Lords Sitting of 29 June 1846

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS.—1a. Sugar Duties.
PETITIONS PRESENTED. From Newcastle upon Tyne, and several other places, for the Better Observance of the Sabbath, and for the Prevention of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on that Day.—From the Parishes of Lime-house and St. John, Wapping, for the Prevention of Sunday Trading.

THE OREGON TERRITORY.
LORD BROUGHAM: Seeing my noble Friend the Secretary for the Foreign Department in his place, I beg to put a question to him as to certain reports which have been put into circulation. I allude to reports of a most consolatory, and, I may add, most gratifying nature, which appear in the public prints of America and of this country, and which lead me to hope and trust, even in these times of false news, that the troublesome and in every respect disagreeable matter between us and the United States as to the Oregon territory and the boundary of that territory has been brought to an amicable conclusion, and to one which is honourable for both parties.
The EARL of ABERDEEN: My Lords, I have been occasionally questioned by noble Lords on the other side of the House, and especially by a noble Friend, a noble Earl whom I do not now see in his place (the Earl of Clarendon), as to the progress of our negotiations with the United States. These inquiries, I always felt, were directed to me in the most friendly and conciliatory manner. So far from feeling any embarrassment or impe-
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diment from them in the way of the negotiations, I have always felt that my noble Friend was desirous to assist in promoting an adjustment. Perhaps, on this occasion, I might have ventured, without the pressure of any direct interpellation, to enter into a few details as to that gratifying result, the substance of which only is as yet known. When I had last occasion to reply to my noble Friend, the state of the negotiations was this—the President had sent his Message to the Senate with a direct refusal of our repeated proposals to submit the whole question to arbitration. That being the case, my Lords, I felt that nothing could be done at that moment till the Senate and House of Representatives should have taken some steps in consequence of that Message. I waited, therefore, the result of that communication so made by the President. When I saw that the Senate and the House of Representatives had adopted Resolutions of such a conciliatory and friendly description, I did not delay for a moment, putting aside all ideas of diplomatic etiquette, which might have led me to expect that some steps would be taken on the other side; but, without waiting a moment, I prepared the draught of a convention, which was sent by the packet of the 18th of May to Mr. Pakenham, to be proposed for the acceptance of the United States Government. I have brought with me a letter from Mr. Pakenham, which I received this morning, and from which I shall read an extract. The letter is dated the 13th of June; and Mr. Pakenham says—
"In conformity with what I had the honour to state in my despatch No. 68, of the 7th instant, the President sent a Message on Wednesday last to the Senate, submitting for the opinion of that body the draught of a convention for the settlement of the Oregon question, which I was instructed by your Lordship's despatch No. 19, of the 18th of May, to propose for the acceptance of the United States' Government. After a few hours' deliberation on each of the three days, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the Senate, by a majority of thirty-eight votes to twelve, adopted yesterday evening a Resolution advising the President to accept the terms proposed by Her Majesty's Government. The President did not hesitate to act on this advice; and Mr. Buchanan accordingly sent for me this morning, and informed me that the conditions offered by Her Majesty's Government were accepted by the Government of the United States, without the addition or alteration of a single word."
Gratifying as this intelligence is, I feel it is but an act of duty and justice, as well as a pleasure, that I should bear the tribute of my testimony to the most

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friendly and conciliatory course which has been adopted by the United States Minister in this country. That gentleman I have long known, and long had reason to esteem in official intercourse fifteen or sixteen years ago; and I am perfectly certain, that, by every means in his power, he has contributed to this result. I am well assured that there is no person in this House, or in the country, who more cordially participates in the feeling of satisfaction which it is fitted to produce than Mr. M'Lane.

RESIGNATION OF MINISTERS.
The DUKE of WELLINGTON: My Lords, I have to announce to your Lordships that Her Majesty's servants have tendered to Her Majesty their resignation of the offices which they held in Her Majesty's service; in consequence of which Her Majesty has sent for a certain noble Lord, with a view to form another Administration, for the purpose of conducting the affairs of the Government of this country. My Lords, this information will probably induce your Lordships to think it would be desirable to suspend the discussion of measures which might become matters of controversy in this House, until those who are to have the honour of being Her Majesty's servants in public office should have an opportunity of forming their arrangements, and should be able to come down to this House and transact the public business. My Lords, there is one question fixed for consideration in this House on Thursday next. I see a noble Friend near me (the Earl of Powis), who has given notice of his intention to move the second reading of the Bangor and St. Asaph's Bill on Thursday next. I would submit to him the expediency of postponing his Motion for the second reading of that Bill till Her Majesty's servants shall be in the House to attend to the discussion which may be expected to take place upon it, as Her Majesty has an interest in that measure. My Lords, there are some measures which require your Lordships' immediate attention, and one of which, in all probability, will be on the Table of the House this day—I mean a short Sugar Bill, continuing the duties on sugar for one month, from the 5th of July next, which it is desirable should pass this House without delay, whoever may be Her Majesty's servants. Under these circumstances I rather advise that your Lordships should not adjourn, but continue sit-
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ting from day to day, with the view of passing that measure; but that the consideration of measures which may become matter of controversy should be postponed till Her Majesty's servants shall be in your Lordships' House to attend to Her Majesty's service and to the transaction of public affairs.
[This proposal having met the general approval of the House, several notices were postponed.]
House adjourned.