USA > Washington > History of Washington; the rise and progress of an American state, Vol. II > Part 27
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
portion south of the 49th parallel and east of the Columbia was regarded as a magnanimous concession. All this made matters extremely embarrassing for the Peel ministry, which was already advancing to its fall. It was evident to it that the line of the Columbia would never be conceded by the United States. It was equally evident that Mr. Polk's administration would be greatly embarrassed if it should consent to anything short of 54° 40'. "Fifty-four Forty or Fight" had been the slogan of the campaign by which it had just come into power. The expectation of the majority, who had given Mr. Polk their votes, was that he would stand for that line as the boundary, and make war for it if necessary. This expectation had been strengthened by the declaration made at his inauguration, which he need not have made if he did not intend to make it good.
Under such embarrassments on both sides, which were constantly growing more embarrassing, as the public interest in the matter in dispute increased, the negotiations were resumed in July 1845, between Mr. Pakenham and James Buchanan, who had succeeded Mr. Calhoun as secretary of state. Mr. Buchanan proposed, in the beginning, the whole line of the 49th parallel, as stated in the ultimatum which Mr. Clay had authorized Mr. Gallatin to announce in 1826. This was immediately rejected by Mr. Pakenham, and the offer was then withdrawn by Mr. Buchanan, who declared in his letter of August 30th, that the president had been actuated in presenting it, by a respect for the conduct of his predecessors, and by a sincere and anxious desire to promote peace and harmony between the two nations. But he was satisfied, from a most careful and ample examina- tion of the subject, "that the Spanish American title, now held by the United States, embracing the whole territory
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THE RISE AND PROGRESS
between the parallels of 42° and 54° 40', is the best title in existence to this entire region, and that the claim of Great Britain to any portion of it has no sufficient foundation."
Here the negotiations were again suspended. The cor- respondence and protocols were communicated by Presi- dent Polk to Congress, with his message in December 1845, together with a report of what had been done, and he recom- mended that notice should be immediately given of the intention in the United States to abrogate the convention of 1827, at the end of a year, and also that other measures should be adopted for maintaining the right of the United States to the whole of Oregon. The whole of Oregon was shown, by reference to the correspondence, to mean all of the con- tinent and islands west of the Rocky Mountains, between the parallels of 42° and 54' 40'. Meantime M. Guizot, for the French government, had suggested the establish- ment of a "balance of power" in America, similar to that in Europe, and to this the president had replied in the lan- guage of Mr. Monroe in 1823, that "the American con- tinents were no longer to be subject to colonization by Europe," qualifying this declaration however by remitting it to the northern continent. Upon these recommendations bills were introduced in both houses of Congress, authoriz- ing the president to give the required notice to terminate the convention of joint occupation, and for the extension of the jurisdiction of the United States over Oregon. These measures occupied the attention of Congress almost exclu- sively for several months. While they were under considera- tion another correspondence on the subject of Oregon was opened between Mr. Buchanan and the British minister at Washington, and on the 27th of December Mr. Pakenham again proposed, by direction of his government, to submit
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
"the whole question of an equitable division of the Oregon territory to the arbitration of some friendly sovereign, or state, as the best means of restoring a good understanding between the two nations." In his reply to this proposition for "an equitable division of the territory," Mr. Buchanan called attention to the fact that it assumed the title of Great Britain to some portion of the territory to be valid, and that to admit the proposition for arbitration would be to acknowl- edge this validity, and to preclude the United States from claiming the whole territory before the arbitrator. This would be entirely inconsistent with the solemn declaration made by the president, and he could not consent to this mode of adjusting the differences. To this Mr. Pakenham replied, on the 16th of January 1846, that his nation had also form- ally announced and still maintained that it had rights in Oregon, incompatible with the aggressive claim of the United States, and he asked to know whether the American govern- ment would be inclined to refer the question of the title of either power to the whole territory, to arbitration by a sovereign, or by a mixed commission, with the condition that if the arbitrator should consider neither entitled to the whole, he might assign to each such portion as might be required by a just appreciation of their respective claims.
