficult OF adjustment For these |
reasons / invite the consideration OF the Senate 10
the proposal Of the British government for the set
tlement Of the Oregon question, and ask their ad-
vice on the subject -
My opinions and my action on the Oregon ques-
ton were fully made known to Congress in my an
nual message Of the I'd December last, and the
opinions therein expressed remain unchanged.
Should the Senate, by the constitutional major
ty required for the ratification of treaties, advise
the acceptance OF this proposition, or advise it with
such notifications they may upon full delibera-
ton deem proper, shall conform my action to
their advice. Should the Senate, however, decline,
by such constitutional majority, to give such ad-
vice, or to express an opinion on the subject, l
shall consider 1t my duty to reject the offer.
also communicate herewith extract from
adespatch of the Secretary Of State to the Minis
Ter of the United States at London, under date of
the 28th Of April last, directing him in accordance
with the joint resolutions Of Congress, "Concern-
ing the Oregon Terrtorys' 10 deliver the Notice
70 the British Government for the abrogation of
the Convention Of 9th August, 1927; and also,
copy of the Notice transmittedt to him for that pur-
pose, together with extracts from despatch OF
that Minister to the Secretary ofState, bearing date
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1916.
THE TREATY,
Convention 6eftceen the U,iied States of .americd
and her .Majestythe Queen of the United King
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, c0ncludtd
at Washingtoa the 18Th Of June ls46.
K June l6, IS46--R Read FIRST time.
June II, lS46--Read second time, and order
cd to be printed in confidence for the use of the
Senate. -
The United State Of America and her Majesty
the Queen Of the United Kingdom OF Great Britain
and Ireland, deeming it to be desirable. for the iu
ture welfare OF both countries, that the state of
doubt and uncertainty which has hitherto prevail
ed respecting the sovereignty and government of
the territory on the northwest coast of America
lying westward of the Rockey or Stony Mountains,
shouiu DO nnally terminated by an ancabe COM
promise fthe rights mutually asserted by the two
parties over said territory. have respectively named
Plenipotentaries to treat and argee concerning the
terms ofsuch settlement; that is to say, the Pres-
dent of the United States Of America has on his
part. furnished with full powers James Buchanan,
Secretary Of State; and Her Majesty The Queen
Of the United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Ire
land, has on her part appointed the Right Honor
able Richard Pakenham, member Of her Majes-
ty's most honorable Priyy Council, and her Ma I
jesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni- [
potentiary to the United States. who after having
communicated with each other their respective /
full powers, formed in good and due form, have Z
agreed upon and concluded the following articles:
4s,s q ~ w ARTICLE l.
"From the point on the 49th parallel Of north /
latitude where the boundary laid down ia existing
treaties and conventions between Great Britain i
and the United States terminates, the line OF boun-
dairy between the territories Of her Britannia Ma
..Il nAr(f 49,