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 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE

188

States north of 49 was a shakling one." After some more discussion Polk, with the assent of all but Buchanan, determined to send only that portion of his own draft which sub-

mitted the British offer, gave his

own

reasons for taking the

course, reiterated his opinions of the Annual Message, and ended with a declaration that he would be governed by the

He had already consulted several of had advised sending the offer although men had said that they would vote against accept-

advice of the Senate. 31 the Senators and

the 54

ing

40'

all

it.

Accordingly the proposition reached the Senate on June tenth, and as that body went into executive session Senator Sevier was heard to say,

"Now,

fifty-four forties,

come up

to

the scratch." 32

This they attempted to do, but numbers were and voted down every effort to block immediate them against consideration of the message and the offer. The next day

Haywood's resolution advising the President to accept the was adopted by a vote of 38 to 12, and even an amendment proposed by Niles to fix the time limit for the Hudson's 33 Bay Company's privileges was rejected. When the treaty itself was before the Senate for ratification Benton urged its acceptance as presented, but Cass said that it was not an ultimatum but a "project" to be met with a counteroffer

upon the correspondence of Mchad which Lane accompanied the treaty. Allen wished the of the peace men to be exposed to light by moving iniquities the suspension of the rule which closed the doors for executive session, but only a small group of 54 40' men would supproject, basing his contention

Message in Richardson, IV, 449-50. On the day the Message was sent Senate Polk offered to Buchanan to nominate him to the vacant position at the next session of Congress. Buchanan, who had been indicating that he would like the place, seemed gratified and, a little later, his name sent that be When convened in December, immediately. Congress urged however, he had changed his mind and did not wish the place, probably because si See

to the

on the Supreme Bench

presidential possibilities seemed brighter. 32 Register, 13 June. Globe, XV, 1223. The "veil of secrecy" was removed in July and the proceedings printed. 33 The point was brought to the attention of Pakenham by Buchanan who explained that the United States understood that the Company was to enjoy the McLane was also instructed privilege only for the duration of its actual charter. Buchanan to McLane, 13 June, Sen. to make this (point clear to Lord Aberdeen. Doc. No. 489. The treaty was signed, ratified and sent to England by Robert Armstrong, consul at Liverpool, on the 226. of June.