But the contest was destined to be renewed the following day with even more severity, and with greater sanguinary results.

The

Charge of Captain May, at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.

American army was put in motion in the morning, with a fair prospect of reaching their camp; but, when they were within a few miles

of it, they were suddenly attacked at a place called Resaca de la Palma, and a battle ensued, of shorter continuance than that of Palo

Alto, but attended with greater loss to both contending forces. The Americans were again triumphant, capturing eight pieces of artillery, three standards, large quantities of ammunition, and several hundreds of prisoners, among whom was General La Vega. The loss of the Americans, in both actions, as returned by General Taylor, was three officers and forty men killed-thirteen officers and one hundred men wounded. The Mexican loss, officially reported, was one hundred and fifty four officers and men killed; two hundred and five wounded; missing, one hundred and fifty-six. Having no means of throwing his army across the river, General Taylor was unable to follow up the advantage gained over the enemy by pursuing them, as he would gladly, and in that case, might have successfully done; but, yielding to necessity, he now directed his march toward his encampment opposite Matamoras, where he arrived without further molestation.

Time elapsed ere the news of these victories reached the government at Washington; but already had the critical state of the American army become known, both to the government and to the people of the United States. The war was not popular. It was deemed both impolitic and unnecessary; but, when intelligence was received that the American general and his troops were destitute of supplies, were surrounded by a greatly superior force, and were hence in imminent danger, a deep and wide-spread sympathy sprung up, and an unanimous and simultaneous desire was expressed, that not only adequate supplies should be promptly forwarded, but that a force in every respect competent should be raised, to relieve the army, and to prosecute the war to a speedy and successful issue. Congress itself, then in session, were actuated by similar sentiments, and by a similar impulse. An act accordingly was soon passed, authorizing the president to employ the forces of the United States, naval and military, and also to call for and accept of the services of any number of volunteers not exceeding fifty thousand, either cavalry, artillery, infantry, or riflemen. Besides the above, the regular army was increased several thousands.

Simultaneous with the passage of the above act, the president issued his proclamation, announcing the existence of war, "by the act of the republic of Mexico," and calling upon the citizens of the United States to unite in preserving order, and in maintaining the honor of the nation.

We turn again to the subject of the Oregon territory, and the issue of the long-pending question respecting the claims of America and England to its soil. The president had, as has been noticed, advised to terminate the convention of August 6, 1827, by giving England

the notice required by an article therein. At length, the subject came up for consideration, and seldom has a question elicited warmer or more protracted discussion. Every member felt that the subject was one of great delicacy, and pregnant with events of solemn import to the nations concerned, and perhaps to the world. It was an experiment, which might lead to the happiest results-a final and amicable settlement of a long-standing controversy, or it might terminate in dire and lasting war.

The debate, as was natural, took a wide range, and involved many collateral subjects for consideration. Several modes were suggested, according to which the notice was proposed to be given. At length, on the 16th of April, the question was taken in the senate on a resolution, which had originated in the house and been amended in the senate, to give said notice, and decided in the affirmative, by a majority of forty to fourteen. On being returned to the house, the latter agreed to the senate's amendments, but added still further amendments. These latter, however, were negatived by the senate, and the house insisting, a conference was solicited by the latter. This being accepted by the senate, a committee of conference was appointed, who reported the following preamble and resolution, which passed the senate by a vote of forty-two to ten, and the house by a vote of one hundred and forty-two to forty-six.

"A Joint Resolution concerning the Oregon territory. Whereas, by the convention concluded the twentieth day of October, eighteen hundred and eighteen, between the United States of America, and the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the period of ten years, and afterward indefinitely extended and continued in force by another convention of the same parties, concluded the sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, it was agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on the north-west coast of America westward of the Stony or Rocky mountains, now commonly called the Oregon territory, should, together with its harbors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be "free and open' to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of the two powers, but without prejudice to any claim, which either of the parties might have to any part of said country; and with this further provision, in the second article of the said convention of the sixth of August, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, that either party might abrogate and annul said convention, by giving due notice of twelve months to the other contracting party,—

'And whereas, it has now become desirable that the respective claims of the United States and Great Britain should be definitely

settled, and that 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 jurisdictions, dangerous to the cherished peace and good understanding of the two countries.

