Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-06-18
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Vt WOODSTOCK:
JUNE Is, 1916.
THE OREGON QUESTION
ABOUT TO BE SETTLED.

The President has transmitted a
message to the Senate, submitting a
proposition from the British government
for the settlement of the Oregon con-
troversy. The 49th parallel is the
line proposed-giving US the whole of
Vancouver's Island, and to England
the free navigation Of the Columbia RI
yer by the Hudson's Bay Company un-
til the expiration Of their charter. We
are told that this privilege is asked by
the British Government, experimenting
that it might otherwise be compelled to
pay that company too large an indem-
nifty The U. States to have the free
navigation of the Straits of Fuca, and
the free use of the Bays and Inlets of
Vancouver's Island, for the same peri
!od, and some other privileges.
The Oregon difficulty, then, so far
the British government and the Ameri-
can Executive can at present act, may
be considered as settled. The action
of the Senate, before whom the oues-
ton is now pending, will seal the fate
of the proposition above named. That
no formidable obstacle will be thrown
IN the way Of the negotiations thus ia
vorably commenced, we feel no doubt.
Even those who have heretofore adyo.
Gated our claim up to $40 40, as being
established by 'irefragable facts and
arguments, will, we think, in view of
the earnest desire which seems to per-
wade both nations to have it adjusted,
and from high political considerations,
lay aside a policy which they must
see by this time is an insuperable bar
rier to its amicable adjustment. And
the additional light which has been
thrown upon the claims of the contend
ing parties respectively, by the luminous
historical researches of such men as
Benton, Calhoun, and others, must
have no little influence in bringing a.
bout the conclusion of a treaty sub
stantially upon the terms proposed
All ultraists should yield their opinions
to the universal sentiment of the nation.
Every sincere friend of peace, (and
every good patriot will advocate peace
upon honorable terms, will hail the adj
justment of this question with unafec-
ted joy, and will look upon the event
as Introductory and foreshadowing
bright and glorious day for the COM
mercial relations between the two ma
tions;-for already has England mani
tested disposition to introduce into
her tariff system notifications and
changes highly beneficial to the trade
of the United States. &
We are justified in anticipating re.
suits SO glorious in the future, from the
settlement of this question, by the pa
ci6e tone of the English press, and the
liberal sentiments of Sir Robert Peel,
Lord John Russell, and other promi-
nent English statesmen. 1t must be
acknowledged, however, by every care
full observer of events, that these chan
ges, orproposed changes, in the COM
mercial policy of Great Britain toward
the United States, is in some degree
selfish. Seeing that the United States
were changing, gradually, the direc-
ton of the staple articles of her trade
to other foreign markets, where they |
were not subject to the enormous re-
strictions Of the protective policy-the |
U. S. deeming that policy incompatible
with her interests England felt herself
compelled, in order to maintain her pre-
sent high position as manufacturing
nation, to adopt a more liberal policy
toward us, and especially with refer
ence to the productions of our SOIL
We make these aggressive remarks in
order to exhibit the question, in all its
bearings, in what we conceive to be it's
true colors.