Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/205

 FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON 193 middle of February, 1824, 14 he had a number of conferences with de Poletica, only to find that this gentlemen had no power to conclude anything. 15 Accordingly he was pleased when he learned that Bagot, the British minister to Russia, could discuss only the maritime situation, since this gave him an excuse to decline further unfruitful negotiations with de Poletica. While awaiting the pleasure of the Russian govern- ment he took the opportunity of drawing up and presenting to Count Nesselrode a full statement of the rights and claims of Spain, Russia, England and the United States to the dis- puted territory, as well as outlining the views of his govern- ment on the subject of Russian pretensions as given in the Ukase of 1821. 16 When at last Nesselrode ascertained that Bagot was in- structed to proceed alone in his negotiations with Russia, he was ready to enter conferences with Middleton with the object of reaching a definite goal. From the middle of February to the end of March these conferences were held from time to time; de Poletica took the leading part for Russia, although Count Nesselrode was frequently present and joined in the discussion. In accordance with his instructions Middleton proposed at the outset 17 (1) mutual freedom of navigation and fishing in the waters of the Pacific, that is, a withdrawal by Russia so far as the United States was concerned from her position in the Ukase; (2) that citizens of the United States should not land at places actually occupied by Russian settle- ments without permission of the authorities, and that Russian subjects should likewise be restricted; as to their use of es- tablishments of the United States; (3) that the United States should neither authorize nor allow any settlement by its citizens north of 55 N. Lat., and that Russia should observe the 14 Middleton resented the implication that the delay was caused by his sug- gestion; he asserted that he had merely protested against any agreement between Russia and England over territorial limits that the claims of the United States must not be ignored. Middleton to Adams, 19 Apr., 1824, Am. S. P. For. Rel. V. 457 seq., 463. Also Middleton to Adams, 17 Feb. 1824, and Rush to Middleton, 9 Jan., 1824. 15 Middleton to Adams, 17 Oct., 1823, Ibid., 449. 1 6 Confidential Memoir to the Russian Emperor, Ibid., 449-57. 17 For his notes and the projects of each party see Am. S. P. For. Rel. V, 458-70. There were no protocols of the conferences, but Middleton wrote out noUa on each aesaion.