wood, and Mr. Corwen, representing the Senate; and Mr. Ingersoй, Mr. Owen, and Mr. Hildyard, the House of Representatives. The result was that they agreed to submit to their respective Houses the concluding part of the resolution in the following shape: "And whereas, it has now become desirable that the respective claims of the United States and Great Britain should be definitely settled, and that said territory may no longer than need be remain subject to the evil consequences of the divided allegiance of its American and British population, and of the confusion and conflict of national jurisdictions dangerous to the cherished peace and good understanding of the two countrieswith a view, therefore, that steps be taken for the abrogation of the said convention of the 6th of August, 1827, in the mode prescribed in its second article, and that the attention of the Governments of both countries may be more earnestly directed to the adoption of all proper measures for the speedy and amicable adjustment of the difficulties and disputes in relation to said territory: Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized at his discretion to give to the British Government the notice required by its said second article for the abrogation of the convention of the 6th of August, 1827." On the 23rd of April, this resolution was adopted in the Senate by a majority of 42 to 10; and in the House of Representatives on the same day, by a majority of 142 to 46. On the 27th, it was submitted to the President, and ratified by his signature. This was was a signal victory gained by the moderate party over their opponents, and led immediately, as will be seen, to a final and satisfactory settlement of the whole question. On the 18th of April, a Bill providing for the occupation of the Oregon territory, passed the House of Representatives by a majority of 103 against 46. It was entitled "A Bill to Protect the Rights of American Settlers in the territory of Oregon, until the termination of the Joint Occupation of the same. The first section enacted "That the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the territory of Iowa, and the laws of said territory, so far as the same may be applicable, as they now exist, are hereby extended over all that portion of the territory of the United States which lies west of the Rocky Mountains; and also over all that portion of the intermediate country west of the Missouri river, and between the 40th and 43rd parallels of north latitude. Provided, that this act shall not be construed nor executed in such a manner as to deprive the subjects of Great Britain of any of the rights and privileges secured by the treaty signed in London, October 20, 1818, and continued in force by the treaty of August 6, 1827." On the 11th of May, the President transmitted to Congress a Message of great length, in which he entered fully into the history of the differences between the United States and Mexico; the result of which was a proclamation of war by him, on account of the "longcontinued and unredressed wrongs and injuries committed by the Mexican Government on citizens of the United States, their persons and property." At the conclusion of the Message, the President said, "The most energetic and prompt measures, and the immediate appearance in arms of a large and overpowering force, are recommended to Congress as the most certain and efficient means of bringing the existing collision with Mexico to a speedy and successful termination. "In making these recommendations, I deem it proper to declare that it is my anxious desire not only to terminate hostilities speedily, but to bring all matters in dispute between this Government and Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment; and in this view I shall be prepared to renew negotiations whenever Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions or to make propositions of her own. The formal proclamation of war was dated at Washington, the 13th of May, and was as follows: 66 Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the constitutional authority vested in them, have declared by their act bearing date this day, that by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States:' "Now, therefore, I, James K. Polk, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim to all whom it may concern, and I do specially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil or military, under the authority of the United States, that they be vigilant and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident thereto. And I do, moreover, exhort all the good people of the United States, as they love their country, as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nations, and as they consult the best means under the blessing of Divine Providence of abridging its calamities, that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and the efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities for attaining a speedy, a just, and an honourable peace. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents." When official intelligence of the resolution come to by the American Legislature on the subject of Oregon reached England, Lord Aberdeen thought that a favourable opportunity had arrived for effecting a compromise; and he lost no time in transmitting to the British Minister, at Washington, a proposition which he hoped would put an end to the difference between the two countries. The event justified his expectations; for the offer made by Lord Aberdeen was submitted by the American Government to the Senate, and approved of by them by a large majority. The President immediately accepted the terms, and the Oregon question ceased from that time to be a cause of quarrel. This happy termination of the dispute took place in June, and Lord Aberdeen's proposals were embodied in a treaty consisting of the following articles : "Art. I.