Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part II, Volume V

[Untitled]

Extract from the debate on the Oregon question, in the House of Representatives, February 9, 1846.

Mr. T. B. King: * * * “I should like, with all respect and deference to the learned and venerable gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr. Adams,) to ask whether, in his judgment, our title to the entirety of the Oregon territory is ‘clear and unquestionable?’”John Quincy Adams regards America’s title as clear to all territory on the Pacific south of 54° 40′.

Mr. John Quincy Adams. * * * “According to the construction we gave to ‘clear and indisputable,’ in relation to the question of right and wrong, I say that our title is clear and unquestionable.” * * * * * * *