Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-02-25
Speech Of Mr.. NicDUGic,

In the Senate Of the United S'a'cs, on the
passage Of the bill for the sdtI'mcm and
occupation Of the Oregon Territory.
Mr.. McDuflie rose and addressed the
Senate. A wise and prudent man, (sa!d
Mr.. McD.) in any of The various depart
ments Of human affairs, would be very re-
luctdnt 10 engage in any enterprise, how
ever thoroughly satisfied Of his right to do
SO, until he should have well considered,
fiIst,. he appropriate time for its commence
ment; secondly the means b. which it
was TO lie accomplished, and lis probable
est; and, finally, the Lenefits which were
Ultimately TO result from lis accomplish
ment. And he must lie permitted to say.
If the worthy Senator from Missouri who
bad, with 80 much zeal and ability, pre-
sented this bill 10 the consideration OF thc
Sena'e, had violated any of the maxims
of sound P Icy, las lie humby concei, cd
he htd,) it had arisen from the circum
stance OF totally overlooking the consider.
atoms to Which he had just alluded. AL
tho sc Senator'S who hld engaged in this
discus sion seemed 10 have lin ted their in
vcsilga ions 10 what h. was compelled 10
regard as the m s. un!mporlant of all the
qucsll us which this mes ire Involves
They la confined themselves TO the mere
al sIacl question OF the right of tit
They had argued The quest on as if the Sc.
nale Of the United States WIS the tribunal
which was to ad Just and determine the
question OF the validity of the English or
the Amer an Title; AMI as ii this was the
only question to lie Diet rm;ned. lie be-
lIeved No Senator, who had taken part in
this discussion, had expressed the slightest
doubt as to the validity OF the tide OF the
United S;aes to the Territory of Ore
gon. H. had investigated the subject as
fully and % thoroughly as the documents
To obtain access had enabled him to 90;
and with these lights before him, he was
free to Ceclare that he Ge2atded The ute of
the United States, at least As far nor h a.
the torly-n'nth parallel of latitude, as one
of the cIcaiest iiles that wa, ever the sab.
ject of national controversy. Bat, at the
same time that be mace this Geclara
ton, he would be very sorry II a slme the
responsibility of precipitatIDg tue naIi n
into any measure upon his own Judgment,
or The Judgment OF the Senae, upon ques-
tons which II did not belong to ether TO
determine. Gentlemen seemed TO have
forgotten that there were two IarlIes inter
ested in this questions; and that however
clear our title might appear to us, theirs
might appear equally clear 10 the other
party. Here was a case Of joint occupan-
cy, and existing question as to tit C. The
Senate had seemed, throughout the whole
discussion, TO a>sume that ours was the
true title, and were proceeding upon that
assumption, although the British, at the
same time, claimed that theirs was
the true title. By whom were these
conflicting claims to be settled? By one
of tie interested parties? Certainly
not.
A few words on the subject of the con-
vention of 1918, which had been indetn.
itely prolonged by that of 1927. He con-
Cured perfectly with those Senators who
had maintained that The provision of this
act, which granted, or stipu ated to grant.
alIodlal titles, or II es, IN fee simple, TO
all In Sc cIt2eaS OF this country whe
night emlgtate TO ih,t territory, was a
pHlpable vol ,tun ot tie convention. 1t
was In vain to disguise the ct whatever
might lie determined in resa.d to this mat
ter They were about 10 take possession
OF the territory, to establish line VI A
merican fort, and,b all The means and ap.
planes OF war, to defend that possession.
They were about TO invite the citizens q
this country TO go there-not for the pur.
pose OF carrying on the far trade; not to
do that which was consistent with a Joint
occupancy by The Two parties to the con.
ventlon; but to establish permanent SET
Element. The British government and
the Bf,tsh nation, however we might DIS
guise The fact IN our arguments here, could
not he So Llind as MT to perceive the pal