Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-16
OREGON.

We have before us the Report of Mr.. Gushing.
| chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
/ in Congress, the subject of the possession OF
the Territory of Oregon. The question of right
to this territory is becoming daily Of greater inte-
rest, and merits the most grave consideration on
( the part OF our National Councils. In making up
/ their Roper, the Committee have spared no pains,
and having examined the subject with the utmost
minuteness IN all its bearing, 'are OF opinion that
il is due alike TO the interest and honor OF the u
States to take immediate steps to assert and Sc
cure the national rights in this NATTER In COM
ing to this conclusion the committee have made
full and laborIous Investigations as to the extent
of the country claimed by the u. States, west OF
the Rocky Mountains and on the noTth west coast
of the Pacific Ocean; the title under which il is
claimed and the evidence of the correctness OF
that t,le.' After the most ample inquiries, the
committee are of opinion that the United States
are entitled exclusive dominion, as against any
Foreign Power, Of the country extending east and
esr from, ROCKY Ai-a.-.-is-- she Pacific
Ocean, and mort and south from the limits ofthe
Mexican Republic in latitude ~ degrees north,
to those of Russia in 81 degrees 40 minutes nor,h
with all offer reIinquish to Great Britain all north
of latitude 40 degrees.
This claim is founded on three grounds LIST, as
in their own right I'd, as the successor of France;
and Sd, of Spain. AS preliminary to the discus
sion, the committee have entered into a detailed
history of the discoveries, enterprises and settle
ments of the Powers in question on the north west
coast and the interior of the continent, SO far
they bear upon the presen: controversy, furnish
ing by way of appendix full and detailed account
of the north western discovery. In the course Of
this history it is made manifest that at the time
of tho Florida Treaty, in 1919. there remained
to Great Britain of her ancient territory in North
America, only the countries of the st. Lawrence
and Hudson's Bay; all the residue Of tho CONT
men, eastward of the Rocky Mountains, and south
and west of the confines of the Mexican Republic,
h,y bpep un1epiahlx vested the United
States. In coming at this result, reference ha.
been had to the various treaties between Spain,
France, Great Britain and the United States
With regard to the British claim TO the settle
ment of Astoria which, II will be reccllected,was
broken up in 1912, and fraudently sold to the
North West Company, by one of the agents of John
Jacob Astor, Esq. Of n. Y, by whom it had been
originally projected, and was taken possession Of
by the English act of war, the formal retro
cession by Groa, Britain in 1918 to Mr.. Provost,
as agent for the U. s., IS alluded to-
Having stated the facts of the case the commit
tee enter upon detailed application of them to
the recognized principles of the law Of nations,
which prescribe the rights of the parties. The
titles Of Spain, France and the u. States are next
taken up and examined separately, by which pro-
cess the Same conclusion, as above stated IS arri-
we'd at: and an examination Is made of the pre-
tentions OF Great Britain 10 the most satisfactory
manner. In pursuing their inquiries the commit \
tee have advanced no new pretensions, but have
adhered scrupulouslv to the ground assumed by /
every American statesman who has had occasion
to examine the matter, from the time of DIR. JEFF
ferson down to the present day, reference being
had more especially 10 the instructions, cores 4
pondenccs, dispatches. and reports of the various
Presidents. Secretaries and members OF Congress.
In future Report the committee propose to pre-
sen. 10 the House the statistical facts and consld
era,ions called for by their instructions; and IN
the meantime as tho result Of their immediate /
deIberaton they subjon the bill hereto annexed
the adoption of which is recommended % Congress 1
Ia conclu.ion,we may be permitted to remark that
we have never document of the kind more |
ably and satisfactorily framed, well in refer |
ence to the mode In which the conclusion Is iorm-
ed as the firmness with which is set FORTH
A BILL 10 provide for the protection Of citizens
Of the T. States, residing the Oregon Terri
tory, or trading on the Columbia river or its tn
butaries.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Re-
of the U. 8. of America IN Congress,
assembled, That the President of the U. States be
and he is hereby authorized and directed to en-
pby such portion of the army and navy as he may
deem necessary for the protection Of the persons
and property nf such citizens OF the U. States a.
nav reside = the Territory Of Oregon, or as are
employed in CONNIE rec on the Columbia river, its
tributaries, and on its marine coast.
Sec. 2 And be il further enacted, That the sum
of - dollars is hereby appropriated. out of any
money 10 the treasury, not otherwise appropriated
to carry into effec, sas foregoing section.