Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/226

214 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE of the United States. He opposed the renewal of the agree- ment "with all the zeal and ability of which (he) was master; but in vain." He says that the treaty was ratified because of the weight of administrative influence, general indifference to remote objects, a desire to put off difficulties, and the delusive argument that the agreement could be terminated at any time. He proposed three resolutions aimed at the principle involved in the convention; that the joint occupancy feature should be allowed to drop at the expiration of the Convention of 1818, and that a new negotiation at the earliest possible moment be undertaken on the basis of separation of interests and estab- lishment of a permanent boundary. He could obtain no vote upon these propositions but he remarks that his views found favor in the eyes of a few as shown by the vote against ratify- ing the treaty. 55 A little more evidence of Missouri's interest in Oregon is obtained from the newspapers of the time, and the following extract voices a sentiment akin to that of Missouri's senior Senator. 56 "The injustice of this convention, its injury to Missouri, is too glaring and palpable to need any comment. Suffice it to say that it is of a piece with all Mr. Adams' con- duct to the western country. But the next election will relieve us. The Convention referred to contains a clause that the privilege granted to the British may be revoked on giving twelve months notice which President Jackson will promptly give." 55 The vote as recorded by Benton (Thirty Years' View, II, in) is interest- ing as showing a slight western cast to the issue, such as did not appear in the House vote on the bill in 1829. Benton, Mo., Cobb, Ga., Eatpn, Tenn., Ellis, Miss., Johnson, Ky., Kane, III., ana Rowan, Ky., voted against ratification. 56 From the Missouri Messenger of Oct. 17, 1827, quoted in the Richmond Enquirer of Nov. 20. The extract contains a notice of the return of one of Gen- eral Ashley's fur trading expeditions, with the added note that the people of Mis- souri had beeen eagerly looking forward to the end of the Convention of 1818, which placed the American trader at great disadvantage.