Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/183

 THE FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON

V.

By LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE, Ph. D.

CHAPTER X THE TREATY OF

1846

Simultaneously with the congressional agitation over the question of giving notice, the steps which were to lead to a settlement of the controversy between Great Britain and the United States were being taken. The British Government, as

had not been too pleased when Pakenham rejected way he did. After some uneasiness on the Lord as to how the question could be reof Aberdeen part since it that England must move first if was obvious opened, authorized was he Mr. Pakenham once more to done, anything

we have

seen,

Folk's offer in the

propose arbitration. Already, while awaiting new instructions from his government, Pakenham had talked matters over unofficially with Buchanan, who found the British minister no less friendly although more grave.

In anticipation of these informal con-

Buchanan had asked, at a Cabinet meeting, what sort of a manner he should assume with Pakenham; particularly he desired power to say that the President would submit a British proposition to the Senate. But Polk said he had not ferences

1

yet determined upon this course and under no circumstances would he intimate that he was thinking of it. Buchanan, therefore, could do no more than he had at previous times in the

of smoothing a path for renewed negotiations. however, inquire of Pakenham the significance of the

way

and naval

activity of

He

did,

military assured that the

Great Britain, and was to the United States.

preparations had no reference

This

assurance

Buchanan ask In the same 1

did

not

satisfy

the

President.

He had

McLane

to bring the question up with Aberdeen. 2 in which this query was sent Buchanan dispatch

Polk Diary,

I,

119-21.

2 Buchanan to MfcLane, 13 Dec. vate letter of same date, Ibid.

Works

of Buchanan, VI, 341-2.

Also

pri-