The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-02-15
FROM THE STATESMAN.
WASHINGTON Cry, u. CT
OAIL o.
IAN. Doth. 1914

|. Mr. BURNs.-Some ofmy friends from In
diana, write me, complaining, that | am
very bad correspondent; and ask, half in Jest
and half perhaps in earnest, whether, now
that have reached the Federal CITY, have
altogether forgotten those who aided in send
ing me there, and who still take deep inter
est in what | am about. Iffhose good friends
of mine could but pay ME brief visit in my
| little room here, and see and know the
stream of letters that pour in upon me, day
after day-the post three times day, and
single post bringing me sometimes a dozen
letters-not from our State alone, but from
almost every section of the Union, and on
every subject moral, social and political, each
OF course requesting an auswer-if, | say,
my friends in the First District could but
witness this, they would, am sure, hold
their representative excused, if he did not
write to them individually as often as under
other circumstances, they might reasonably
expect of him.
Situated as | am, am complied, in
measure, either to let the interests of my
constituents, or their correspondence, suffer,
and where it is not strictly business matter,
if | somewhat ne elect the one or the other,f
prefer to neglect the latter could find
time to answer more letters, were | to dis
pense with any careful study of the important
subjects that are occupying, and likely TO oc-
cupy, the attention of Congress. But, tho
| trust shall never obtain the character of
one of those incessant takers, who are con-
tinually pressing their crude suggestions on
the notice of the House, yet | am not sure,
that my constituents would be satisfed,were
TO return home, having SAID nothing, du-
ring the session, but yea and nay, in answer
to the call of the clerk. Now, i'll am to
speak at all, on any important subject, it
must be after carefully and deliberately ex-
aiming it. The best exertions can make
are due to my constituents at home and to
my fellow members here. | have not the
vanity to believe, that any hasty, undgested
chance observation of mine, can either en-
tighten the body of which | am member or
satisfy the voters Of the First Congressional
District of Indiana.
The subject which, at this time, more i'm
mediately occupies my moments of leisure,
is, the Oregon question. 1t will doubtless,
before many days are over, come up before
Congress. | submitted, abou: fortnight
since, Joint Resolution, which was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs; of
which resolution the effect would be, if pass
ed, TO cause notice to be given to Great
Britain, in accordance with treaty now ex-
listing between us and that Power, that in
twelve months from and after the date Of
that notice, her joint occupancy with us, in
the Territory of Oregon, shall cease. The
Committee has not yet reported back the res
olution though they have had several meet
ngs to consider it, but they doubtless will
report on it, in week or ten days; and then,
as matter of course, debate will arise
As the introducer of the Resolution, sup
pose shall be expected to say something in
its defence.
But it SO happens, that this subject is
very intricate one, involving questions of in
ternational law ;and requiring an examination
not only of the various old works relative to
the first discovery and settlement Of the N.
w. coast, but of many Treat and Conven-
tins heretofore made with Spain, France,and
Great Britain; these last, in connexon with
the Parliamentary history of the period when
they were made, as an illustration of their
true intent and meaning; and obscure enough
their meaning often is, even with the aid of
such commentaries.