Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-01-13
CONGRESS-.
Washington, Friday, Dec. 30.
Oregon Tcrritmy.

Il
The Senate were entirely occupied, to-
day, with the consideration of the bill for
the occupation and settlement of the Terri
tory of Oregon, and extending certain por-
tons of the laws of the United States over
the same.
The bill assumes that "the title Of the U.
S. to the Territory of Oregon is certain, and
will not be abandoned" 1t provides,
LIST. For line Of military posts from some
point on the Missouri and Arkansas rivers
into the best pass for entering the valley of
the Oregon; and, also, at or near the mouth
of Columbia river.
I'd. For granting one section of land to
each settler
! 3D. For the appointment OF two addition
al Indian Agents to superintend the inter-
ests of the U. S. with the western Indian
tribes
18th. For the extension Of the civil and
criminal jurisdiction of the Supreme and
District Courts of the territory of Iowa over
the limits Of Oregon territory; and for the
appointment of Justices of the Peace in the
same, and the regulation of their duties.
9Th For the appointment of Judges and
organization Of the courts.
9th The sum to be appropriated TO carry
this act into effect is left blank
The practicabilty and the importance of
adopting this measure were strongly set forth
by several Senators. Longer delay, in the
matter, it was argued, would be fatal to our
interests in that quarter The advantages
ofthe country in a commercial point of view,
were such as to offer great temptations to
onr can,tnarrtal riV al 40 -
The danger of Indian hostility to our west
ern frontier would be greatly increased by
the occupation of Oregon territory by for
eign and hostile power, The subject had
for twenty years, been urged upon Congress,
and no sound objection had ever been urg-
ed against the measure. II had been said,
wait little longer So, from year to year,
the matter had fingered, aud nothing had
been done. There could be no longer any
delay. We must act now, aud act promptly
Our population, IT was urged, was fast in
creaslng, and would soon want vent At
the close of the present century, We should
number nlnety-two millions. The stream Of
emigration would tend continually westward,
II we would only give our people a chance.
Give them the benefit of our laws and a little
aid in defence from enemies, and that was
all that was wanted. In ten years, they
could protect themselves. They went there
not TO make conquests with the sword, but
with industry, intelligence, civilization. re-
ligion and liberty. They went out TO sub
due the soil, and prepare it for the abode of
countless millions Of free and happy people,
for centuries TO come.
No question was taken on the bill, to-day;
but, from the earnestness with which il is
pushed, Judge favorably of its success
B Washington, Saturday, Dec. 81
The Senate did not sit to-day.
China.
The principal event in the House was
communication from the President, in rela- |
ton to our affairs with the Celestial Empire |
The President, after remarking upon the
new and extraordinary state of things in Chi. ,
ma; the treaty with great Britain; the OPEN
ing of the ports of China to commerce with
Great Britain the uncertainty as to the adj |
mission OF other nations to participation in
commerce; the extent OF our trade with Chi |
ma; and the necessity of early measures for
procuring for our citizens all the adyanta-
ges which we are entitled to derive from a
relaxation ofthe exclusive policy of the Chi
nese Empire, thus concludes -
Being of opinion, however, that the COM
mercial interests of the United States, con-
nected with China, require, at the present
moment, degree of attention and vigilance,
such as there is no agent of this Government
on the spot to bestow, recommend to Con-
gress to make an appropriation for the com
DpnSatIOn of n IN, rae;1a ,,,I M,
ma, to exercise a watchfuI care over the con-
Germs OF American citizens, and for the pro-
lection OF their persons and property en-
powered to hold intercourse with the local
authorities; and ready, under instructions
from his government should such instruc-
tons become necessary aud proper hereafter,
to address himself to the high functiona.ies
OF the Empire, or through them to the En-
peror himself
1T would not escape the observation of
Congress, that, in order to secure the impor-
tant objects of any such measure, a citizen
OF much intelligence and weight of character
should be employed, in such agency; and
that, to receive the services of such an indi-
vidua, the compensation should be cores
ponding with the magnitude and Importance
of the mission
The Sand,cich Islands.
The President also communicated mes
sage to the House OH the subject of our re-
latlons with the Sandwich Islands.
The message states briefly the history and
condition of the government and institutions
OF the Island the importance of our trade
with them and announces that he has in
formed the government that the U. S. feel
bound to respect their independence, and
would be greatly dissatisfied with any at
tempt from any foreign power. TO subiuGate