In reply Mr. Buchanan repeated the conviction of the president with regard to the title of the United States to the whole of Oregon, under which condition, and believing also as he did, that the territorial rights of the republic were not a proper subject for arbitration, he could not consent to jeopardize their interests by referring them to such a tribunal, however it might be composed.
This correspondence was laid before Congress, and pub- lished in February 1846, together with extracts from the
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THE RISE AND PROGRESS
dispatches of Mr. McLane, the American minister at London, detailing conversations he had had with Lord Aberdeen, the British minister for foreign affairs, particularly on the subject of the large armaments then in progress in Great Britain. In these conversations his Lordship had declared that these preparations were not made with reference to the existing dispute between his nation and the United States, though in the event of hostilities they might prove important to Great Britain. Sir Robert Peel also expressed his regret, in Parliament, for the rejection, by Mr. Pakenham, of the proposition made by the United States for the adoption of the 49th parallel as the boundary.
About this time measures were introduced in Parliament to remove the duties on the importation of corn into Great Britain, while the American administration, and a consider- able portion of the American people, were equally anxious for a reduction of the duties on foreign manufactures, brought into this country. These circumstances contributed to lessen the excitement in both countries, on the subject of the Oregon boundary, and to dispose both governments to a compromise on that question, particularly as it happened that the parties in each country most ardently in favor of the proposed changes in their respective commercial systems, were also the advocates of extreme measures with regard to the boundary dispute.
The debates in Congress on the boundary question con- tinued. Hundreds of speeches were made in the House of Representatives, and many columns in newspapers, and pages of pamphlets, were occupied with the discussion of the question. Finally, on the 9th of February, a resolution was passed by the House "that the President cause notice to be given to the government of Great Britain, that the
FORT GEORGE IN 1845.
But few changes were made at Astoria while the Hudson's Bay Company controlled it. For a long time James Birnie, who was stationed there, had little to do but watch the coming and going of the com- pany's ships, as there were but few Indians in the neighborhood and but little opportunity for trade. The cut represents the place as it was about the time Birnie retired from the service.
THE RISE AND PROGRESS
dowyches of MY. 248 XII НАЯОБ ТЯОН
, the American minister at London, sit with shared is sham grow asgasto wat tia
still bed mens benoitste ker odw afraidse matricularly on the -mop get-to guiog bas guimos adt doisw jud ob of then in, progress in Great odt ni ansibirI wst tud 919W 919if Jeqida" DlabsIt Tof finttioqqo sltsil tf bata boddtodigishad declared Merit ent tuods asw ti as soslq ont atroabigar toreference to the .192 9dt mort borite simid
Listing dipure tion and the United States, though in the vịvốn có ouilinies they might prove important co Great Britam. Sur B dwrt Peel also expresmed his regret, in Parlament forshe wperion, by Mr Pakenham, of the propion made by the United States for the adoption of Ble woth parallel as the boundary.
Now This time measures were introduced in Parliament we the duties on the importation of corn into Great , jde the American alministration, and a consider- ho of the American people, were equally anxious vedlthe duties on forvign manufactures, brought These circumstances contributed to - in both countries, on the subject of the Koje k xodat ma bo dispose both governments to a yes 9g that queum), particularly as it happened But for ponies in each cours out as Senyly in favor of dn pinposed changes in the re pedir . recovercial systems, wey Me the advocates of extreme measures with regard @ The boundary dispute.
The drates & Congress on the boundary question con- marco d. Uvodarda of speeches were made in the House of Repr- emanees and many mnlumine in newspapers, and pages of pamphilbo, were occupied with the discussion of the que & Finally, on the only of February, a resolution was passed by the House "that the President cause notice to has given to the government of Great Britain, that the
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
convention of 1827 be annulled and abrogated, twelve months after giving said notice," provided that this should not interfere with the right and discretion of the proper authorities to renew or pursue negotiations for an amicable settlement of the controversy. This resolution was passed by a vote of one hundred and sixty-three ayes to fifty noes.
