DEC. 30,1828.] Occupancy of the Oregon River. [H. OF R. of course, uninhabitable by a people depending upon of any infraction of the terms of that convention by Engagriculture for their subsistence. Although tracts of fer-land, that gentlemen should urge this Government, with tile land, considerably extensive, are occasionally to be so little notice, to take a new stand in relation to the Oremet with, yet the scarcity of wood and water, almost uni-gon River. Gentlemen who called on Congress to take formly prevalent, will prove an insuperable obstacle in such a step, were surely bound to bring forward some the way of settling the country. This objection rests not good reason in support of it. In his judgment, it was reaonly against the immediate section under consideration, son enough for voting against such a bill as this, that all but applies, with equal propriety, to a much larger portion things respecting the territory in question are now preof the country. Agreeably to the best intelligence that cisely in the same situation as they have been for twelve can be had concerning the country, both northward and years past. If gentlemen have any new information on southward of the section, and especially from the infer- the subject, if they can lay new and important facts beences deducible from the account given by Lewis and fore this Committee, Mr. G. said he was prepared to give Clarke, of the country situated between the Missouri and them all the attention they deserved. If they went to show the Rocky Mountains, above the river Platte, the vast re-that our trade in those seas called for new and additional gion commencing near the sources of the Sabine, Trinity, protection, he should be willing to accord it; but as now Brasis, and Colorado, and extending northwardly to the informed, he was inclined to believe that, so far as the 499 of north latitude, by which the United States' territo- mercantile interest in New England was concerned, the ry is limited in that direction, is throughout of a similar people were perfectly satisfied with the existing state of character. The whole of this region seems peculiarly things. It was impossible they should be so with the proadapted as a range for buffaloes, wild goats, and other ject contained in this bill. wild game, incalculable multitudes of which find ample As to the Columbia River itself, it was well known to pasturage and subsistence upon it. This region, however, be a stream of the most difficult, hazardous, and impracviewed as a frontier, may prove of infinite importance to ticable navigation; and the coast at its mouth was a region the United States, inasmuch as it is calculated to serve as of storms and tempests--a rocky, iron-bound coast--the a barrier to prevent too great an extension of our popu- dread and terror of the mariner. To talk of a fort in lation westward, and secure us against the machinations such a region, for the protection of our commerce, was or incursions of an enemy that might otherwise be dispos- idle. If any fort was to be erected there, instead of being ed to annoy us in that quarter." at the mouth of Columbia River, its true position was in These remarks apply not only to the valley of the Ore-48° or 49° north, in what was called the Sound, or Straits gon, but to our immense region of the continent, contain-of St. John de Fuca. There, there was, indeed, a good ing little short of 300,000 square miles. And shall we go harbor; but, as to Columbia River, he was told by one of about to plant a colony at such a distance, in such a coun- the most intelligent navigators he had ever known, and try, at such an expense, and in the face of such dangers who was experimentally acquainted with the navigation and difficulties, merely because a few restless spirits, who of that entire region, that there was no harbor of more can be contented no where, come and desire it at our dangerous entrance. Great difficulty was almost always hands? God forbid! Can it be pretended that there is experienced, either in entering or in leaving it; and vesany necessity for such a colony? There is no such neces-sels had been lost in the attempt. So far, therefore, as sity. If the settlement was on this side of the Rocky this fort was intended for the protection of our trade by Mountains, I would not complain. But if a company of sea, the project must fail entirely. For the fur trade, no hunters want to establish themselves far beyond our limits for the sake of getting furs, let them do it, but tax not your Government to aid them in their schemes. If these views of the general subject be correct, it is no great matter whether they be directed against the original bill, or either of the amendments. Both the bill and amendments ought to meet, and, I trust, will meet, an early destiny in this House. After all the examination have been able to give unto the evidence on this subject, I am compelled to believe that the country on the Oregon River is unfriendly to civilized life; that it can scarce give a scanty support for the wretched Indians who roam over it; and I will never consent, by an act of this Government, to