Page:Cambridge Modern History Volume 7.djvu/423

 1841-2] The Webster- Ashburton Treaty. 391 California, retain Oregon, and meddle in the affairs of Texas, inflamed the South and made the annexation of Texas and war with Mexico, should this appear unavoidable, more popular than ever. Dark as was the prospect for peace when Webster took office in 1841, a great change for the better had since occurred. Lord Melbourne's Administration had been beaten in the House of Commons ; he and his colleagues had resigned (August, 1841) ; and Lord Palmerston had been succeeded by Lord Aberdeen as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Shortly afterwards, Edward Everett, who had succeeded Stevenson as Minister, reported to his government (January, 1842) that Lord Ashburton had been appointed to visit Washington in order to settle all questions in dispute between Great Britain and the United States. The details of the negotiation which led to the famous treaty that still bears the name of the distinguished negotiators need not be reviewed. It is enough to say that a compromise line was agreed on for the north-eastern boundary of Maine; that each nation agreed to keep on the western coast of Africa a squadron of at least eighty guns to act in concert for the suppression of the slave-trade ; and that Webster did not, as he said, " leave the question of impressment where he found it." In a strong letter to Lord Ashburton he announced that "in every regularly documented American merchant vessel, the crew who navigate it will find their protection in the flag which is over them"; and that "the American government is prepared to say that the practice of impressing American seamen from vessels cannot hereafter be allowed to take place." The discussion respecting the Caroline affair led to the stipulation for the delivery to justice of persons who, being accused of murder, piracy, arson, robbery, forgery, or the utterance of forged paper, committed within the territories of either Power, shall be found within the territories of the other. This, in the opinion of Webster, was the best part of the treaty. "I undertake to say," he remarked when defending his work before the Senate in 1846, "that the article for the extradition of offenders, contained in the treaty of 1842, if there were nothing else in the treaty of any importance, has of itself been of more value to this country, and is of more value to the progress of civilisation, the cause of humanity, and the good understanding between nations, than could be readily computed." An example was set which was quickly followed ; and in a few years treaties containing similar provisions were negotiated between the United States and the Powers of Europe, and between the European nations themselves. The treaty once concluded and ratified by the Senate, even the friends of Webster as well as his party demanded that he should leave the Cabinet ; and in 1843 he resigned. Upshur, a Democrat and an ardent pro-slavery man, was then made Secretary of State; and the President turned all his energies to the annexation of Texas. During the early part of the nineteenth century the old Spanish