The debate was then taken up by the Senate, where it soon became evident that nearly all of the members were in favor of giving the notice required, though there was con- siderable difference of opinion as to the terms of the resolu- tion, and the measures by which it should be accompanied. Those who were in favor of yielding nothing south of the line 54° 40', were anxious that the abrogation should be the act of the legislative and executive branches of the govern- ment combined, which the president should be required to execute, and that preparations should be at the same time made for enforcing the claim of the United States to this whole territory, at the end of the period designated by notice. The other party, who conceived the rights of the United States to be less clearly established, and who were willing to assent to a compromise in the partition of the territory in question, preferred that the abrogation should be left entirely to the discretion of the president, and that he should at the same time be urged to endeavor, by all peaceful means compatible with the honor of the nation, to effect an amicable settlement of the controversy. The latter party prevailed. The proposition to increase the military and naval forces of the Union was rejected, and finally, on the 16th of April, a resolution was passed "that the President be authorized, at his discretion," to give the notice required, the preamble declaring the object and motive of the resolution to be, "that the claims of the United States and Great Britain should be
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THE RISE AND PROGRESS
definitively settled, and that the said territory may no longer than need be, remain subject to the evil consequences of the divided allegiance of its American and British population, and of the confusion and conflict of national jurisdiction," and "that the attention of the governments of both countries may be more earnestly and immediately directed to renewed efforts for the amicable settlement of all the differences and disputes in respect to the said territory."
The House at first refused to assent to this resolution, and it was sent to a conference, in which a form was agreed upon, differing but little from the Senate resolution, and on the 23d of April it was adopted by both houses. It was immediately approved by the president, who caused Mr. McLane to give the notice as provided by the convention with the British government, and it was accordingly given on the 22d of May.
In the meantime conferences and communications between Mr. McLane and Lord Aberdeen had been frequent, and soon after the news of the passage of the joint resolution, in language so conciliatory, had reached London, instruc- tions were sent to Mr. Pakenham to propose a form of treaty for the definitive settlement of the whole controversy, with the 49th parallel as the boundary.
Upon this proposition the president requested the advice of the Senate. There was no way in which he could grace- fully recede from the high ground which he had so unneces- sarily taken in favor of 54° 40', unless he could be advised and urged to do so by a majority of the body which must act with him by advising and consenting to the treaty when made. There was some bitter opposition, part of it from members of his own party, but Benton cleared the way for what was wanted by a masterly review of the whole question,
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
and an accurate and full statement of the grounds on which the claims of both countries rested. His speech was far more temperate and reasonable than the one he had made on the Ashburton treaty. The contention of the United States had always been for the 49th parallel as the boundary line. It had proposed this in the first negotiation in regard to the boundary of the Louisiana territory in 1804, and had repeatedly offered it since that time. South of that line we claimed the country by virtue of the discovery of the Columbia by Gray, its exploration by Lewis and Clark and prior settlement by the Astor party, as well as by virtue of the Spanish title. North of that line the British made claim on grounds precisely similar-the discovery and exploration by Mackenzie and Fraser, and settlement made on the upper waters of the Fraser River. If we insisted that Great Britain should recognize our claims we must in justice recognize hers, where there was undoubted proof that they were genuine.
This argument prevailed, and on June 13th the Senate advised the president that the terms offered should be accepted, and accordingly, on the 15th, the treaty proposed by Great Britain was signed by Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Pakenham. It was confirmed by the Senate on the 18th, and ratified by the president immediately afterwards. On the 24th of June, before the news that it had been signed reached London, the Peel administration ended, and that of Lord John Russel succeeded, but the treaty was ratified by the queen on the 17th of July.
By the first article of this treaty the boundary between the territories of the two nations was continued from the point where it previously terminated, on the summit of the Rocky Mountains, due west along the 49th degree of latitude,
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THE RISE AND PROGRESS
"to the middle of the channel between Vancouver Island, and the continent, and thence southerly through the middle of the channel, and of Fuca's Strait, to the Pacific Ocean." Subsequently a question arose as to whether the "middle of the channel" lay along the middle of the channel of the Canal de Haro, or that of Rosario Strait, and after a long contention, which at one time threatened to bring on a war, it was finally settled by arbitration, the Emperor William I of Germany being arbitrator.