hold it out as a suitable home for American citizens. such fort was needed. The committee had witnessed a decided opposition, in the representative of that interest, [Mr. BATES, of Missouri] to the whole plan. This was enough for him. If the very people who are engaged in this pursuit, and who ought to be the best judges of their own interests, express not only indifference, but actual opposition to the bill, there can surely be no need that the nation should take a new attitude with foreign Powers to protect them. If the object is to give a Government sanction to the fur trade in that region, all that was necessary would be to pass an act authorizing the Missouri Company, or the hunters of Michigan, to trade on the Columbia River. At any rate, it will be easy to give to some fur company the privilege of the trade; and, in so doing, you will go as far, and no farther, than Great Britain has done. Mr. GORHAM, of Massachusetts, said, that it had not This would meet the case which his honorable colleague, been his intention to have said a word on this subject; but [Mr. EVERETT] with whom he reluctantly differed in opinsome remarks had fallen from gentlemen, which might in-ion, supposed to exist, viz: that the British fur traders do duce the opinion that that part of the Union which it was now exclude those of the United States, and exercise an his honor in part to represent, had an interest that the exclusive jurisdiction over the country. bill should pass. It was in reply to such a suggestion At the time of the first convention, in 1818, the British that he had risen. It was not very material whether the fur companies had the same establishments and the same question immediately before the House was on the amend-forts which they now have. They continued to have the ment, or on the original bill, as the discussion had been same when the convention was renewed in 1827. By the permitted to take a general range, of which he should convention, Great Britain acknowledges the whole counavail himself. The substantial question for the commit-try as free and open to the subjects and citizens of both tee to determine, he took to be this: Whether any such nations. And will gentlemen say, in the face of such an change has occurred in the relations of this country to acknowledgment, that the mere possession of the forts England, or to any other portion of the world, as requir- which she before held, is assuming to herself the exclusive ed us to assume a new attitude, and to pursue a different possession and jurisdiction of the Oregon country? If, policy, from what we had hitherto dɔne, in relation to the indeed, these forts had been erected by the British since country on the Northwest Coast of this continent? It seem- the convention, then it might, with some show of argued to him extraordinary, after the recent confirmation of ment, be said that they were pursuing a new course of the convention of 1818, and while no complaints are made policy, which required countervailing measures on our VOL. V.-18. H. OF R.] Occupancy of the Oregon River. [DEC. 30, 1828. part; but no such thing can be maintained while she only est, much more than any paper constitution, holds them holds the same forts (and these not national forts, but trad-together. These are the great elements of the Union; ing posts merely) she has held there for these twelve but these have no place in relation to a country at such a years past; and, by a solemn public instrument, acknow- distance as Oregon; and as the ultimate measure is imledges that she derives no title from them to the jurisdic- practicable, the incipient steps which naturally lead to it, tion of the country. I think, are unwise. But some gentlemen seem alarmed at the extension of Mr. RICHARDSON said, it was always with reluctance the jurisdiction of the courts of Upper Canada over this that he occupied a moment of the time of the House; but region, by the British act of Parliament of 1821. Sir, the having been a member of the Committee who reported the British negotiator expressly disavowed to Mr. Gallatin, in bill under consideration, he deemed it his duty to state his the negotiation of 1827, all intention by their Govern- reasons for assenting to it. To settle, in my own judg ment, in extending the jurisdiction of their courts, to ex-ment, the question of right to occupy, as proposed, the ercise it in any way whatever over our citizens in that Oregon river and territory, I examined with care the corterritory. She has many subjects there, among whom it respondence between the Government of the United States is necessary to preserve some responsibility to legal con- and that of Great Britain, relating to that question. The trol. Murders have been committed there by British sub-evidence in the case led me to the conclusion, that the jects on each other-nay, the disputes between the Fur right of the United States to those possessions was perCompanies of Lord Selkirk and the Northwest Company, fect. After availing myself of all the accounts given of have been pushed into open war, in which men have fal- the river and territory by