Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/114

102 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPER that Bayard insisted upon a simple statement to the effect that there should be a restoration to the state existing before the war, since this alone would prevent the recurrence of dis- putes over territory. Adams, commenting, says : "No reply was made to these remarks, which Mr. Bayard afterwards told me he made with particular reference to the settlement on Co- lumbia River." The negotiators were not in ignorance re- garding Astoria since a son-in-law of Astor had called upon them and, after trying to find out the state of affairs, said that Mr. Astor intended to renew the settlement before the Eng- lish had a chance to anticipate him and that he would take the necessary steps just as soon as peace should be made. '4 The contention of the Americans became a part of the Treaty of Ghent in these words : "Art I All territory, places, and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the War, or which may be taken after the signing of this Treaty, excepting only the Islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be re- stored without delay . . ." IS In July, 1815, Monroe notified Baker, the British charge, that, since the post on the Columbia was included in the pro- vision for restitution, steps would immediately be taken to reoccupy the place. 16 Baker had had no communication from his government on the point, although he believed the place had been captured, a fact "of which the American government (did) not appear to have any certain information on which to ground the claim of restitution;" furthermore it was a ques- tion as to whether "any persons were left to retain possession of it." Although Baker made inquiries of the Governor Gen- eral of Canada for information the matter rested until late in 1817, when the Ontario was dispatched to receive the formal restitution of the post. This action, without any formal no- 14 Ibid., Ill, 90. The slight significance of the Oregon region as compared with other matters to be in the treaty is evidenced by the very small attention it receives in Adams' Memoirs, and in his correspondence at the time; see Writings, (Ford, ed.) Vol. V. 15 Hertslet, Map of Europe by Treaty, I, 48. The islands referred to are those in Passamaquoddy Bay which were to remain temporarily in the possession of the power holding them at the time of ratification of the treaty. 1 6 Correspondence in Am. S. P., For. Rel., IV, 352 and 852.