Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/220

 208 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE Canning's fears of the American attitude were intensified when he received a copy of the report of Baylies's Committee with its gratuitous flings at British motives. It stirred him to write: 38 . . . "After such language as that of the committee of the H. of Representatives it is impossible to suppose that we can tide over the Columbia, or make to ourselves the illusion that there is any other alternative than either to maintain our claims or to yield them with our eyes open." The British proposal to renew negotiations upon the North- west boundary question was favorably entertained by President Adams, the more so because a number of other issues waited to be settled, among them the Northwestern boundary, in- demnity for slaves taken in the War of 1812, and the question of renewing the commercial convention of 1818. In connec- tion with the last point the recent Order in Council placing an embargo upon American trade with the West Indies had aroused particular exasperation in the United States. Such questions demanded the best talent America could furnish, hence Adams offered Albert Gallatin an appointment as special envoy to Great Britain to deal with these critical topics. Gallatin accepted the mission and left New York for London on the first of July, 1826. His instructions, as touching the Oregon Question, were based on those given Rush for the previous negotiations, and it was not thought necessary to recapitulate the arguments upon which the American claims were founded. 39 The offer of 49 was to be renewed, with a possible concession of free navigation of the Columbia if it should be ascertained that the river was navigable at the point where it was crossed by the forty-ninth parallel; until the question of navigability should be determined the right might be exercised by British subjects. That this was the farthest extent to which Adams was willing to go is clear from his words to Gallatin: "This is our ultimatum, and you may so announce it. We can consent to no other line more favorable to Great Britain." 38 Canning to Liverpool. 14 July, 1826, Ibid., n. 39 Clay to Gallatin, 19 June, 1826; H. Ex. Doc. No. 199* *>tfa Coa* ist SM.