navigators and travellers of the len on both sides. Great Britain has been, therefore, in most respectable character, I could not doubt the expe. a manner, compelled to extend the jurisdiction of her diency of the proposed occupation. But the descriptions courts over her own subjects in such circumstances, for given yesterday, by gentlemen on the opposite side, of the the punishment of crimes like these; but she disclaims all Oregon river and territory, have almost shaken my conother jurisdictn. The mere bringing of her own sub-fidence in the correctness of the judgment I had formed. jects to account for their offences, involves no claim to They have described the territory as a region of desolathe country, and forms no just cause for the alarm, and for tion, the river unnavigable, the whole claim as worse than the great sensitiveness which has been expressed. We can worthless, and, as it would seem, even reproachful to exercise a similar jurisdiction for our own courts, and its author. How are these contradictory statements Great Britain will not complain. Nothing will be easier to be accounted for? Those who have navigated the river than to extend the criminal jurisdiction of the courts of and traversed the regions from the Rocky Mountains to Michigan over our own citizens on the Oregon, in the same the Pacific, have represented the country as luxuriant and manner as Great Britain has done. Where is the difficulty beautiful. Sir, I am old enough to remember having read of such an arrangement? As to matters of contract, they the speeches in Congress on the question of the acquisimay be tried any where. Mr. G. said, he could perceive tion of Louisiana, when that question was pending. The no difficulty in the way of such a plan. But forts without most horrible pictures of that country were drawn in Conjurisdiction, would never defend our citizens. gress, and spread before the Union, to deter the Govern and savages. Of such accounts there were latent causes, which time has unfolded. Before the face of the world, events have contradicted those accounts. Surely the statements of gentlemen on all sides, of what they have not seen, are to be received with caution. Before we set up a territorial government in Oregon, ment from the acquisition. And, sir, I have read accounts we should do well to look at the sixth article of the Florida published by foreign travellers, and which were spread treaty. We claim under Spain all the Northwest Coast through Europe, describing the whole of the United States north of 42°, from Arkansas to the Pacific Ocean. We as a country fit to be inhabited by none but wild beasts make this Spanish treaty the strong and prominent ground of our claim. For, as to Gray's discovery of the mouth of the river in 1792, they have an answer ready for us; and so they have as to our argument from the bounds of Louisiana: what we mainly rest upon is the Florida treaty. Now, in that treaty, there is an express stipulation, that The facts and arguments which induce me to support the inhabitants of the ceded territory are entitled to be- the bill, I will give in as few words as practicable. The come citizens of the United States, and may, when suffi- evidence on which this Government rests its claim to the ciently numerous, be admitted into the Union, on a footing Oregon river and territory, demands the first attention. of equality. Now, if we extend our settlements into Ore- This bill proposes to occupy a territory bounded by the gon, as a part of that ceded territory, then we are bound United States in an extent of more than twelve degrees by this stipulation to give the inhabitants some form of ci- of latitude, and spreading, in the same extent, westward, vil government, and ultimately admit them a State. You to the Pacific Ocean, embracing about sixteen degrees of have undertaken to ensure to them the rights of citizens longitude. The contiguity, situation, extent, and resources, of the United States. Suppose it to grow, by the pro- of that territory, render it necessarily an object of great gress of time, into a territory, and at length to increase interest to the United States. The right of the United its numbers to the requisite amount, then you cannot re- States to the Oregon river and territory having been strenu fuse its admission into the Union as a State. Is there any ously controverted by the British Government, and they man in this House willing to proclaim such a purpose as being now in the actual occupation of that Government, this? We are certainly in no position now to do so. Ac- the measure proposed by this bill requires sound deliberacident has given to the existing States some natural bonds tion and a patient examination of facts. The claim set up of union with each other. The different characters of la- by this bill will expose this Government to a controversy bor, together with the different descriptions of geographi- with no other than that of Great Britain. France, Spain, cal advantages, cause the various interests of the States to and Russia, have, by treaty, expressly relinquished their meet and harmonize. The physical