News of the ratification of this treaty was received in Ore- gon and published in an extra of the "Oregon Spectator," on November 4, 1846, and of course caused general rejoicing among the settlers. It was immediately communicated by Chief Factors Douglas and Ogden, to Dr. Tolmie, at Fort Nisqually, by a letter dated the same day, in which they say : "The barque Toulon arrived lately in the river, with very important intelligence, from the Sandwich Islands. It appears that the Oregon boundary is finally settled, on a basis more favorable to the United States than we had reason to anticipate. We forward with this, copy of com- munication from Sir George Seymour, Commander in Chief in the Pacific, to our agents at the Sandwich Islands, which contains all that is at present known to us relative to the boundary treaty. Business will of course, go on as usual, as the treaty will not take effect on us for many years to come. "
It will not escape observation, in all this long story of negotiation, covering a period from 1818 to 1846, that no special claim was ever urged on our part to the possession of Vancouver Island. And yet it would seem that such a claim might have been urged with justice. The Spaniards undoubtedly discovered it. That they first landed upon
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
and took possession of it is not disputed. Meares subse- quently laid claim to have purchased the right from the Indians to erect some sort of building, somewhere on the shore of Nootka Sound, and to have erected and occupied such a building for a time, until forcibly dispossessed by the Spaniards. A claim for restoration to the rights of which he had been thus forcibly dispossessed, was subsequently recognized, by the convention of 1796, between Spain and Great Britain, but when restoration came to be made, in accordance with the convention, Quadra, the representative of Spain, and Vancouver, representing Great Britain, could not agree as to what should be restored. The convention was subsequently annulled by war, in accordance with the universal law of nations, and although restitution may have been made as claimed, more could not have been restored than was originally taken. By the Florida treaty, Spain ceded to the United States all her rights and claims to this island, as well as to the remainder of the coast north of the forty-second parallel, and we then became the claimants, in her stead, to this island.
In addition to this we were entitled to claim it by right of discovery that it was an island. Of this the only proof we could urge was that furnished by Meares, who claimed to have learned in Canton that Captain Gray* had dis- covered and sailed through the strait which separates it from the mainland in 1789. This was not the best of evidence, it is true, but coming as it did from an unfriendly source, it was all the more entitled to be believed. Meares evidently believed it. He was never fond of giving credit to American sailors if it could be avoided. He would never have given
* Meares did not then know that Gray and Kendrick had exchanged ships before this voyage was made.
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RISE AND PROGRESS OF AN AMERICAN STATE
Gray (Kendrick) credit for this discovery, except that he could not claim it for himself, and he was vainly anxious to be the first to communicate it to the world. The United States could therefore have claimed this island by virtue of the discovery of Kendrick, as well as by virtue of the Spanish title, and had these claims been urged from the beginning they would, perforce, have been allowed. That they were not so urged is doubtless due to the fact that the maps, and other sources of information of the time, did not exhibit the relative importance of the island, or perhaps accurately display its location. Had they done this it is hardly possible that it would have escaped the attention of so careful an observer as John Quincy Adams, or failed to employ the best efforts of that experienced diplomat and earnest patriot. It was he who gave direction, first as secretary of state and afterwards as president, to the nego- tiation which ran through a period of nearly thirty years, during all of which time not one of the claims he made in the beginning was disproved or yielded, nor did any one of the statesmen who were called upon to maintain them, ever for one moment waver from their support.
CHAPTER XXXII. OLD FORT NISQUALLY.
J. P. Johnson
20/32 third.
of the country through winenr the Company's brigades ever went, from the Russian line to California, and from the mountains to the ocean. Work was subsequently chief factor in charge of Fort Simpson, near the Russian bound- ary, and one of his daughters became the wife of the last factor in charge of the fort which her father's friend had founded, and together with her husband, the late Edward Huggins, she lived to own and reside upon its site for more than twenty years after it had ceased to be.
