eted on by the umpire authorized by the treaty. Still inting to between three and four millions of dollars, e board too late to be considered; and were left undisof two millions twenty-six thousand one hundred rs and sixty-eight cents, decided by the board, was a tained debt due by Mexico to the claimants, and there ason for delaying its payment according to the terms s not, however, paid. Mexico applied for further inat spirit of liberality and forbearance which has ever f the United States towards that republic, the request on the thirtieth of January, 1843, a new treaty was 3 treaty it was provided, that the interest due on the aimants under the convention of the eleventh of April, d on the thirtieth of April, 1843; and that "the princirds, and the interest arising thereon, shall be paid in instalments every three months; the said term of five on the thirtieth day of April, 1843, as aforesaid." the thirtieth day of April, 1843, and the three first of nts, have been paid. Seventeen of these instalments en of which are now due.

ment were: whether it was
Texas, or whether they were d..
Eve manner, the pending differe
ath of November an official at

ment consented to renew ti
Ewded in March last; and f
ster from the United State
and restore relations of g
I waived all ceremony as to t
ace between them; and, assu
Ne a distinguished citizen of
Etary and Minister Plenipote
aust, and definitively sett
tries, including those of
Texas. The minister appoin
by this time near the Mex
4 the negotiation with whi
e practicable period; which.

1 were left undecided by the joint commission, amount-
hree millions of dollars, together with other claims for
roperty of our citizens, were subsequently presented to
ment for payment, and were so far recognised that a
r their examination and settlement by a joint commis-
d and signed at Mexico on the twentieth day of No-
is treaty was ratified by the United States, with certain
ich no just exception could have been taken; but it
the ratification of the Mexican government. In the
izens who suffered great losses, and some of whom
from affluence to bankruptcy, are without remedy, un-
enforced by their government. Such a continued and
of wrongs could never have been tolerated by the Uni-
y been committed by one of the principal nations of
as, however, a neighboring sister republic, which, fol-
e, had achieved her independence, and for whose suc-
all our sympathies were early enlisted. The United
to recognise her independence, and to receive her into
s, and have ever been desirous of cultivating with her
ing. We have, therefore, borne the repeated wrongs
with great patience, in the hope that a returning sense
timately guide her councils, and that we might, if pos-
Did any hostile collision with her.

vious authority of Congress, the Executive possessed
or enforce adequate remedies for the injuries we had
ore than to be prepared to repel the threatened aggres-
Mexico. After our army and navy had remained on
asts of Mexico for many weeks, without any hostile
part, though her menaces were continued, I deemed it
n end, if possible, to this state of things. With this
s to be taken, in the month of September last, to ascer-
in an authentic form, what the designs of the Mexi-

communicate the result to
Istat result is known, I forbear t
"sures of redress for the wr
a it would have been proper
stated.

appropriated, at the last s
five thousand dollars for the
the Mexican indemnities for
ted to the satisfaction of the
s have been paid by the M
Red by the United States to re

all claim on the Mexican g
in remitting the money to t
unsettled state of our relation
much mystery. The first in
ent of the United States app
Ressor, was received at the S
elast. This is contained in
addressed by him to one of
haring it communicated to t
ent, on the twentieth of
of Mexico for the amount o
ty. In the same communi
*ived a single dollar in cash
Teated him at the time in givi
at he will eventually obtain
ever to have been actually pa
and as that government has
the claim, I do not feel
de to the claimants out of th
. case is, undoubtedly, one
my
Cess to decide whether any,

Our minister to Mexico h

ment were; whether it was their intention to declare war, or xas, or whether they were disposed to adjust and settle, in an manner, the pending differences between the two countries. ath of November an official answer was received, that the Mexnment consented to renew the diplomatic relations which had ended in March last; and for that purpose were willing to acinister from the United States. With a sincere desire to pree, and restore relations of good understanding between the two I waived all ceremony as to the manner of renewing diplomatic e between them; and, assuming the initiative, on the tenth of a distinguished citizen of Louisiana was appointed Envoy nary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico, clothed with full adjust, and definitively settle, all pending differences between ountries, including those of boundary between Mexico and the Texas. The minister appointed has set out on his mission, and ly by this time near the Mexican capital. He has been instructng the negotiation with which he is charged to a conclusion at st practicable period; which, it is expected, will be in time to ento communicate the result to Congress during the present session. t result is known, I forbear to recommend to Congress such ultesures of redress for the wrongs and injuries we have so long s it would have been proper to make had no such negotiation tituted.

ess appropriated, at the last session, the sum of two hundred and five thousand dollars for the payment of the April and July instal'the Mexican indemnities for the year 1844: "Provided it shall be ed to the satisfaction of the American government that said ins have been paid by the Mexican government to the agent apby the United States to receive the same, in such manner as to e all claim on the Mexican government, and said agent to be det in remitting the money to the United States."