position of the entire claims in favor of the United States, and a claim the Spavalley of the Mississippi renders a naval force of primary nish Government had vesting an incontestable right. importance to its inhabitants; and owing to the peculiar Government is, then, required to establish its right to that character of their labor and industry, the same thing holds river and territory against any claims set up by Great Brigood of all the Southern States. Now, they are furnished tain. It will be my purpose to prove the right of this with this navy by the inhabitants of a poorer country, es- Government to that river and territory against the claim sentially commercial, finding in the carrying of the rich of Great Britain. If I understand the correspondence produce of the South and West, a principal support of between the American and British ministers, relating to their maritime commerce. This mutual relation of inter- this subject, the latter rests the claim of their Government This DEC. 30, 1828.] Occupancy of the Oregon River. [H. of R. on no other ground than that of a supposed first discovery doubt that he would have availed himself of such facts? and exploration by their navigators. Admitting British The presumption is irresistible that no facts were known navigators as witnesses, the evidence of first discovery is which could justify, in any degree, a farther extension of in favor of the United States. It is proved by Captain the claims of the British Government. To establish the Vancouver, who was employed by the British Government right by occupation, the law of nations requires that discoon a voyage of discovery, and who visited the Northwest very be followed by actual exploration and settlement. It is Coast in 1792, that Captain Gray, of Boston, a citizen of well known that, in the years 1805 and 1806, an explorathe United States, bearing the flag of his country, first tion was executed, with great toil and hardship, by Capdiscovered the mouth of the Oregon or Columbia River. tains Lewis and Clarke, under the authority, and at the In his journal, Captain Vancouver recorded, on the 27th expense, of the United States. They explored several of April, 1792, that, south of 48° of north latitude, there branches of the Oregon, from the Rocky Mountains to the was no large river, but only small creeks. The next day mouth of the river. They explored the adjacent country he met, at sea, Captain Gray, then commanding the Ame- between those branches, and in numerous places in the rican ship Columbia, who informed him of the mouth of broad basins through which the branches and the main the river, which, for several days, Captain Gray had then, river flow. It is well known, that, in 1810, Mr. Astor, a without success, attempted to enter. On the 11th of May citizen of the United States, fitted out two expeditions, next following, Captain Gray succeeded in entering the one by sea and another by land from the Missouri, for the river which commonly bears the name of his ship, and mouth of the Columbia. The settlement of Astoria was which he ascended upwards of twenty miles. Captain commenced, near the mouth of the river, "before any setVancouver acknowledges that he received from Captain tlement had been made by the British, south of the 49th Gray a rough chart of the river, and a communication of parallel of latitude." But, I am not in favor of limiting the his discoveries. With these, one of Captain Vancouver's claim of the United States to the 49th parallel of latitude. officers was sent to take a survey of Gray's harbor, and of The United States have an undoubted right to claim as the Columbia river, which he ascended somewhat farther far to the northward as the actual discoveries by Spanish than Captain Gray. Let it be remarked, that Captain Van-navigators had extended. The American minister, Mr. couver mentions, in his journal, "Gray's Harbor," a place Gallatin, stated to the British minister these facts, which which Gray had previously visited and named. On the are too important to be overlooked, that, "in 1774, Perez, same occasion, we find Captain Vancouver expressing his in the Spanish corvette Santiago, discovered Nootka desire, in these words, that he might " particularly exam- Sound, in latitude 49 deg. 30 min. and sailed to the 55th ine a river and a harbor discovered by Mr. Gray, in the degree, discovering Lougara Island, and Perez, now callColumbia, between the 46th and 47th degrees of north ed Discon's Entrance, north of Queen Charlotte Island.” latitude."