Oregon Boundary Line Agreement

• Category: Real Estate - Adjoining Property
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-00440
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This Boundary Line Agreement is used for parties who have disputed over the boundaries of a piece of real estate. The parties agree that by execution of this Agreement, they are quitclaiming their respective interests to the appropriate party on the other side of the dividing line. A surveyor's drawing of the disputed land and relative tracts of all parties should be attached for clarification.

The Oregon Boundary Line Agreement refers to a historical treaty signed on June 15, 1846, between the United States and Great Britain. The agreement was intended to settle a long-standing border dispute between the two nations over the territory known as Oregon Country. Before the agreement, both the United States and Great Britain claimed sovereignty over the region, which encompassed present-day Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. However, neither party had made significant efforts to fully occupy or establish control over the territory. This dispute became increasingly pressing as an influx of American settlers moved into the region during the mid-19th century, leading to diplomatic tensions. The agreement, also known as the Oregon Treaty, established the 49th parallel as the official boundary between the United States and British possessions. This line stretches from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean and remains the current boundary between the United States and Canada. However, the Oregon Boundary Line Agreement also incorporated several notable provisions to benefit both parties. Firstly, it ensured that both British and American citizens would continue to have free navigation rights along the Columbia River for trade and commerce. This crucial provision satisfied the economic interests of both nations and helped maintain peaceful relations. Secondly, the agreement established a joint occupancy of the territory for ten years until the final border was set. During this time, American settlers were allowed to establish land claims within the disputed territory without interference from British authorities. This provision prevented potential conflicts and provided room for negotiation. It is important to highlight that there were several proposed variations of the Oregon Boundary Line Agreement prior to its final signing. These included the 49th parallel compromise, which was advocated by President James K. Polk and British diplomats. Other proposed options included dividing the territory along the Columbia River or even extending the boundary along the 54°40' north latitude line, an idea associated with the popular slogan "54°40' or fight!" that garnered political support in the United States. In summary, the Oregon Boundary Line Agreement, also known as the Oregon Treaty, was a diplomatic agreement signed between the United States and Great Britain in 1846. It settled the border dispute over the Oregon Country by establishing the 49th parallel as the official boundary. The agreement also granted free navigation rights along the Columbia River and facilitated joint occupancy for ten years. The various proposed options and the final settlement highlight the complexity and significance of this historic treaty.