insettled state of our relations with Mexico has involved this subnuch mystery. The first information, in an authentic form, from nt of the United States appointed under the administration of my ssor, was received at the State Department on the ninth of Nolast. This is contained in a letter, dated the seventeenth of Ocaddressed by him to one of our citizens then in Mexico, with a having it communicated to that department. From this it appears e agent, on the twentieth of September, 1844, gave a receipt to the y of Mexico for the amount of the April and July instalments of the ity. In the same communication, however, he asserts that he had eived a single dollar in cash; but that he holds such securities as ted him at the time in giving the receipt, and entertains no doubt at he will eventually obtain the money. As these instalments apever to have been actually paid by the government of Mexico to the and as that government has not therefore been released so as to disthe claim, I do not feel myself warranted in directing payment to le to the claimants out of the treasury, without further legislation. case is, undoubtedly, one of much hardship; and it remains for ess to decide whether any, and what, relief ought to be granted to Our minister to Mexico has been instructed to ascertain the facts

JOURNAL OF THE SENATE.

[1845, Dec. 2. The Mexican government, in an authentic and official e result with as little delay as possible.

s early directed to the negotiation, which, on the fourth
und pending at Washington between the United States
on the subject of the Oregon territory. Three several
previously made to settle the questions in dispute be-
untries, by negotiation, upon the principle of compro-
I proved unsuccessful.

ons took place at London, in the years 1818, 1824, and
t under the administration of Mr. Monroe, and the last
Adams. The negotiation of 1818 having failed to ac-
, resulted in the convention of the twentieth of October
he third article of that convention, it was "agreed, that
nay be claimed by either party on the northwest coast
ward of the Stony mountains, shall, together with its
1 creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the
open for the term of ten years from the date of the sig
ent convention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of
being well understood that this agreement is not to be
ejudice of any claim which either of the two high con-
y have to any part of the said country, nor shall it be
claims of any other Power or State to any part of the
-nly object of the high contracting parties in that respect
sputes and differences among themselves.'

of 1824 was productive of no result, and the conven-
ft unchanged.

ss to treat of the respective cla
Entory, with the view to estabi
westward of the Rocky mou

. on the twenty-sixth of Augus
to divide the Oregon territor
de, from the Rocky mountain
tarheasternmost branch of the C

of 1826, having also failed to effect an adjustment by ted in the convention of August the sixth, 1827, by ed to continue in force, for an indefinite period, the pro1 article of the convention of the twentieth of October, further provided, that "it shall be competent, however, ntracting parties, in case either should think fit, at any tieth of October, 1828, on giving due notice of twelve r contracting party, to annul and abrogate this convenn such case, be accordingly entirely annulled and abroiration of the said term of notice." In these attempts roversy, the parallel of the forty-ninth degree of north offered by the United States to Great Britain, and in 1826, with a further concession of the free navigation of - south of that latitude. The parallel of the forty-ninth Rocky mountains to its intersection with the northeastthe Columbia, and thence down the channel of that d'been offered by Great Britain, with an addition of a ritory north of the Columbia. Each of these proposi cted by the parties respectively.

3, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PlenipotenStates in London was authorized to make a similar of 1818 and 1826. Thus stood the question, when the ortly afterwards transferred to Washington; and, on the gust, 1844, was formally opened, under the direction of decessor. Like all the previous negotiations, it was ples of "compromise;" and the avowed purpose of the

the sea; leaving the free navi by both parties-the country States, and that north of it rosed, in addition, to yield t

th of the Columbia, exten
Fuca, from Bulfinch's harbor in
the United States any pr
which they might desire.
Vancouver's island. With
e same offer which had been
incan government, in the ne

perly rejected by the Amer
Bed. This was the only pr
2 plenipotentiary. The prope
en rejected, the British plenip
made by the United States f

I came into office. I found this
entertaining the settled conry
ould not be maintained to ar
Piple of public law recog
ad been done by my predec
propositions of compromise I
administrations, to adjust the q
and in two of them yielding
bia, and that the pending
asis of compromise, I deeme
f. la consideration, too, t
, the citizens and subjects of
the country, I was induced
ing controversy in the

ved discussion. A propo
spirit
ed by the British plenipote
sition, suffered the negot
that the United States would
osal for the settlement of

ness and equity, and with th
ment." The proposition
the parallel of forty-nine degr
to preceding administration
Britain, as they had done,
The right of any foreign Pow
ugh the heart of our con
. It also embraced
ports on the cap of Quadra

a

pro

"to treat of the respective claims of the two countries to the itory, with the view to establish a permanent boundary bewestward of the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean." , on the twenty-sixth of August, 1844, the British plenipotento divide the Oregon territory by the forty-ninth parallel of le, from the Rocky mountains to the point of its intersection rtheasternmost branch of the Columbia river, and thence down the sea; leaving the free navigation of the river to be enjoyed by both parties-the country south of this line to belong to States, and that north of it to Great Britain. At the same >posed, in addition, to yield to the United States a detached orth of the Columbia, extending along the Pacific and the uca, from Bulfinch's harbor inclusive, to Hood's canal, and to to the United States any port or ports south of latitude fortyes, which they might desire, either on the main land, or on d Vancouver's island. With the exception of the free ports, e same offer which had been made by the British, and rejected erican government, in the negotiation of 1826. This proposiroperly rejected by the American plenipotentiary on the day it tted. This was the only proposition of compromise offered by plenipotentiary. The proposition on the part of Great Britain n rejected, the British plenipotentiary requested that a proposal made by the United States for "an équitable adjustment of the