-Vancouver, vol. 1, p. 415. "In 1775, Quadra, in the Spanish schooner Felicidad, To that time Cape Disappointment had been unknown of which Maurelle was pilot, discovered various parts beto Captain Vancouver; and, using his own words, he men- tween the 55th and 58th degrees, and explored the coast tions "Cape Disappointment, which forms the north point from 42 to 54 degrees, landing at several places, imposing of entrance into Columbia River, so named by Mr. Gray." names on some, and not being at any time hardly more --ib. p. 418, 419. That distinguished navigator was too than ten leagues from the shore." And the treaty ratified honest and ingenuous to deny to Captain Gray the honor between the United States and Spain, in 1819, contains and the right of first discovery of the Columbia River. an express renunciation, in favor of the United States, of If, previous to Captain Vancouver's visiting the coast, "all the rights, claims, and pretensions, of Spain, to any Meares, or any other British navigator, had made discovery territories north of the parallel of latitude running from of the Columbia River, is it to be presumed that Captain the source of the Arkansas river to the South Sea," as the Vancouver would have been unadvised of the fact? Would Pacific is called by the Spaniards. Now, the British Gothe British Government, if the Columbia River had been vernment, to maintain its claim, must prove a discovery of discovered by its navigators, have permitted that fact to those parts of the coast antecedent to their discovery by be unknown to the world? The truth is reluctantly con- the Spanish. This the British Government has not atfessed by the British ministers, in these terms: "It must, tempted to do. The only color of ground that I can find indeed, be admitted, that Mr. Gray, finding himself in the for the British claim to the disputed parts of the Oregon, bay formed by the discharge of the waters of the Colum- is in the fact, that, previous to the cession of those parts bia River into the Pacific, was the first to ascertain that this by Spain, the Spanish Government had consented that, bay formed the outlet of a great river-a discovery which had escaped Lieut. Meares, when, in 1773, four years before, he entered the same bay."-5th vol. State Papers, Doc. 199, p. 55. between it and the British Government "the sovereignty should remain in abeyance."-Doc. 199, p. 53, State pap. 1st sess. 20th Congress. After examining all the sources of evidence to which I Thus, the direct testimony of Captain Vancouver, a could find access, I am satisfied of the right of this GoBritish navigator of the most respectable character, whose vernment to the extent of territory claimed by the bill. testimony is confirmed by various collateral evidence, to- Admitting the right of sovereignty, as claimed by the bill, gether with the admission of the British ministers, and the to be established, this question next presses upon the atabsence of all proof to the contrary, establish the fact, in tention of the Committee: Is it expedient now to pass this my judgment, beyond all reasonable doubt, that the right, bill? To settle this question, a comparison of the value by discovery, to the Oregon or Columbia River, is vested in of the possession claimed, with the cost of the enterprise, the United States. Even Mr. McKenzie, the distinguished ought to be made. The territory of Oregon is nearly projector of British plans in North America, proposes to his eight hundred miles square; or, in other words, its area Government a line of posts, approaching no nearer to the contains not less than six hundred and forty thousand Oregon River than the parallel of the 48th degree of square miles. Captains Lewis and Clarke describe the north latitude. He stated to his Government, using his branches of the Oregon as passing through extensive baown words, "that the fur trade of North America might sins of land, resembling the table lands in South America. be commanded from latitude 48 degrees to the North Pole." The great basin of the Oregon proper is nearly nine hunThis proposed line of posts would leave the mouth of the dred miles in length, and four hundred miles in mean Oregon at least one degree and forty minutes to the south breadth. Is that country, as has been repeatedly asserted of that line. Had the keen-sighted British agent been in on this floor, of no value? What is the testimony of the possession of any facts authorizing a line of posts farther most impartial witnesses, who, with their own eyes, have south, and on the border of the Columbia, can any one seen the country, and in circumstances by no means flat H. OF R.] Occupancy of the Oregon River. This Government is [DEC. 30, 1828. tering? The different navigators and travellers, of high-incur a heavy expense. The appropriation in the bill, I est respectability, who have visited the Northwest Coast, think, is too small. In a communication from a capable concur in their descriptions of the climate, soil, and pro- officer, made to the eighteenth Congress, it is stated, that ductions, of that fine country. Mr. Prevost, an agent of the expense of transporting two hundred troops, with the United States, in a communication, in April, 1822, ad- ordnance, and various supplies for the establishment of a dressed to this Government, gives the following account: post on the Columbia, on the largest calculation, would "It has been observed, by those exploring this coast, amount to about sixty-four thousand dollars. If it be set that the climate, to the southward of 53 deg. assumes at one hundred thousand dollars, and the annual expense a mildness unknown in the same latitude on the eastern of maintaining the establishment