The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-28

DO as much violation Of Il =. he other, w.
may bs assured that the British Govsrnweut viii
loo. 10 me Intention OF the bill and In dong So
whi see hst Us OBJECT Is ~ assert our exclusive
claim OF sovereignty over the eDtrc territory against
their adverse claim, and will shape their course
| accordingly. Our nice distinction between actual
grants and he promise ~ grant will not be noticed
ihey VIII see IN II the subyerson Of the object for
winch Inc treaty was formed, and take their measures
70 countefact H. The result will be, that, instead Of
gaining INC advantage aimed al, shall not only
lose the advantages Of the treaty but be involved in
Tue serious charge OF having violated its provisions
ann mol, however, Of opinion that Great Britain
"ouia declare war against Us. II mistake not, she
Is under the direction, at this time OF those who are
700 sasacious and prudent TO take that She
would probably consider the treaty at an end and
take possession adverse 10 us II OF the whole
ritory at least To the Columbia river. She would,
al the same Time, take care 10 command that river by
strong iortihcaton, maDned by respectable garr-
son. and leave II TO US 10 decide whether We shall
quesce OF negotiate, or attempt TO dislodge her. To
acquiesce under such circumstances, would be yir-
tuai surrender OF the territory 10 negotiate with
adverse and iorcIble possession against u.s. would be
almost as hopeless and 10 dislodge her at present
would, as has been shown, be impractcable.
such, IN my opinion, would be the probable result,
should tins bill be passed. II would place u.s. in eve
ny respect IN situation far less eligible than at pre-
SENT The occupation of British subjects ia the terri
tory as things now stand is by permission under po-
sive treaty stipulation and cannot ripen into title
as il was supposed il would by the Senator from lii
nois, Mr. McRoberts.l
But II their occupancy was adverse, Gas it would
be, should this measured be adoped) and Great Bri-
tain should resist then his argument would be sound
and have great force In that case the necessity Of
taking some decisive step, our part to secure
our rights, would be imperious Delay would then,
indeed, be dangerous. But il is, no length of
time can confer title against us and it is that,
1 70 Iartpn hat .Ix
us at present. either to take or hold possession which
ought to give to the treaty great value in our esma-
ton IL Is wise maxim to let well-enougn alone.
We can do little at present to better our condition.
Even the occupation and improvement by British sub
Jects, against which much has been said will in
the end if we act wisely be disadvantage. Neither
can give any claim against us when the time comes
to assert our rights, # we abide faithfully by the trea-
ty They are but preparing the country for re-
ception and should their improvements and cutiva-
| ton be extended, it would only enable US to take
possession wi h more ease if it should ever become
necessary to assert our claims by force which do
not think probable, if we shall have the wisdom To
avoid hasty and precip,ate action, and leave the
| question to the certain operation of time
| In conclusion, might appeal to the authority Of
all preceding Administrations from 1918 to the pre-.
sent time, in support of the views have taken On
what other suppositon can il be explained, that the
administration Of Mr. Monroe should assent to the
treaty of that year, which left the territory open
and free to the citizens and subjects of the two
countries for the period of ten years. On
that of MIR. Adams should revive it, with the pro-
vision, that either might terminate it by giving one
years notice? Or, still more emphatically, how
can it be explained, that with this right Of
terminating the treaty, the Administration of Gene.
raj Jackson, and that of his successor should for
| the period OF twelve years. acquiesce in it. but on
the conviction it was the best arrangement which
could be made, and that any change or movement on
our part would but render our situation worse instead
OF better, IN relation TO the territory Ii cannot be
said that the present is favorable period to as
exclusive right than during either of the pre-
ceding Administrations The reverse is the fact
1t is in every view, far less favorable than either and
especially than that of General Jackson when the
treasury was overlooking, and the head of the AID
ministraton possessed greater influence and power
than any ot er Chief Magistrate that ever presided
over the country. Thai, if ever was the time to as
sert our exclusive ownership particularly as those
who earnestly pressing il on the Government
were then in power, and would have been RESPONSE
BILE for its execution. How is it to be explained that
they were then passive and are now SO urgent for
the passage of this bill'
Entertaining these views, | hope that the motion
Of the Senator from Virginia Mr. ARcHERl will pre-
vail and the bill be referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations. The subject is one of great i'm
portance and delcacy and ought TO be carefully cx
amned by the appropriate organ OF the body. Should
it be referred, ! trust the committee will repor,
amendments to strike out all the provisions Of the bill
which, by any reasonable interpretation might be re-
garded to be in conflict with the spulations of the
treaty between the two countries which might In
any considerable expense in the present exhaust
ed condition of the treasury As al present advised,
| am not indisposed to the provision, If properly
guarded, which proposes TO extend our jurisdiction
over our citizens in the territory. 1t ought not how
ever to be carried farther than the provisions of the
act of Parliament Of 1921. am opposed to holding
temptation TO our citizens to emigrate to region
where we cannot, at present, protect them but il
there be any who may choose 10 emigrate | would
be far from opposing them and sm unwilling that
they should lose, by emigration, personally the beDe-
fit OF our jurisdiction and laws.
have now said what intended in reference TO
this bill and shall conclude by noticing remarks
which fell from the Senator from Missouri MIR
LuNNl who introduced it. When he first addressed
the Senate, in reply TO my former remarks he spoke
a good deal about opposition and injustice TO the
West and referred TO some of the acts of the Gov
erpmcnt at an early date, which he supposed parook
Of that character. do not suppose that he intend
ed ii but his remarks were calculated TO make the
impression taken in connexion with the time and
subjecD that he regarded the opposition TO the pas
sage Of tins bill as originated IN unirendy feelings
to the West But if he so regards it, and II lie in
tended TO apply his remarks TO me, would appeal to
my acts TO repe the unjust imputation.
Here Mr. LINN disclaimcd any intention Of attri-
butng 10 Mr. CALHOUN hostile unkind feelings to
the Vest
Mr.. Calhoun. ! am happy to hear the disclaimer
Of the Sanator. felt assured he could not have in
tended 10 do me much injustice as TO attribute TO
me the slightest hostility TO the West No knows
better than he does that my opposition to the bill
gna,es in public consideration, free from all local
feelings, and that my general views Of policy have
ever been friendly, and even liberal, towards the
West but as there are others not familiar with
my course in reference to that great and growing
section deem it proper TO avail myself Of the OPP
portuni,y briefly TO alludc TO it, m order to repel
any improper imputaton which may be attempted to
be attributed 10 me- from any quarter, account Of
my course on the present occasion.
go back to the time when ] was at the head Of
the War Department At that early period turned
my attention particularly 10 the interest Of the West
that h required increased security to its long
line Of frontier and greater facility for carrying on