came into office, I found this to be the state of the negotiation. ntertaining the settled conviction, that the British pretensions uld not be maintained to any portion of the Oregon territory principle of public law recognised by nations, yet, in deference ad been done by my predecessors, and especially in considerapropositions of compromise had been thrice made, by two preministrations, to adjust the question on the parallel of forty-nine nd in two of them yielding to Great Britain the free navigation lumbia, and that the pending negotiation had been commenced asis of compromise, I deemed it to be my duty not abruptly to f. In consideration, too, that under the conventions of 1818 the citizens and subjects of the two Powers held a joint occuthe country, I was induced to make another effort to settle this ing controversy in the spirit of moderation which had given birth newed discussion. A proposition was accordingly made, which ed by the British plenipotentiary, who, without submitting any position, suffered the' negotiation on his part to drop, expressing that the United States would offer what he saw fit to call "some oposal for the settlement of the Oregon question, more consistent ess and equity, and with the reasonable expectations of the Britnment." The proposition thus offered and rejected repeated the e parallel of forty-nine degrees of north latitude, which had been two preceding administrations, but without proposing to surrender Britain, as they had done, the free navigation of the Columbia The right of any foreign Power to the free navigation of any of our rough the heart of our country, was one which I was unwilling le. It also embraced a provision to make free to Great Britain any orts on the cap of Quadra and Vancouver's island, south of this

been a new question, coming under discussion for the osition would not have been made. The extraordinary ssible demands of the British government, and the reosition made in deference alone to what had been done 3, and the implied obligation which their acts seemed to factory evidence that no compromise which the United rept can be effected. With this conviction, the propose which had been made and rejected, was, by my ditly withdrawn, and our title to the whole Oregon ter1, as is believed, maintained by irrefragable facts and

orld will see in these proceedings a spirit of liberal conrt of the United States; and this government will be esponsibility which may follow the failure to settle the

t to the date of this art of Par crown" to the Hudson's F the Indian tribes in the Orego aisal not operate to the exclus gs who, under or by force of an and such foreign States resp -aged in, the said trade.”

compromise having failed, it becomes the duty of Conhat measures it may be proper to adopt for the security our citizens now inhabiting, or who may hereafter infor the maintenance of our just title to that territory. ires for this purpose, care should be taken that nothing the stipulations of the convention of 1827, which is still a of treaties, in their letter and spirit, has ever been, and, e, scrupulously observed by the United States. Under a year's notice is required to be given by either party e the joint occupancy shall terminate, and before either -rt or exercise exclusive jurisdiction over any portion of is notice it would, in my judgment, be proper to give; that provision be made by law for giving it accordingly, n this manner the convention of the sixth of August,

h to be regretted, that while d the protection of British la he whole of Oregon. Ameri -no such protection from

it illustrates the character of

s neglect they have mult that territory. They have Afed themselves in their n stitutions for themselves; fi fgovernment is inherent Es due to them that they sho

d important that our law Man tribes east of the Rock as dwell beyond them. asing emigration to Oregon the government to its citiz is our interest, to cultiva that territory. For this p tablishing an Indian age essary, beyond the Roc pection of emigrants, wh of the Indian tribes occupy end that a suitable nu ted along the usual route in and the Rocky mounta Klemen be raised, to guar diate adoption of these rec provisions of the existing tr a citizens than British la the same territory.

proper for Congress to determine what legislation they time, adopt without violating this convention, Beyond rotection of our laws and our jurisdiction, civil and crimnmediately extended over our citizens in Oregon. They se to complain of our long neglect in this particular, and nce, been compelled, for their own security and protecprovisional government for themselves. Strong in their ent in their attachment to the United States, they have on their own resources. They are anxious that our laws ed over them, and I recommend that this be done by little delay as possible, in the full extent to which the have proceeded in regard to British subjects in that terof July the second, 1821, "for regulating the fur-trade, criminal and civil jurisdiction within certain parts of By this act Great Britain extended her laws and juriscriminal, over her subjects engaged in the fur-trade in y it, the courts of the province of Upper Canada were e cognizance of causes civil and criminal. Justices of er judicial officers were authorized to be appointed in er to execute all process issuing from the courts of that 'sit and hold courts of record for the trial of criminal emeanors," not made the subject of capital punishment,

several months to perfor Oregon; and although w .but few of them afford without great delay, bet ad the United States. An o

and the importance of es submitted to the favorable smitted to the wisdom of C ssion, and until after the ex may be adopted consistent

our rights and the govert That it will ultimately be

2