Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

198

MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

respect those of others. IHe had no fear of war with Great
Britain; he felt sure that the British Government, aware of
the invalidity of their title, would not embark in a contest
which must draw on them the condemnation of all civilized
communities; he believed that even if war should come we
were better prepared to meet it than was supposed; but he
felt confident that the good-sense of both countries would revolt at a contest which would bring no good to either, and
that an adjustment of existing difficulties could be secured
on terms honorable to both nations.
It is well known that the question was settled by the adoption of the 49th parallel as the boundary line, under a treaty
negotiated by the IHon. Louis McLane, and ratified by the Senate during the same session in which this debate took place.
The speech on the Oregon question was the first made by
the new Senator. At its close Mr. Thomas II. Benton, the
father of the Senate, so called from his six successive elections
and thirty years' service in that body, rose and said, in beginning his remarks, "that it had not been his intention to address the Senate in relation to our title to Oregon, but if he
had intended to speak on that branch of the subject he should
have relinquished his purpose after listening to the very able
and lucid exposition of it by the honorable Senator from New
York. That gentleman had placed the American title to
Oregon on grounds that were impregnable, and on which it
must forever stand. A speech more replete with historical
facts, evincing greater research, or more crowded with pertinent remark and convincing argument, it had never been his
lot to hear, and he could not refrain from congratulating that
honorable gentleman on the important service he had rendered to his country, and not less upon the honor which he had
gained for himself. IHe would leave the question of title
where that Senator had placed it, and turn his attention to a
different branch of the subject."*

* Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, February 20, 1846.