Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/221

 THE FEDERAL RELATIONS

OF OREGON

211

But, continued the Message, the spirit of moderation had not been met by a like spirit on the part of the British negotiator. "Had this been a new question, coming under discussion for the first time, this proposition would not have been made. The

extraordinary and wholly inadmissible demands of the British government, and the rejection of the proposition made in deference to my predecessors, and the implied obligations which their acts seemed to impose, afford satisfactory evidence that no compromise which the United States ought to accept can be effected. With the conviction, the proposition of compromise which had been made and rejected, was, under my direction, subsequently withdrawn, and our title to the whole of Oregon asserted, and, as is believed, maintained by irrefragible facts and arguments. "The civilized world will see in these proceedings a spirit of liberal concession on the part of the United States and this government will be relieved from all responsibility which may

follow the failure to settle the controversy."

Following this was the list of recommendations respecting Oregon, including the request for authority to terminate the convention for joint occupancy.

"At the end of the year's

notice, should

Congress think

it

proper to make provision for giving that notice, we shall have reached a period when the national rights in Oregon must either be abandoned or firmly maintained. That they cannot be abandoned without a sacrifice of both national honor and interest, is too clear to admit of doubt."

With a

final

reference to the

title

of the United States the

President mentioned the best offer the British had

made and

stated that a "trifling addition of detached territory'" could never be considered by the United States without abandoning

her rights, her self-respect and her national honor. A few days later Senator Benton said to Polk, in the presence of Judge Mason, the Attorney-General, "Well, you have I think we can all go it as we undersent us the message. stand

men

it."

28

And

hailed the

what took place. The 54 40' as fulfilling their utmost desires; the

this is exactly

Message

28 So Polk records, Diary, I, 116. In his Thirty Years' View Benton states Message put the issue of peace or war into the hands of Congress. (II, Such a view of the situation would obviously be to advance the reputation 658.) of those who took a prominent part, especially in the Senate, for moderation. that the