No. 33.
Mr. Bates to Mr. Sturgis.
Sir: * * * * * * *
Our relations with the United States.—When I last wrote to you on this subject, I gave you to understand that the negotiations were going well, but I soon after learned that there had been a hitch at Washington, and a very awkward one it is, for the British government must now make the first move, and whether they will make that move remains to be seen. One thing is consolatory, viz, that after the publication of Mr. Webster’s speech here yesterday consols improved. The stock-jobbers say that “the 49° is about right, and there can be no difficulty.” That will be the [Page 43] feelings of nine-tenths of the people of Great Britain; but this has been refused by so many ministers previously, that Lord Aberdeen may hesitate; the western members of Congress will rail, and the merchants will be kept in hot water another year. The Hudson Bay Company prevent a settlement, I have no doubt—they might have twenty years’ occupation and the right of pre-emption to their lands under cultivation, and to become Americans or not at the expiration of the time, as they may choose, always conforming to any laws the United States may establish for the government of the territory. This, with the 49° to the strait, giving Vancouver’s Island to Great Britain, is *as much as any American, be he Bostonian or Carolinian, will, I think, consent to give up. If Great Britain is not satisfied with that, let them have war if they want it. * * * * *Hudson Bay company prevent settlement. No American will concede more than the line of 49° and Fuca’s Straits.[37]
Hon. Wm. Sturgis.