The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-02

is hoped, will be ayerted by the prudence, sssacty,
and hrmness Of our counsels.
Considering its eonGguity to our western settle
ments, and as the only vent westward for the vast
surplus OF the rich lands Of the ssssppl basin 70
the shores Of Asia, and its accessibility by railroad
from the Atlantic States bringing them also in close
proximity to the same great markets, and consider
ing ihai our republic opens her public lands 10 the
oyer-pspuated countries Of Europe and offers 10 all
cheap e-simple farms and the full enjoyment Of
free lnstituiions, she desires Oregon from sell
hsh or ambitious views, nor in a craving spirit OF
territorial aggrandizsment, but in order TO ex
tend more widely the area Of human freedom, and
the means of human hsppiness--as an extension of
that theatre on which God, in his providence, in
tends 10 york out that high destiny he has assigned
10 his own good time, for the whole human race.
By giving this notice, 1t does not prevent negots-
tom but will stimulate the parties 10 settle their
differences. There are many things 10 negotiate
about; many important questions and interests,
which are III subjects of negotiations and one OF
these is the rights Of the Hudson Bay Company
and ] believe the principal part OF the difheuy
with Great Britain is the obligations she Is under TO
that company. She renewed their charter in 1928,
STIMULATING on the colonization Of that country.
Now il would DO proper for Great Britain TO nego-
tate on all these matters, and perhaps IL would be
proper TO pay this company something for their
OUTLAWS there, and give them the use OF the Coium'
bia river 10 take their effects away from the country
and 10 facilitate the winding up Of their affairs. As
far that is concerned hope negotiations will 60
on; but II for the purpose Of giving up any portion
ofthe country, am opposed TO II. IL Is certain we
cannot arbitrate the question, although there are
some-among others, the honorable senator from
Kentacky--who say that they would hae To
witness the matter presented TO the arbltra-
ton Of some distinguished civilians. ! should be
very much opposed to this; could not consent
TO refer tho rights Of the United States to any
power upon earth, in any FORM But 1t 10 not neees-
sary 10 say anything about it, as It has been reject
ed by the government There Is no wish on the
part Of this government, and there is none mine,
10 refer this dispute to crowned heads or to civil
ians; and there is fatal objection against arbi-
tration which, in the absence Of all others, is sui.
GENTLY strong TO condemn lt--ihat IL, you cannot
compel parties to abide by the decision. Instead Of
settling and simplifying the question, II would be
likely render IL more complicated than before nor
could we have a knowledge Of the parties TO whom
this great question would be referred; and II is per-
fecty fair to suppose that the whole subject might
be referred, the part Of the British government,
TO one Of their secretaries Arbitration Is desirable,
practicable, and Just, frequently between individ.
uas; but il is altogether different with nations. In
the arbitration Of the king of the Netherlands how
did he actl Instead Of attending TO the terms pre-
scribed and Of following the boundary, he departed
from il, and assumed powers not at all conferred
upon him. But now will read an extract to show
the expedency Of arbitration:
| Here Mr. b. read an extract from a commu pi-
cation by Mr.. Adams, the then Secretary Of State,
which the reporter did not obtain.
We do not want any division Of this country at
all. !, for one, instructed-and feel pleasure in
acting on these instrucions-not 10 assent by my
vote to any arrangement by which any portion OF
this territory shall be coded. | will negotiate In
gard TO all other growing out OF this ques-
ton and shall be disposed be liberal. am will
ling to allow the Hudson Bay Company certain adj
vantages for a limited period. ! would do no nus-
! tce and in looking back TO our past history, be-
ieve the creates, enemy Of republican principles
cannot put his finger a single act Of national In
Justice 1t may be said TO be the glory Of the Amer
lean name, that not single act can be pointed out
by the most violent enemy calculated to stamp IN
Justice on the national character. We have never
done injustice. We have always sought to do JUS
tice and in our national conduct to carry out the
golden maxim-"Do unto others as ye would they
should do unto you" Our reputation is pure and
unspotted. | wish to do nothing bordering on the
confines Of injustice. II the Hudson Bay Company
have important interests there-and that they
have, | am free 10 admt-and the British
government are responsible for any injury
which may result TO them in consequence Of any
disposition OF the country which they may make;
and it, in order to carry on their trade and settle
their affairs they desire the of the river would
concede it to them most cordially. would afford
them every facility of closing up their AFFAIRS and
leaving the country to our exclusive jurisdiction.
But to no division Of the country could ever as
sent We all recollect that memorable display OF
the wisdom Of Solomon in the case of the child
claimed by two mothers; and also the display OF
true parental affection on the same occasion. The
true friends OF Oregon never can consent to any d.
vision Of the territory either by the Columbia river
| or by the 49th parallel. am sorry ss friend OF
the Executive, that he felt bound to offer that prop
osluon and think the error on his part consisted
in this that he did not consider it entirely new
question, SO far he and his administration were
concerned. So far as he was concerned, il an
entirely new question. And why, At the conven-
ton which assembled for the purpose Of nomina-
ting President and Vice President, Mr.. Butler of
New York offered the following resolutions:
Resoped That title to the whole of the territory Of
Oregon is clear and that portion Of the
ought to be coded to England any other
Of Texas at the earliest period are great Amer.
lean measures which this convention recommends to the
cordial support OF the democracy OF the Union"
| Now, on that we went before the country. The
present Executive was the candidate of the party
that avowed this right and title to the whole Of the
territory Of Oregon. That party succeeded.
Oregon" was the watchword throughout the whole
country. 1t not confined to the West, or
Southwest; bat in the northern. middle, and through
out all the States it was the raying cry Oregon"
and "Texas," we're one and undivided. The Exec.
utve elected on that. How has he redeemed
his pledge' He says in his inaugural address:
Nor will it become in less degree my duty to
maintain all constitutional the right Of the
United States to that portion of territory which lies be-
yond the Rocky mountains Our title to the country othe
Oregon clear and and already our
people preparing perfect that title by occupying with
their wives and children"
Such was his explicit and frank avowal, in &C.
cordance with the judgment Of the whole country.
Individuals favorable tn that proposition at the Bal
tmore convention had been elected by large ma
iorty; and so it became, in my opinion, as
| far the administration concerned. an
entirely new question. 1t never had been be-
fore an element in any political controversy
and for the first time entered as such into the
contest of 1914; and the President in his inaugural
states tha', his opinion, our title "is clear and
unquestionable" And ne does not depart from that
in his message delivered to Congress at the com
Increment Of the present session. But he says
that il it had been a new question he would not
have submitted the proposition. Again say thai
| regret that he took that view and offered promo.
stion calculated to embsrrsss his friends in differ
emf parts Of he country who had blamed his prede.
| mn inc thai offer And I tb;nt