Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/224

 212 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE While the American plenipotentiary was anxious to incor- porate some statement which would bear out the contentions of his government touching the nature of its claim, the British commissioners would include an article prohibiting in set terms, any act of exclusive sovereignty or dominion by either party in the disputed area as well as a distinct pronouncement that no existing or future settlement, within the time limits of the convention, should at any time "be adduced in suport of further- ance of any claim to such sovereignty or dominion. 49 This restriction was not acceptable to Gallatin since it seemed in derogation of the American claims. After a long delay, partly due to the necessity of sending to Washington for new instructions, the Conventoin of 1818 was renewed without change other than the omission of a time limit. Instead of a specified duration it was competent for either party, "at any time after the twentieth of October, 1828, on giving due notice of twelve months to the other con- tracting party, to annual and abrogate" the Convention. 50 Gallatin had succeeded in preventing the addition of any ex- planatory clause which was desired by Great Britain to the effect that each party felt itself precluded from exercising or assuming any exclusive jurisdiction or sovereignty within the territory. Such a demand on the part of the British was evidently inspired by the activities of Congress resulting in committee reports, proposition of bills and the like, and was intended to maintain for an indefinite period the existing sit- uation. Gallatin had pointed out that Great Britain had ex- tended the operation of her laws over her subjects in the Oregon Territory, and had virtually extended her jurisdiction through an incorporated company endowed with wide powers. Logically the government which did this could not complain if the United States took similar action, necessarily in a dif- ferent form ; where Great Britain acted through the Hudson's Bay Company the United States would have to accomplish the same end by some form of territorial organization. 51 To his 49 Proposed when it was seen that the boundary question was insoluble. 50 Treaty in Am. S. P., For. Rel. VI, 1000. 51 Gallatin to Clay, 7 Aug., Ibid., 691-3.