Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-12-03
NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.

NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.
1t is to be regretted Says the Baltimore
AmerIcan) that no arrangement was made
IN the late treaty with England for the set
Element of the disputed boundary question
in the Oregon country. Our claim to that
whole territory is believed to be just; yet
the assertion Of the right has been deferred
until now considerable portion of the
country north Of the Columbia river is oc.
cupicd by the British. In course of time
1t may happen that right, long waived,
VIII be disputed; and possession will be re-
garded as the best proof Of valid tile
The fur trade is now carried on extensive
" by British companies; they have perma-
nent establishments on the Columbia. Our
own cmlgrants arc vending their way to
the regions beyond the Rocky Mountains,
and such is the rapidity with which popu-
Iation increases in the West, when once
the tide is set towards a particular quarter,
that few years may witness the organiza-
ton Of u regular Government in the Ore
gon country, under Territorial jurisdiction
Of the Union. An unsettled question of
the boundary may then lead to many en-
barrassing diaiculties.
This subject is alluded to by Mr.. Henry
r. Schoolcraft (now in London) in letter
to the London Morning Chronicle. While
the public are anxiousIy awaiting the pro-
mitigation Of the treaty, it may be peril
nent, he remarks, to inquire whether the
boundary line west, from the Lake of the
Woods to the Pacific, has been adiusted'-
1t is here, in his opinion, that the real bone
Of future contention lies between the two
countries. Mr.. S. continues:
The Oregon Territory is chiefly known
to hunters and fur merchants. A very
small American population is seated south
Of the Columbia. A few missionaries
have planted corn here. while the natives
demanded but part of their labors. The
leading interest is the fur trade, which is
divided between the parties claiming terri
tory. But no one who does not shut his
ewes to the facts can doubt that, from the
capture of the Astoria, in 1912, the Amer
can interest and trade with the native
tribes has declined, while that of the Brit
ish companies has great; increased. Are
the latter prepared to give up the territory
they occupy north Of the Columbia! Is il
the spirit Of those who, in the thirst for
gain. murdered kcyeny and shot Semplc,
their own hiadred to spare their American
rivals the moment they shall enter the pos
sessed territory! Tha American editors
| deceive themselves, who affirm that while
the settlement of this boundary is LETT un-
touched. it is impcrccptihy being settled
by the progress of emigration. There is
not it is believed, solitary American set
tier Or trader north Of the Columbia. Yet
| il is the general and settled belief in Amer
lea lha; their right to the entire valley of
that river north as we'll as south, as far as
the remOtest tributaries reach is indisputa-
| bly, Just. Mr.. Greenhow, in his memoir,
has clearly demonstrated this position by
minute references to discoveries and occu-
patton by land and sea. Rights of terrific
ry only asserted, but practically waived,
for series OF years always assume the
shape Of diplomatic controversy, of which
the Maine boundary line is quite an exam
pie. for there certainly was a time when
nobody disputed the American claim, or set
the value of pins head upon it. And if
the present avoidance Of the Oregon boun.
diary By the high contracting parties at
Washington does not tend to bring it up
hereafter, in more bitter aspect, have
in vain read the history of rival monopo-
lies in trade. or traced, in the inevitable
state Of social and commercial relations on
the outer frontiers, the prolific source of
future Indian wars,
Very respectfully,
HENRY r. SCHOOLCRAFT.