FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON
41
apparent willingness to negotiate any line for Oregon which would receive the approval of the Senate testifies to his poor opinion of the value of that country, a fact which he mentioned to Everett.
While the British government was
inclined
to
to
listen
Everett's presentation of Webster's project an insuperable difficulty presented itself; Mexico had no intention of even dis-
Consequently the spring wore on and the negotiation lagged. Unofficially Everett was informed in March that soon he might expect a formal notification that the President had requested the British government cussing a cession of California.
resume negotiations at Washington both for the boundary and for a new commercial convention. 14 But August came and the instructions had not been received, so Fox was di-
to
rected to proceed with the subject
ment so
desired. 15
if the Washington governUpshur, who had replaced Webster, took
who told the Secretary to direct Everett to take up the matter in London. The instructions allowed the minister to offer 49 as the boundary with the
the hint to the President
added privilege of allowing the nationals of both countries to navigate the Columbia on equal terms, but "beyond that the President (was) not prepared to go." 16 The delay had been too great, so when Everett informed
Aberdeen that he had powers to negotiate he was told that such an arrangement would have been welcomed earlier, but it was then too late since Fox had been recalled and Richard Pakenham sent in his place with special instructions on the Oregon issue. Among other reasons for the change it was felt that the Oregon negotiation would benefit by being placed in new hands although the course had not been adopted until all hope that Everett mipiit receive instructions to proceed had been abandoned. 17 Everett still thought that he might
accomplish something before the _______
new
minister
left
England. '
I
>l
r-
]
]
14 Webster to Everett, 20 Mar., Private Correspondence of Webster, II, 171. 15 Everett to Upshur, 17 Aug., No. West Bound. Arb., 28; Aberdeen told Everett that he regretted having to transfer the question to^ Washington for he had hoped that Everett might bring it to a successful issue in London. 1 6 Upshur to Everett, 9 Oct., No. West Bound Arb., 28. 17 Blair to Van Buren, see note 14 above.
