Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1843-08-19
THE OREGON CONVENTION.

Il
THE OREGON CONVENTION.
| A convention Of Delegates was held i
this city last week. Their proceeding
have no, yet been published at length
but they put forth declaration Of thei
views which we annex:
A declaration Of citizens Of the Mississ ip
pi valley assembled in convention a
Cincinnati, July 9Th, l843, for tht
purpose Of adopting such measures a.
may induce the immediate occupation
Of the Oregon Territory, by the army
and laws of the United States OF North
America.
We, the undersigned citizens Of the
Mississippi Valley, do hereby declare to
our fellow citizens Of the whole Repub
lie, that in urging forward measures for
the immediate occupation OF the Oregon
Territory and the northeast coast Of the
Pacific ocean, from ago to $40 4onn north
lalitude-we are but performing duty
we owe TO urselves--to the Republic
to the Commercial nations of the world
TO posterity, and to the people o.: Great
Britain and Ireland, not as we believe to
be benefited by the further extensions Of
her empire
Duty to ourselves requires that we
should urge immediate occupation Of the
Oregon, not only for The increase nd ex-
tensions Of the west but for the security
Of our peace and safety, perpetually
threatened by the savage tribes Of The
northwest. That this duty is required OF
as due to the whole republican, parts Of
which may no, appreciate as they seem
not to have appreciated the value Of the
territory in question and its political inn
portance TO the honor. prosperity and
power Of the Union, to say nothing Of our
commercial interests aud naval predom-
nance, threatened as they are, with in-
jury or diminution, should the northeas,
coasts ofthe Pacific ocean pass into pos
session Of great nav..l power.
That as an independent member Of
great family Of nations, it is due from US
10 the whole commercial world, that the
ports on both coasts Of this continent
should bel held by liberal government,
able and willing to extend and facilitate
that social and commercial intercourse
which On all-wise Providence has made
necessary, for the int eiectual improve
ment, the social happiness, and moral
culture oil the human race.
That we owe the entire and absolute oc-
oil the Oregon to that pos,erity
which, without such occupation by the
laws and free institutions Of our
great Republic, could not profit or make
available TO themselves or to the world. |
The important considerations above set
forth.
That however indignan. at the avarice,
pride and ambition OF Great Britain, so
frequently, IawlessIy, and so lately evin-
ed, we yet believe, that it is for the bene-
it of all civilized nations that she should
ulfil legitimate destiny; but, that she
should be checked in her career Of ag-
erosion with immunity, and dominion
without right.
That for the independence and neu-
rality ofihe western coasts Of the Ameri-
AN continents, and Islands OF the Pacific
'cean, it is important that she should be
estrained in the further extension Of her
'ower on these coasts, and il the middle
md eastern portion Of that ocean.
That so far as regards our rights to the
erritory in question, we IRE assured of
heir perfect integrity base as they
re on discovery and exploration by our /
'wn ciuzens and government, and on
urchase and cession from those powers ,
aving the pretence or reality Of any 1
ight 70. the same. II
That beyond these rights, so perfectly Ii
established, we would feel compelled iolh
etain the whole territory in accordance 8
nth Mr.. Monroe's universally approved 9
eclaration Of 1898, That the american s
'ntiHents mere not thenceforih 10 be con-
idered subjects Of future colonization BY !.
y foreign poicer.
Influenced by these reasons and con- !. y
derations 80 important TO The west and =
le whole Repubic--io liberty--to JUS
ce and free governments, we do sub Q
cribc our names to this declaration, with .
10 FIR an, just and matured determination y
ever to cease our exertions till its In u
'ntions and principles are perfected, and !.
10 North American Republic, whose cii-lsi
ems we are, shall have established itslsi