shall bear a due proportion side of the continent. Without digressing to speculate to the outfits, I cannot doubt that the interests to be securupon the cause, I will merely state, that such is particularly ed are immensely above the cost. the fact in 46 deg. 16 min. the site of Fort George. The probably destined, for a long time to come, to depend for mercury, during the winter, seldom descends below the its support on revennue collected on imports. freezing point; when it does so, it is rarely stationary for this system is pursued, the commerce of the country must, any number of days; and the severity of the season is more by all prudent means, be protected and cherished. It is determined by the quantity of water than by its congela- the right hand that replenishes our Treasury. The China tion. The rains usually commence with November, and trade yields a great revenue. The single article of teas continue to fall partially until the latter end of March, or has, in past years, brought into the Treasury, annually, the the beginning of April. A benign spring succeeds, and sum of five hundred thousand dollars. That trade adds, when the summer heats obtain, they are so tempered with annually, there can be no doubt, a considerable amount showers, as seldom to suspend vegetation. I found it luxuri- to the capital of this country. The China trade must naant on my arrival, October 1, 1818, and, during a fortnight's stay, experienced no change of weather to retard its course." Mr. Vancouver gives this description of the country, in the latitude of 48 deg. 7 minutes : Whilst turally increase with the increasing demands for the articles imported. The China trade has depended, in a great measure, in years past, upon the trade in furs, ginseng, and other articles from the Northwest Coast. It If the "The soil, for the most part, is a light sandy loam, in Besides, it is not improbable, that, in a comparatively several places of very considerable depth, and abundantly few years, the public lands of Oregon may add to the mixed with decayed vegetables. The vigor and luxuri- National Treasury another rich source of revenue. ance of its productions prove it to be a rich fertile mould. may be reasonably calculated, that, under the fostering This country, regarded in an agricultural view, I should care of this Government, multitudes of Europeans may conceive, is capable of high improvement." emigrate to that country, to cultivate the lands and augIt will require by no means a great ment your revenue. population in that territory, to derive from it a revenue sufficient to defray the expense of its Government. annual revenue accruing from duties paid at the custom houses in the United States amounts to twenty-seven millions of dollars, then, on an average, each forty thousand inhabitants pays annually, into the Treasury of the United States, the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. A territory, situated as is the Oregon, may be calculated upon to contribute more than a proportion of revenue, according to its civilized population. A valuable trade with numerous tribes of Indians will add to the reThe British Government has not been inattentive A second objection to the pro Major A. S. Brooks, an intelligent officer of the United States, who repeatedly visited the coast, gives this animating description of the vicinity of a place called "Pitts Cove," within the limits of the proposed occupation : "The Cove is a large commodious harbor for a fleet; the shores most beautiful; soil (where the bears had turned it up in search of roots) ready to melt in its own richness; game in absolute profusion." That country is sufficiently inviting to an enterprising population. That country opens a great mart for the enterprise of commerce and navigation. In past years, a lucrative trade has been carried on by citizens of the United States with different parts of that coast. Various venue. articles of manufacture are there exchanged for furs. From to the value of that trade. the Northwest Coast the voyage is pursued to the Sand-posed occupation is, that it will expose the United States wich Islands, where the ships complete their loading with to a war with Great Britain. That Power being now in sandal wood, and thence proceed to China. There they possession of important ports in the territory, it may be exmake an exchange for articles of great demand in Ameri-pected that they will be relinquished with some reluctance. can and European markets. These, brought to our mar- The third article of the convention of 1818, between the kets, yield into our National Treasury revenue to a large United States and Great Britain, places the two Governamount. By this circuitous trade, in which the industry ments on fair ground. With wise precaution it guards and enterprise of many of our citizens are engaged, hun- against the claim of right, by this temporary occupation dreds accumulate into thousands, and thousands into mil- by the British. This article stands thus: lions. It is like "the miser's glass, "It is agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on the Northwest Coast