or pursue negotiations for an amicable settlement of the controversy respecting the Oregon Territory.'

"Mr. Hopkins inquired if the question had been taken on the word forthwith."

"The chairman said it had not.

"Mr. Ingersoll. Does the amendment which the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Dromgoole] proposes to offer supplant mine?' "The Chairman. 'It does not. The gentleman may offer his amendment as a substitute for the whole, but the vote must first be taken on the amendment to the original proposition.'

"The question on Mr. Ingersoll's amendment (given above) to the original resolution of the Committee on Foreign Affairs was then taken, and, without a count, agreed to.

"The committee was in a state of great confusion.

"Mr. Hunter rose to inquire whether the vote had been taken on Mr. Ingersoll's amendment, and if so, whether it had been decided in the affirmative.

"The chairman assented.

"Mr. Hunter inquired, then, whether it was in order for his colleague to move to strike out.

"The Chairman. The whole, but not a particular part.' "Mr. C. J. Ingersoll. The word "forthwith," Mr. Chairman, is it in or out?'

"The Chairman. It is in. Does the gentleman move to strike it out?"

"Mr. Ingersoll. 'Certainly, sir.'

"And the motion having been agreed to, the word 'forthwith' was stricken out.

"Mr. Thomasson said he would send to the chair an amendment which he intended to offer if the proposition of the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Dromgoole] should be voted down.

"The chairman said that the next question before the committee was the amendment of the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Hilliard, given above].

"Mr. Adams asked the clerk to read the resolution as it would read if that amendment was agreed to; and the clerk having done so, the question was taken, and the vote stood, ayes 56, nays 136. So the amendment of Mr. Hilliard was rejected.

"Mr. Dargan now offered the following, as an addition to the resolution:

"That the differences existing between the government of the United States and the government of Great Britain, in relation to the Oregon Territory, are still the subject of honorable negotiation and compromise, and should be so adjusted.

"That the line separating the British provinces of Canada from the United States should be extended due west to the coast south of Frazer's River, and from thence through the center of the Straits of Fuca to the Pacific Ocean, giving to the United States that portion of the territory south, and to the government of Great Britain that portion of the territory north of said line.'

"Mr. J. A. Rockwell called for a division on the first and second clauses of this amendment, which was ordered.

"Mr. Ashmun moved to amend the amendment by striking out the first section, and inserting:

"Whereas the President of the United States, in his message at the commencement of the present session of Congress, informed Congress that all attempts at compromise of the Oregon Question had failed, it became the duty of Congress to consider what measure it might be proper to adopt for the maintenance of our just title to that territory:

"Whereas, pursuant to the recommendation of the President, the House of Representatives has been, since the second of January last, assiduously engaged in discussing and maturing measures which have for their object the security of our just rights, among which measures is that of a settlement of the controverted questions by the arbitration of an impartial tribunal:

"Whereas, while the consideration of these measures has been pending, the President of the United States did, on the fourth day of February instant, notify the government of Great Britain that the government of the United States would not consent to the reference of this question to arbitration in any form which can be devised:

"Whereas the President has thus taken from Congress the decision of this question, without waiting for the action of Congress upon it: Therefore,

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this House, that the President should be permitted to adopt such further measures relating to this question as, in view of the responsibility which

properly belongs to him, he may deem expedient, without any further expression of opinion by this House.'

"The amendment to the amendment was rejected.

"Mr. J. A. Black offered the following as a substitute for the proposition of Mr. Dromgoole :

"Whereas, by the third article of the convention between the United States and the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of the twentieth of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, it was agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on the northwest coast of America, westward of the Stony Mountains, shall, together with its harbors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation. of all rivers within the same, be free and open, for the term of ten years from the date of said convention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of the two powers, but without prejudice to any claim which either of the two contracting parties may have to any part of the said country:

"And whereas, by another convention between the powers. aforesaid, of the sixth of August, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, the said temporary provisions of the third article of the convention of one thousand eight hundred and eighteen aforesaid, were continued indefinitely, and have thus remained in force to the present day:

"And whereas, by the provisions of the second article of the convention of the sixth of August, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, aforesaid, the right was reserved to either. of the aforesaid contracting powers, in case either should think fit, at any time after the twentieth of October, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, on giving due notice of twelve months to the other contracting party, to annul and abrogate the said convention of the sixth of August, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, and thus to terminate the temporary arrangement aforesaid:

"And whereas the said territory has become settled, to a great extent, with the subjects of Great Britain, through the instrumentality of incorporated companies emanating from said government of Great Britain, and recently by a large number of the citizens of the United States, by direct emigration, so that a longer continuance of the above-recited provisions of the convention aforesaid endangers those friendly relations which

this country desires to maintain with all nations, on honorable and equitable terms:

"And whereas this government has made repeated and laudable efforts to settle and adjust the claims of both parties in the spirit of liberal compromise, but without success:

"With a view, therefore, of fixing a limit beyond which the final adjustment of this question, so essential to the peace of the two countries, can not longer be delayed, and, at the same time, affording every possible opportunity to such final adjustment, on terms alike honorable and satisfactory to both parties:

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be requested to give due notice of twelve months to the government of Great Britain, that after the expiration of the said term of notice, the United States of America will annul and abrogate the said convention of the sixth of August, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, so continuing the provisions of the third article of the convention of the twentieth of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, as aforesaid.'

"The question was then taken (by tellers) on the first clause of Mr. Dargan's amendment; and, by ayes 96, noes 102, it was rejected.

"Mr. Thomasson desired to offer an amendment to the original proposition.

"The Chairman. It will be in order presently.'

"The question was then stated to be on the second clause of Mr. Dargan's amendment.

"Mr. T. B. King said there was so much confusion that nothing could be heard.

"Tellers were asked and refused.

"Mr. Ashmun. They do not even know here what the proposition is.'

"Mr. C. J. Ingersoll. Oh, yes, we all know well.'

"[Several voices: 'Yes, we understand it well enough. Go it, 54° 40'.']

"And the question was taken.

"If there was one affirmative voice, the reporter did not hear it; the negative vote came down in tones loud enough to split the columns, and amid the heartiest roars of laughter.

"So the second clause of the amendment was rejected. "Mr. Thomasson wished (he said) to offer an amendment to the original resolution, which, in all seriousness

"The Chairman. No remarks are in order.'

"Mr. Thomasson then offered an amendment, giving to the President the power to give the notice at such time as he might deem proper (thus striking out the limit as to the twelve months). "The Chairman. The amendment is out of order.'

"Mr. John A. Rockwell. I propose to strike out the whole of the original resolution, and insert-'

"The Chairman. Not in order at present.'

"Mr. Rockwell. I think I can obviate the difficulty. Is it out of order to offer a substitute?'

"The Chairman. There is a substitute already offered, and a substitute for that; and that is as far as can be gone.'

"Mr. Rockwell then moved to insert in the original resolution, after the words 'to states,' the words 'be and he is hereby authorized at his discretion; also, before the resolution, to insert the following preamble:

"Whereas, by the convention concluded the twentieth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, between the United States of America and the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the period of ten years, and afterward indefinitely extended and continued in force by another convention of the same parties, concluded the sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, it was agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on the northwest coast of America, westward of the Stony or Rocky Mountains, now commonly called the Oregon Territory, should, together with its harbors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be "free and open" to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of the two powers, but without prejudice to any claim which either of the parties might have to any part of said country; and with this further provision, in the second article of the said convention of the sixth of August, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, that either party might abrogate and annul said convention on giving due notice of twelve months to the other contracting party :

"And whereas it has now become desirablo that the reVOL. I.-H