Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-08

latitude 46 -, and to 1t, the British Government
could have no claim whatever. On investigation, |
he was able to say that nothing wssclcsrer more
just, than the claim OF the United States up to the
6lst degree complete. On that, he would for the |
present say no more.
Under all the circumstances then the next
question was, whatwould be the adv antages Of TAX
ing possession OF the Territory From statement
he had, the American interest on the Pacific ocean,
was worth millions Of dollars at least. There
the place constantly. The sing trade in that
part, the interest OF the people OF the United
States, required that four vessels of war should be
kept in that sea for protection, IL these claims be
neglected, 1t would be the cause OF an rrepaeable
injury TO the three trades which are carried on
namely the North West trade, the South Sea trade
and the Canton trade. These three important
branches were SO blended together. that it wasim
possible to separate them. The Canton trade was,
he knew. animsdverted on in that Housc-it was
proposed prohibit specie from being exported to
Canto2a5lnder the impression that the Chinese
shut p was not, however, considered a
| commercial treaty, prohibited the expectation OF
specie. They, whose superiority in commercial
knowledge was admitted on all hands, discovered
their mistake, and permitted the expectation OF
3o,ouO pounds sterling, annually. II being then
found, that the exploration produced an income OF
five or six fold into Great Britain the prohbitory
act oil Parliament was repealed, and the privilege
oil exPortiag specie was granted, unlimited. In
4
trade would derive from il, the bringing up
ard furnishing OF seamen was another good result.
The hon. Gentleman then gave detailed state
Inent OF the trade carried on in that sea- and spe-
cihed the different articles which constituted the
imports and exports OF it, together with The amount
oil tonnage employed. The trade in whale oil, he
observed, was very valuable; il was not a gain
created by commerce;it was not increased in value
ny taxing IL from one port to another but every
] article sold in Canton, was SO much fished from
the bottom of the Pacific.
The trade Of the Mississippi and Missouri was
very prostable:-that OF the Mississippi alone was
worth 100000 dollars. American citizens were
prohibited, by tho operation of the treaty. from
trading westo Rocky Mountains and were thus
deprived OF advantages arising from the fur trade
which be was informed by gentleman from Yer
mont, yielded annual income of 3 900 900 of
dollars to the North West Company. Itwas worth
tnat sum to the Company, before they united with
the hudson Bay company. The fur trade yielded
put little to the Americans, because the United
States, having suffered so much in the reyoIntona
1 ry War, weak and desenceless as America was on
the north west frontier, was anxious to procure
peace, and inclined at first to agriculture rather
than commerce, had neglected the Improvement
OF that trade.
That trade, he observed, was chiefly regarded
and looked to by the British Government; and the
preservation Of it was sedulousIy attended to- in
TIE passage OF an act of Parliament that remotely
4 bore upon IL. The English ships engaged in the
south sea trade, entered the Oregon free of duty,
while the expenses Of transportation, paid by A
merican citizens, were very great. He had been
informed, that 1000 western citizens had been i'm
poyed in the fur trade there; that the shippine in
terest OF Nantucket in it equal to two millions
OF dollars; and that N. Bedford merchants had in
vested four millions; besides, there were ssanen
engaged IN II, to the number of 1900. On this
account protection required; and he thought
there Were sufficient grounds for passing the bill
As regards the Navy. he said, it was conceded
On all hands, that the American Navy, was to iu-
crease in proportion to the wealth and population
OF the country: The prospects of an increase of
trade in the Western Ocean, required four ships
oil war for protection At that period, American
vessels were not permitted to take in water or to
make repairs, on tht coast unless al the hands g.
sunerance oil foreign powers; notwithstanding there
were two ports there belonging to the United
states. He next alluded 10 the natural defences
Vi me couiH'y, which, he said, were sufficient to
resist the united attacks OF all Europe.
In all the wars growing out of the French Re.
vo'uticn, England was Invariably found. subs;d-
izng The petty powers of Europe to prosecute her
wars oil hate, Qor she never mad an adequate pro-
vocaton) by the moneys which she drew from her
| East Indian possessions.-'The mouth OF The Ore.
gon was the only part of the globe which co-,
manded an influence these possessions. Tn
all the efforts which Bonaparte made TO overturn
.he briush power, he was still unsuccessful, as
the great distance Of the East Indies would render
| any attack on them Intellectual Here then yy,s
strong hold,-the occupation Of the Oregon and
me erection OF a tort on it, would afford to Amer
lca security that Great Britain would preserve
4
the very moment the British.fleet were removed
| from the East Indies.
lie remarked, that its natural advantages were
not less than those he had Just stated The sai,,-
brity OF the climate, and the fertility of the soil
were equal TO those OF Virginia. Ut was Objected
tlat great difculties must be encountered in ma
king this settlement. The difficulties wcre but
trivial, and though they were imagined 10 he
great by persons living and enjoying every indul
gence on the Atlantic coast, he could assure ,be
mouse, they were not considered as any obstacle
by the Western people. II was also objected. that
| the granting of lands would act as bounty IN
scatter the population of the country, and would
extend the limits of the frontier beyond the means
of defence, and place the people beyond the reach
| OF protection He denied that it would extend
the frontier, for the part which was Contemplated
TO be added, was defended by nature and almost
impenetrabie. The provisions of the bill If agreed
to, would afford sufficient protection The Grant
he had asked, was $50, 900. This he had mo has
itation in saying, would be ample He knew that
| society was formed in Louisians which pronos-
ed 10 cuiigrate thither at their own expense II Co
vernment gave them the privilege and sutborized
them to take possession of the land. At the he sd
| OF that society was gentleman of his acona;n
lance, native Of Keutucky, whose comn.temno
and ability to execute aud superintend project Of
the kind he would vouch for. He was enabled IN
DO This, as they were acquainted in the d,v NJ
their boy-hood, and were brought I'D together
school mates.--He would therefore URGE The nc
cessity OF legislaing this subject soon white
sne Indians were as yet uninfluenced BY the Ri
tish traders. Why not authorize the occupa,in
OF oregon! why object to the settlement OF IT,
when the poor pitance of 600 acres of Iaod ia on
~ required, and time when tho Southern govern
ments were making donations OF millions OF acres
a