1844.] DEBATES IN CONGRESS. 393 



for some time, embracing not only all the questions connected with 

 the claim of the United States to Oregon, but also incidentally, that 

 respecting the north-eastern boundary of theRepublic,which had been 

 already settled by the treaty of Washington. The abrogation of the 

 convention was defended, as a legitimate and-unexceptionable means 

 of opening Oregon to American citizens, from which they were 

 now wholly excluded ; and as offering to those desirous of emi- 

 grating thither, some guarantee of future protection by their govern- 

 ment. It was opposed chiefly on the ground that a negotiation 

 respecting the rights of the two claimant powers, was about to be 

 opened, agreeably to an invitation from the American government ; 

 and that it would be impolitic if not improper and indecorous thus 

 to determine what was declared to be a subject for discussion ; as 

 the notice of the intention to annul the agreement could only be 

 interpreted as a direct assertion of absolute right, and of a resolu- 

 tion to maintain that right by force, if necessary, at the end of the 

 period prescribed. The advocates of abrogation were averse to 

 any further negotiations ; contending ,that in all those entered into 

 upon this subject, the United States had suffered, and that the 

 British were only anxious to gain time, and thus to continue the 

 exclusion of American citizens, until they could themselves occupy 

 the whole territory : but if a negotiation should now be com- 

 menced it would end before the expiration of the period stated in 

 the notice ; when either some new arrangement would have been 

 made, or it would be seen that Great Britain was resolved to con- 

 test the claim of the United States at all hazards. On the other 

 hand it was insisted that the British could never occupy the coun- 

 try ; that they could use it only for the fur trade, which was de- 

 clining rapidly, and must speedily cease ; and that Oregon would 

 come into the possession of the Americans by quiet and silent emi- 

 gration, as soon as could be reasonably desired, if not sooner. 

 Equally different were the anticipations of the two parties, as to 

 the results of a war with Great Britain, if it should be occasioned 

 by the measure proposed ; the one holding up defeat, devastation, 

 destruction of commerce, and dissolution or dismemberment of the 

 Union, as the probable consequences, while the other seemed to 

 entertain no doubt that it would lead to the overthrow of the 

 British dominions in North America. 



At the commencement of the ensuing session of Congress, the 

 President declared, in his message, that a negotiation had been for- 

 mally begun, and was pending between the secretary of state and 

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