Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/139

JAMES KNOX POLK 105 shall first be duly convicted." The Whigs and northern Democrats united secured its passage, but it was sent to the senate too late to be acted upon. During the same session war with England re garding the Oregon question seemed imminent. By the treaties of 1803 with France, and of 1819 with Spain, the United States had acquired the rights of those powers on the Pacific coast north of Cali fornia. The northern boundary of the ceded terri tory was unsettled. The United States claimed that the line of 54 40 north latitude was such boundary, while Great Britain maintained that it followed the Columbia river. By the convention of 1827 the disputed territory had been held jointly by both countries, the arrangement being ter minable by either country on twelve months notice. The Democratic convention of 1844 had demanded the reoccupation of the whole of Oregon up to 54 40 , "with or without war with England," a demand popularly summarized in the campaign rallying- cry of "Fifty-four-forty or fight!" The annexa tion of Texas having been accomplished, the Whigs now began to urge the Democrats to carry out their promise regarding Oregon, and, against the votes of the extreme southern Democrats, the president was directed to give the requisite twelve months notice. Further negotiations ensued, which re sulted in the offer by Great Britain to yield her claim to the unoccupied territory between the 49th