In regard to the northwestern boundary Mr.Webster agreed with the opinion of Mr.
Monroe's cabinet, that the forty-ninth parallel was a fair and proper line; but the British undertook to claim the line of the Columbia River, and this excited corresponding claims on our side.

The Democracy for political purposes became especially warlike and patriotic.

They declared in their platform that we must have the whole of Oregon and reoccupy it at once.

Mr.
Polk embodied this view in his message, together with the assertion that our rights extended to the line of 54 deg.

40' north, and a shout of "fifty-four-forty or fight" went through the land from the enthusiastic Democracy.