While on a trading expedition down the Sound in April 1833, McDonald, who had with him some eight or nine men, spent twelve days in erecting a log house, fifteen by twenty feet in size, near a small lake, subsequently known as Old Fort Lake, and some little distance from the site chosen, then or afterwards, for the fort. This cabin was called Nisqually House. It was the first human habitation constructed by white men on Puget Sound. Leaving William Ouvrie, a French Canadian, and two other men,
New Orleans, La., 1910
demand, I promise to pay to the order of
anama Exposition Company,
, AND DOLLARS ($. 1000.00 .... )
· City of New Orleans in ten (10) installments as follows: )RED .DOLLARS ($ ... 100.00 .. ) thirty days after the National Exposition at New Orleans.
" cent. each) at intervals of not less than four months.
E THOUSAND DOLLARS ($. 1000.00 ... )
10 .. ) shares of the Capital Stock, par value One inama Exposition Company, fully paid and non-assessable. charged on all installments after maturity.
{TRADES 0\ COUNCIL 8
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Address.
Upon the payment of the sum of ... And thereafter nine (9) equal insta Interest at the rate of five (5) per Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share, of herein, I shall receive of all the Hudson's Bay fter the headquarters sta- .nd the most important, nd settlement of Washing- Government has officially recognized a W qually, which was located ONE ot far from the mouth of At t. . It was established early THE ONE 1, a veteran of the North- of the most noted traders / Company. He had seen ge, before the consolidation FORM 48 7-10-5м $ s subsequently in charge at 1000.00 ..... Work had been intimate, traversed nearly every part of the country urougir winur the Company's brigades ever went, from the Russian line to California, and from the mountains to the ocean. Work was subsequently chief factor in charge of Fort Simpson, near the Russian bound- ary, and one of his daughters became the wife of the last factor in charge of the fort which her father's friend had founded, and together with her husband, the late Edward Huggins, she lived to own and reside upon its site for more than twenty years after it had ceased to be. No. ....
While on a trading expedition down the Sound in April 1833, McDonald, who had with him some eight or nine men, spent twelve days in erecting a log house, fifteen by twenty feet in size, near a small lake, subsequently known as Old Fort Lake, and some little distance from the site chosen, then or afterwards, for the fort. This cabin was called Nisqually House. It was the first human habitation constructed by white men on Puget Sound. Leaving William Ouvrie, a French Canadian, and two other men,
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pany,
.. DOLLARS ($ .. 1000.00 .... )
s follows:
.00 .) thirty days after the National nths. ...... DOLLARS ($. 1000.00 .. )
) shares of the Capital Stock, par value One essable.
T HE MOST interesting of all the Hudson's Bay posts on the coast, after the headquarters sta- tion at Vancouver, and the most important, so far as the history and settlement of Washing- ton is concerned, was Fort Nisqually, which was located on the shore of Puget Sound, not far from the mouth of the river which gave it its name. It was established early in 1833 by Archibald McDonald, a veteran of the North- westers, and for many years one of the most noted traders and factors of the Hudson's Bay Company. He had seen service with Keith at Fort George, before the consolidation of the rival companies, and was subsequently in charge at Fort Colvile. He and John Work had been intimate, and separately or together had traversed nearly every part of the country through which the Company's brigades ever went, from the Russian line to California, and from the mountains to the ocean. Work was subsequently chief factor in charge of Fort Simpson, near the Russian bound- ary, and one of his daughters became the wife of the last factor in charge of the fort which her father's friend had founded, and together with her husband, the late Edward Huggins, she lived to own and reside upon its site for more than twenty years after it had ceased to be.
While on a trading expedition down the Sound in April 1833, McDonald, who had with him some eight or nine men, spent twelve days in erecting a log house, fifteen by twenty feet in size, near a small lake, subsequently known as Old Fort Lake, and some little distance from the site chosen, then or afterwards, for the fort. This cabin was called Nisqually House. It was the first human habitation constructed by white men on Puget Sound. Leaving William Ouvrie, a French Canadian, and two other men,
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