Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16

I'VE certainly did not intend putting a wrong con-
struction on the letter which is the subject of the
following note from Judge Wick, and very willingly
publish his explanation. Indiana State Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1916.
DEAR SIR I'm the Journal of the 18th inst. you
have, no doubt honestly, put a wrong construction
upon my note published, previously, in the Sentinel.
| said, in my note to the Sentinel, that the argu-
ment of our title TO Oregon. in the discussion of the
Notice Resolutions, was indiscreet. The reason why
| thought it so was by no means so profound and d.
plomatic, as you imagine. 1t is this Our title was
not the question for we had a right to give the no.
tice, title or no title. The right was secured by
treaty. Therefore to argue the title was, what law
yers call 60 going out of the record - and making "an
lmmaterial issue.' 1t was for that reason, better 10
discuss the notice without reference to the title. But
the discussion of the title, amounted to an admission
that it was not quite self-evident, or had not been
well sustained by our negotiators, and as the American
Congress were by nc means unanimous in sustaining
our title to the whole of Oregon, the discussion of the
title developed our divisions, and consequent weakness
to our adversary, Great Britain. And this develop
ment was calculated to make that adversary presumpt-
uous, and more exorbitant than ever in demands, and
claims upon Oregon. Had l time, l would demon
strate (or nearly SOY that such has already been the
effect Of the discussion of the title to Oregan, and the
consequent development of our dlssentions. The
entire discussion, in each House, | consider as q most
indiscreet invasion, by the Legislative power, of the
diplomatic functions of another branch of the govern
ment. No good could come out of it, but to crafty
human vanity, and human ambition, by a~ffOrding
gentlemen here opportunities to make and circulate
speeches, very patriotic on their face, but, in fact,
prejudicial to the public interest.
As you assumed to give an interpr cation of your
own to my note, and in so doing, mistook my true
meaning, l know too well your sense of justice, and
your personal kind feeling towards me, to doubt that
you will publish this my own version of that meaning.
With perfect respect, yours truly,
w. w. WICK.
P. S.. When / write any thing here for publication
at home, | write it exactly as / mean, and all that |
mean. No commentary thereon can do otherwise
than obscure, or pervert my meaning, and so, perhaps,
mislead others.
l know not whether or not, a treaty compromising
on 40 would receive the sanction of the President and
Senate. But l verify believe that question not worth
investigation; as there is no probability, at present,
that the British Government will either make or
accept any such compromise. On the contrary, they
insist, as | understand it, on such TERMS, concerning
the Oregon boundary as it would be a shameful dis
honor, in us to ~accept-unless it (the British govern
ment) shall recede, we shall, ere long, all, Wings,
Democrats, impracticabes, Native Americans and
Liberty Men-unite in (for the third time,) resisting
British aggressions, upon our undOubted rights.
w Nv w