-From the point on the 49th parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between Great Britain and the United States terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of IIer Britannic Majesty and those of the United States shall be continued westward along the said 49th parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island; and thence southerly, through the middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's Straits, to the Pacific Ocean; provided, however, that the navigation of the whole of the said channel and straits south of the 49th parallel of north latitude remain free and open to both parties. "Art. II. From the point at which the 49th parallel of north latitude shall be found to intersect the great northern branch of the Columbia river, the navigation of the said branch shall be free and open to the Hudson's Bay Company, and to all British subjects trading with the same, to the point where the said branch meets the main stream of the Columbia, and thence down the said main stream to the ocean, with free access into and through the said river or rivers; it being understood, that all the usual portages along the line thus described shall in like manner be free and open. of the Hudson's Bay Company, and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected. "Art. IV.-The farms, lands, and other property of every description, belonging to the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company, on the north side of the Columbia river, shall be confirmed to the said Company. In case, however, the situation of those farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public and political importance, and the United States Government should signify a desire to obtain possession of the whole or any part thereof, the property so required shall be transferred to the said Government at a proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties. In the month of July, a new Tariff Bill gave rise to an animated debate in both Houses. The object of this Bill was to effect a considerable reduction in the import duties upon all articles, except such as may be classed under the head of luxuries. The following instances show the nature of the benefit conferred upon the importer. ... per cent. 99 168 30 In navigating the said river or Bar or bolt iron reduced from 73 to 30 and steam-engines Salt Velvets, cotton 30 30 30 116 30 52 ... 101 81 30 76 20 36 30 73 30 36 30 Carpeting, treble ingrain In the Senate the measure was vehemently attacked by Mr. Webster, who is one of the most prominent advocates in America of a system of protection, and strongly opposed to a reduction of duties upon such articles as may bring foreign produce into dangerous competition with American in their own markets, and was carried in that House by the majority of a single vote; the numbers being :In the Ayes, 28; Noes, 27. House of Representatives it passed with less difficulty, and the numbers there were:-Ayes, 115; Noes, 93. The measure finally adopted at the end of July, but was not to come into operation until the 1st of December. September Mr. Bancroft, well known as the author of a history was apof the United States, pointed American Minister to this country, in the place of Mr. Everett. was In CHAPTER XIII. UNITED STATES, continued.-Message of the President to Congress —Topics embraced therein-History of the quarrel between the United States and Mexico-History of the Annexation of Texas to the States of the Union-Causes which led to the declaration of war against Mexico-Narrative of the successes of the American army-Question of letters of marque and reprisal issued by the Mexican GovernmentSpanish privateers to be treated as pirates-Report of the Secretary of the Treasury-Proposed loan-New Tariff Bill-Question of Protection duties-Act for the "better organization of the Treasury"Government of the Oregon territory-Report of the Secretary of the Navy-Report of the Postmaster General. MEXICO.-Revolution and overthrow of General Herrera-General Paredes becomes President of the Republic-Refusal of the Mexican Government to receive the American Minister-The latter demands his passport-War between Mexico and the United States-Santa Anna-General Taylor advances against Matamoras-Battles of Pala Alto, and Resaca de la Palma-Matamoras evacuated by the Mexican troops under General Arista-Blockade of the Mexican coast by the American fleet-Advance of the American forces into the interior-Appearance of Santa Anna in Mexico-Revolution and overthrow of General Paredes-Manifesto by Santa Anna-Capture of the city of Monterey by the American army under General Taylor-Surrender of Pampico. THE BRAZILS.— Opening of the Legislative Chambers, and Speech of the Emperor. RIO DE LA PLATA.-Despatch from M. Guizot detailing grounds for English and French interference in the war against Monte VideoCombined operations of English and French against General Rosas, and gallant action in forcing the passage of the river Parana in November 1845-Continuance of the siege of Monte Video. N 8th of December the more interesting than usual, as it O President sent his annual Mes gives a full account of the causes sage to Congress. This document The of quarrel between the American and Mexican Governments, and enters largely into a justification of the policy pursued by the United States on the question of the annexation of Texas to the Federal Union. We have selected the most |