of America, west"Which turns all its sands to gold." ward of the Stony Mountains, shall, together with its harThe timber of that country ought not to be unnoticed. bors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers Humboldt remarks, "that the banks of the Columbia in- within the same, be free and open, for the term of ten vite Europeans to found a fine colony there, for its banks years, from the date of the signature of the present conafford fertile land in abundance, covered with superb vention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects, of the two timber." Clark and Lewis state, that "the whole neigh- Powers; it being well understood, that this agreement is borhood of the coast is supplied with great quantities of not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim which excellent timber." They mention a species of fir tree, either of the two high contracting parties may have to measuring six feet above the earth's surface, twenty-seven any part of the said country, nor shall it be taken to affect feet in circumference, and rising to the height of two hun- the claims of any other power or State to any part of the dred and thirty feet, and one hundred and twenty of that said country."*-Dip. Code, p. 264. height without a limb. These are sufficient proofs of the strength and exuberance of the soil, and of a climate most subjects of the two Towers, as provided by the convention, expired in The term of ten years for mutual occupation by the citizens and friendly to vegetation. But a bill of so much importance October, 1828. By the articles of a convention between the two Pow demands great consideration. There are, I admit, ob-ers, published since this bill was reported, it is provided that neither jections to the proposed occupation, which are entitled Power shall take definitive measures of exclusive sovereignty ever that country, without giving to the other Power one year's previous notice. to serious regard. The first that is urged is, that it will For such contingency the bill makes provision, DEC. 30, 1828.] Occupancy of the Oregon River. [H. OF R. It This provision leaves the question of right as it stood to an extensive and valuable country to Great Britain, or before the occupation by the British. Thus stands the any other Power, I should not know how to answer it to question of right to this moment. It may then be fairly my country, or to myself, as a faithful public servant. presumed that Great Britain will not, in the face of these ac- would be a proof of degeneracy from that spirit of my knowledged facts, of first discovery and settlement, and ancestors in which I glory. The proposed occupation, it of the law of nations, readily wage war with the United is true, may, perhaps, be attended with expense to this States to make conquest of that country. It would be a Government for a few years. A post must be establishnaval war—a war attended with too great risk to her repu- ed, and a government supported. But a country of natation, her commerce, and all her great interests. If the Ore-tural resources, so rich and abundant, will soon repay the gon River and territory should continue in the possession of expenditures. Under the fostering care of this Governthe British, it may be expected to become, at some future ment, territories soon become States, providing for themperiod, a theatre of war between the two nations. The same selves and augmenting the resources of the Union. policy that led to the acquisition of Louisiana and the This country, sir, is evidently, to my mind, destined to Floridas points to the occupation of the Oregon. This be an asylum for the surplus population of some parts of measure is pointed out by, I may say, parental affection the Eastern continent. Multitudes of Europeans are and prudence, due on the part of this Government, toward stretching their view towards America, as presenting the our successors, the children of the old States, destined by only prospect of their recovery to the freedom and hapProvidence to carry westward, to the utmost bounds, the piness which God and nature designed for man. Although blessings of civilization and of liberty. A third objection I would not invite emigration to this country as a philanto the proposed occupation has some plausibility. It is thropist, as a Christain I could not oppose it. Besides, an old objection. It is, that the safety of this Union will there is a sort of hereditary propensity in a considerable be endangered by its extension--by its becoming un- part of the population of the old States to emigrate to wieldy. new countries. The fact was mentioned some days since The forebodings which were opposed to the acquisition by my highly respected colleague, [Mr. EVERETT] that a of Louisiana, have been, as I conceive, happily answered company of three thousand persons, in Boston and its by experience. Had not Louisiana been in the possession vicinity, have already associated, and had petitioned for of the United States, there is great probability, that, ere the permission and aid of this Government to enable them this time, powerful rival