FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON

51

resume and make some move. Accordingly, in spite of the eager desire of Buchanan to insert some clause to the effect that the Administration would listen to a further proposition, the President's will prevailed and the offer was withdrawn with no qualifications. In the notification, which he tried in vain to have postponed for further consideration, Buchanan asserted that the title of the United States to 54 40' was the "best title in existence to this entire region and that the claim of Great Britain to any portion of it has no sufficient founda40 The note was approved by Walker and Bancroft, tion." Secretaries of War and Navy, and by Postmaster General to

Johnson.

Buchanan,

None of the Cabinet disapproved the stand who said, when the note had been delivered

British legation, "Well, the .deed

is

done."

except at the

But he did not

was wise statesmanship to deliver such a note with between the United States and Mexico as they were. 41 Pakenham's rejection of the American offer did not meet with the approval of his government. 42 Aberdeen told McLane that he regretted and disapproved the action of the minister to the United States; if the offer had been referred to London, as it should have been, it would have been taken as a basis for further negotiation. Aberdeen felt sure that he would have think

it

relations

been able to propose modifications leading to mutually satisMcLane reported that he had not factory arrangements. failed to impress

upon Lord Aberdeen the

difficulties in

the

President's situation in conceding what he had by the proposition, and he added that he was sure the British minister was

convinced that ultimately he, Aberdeen, would propose terms which would be accepted by Polk.

Pakenham was uneasy even ment's opinion of his

act.

before he learned his governhad several interviews with

He

Buchanan, friendly in tone, in which he attempted to ascertain whether the President could not be persuaded to renew the

H

Ex. Doc. 40 See Polk, Diary, I, 1-5. Buchanan to Pakenham, 30, Aug., Polk had recalled Buchanan to Washington from his vacation 2, 177-92. answer to Pakenham's note might not be deearly in August in order that the Polk to Buchanan, 7 Aug., Works of James Buchanan, VI, 223-4. layed. 41 Polk, Diary, I, 5, 6-8, n. 43 McLane to Buchanan, 3 Oct., No. West Bound Arb., 41.

No.