The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-23
REMARKS OF MIR. LINN,
OF MISSOURI.

In Senate, January 8, lS4l ION asking leave, in
pursuance to previous notice, to intro6uce bill to
authorize the adoption Of measures for the occupa-
ton and settlement Of the Territory of Oregon, and
for extending certain portions Of the laws of the Un
ted States the
Mr.. LINN said that when this bill was before the
Senate for discussion during the last and preceding
session of Congress, his political friends well OPP
ponens earnestly pressed him to orbear urging the
subject TO final vote, it IN ght prove embarrassing
at that time in the settlement ofthe long pending and
important question ofthe Northeast boundary. This
was not at the time satisfactory he convinced
Of the necessity ofdelay, but he had reluctantly yielded
to the advice and opinions of gentlemen of undoubted
PATRIOTISM and Of great experienced in public affairs.
His own opinion then was, and is now that it is bet
for the people OF this country have all the
of dispute between and Great Britain brought into
small compass, present them for settlement at
and the same time, and have them promptly decided
one way the other. Past experience, he thought,
had most concusively proved that the United States
could gain nothing by delay. Our opponents will
strengthen theii CLAIMS by indecson and apathy
part. But he never expected to these boundary
questions amicably arranged.
The past history of the English Government afford
ed TO him conclusive evidence this subject He be-
evcd sincerely that every member Of the Senate then
present would be numbered with the dead before Great
Britain would let 60 her hold upon portion of the
State OF Maine by an amicable arrangement, unless
she finally decided upon surrendering her Canadian
possessions If his memory served him correctly,
ling and anxious to purchase the country in dis
pute. He did not to say there had been a for
NAL offer made, but finding that such offer would
have been indignantly repeed they had, step by step,
made territorial encroachments until she now present
ed to the world claim of great Importance, much
strengthened by time where at first she had nothing
more than the mere shadow OF claim Yes, sir, less
than shadow The history of the past in this mat
will be the history of the future Under of
the incorporated Hudson Bay Company, the English
had extended their possessions, step by step, from the
confines of their Canadian PROVINCES TO the borders
Of Upper California. Under prctext of an early
discovery of the Northwest coast by Sir Francis
Drake in the years 1878 and 80 and on the discovery
of the extreme northern branch of the Columbia ri
yer in 1906 and many other pretended discoveries,
not necessary now to mention, they laid claim to the
Territory of Oregon
He said he recently received letter from that quar-
ter, in which it stated that the Hudson Bay Com
pany introducing emigrants from England, by the
way of Cape Horn and establishing them on farms
that they had erected saw mills and carried on brisk
trade in lumber with the Sandwich and other islands
that they had erected forts under the name of
trading posts" and rapidly extending their
trade and influence over the Indians, almost TO the
exclusion of American citizens and traders on both sides
Of the Rocky Mountains.
BY the treaties of 1918 and 1927, the title to the
Territory Of Oregon to be considered in allegiance
and joint occupations agreed upon. This delay has
been like the Maine boundary They profitied by our
supineness, and they will continue to do so unless we
arouse from the lethargy into which we have sunk.
BY an act of Parliament passed in the year 1890
81, portion of the criminal law of England had been
extended the Territory of Oregon, and over the
vast regions east of the Rocky Mountains up to the
very confines Of the States of Missouri and Arkansas
! Now, Mr.. President if we have just title to the
country in dispute, il should not be abandoned any
power upon earth nor ough, we to sleep any longer
upon claims. He thought should at least move
pari passu with adversaries He said he pre-
pared to 90 into the discussion of the whole question
involved at the proper time. TIe had been censured
in letters received from gentlemen residing in all parts
of the Union, for not having pressed his bill final
decision which delay caused by the opinion of
others that il might lie considered new element OF
discord pending the settlement of the Northeastern
boundary. He said that justice to tie country at
large, and TO his own constituents, would permit
him any longer TO postpone some defnitive action in
regard to this subject He would not occupy the time
further of the Senate at present, but should the Sc
nate grant leave for the introduction of the BILL he
would embrace the opportunity when il came up for
consideration to submit his views at large.
Leave being granted, the bill was introduced, read
a'firs and second time, and referred to select
mittee of Messrs Linn, Walker, Pierce, Preston and
| Sewer.