FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON
53
45
"could not view with indifferPresident, wrote Buchanan, ence the transfer of California to Great Britain or any other
The system of colonization by foreign European power. monarchies on the North American continent must and will be resisted by the United States." In the same strain Polk talked over the situation with Senator Benton when that gentleman arrived in Washington prior to the opening of the session of Congress. From this time forth, although California did not often appear upon the surface in the negotiations with Great Britain, it must be regarded as a factor in them
so far as Polk
was concerned with them.
How
to start the ball rolling again and at the same time not appear too anxious to resume the discussions was the
He which presented itself to Lord Aberdeen. showed McLane some of the dispatches which he had received from Washington where Pakenham explained why he had rejected Folk's offer and also why he believed it well to
problem
attempt to reopen the negotiation. Pointing out the insufficiency of Pakenham's grounds for the rejection of the Ameri-
can offer McLane explained at length the reasons for the withdrawal of it as he understood them. 46 Aberdeen, however, could view the matter in no other light than a closing of the discussions by Polk and no alternative remained but for him, Aberdeen, to propose arbitration; if this should be declined for the same reasons Calhoun had declined them there
would be an opportunity to renew negotiations; the President declined in such a
way
if,
however,
as to warrant the British
ministry in assuming that he meant to insist upon the claim, then it could be regarded in no other way than an
full ulti-
matum and they must abide by the result. When McLane outlined to Buchanan the very palpable advice as to how they could get upon the track again, with no he wrote, "Although I am quite sure that the Earl of Aberdeen has no idea at present of
loss of dignity to either side,
45 Buchanan to
Thomas O. Larkin, Consul
Buchanan, VI, 275-6. 46 McLane to Buchanan,
i
at
Monterey, 17 Oct., Works of
Dec., Sen. Doc. No. 489-