States would have existed there, to emigrate to the territory which this bill proposes to to vex this Union with the vicissitudes of war and revolu- occupy. The gentleman corrects me, and says he did tion, and with all the troubles that ambitious and turbu- not intend to represent that company as belonging wholly lent neighbors have power to cause. A glance of thought to Boston and its vicinity. Another, and yet another on the course of events cannot but awaken feelings of ven- company are asking similar aid and protection. For these eration for the name of that great statesman to whose reasons I am in favor of the object of the bill. It proposes wisdom this Union is so much indebted for results so hap- the exercise of a just and perfect right, and the fulfilpy as have been realised, in our own time, from the acqui-ment of a trust. It proposes, as I believe, a measure of sition of that country. Sir, I do not believe that a wise sound and good policy, with reference both to economy system of government--a system well balanced and ad- and to the preservation of our future peace with other najusted--loses strength by being extended. The princi- tions. It proposes an extension of the blessings of civiples of self-government are capable of universality. They lization, of freedom, and happiness, to the human race. are in concert with the laws of the moral universe, and Sir, I shall deem it a high satisfaction if my very humble are applicable to communities on the broadest scale. True, efforts may aid a measure that proposes cbjects so worthy indeed, the territory proposed to be occupied will be a of the countenance of this Government, and so congenial great distance from the seat of the General Government. with the spirit of generous and successful enterprise that Will this be a disadvantage? Why may not Missouri or planted, within so brief a period, the standard of free Maine derive as much real benefit from the General Go-government on the shores of North America. vernment as Maryland, or even the District of Columbia? Mr. DRAYTON said that, although he concurred with Do they not actually derive as much? In my heart I be- the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. FLOYD] in the general lieve they do. Improvements of this age have greatly in creased the facilities for travelling and intercourse. By the aid of these, the traveller goes on his way, day and night, at the rate of twelve miles an hour. He is transported from clime to clime as by magic art. principle of the bill which he had reported, he differed from him in some of its details. The bill assumed that the territory described in it, within 42° and 54° and 40′ of north latitude, belonged to the United States. This was in dispute. Our Government has offered, by way of Admitting that the distance from this meridian to the compromise, to relinquish that portion of it which lies mouth of the Oregon, by the branches of the rivers be- beyond the 49th parallel of latitude. Their offer was not tween these two points, be three times as great as the di- accepted; Great Britain denying our right to any part of the rect distance, the journey may be performed in the country on the Northwest Coast of America westward of time which, a few years since, was required to travel from the Stony Mountains. I presume [said Mr. D.] that our several parts of the Union to the seat of Government. The Government can establish its claim to the whole of it; but relation between the General and Territorial or State Go- as the question has not been decided, and as, in the third vernments is not essentially affected by distance. For article of our convention with Great Britain, of 20th the most important purposes it makes, as I apprehend, October, 1818, it is stipulated that the whole country little difference whether a State or territory be on the should remain free and open for ten years, (which term, east or west side of the Rocky Mountains. in 1827, was extended to a further term of 10 years) were This, sir, I consider as the most favorable time for Con- the United States to erect it into a territory, to be regress to authorize the measure proposed. If the term gulated by their laws, they would, manifestly, commit a of ten years, as limited by treaty for the mutual occu- breach of their treaty. Congress has no authority to aspation of the river and territory, by the citizens of the certain and define the boundaries of territory in dispute United States and of Great Britain, should have long ex-between the United States and a foreign kingdom; "this pired, without measures on the part of this Government must be effected by diplomatic negotiation and by treaty; to claim its right, the fact will naturally be considered as until then, no exclusive legislation can be exercised, either an abandonment of our claim. For myself, I am unwil- by America or by Great Britain. Whilst I object to our ling to take the responsibility of such a course as that. converting a country in dispute into one of our territories, Should I consent to a tame surrender of a rightful claim I do not agree with the gentlemen from Tennessee and |