The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-31 00:00:00

THE OREGON TERRITORY.

The attention of Congress was invited at their last
and the preceding session to the importance of estab-
li,hing a territorial government over our possessions
i❑ Oregon, and it is to be regretted that there was no
legislation on the subject. Our citizens who inhabit
that distant region of country are still left without
the protection of our laws, or any regularly organized
government. Before the question of limits and
boundaries of the territory of Oregon was definitively
settled, from the necessity of their condition, the
inhabitants had established a temporary government
of their own. Besides the want of legal authority
for continuing such government, it is wholly inade-
quate to protect them in their rights of person and
property, or to secure them the enjoyment of the
privileges of other citizens, to which they are en-
titled under the constitution of the United States.
They should have the right of suffrage, be repre:
sented in a territorial legislature, and by a delegate
in Congress, and possess all the rights and privileges
which citizens of other portions of the territories of
the United States have hitherto enjoyed, or may now
enjoy.

-Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws regulating
trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and the
protection of our laws generally, should be extended
over them.

In addition to the inhabitants in that territory who
hfti previously emigrated to it, large numbers of our
citizens have followed them during the present year ;
and it is not doubted that, during the next and sub-
sequent years, their numbers will be greatly in-
creased.

Congress, at its last session, established post routes
leading to Oregon, and between different points
within that territory, and authorised the establish-
ment of post-offices at " Astoria and such other places
on the coasts of the Pacific, within the territory of
the United States, as the public interests may re-
quire." Post-offices have accordingly been estab-
lished, deputy postmasters appointed, and provision
made for the transportation of the mails.
The preservation of peace with the Indian tribes
residing west of the Rocky Mountains will render it
proper that authority should be given by law for the
appointment of an adequate number of agents to re-
side among them.

I recommend that a surTeyor's-general office be
established in that territory, and that the public lands
be surveyed and brought into market at an early
period.

I recommend also that grants, upon liberal terms,
of limited q•iantities of the public lands be made to all
citizens of the United States who have emigrated or
may hereafter within a prescribed period, emigrate,
to Oregon, or settle upon them. These hardy and
adventurous citizens, who have encountered the
dangers and privations of a long and toilsome journey,
and have at length found an abiding place for them-
selves ani their families upon the utmost verge of oar
western limits, should be secured in the homes which
they have improved by their labour.

I refer you to the accompanying report of the
Secretary of War for a detailed account of the opera-
tions of the various branches of public service con-
nected with the department under his charge. The
duties devolving on this department have been
usually onerous and responsible during the past
year, anti have been discharged with ability and
success.