"With a view, therefore, that steps be taken for the abrogation of the said convention of the 6th of August, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, in the mode prescribed in its second article, and that the attention of the governments of both countries may be the more earnestly and immediately directed to the adoption of all proper measures for a speedy and amicable adjustment of the difficulties and disputes in respect to said territory,

Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States, in congress assembled, That the president of the United States, be, and he is hereby authorized, at his discretion, to give the British government the notice required by its said second article, for the abrogation of the said convention of the sixth of August, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven."

Thus was decided a question, which had greatly agitated the entire country, and which, in the progress of discussion, had occasioned observations and reflections strongly calculated to disturb the harmony of the two governments, and which, in the opinions of some, were designed to produce such an effect. But the folly and guilt of engendering war between two nations so allied, and in which Christian principle was bound to hold sway, was, on several occasions, and by some of the principal men of the nation, pointed out. Solemn warning was given to those, who would madly have rushed to arms by setting up claims of doubtful validity, and which, it is well-known, would never be acceded to by the British government. But, at length, the troubled waters grew calmer; and, while to a small portion of congress, and of the nation, the resolutions adopted were still obnoxious, a vast majority of the people were gratified at their mild and conciliatory tenor.

It still remained to be known, in what spirit this resolution would be received by her majesty's government; but it was devoutly desired that it might lead to a final and harmonious settlement of all questions pertaining to the territory of Oregon. And so it resulted, fortunately for the peace of the two powers immediately concerned, and to the peace of the continental powers of Europe.

On the 28th of April, the president gave official notice to her majesty, Queen Victoria, that "the convention of August 6th, 1827, would terminate at the end of twelve months, from and after the delivery of these presents."

Before the delivery of this notice, however, the subject of an amicable settlement of all questions relating to Oregon, had occupied her majesty's government, and, on the 18th of May, Mr. M'Lane, our minister, informed Mr. Buchanan, that the British minister at Washington would soon receive instructions to submit a new and further proposition, on the part of the British government, for a partition of the territory in dispute.

On the 10th of June, the president made a special and confidential communication to the senate, informing that body that such a proposal had been made, and requesting their advice as to the action which, in their judgment, it was proper to take in reference to it. At the same time he reiterated the views, which he had expressed in his annual message, "that no compromise, which the United States ought to accept, could be effected;" "that our title to the whole of Oregon" was maintained "by irrefragable facts and arguments," and that the claim "could not be abandoned, without a sacrifice of both national honor and interest." Such was the tenor of the president's communication. But he solicited advice.

On the 12th, the senate adopted, 38 to 12, the following resolution: "Resolved, (two-thirds of the senate concurring,) That the president of the United States be, and he is hereby advised to accept the proposal of the British government accompanying his message to the senate, dated June 10th, 1846, for a convention to settle boundaries, &c., between the United States and Great Britain, west of the Rocky or Stony mountains."

On the 16th of June, the president communicated to the senate a copy of a convention, or treaty, which had been concluded and signed on the 15th inst., settling boundaries, &c., in relation to Oregon; whereupon the senate, by a vote of 41 to 14, advised and consented to the ratification of the same.

The two principal articles of this treaty are as follows:

"Art. 1. From the point on the 49th parallel of north latitude, where the boundary, laid down in existing treaties and conventions between Great Britain and the United States, terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of her Britannic majesty and those of the United States shall be continued westward, along the 49th parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates. the continent from Vancouver's Island, and thence southerly through the middle of said channel, and of Fuca's Straits, to the Pacific Ocean; provided, however, that the navigation of the said channel and straits, south of the 49th parallel of north latitude, remain free and open to both parties.

"Art. 2. From the point at which the 49th parallel of north