No. 34.
Mr. McLane to Mr. Buchanan.
Sir: * * * * * * *
It will be perceived from the remarks of Lord John Russell, and Sir Robert Peel more particularly, that the observations I have heretofore made of the effect upon public opinion in this country of the President’s proposition for compromise are fully confirmed, and that the rejection of the proposition by Mr. Pakenham, without sending it to his government, at least as the basis of negotiation, is strongly disapproved by both parties. I have reason to know, also, that there is an expectation with all classes here that this disapprobation should have its influence in disposing our Government to give a favorable and amicable reception to any future overtures which may be made for resuming the negotiation. * * *Mr. Pakenham’s conduct strongly disapproved in England.
On the subsequent night, Friday, the 23d of January, the subject was again introduced to the notice of the House of Commons by Lord John Russell. He said:Lord John Russell calls Mr. Pakenham’s rejection of the American offer a hasty proceeding.
It would appear that a proposition for a compromise had been made from the President to Her Majesty’s government, and he (Lord John Russell) conceived that that proposition had changed the state of the question. The proposition itself might he satisfactory or not satisfactory; but, having been made, it did appear to him to require a statement from those in authority in this country of the terms on which they would be satisfied to settle this question. That proposition, he understood, had not been received by Her Majesty’s government, but had been declared to be wholly inadmissible by our minister in America. He (Lord John Russell) confessed he thought that was a hasty proceeding on the part of the representative of Her Majesty in the United States, but what he wished to ask was, whether the negotiations had recommenced or were going on.
* * * * * * *
*Sir Robert Peel observed:[38]
On the subject of the Oregon territory, I have to state that a proposal was made by Mr. Buchanan, with the authority of the President of the United States, to Mr. Pakenham, and that the proposal so made suggested a division of the territory. Whether or not that proposal ought to have been accepted, I cannot say. Mr. Pakenham thought that the terms proposed were so little likely to be acceptable, that he did not feel [Page 44] himself warranted in transmitting the proposal to the government at home; and, on signifying this to Mr. Buchanan, the latter immediately stated that the proposal was withdrawn. This is the state of the negotiation at present, so far as I am informed, respecting the proposal submitted by Mr. Buchanan. I have the highest opinion of Mr. Pakenham; I have the greatest respect for his talents, and the greatest confidence in his judgment; yet, I must say, that it would have been better had he transmitted that proposal to the home government for their consideration, and if found in itself unsatisfactory, it might possibly have formed the foundation for a further proposal. [Hear!] * * * * * *Sir Robert Peel says that Mr. Pakenham ought to have referred the American offer to his government.
We have no hesitation in announcing our sincere desire for the interests of this country, for the interests of the United States, and tor the interests of the civilized world, in continuing to strain every effort which is consistent with national honor for the purpose of amicably terminating those disputes. [Hear!] * * * *Sir Robert Peel for a peaceable settlement of the Oregon question.
I trunk it would be the greatest misfortune if a contest about the Oregon between two such powers as England and the United States could not, by the exercise of moderation and good sense, be brought to a perfectly honorable and satisfactory conclusion. [Cheers.] * * * * * *
After these observations, I owe it more particularly to myself to state that, believing from the history of our previous negotiations as to the Oregon question that it may now be settled upon the basis of a compromise, and, with reference to interests which have grown up during the joint occupation of the territory, without a violation of any duty which a public man owes to the rights and honor of his country, I would not be unwilling, taking the President’s proposition of the 12th July as a basis, to urge a final adjustment of the question according to that proposition, but conceding to the Hudson Bay Company a continuance of the privileges of joint occupation, including the navigation of the Columbia, for a period of seven or ten years longer; and I hope that *I may be allowed to add that I would be willing to assume the responsibility of assenting to an adjustment by extending the boundary to the Pacific by the forty-ninth parallel and the Strait of Fuca with free ports to both nations, or by extending the free navigation of the Columbia River for a longer period, provided similar advantages upon the Saint Lawrence could thereby be secured to the United States.Mr. McLane reports that the British government will accept the line of 49° and the Straits of Fuca.[39]
I believe that upon one of these grounds, perhaps upon either, an adjustment may be concluded, and I have a strong conviction that the first indicated is entirely practicable.
I am, however, constrained at the same time to state, from all that has come to my knowledge here, that I have no reason to believe that more favorable terms than those I have above adverted to would under any circumstances be consented to by this government. * * *
Hon. James Buchanan, Secretary of State.