The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-27
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL,
Washington.
Correspondence OF the Herald
WASHINGTON Wedne sday, J


Speech In the Senate, and MIR. Mnrshan's
Speech In the House-Bureau Of Govern.
mont Printing.
This has been rather lively day in both Houses
MIR. McDUFFIE made his first speech on the Oregon
blll IN the Senate, and Mr.. MARSHALL spoke on the
Excheqner IN the House, and both attracted crowds
OF admlring listeners.
In the SENATE, after the presenting oil few me-
MORALS and some other unimpcrtant business. Mr.
McDuFFIE rose TO speak on the Oregon Bill The
galleries were crowded to suffocation by beautiful
women, and more than half the House of Represen-
tatves crowded in on the floor of the Senate to hear
him.
Mr.. McDuFFTE said that wise and prudent man
in any department OF human affairs, is yery reluc
tant to engage in any important enterprise however
perfectly satisfied of his right to do 20, until he shall
have well considered 1.-THE time appropriate to COM
mence 1.-THE means by which it is to be accom-
plished-and finally, the ultimate cost, and the ulti
mate benefit which is to be the result of such enter
prise, And permit me to say, sir if the worthy SEN
ator from Missouri (Mr Linn,) who has pressed this
bill upon the consideration of the Senate, with so
much ability, has violated any of the principles of
sound policy, asI conceive he has, it has been from
totally overlooking those considerations to which |
have alluded. All the Senators who have spoken on
this subject have seemed to limit their consideration
to what consider the most unimportant question
which 1t involves. They have confined themselves
II,
if this were tribunal which to sit upon, and Judge
of the respective titles Of the two countries, aud if
the only question to be decided, were one of IT,
tie. ] believe that no Senator who has taken
any part in this discussion has intimated the
slightest doubt of the validity of the title of
the United States to this territory. | have investi
gated this subject fully the documentary evil
dence to which have had access has enabled me
to do, and with these lights before me- am free to
declare that regard the title of the U States at
least far north az the 49th parallel of latitude
one of the clearest claims which ever was set forth.
But, sir, at the same time that make this decars-
ton, should be very sorry to assume the response
biityor that you, any member of this body should
assume the responsibility of prompting this nation
to any measure subject which it does not belong
to us TO assume. Gentlemen seem to have forgot
ten that there two parties to this question, and
that however well our title may appear to us, the
other claim may appear equally strong to the adj
verse party. The British claim that theirs is the
true title, and we claim that ours is the true title;
and how, sir, l ask you Is this que stion to be set
tied! BY the Interested parties? Surely not A
few words on the subject OF the Convention of 1875
prolonged to 1877. perfectly concur with those
Senators who have maintained that the provisions
OF this b which guarantees a title In fee simple OF
lands to all citizens who may emgrate that terri
torys palpab,e violation Of that Convention Sir,
it is in vain to disguise the fact. We about to
establish line of military posts-we are about to
take military occupation OF that country. and by
all the and appearances of war; and are about
to invite our citizens there-not to engage in the
fur trade, but to make apermanent agricultural set
Element. However we may disguise it., can the
British nation be blind to the extent of this design!
Now, Sir, wish to inquire of Senators who have Ia
ken lead in this discussion, what is the existing
emergency that calls on the U. States who have for
twentyfour years slumbered on this title, while in
period of the greatest prosperty-with full trea
sury, which the power OF man could not find le
climate mode Of spending, and the British govern
ment slnmberlng over this title-l ask Senators to
state what is the emergency which calls on us to
ad m q ~ are vpa oil cd af
this unpropltlous moment TO adopt of this
kind! II had been willing to adopt such a mea-
sure IN 1888, or at any other time, | should be de-
cidedy opposed to II now. What is thu state OF the
country What our relations to Great Britain p
Sir, is II forgotten that but day or tive snce-as
1t were-we terminated one OF the most honorable
treaties, and settled one of the important ques
tons, which has been settled since the last war q
And how was that accomplished? BY the graspng
ambition of England Was it the ambition of Eng
land desire OF territory and rule, that induced her
to send the olive branch OF peace TO in the form
OF an ambassador to adjust this materl Great
Britain voluntarily moved in this matter, and ten
dered the olive branch Of peace, and thank God
that our government accepted ii in the spirit in
which it was rendered. II they had conceded much
more territory than they ought to have done-than
would have concurred with State interest-still
would rejoice that peace was made in any form,
Their than go to war Well, sir, that matter was ad-
justed, and if for nothing else, must be permitted
to say, that the people of the United States owe
lasting gratitude to the administration by which this
was effected. And, sir I will 60 further, and say
that every partyin Great Britain, and every party in
the United States, will shake hands this mat
ter, and declare that our people jointly indebted
to the governments of both countries Sir, think
that this treaty was commenced in spirit of peace,
and terminated in the same spirit And, now, when
both countries congratulang themselves on that
treaty, at this moment, what are we about to do
AT moment like this, when part OF our territorial
boundary remains to be settled, and still a
subject of negotiation between the two countries;
p m Of lPgi afure nfIn tel
connected with the treaty making power, is about 10
take measure to settle and occupy this territory.
Yes, sir, at the very moment when the negotiators
are about settling the question, we snatch from
their hands the branch of peace, and attempt to do
it with the flaming sword. But il is SAID that we
must take possession OF this territory for the purpose
OF doing the same that England is doing. building
forts, establishing settlements, encouraging emf
gration-all looking forward to the exclusive occu-
patton OF this territory at some future period Now
sir, totally differ from this conclusion of Senator'S
II there is any thing which the evidence before
the Senate presents most prominently to my mind it
Is that they have not given the least solitary word
or exercise any power which intimates the design
OF making an agricultural settlement there. On the
contrary, all they have desired, ever claimed is
right to prosecute the fur trade there. and TO
make such establishments as are necessary for that
purpose. Have they done more7 The worthy Sc
nator from Kentucky (Mr. Morshead), made for
midable array OF charges against England. In the
first place she had built fort 100 miles from the
mouth OF the Columbia river, and the gentleman
with that candor which forbid him to suppress
any part OF the truth. read full account OF
the fort which concluded by saying that
it is a mere stockade fort, for no other
purpose than to repel the attacks of Indians
So OF all the other forts which have been establish
ed. Well, the Senator disclosed another very i'm
portant fact He said that they had violated the
convention which established The right of Joint oc-
cupancy, because our boats bound up the Columbia
river to trade with the Indians, were Immediately
driven Oft by English boats-not by force, not by
arms but by English boats which had the audacity
TO come there and sell goods to the poor Indians
cheaper than the American did. And this is con-
this harmonses very badly with remarks OF the
Senator from New Hampshire (Mr. Woodbury.
who said that object of this bill is to civilize the
Indians. Is this the way TO civze and benefit the
Indians by wishing to monopolize the trade and sell
goods to them at the highest prices!
Mr.. McDUFFIE went on to show the small value