Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1844-12-25

state of the world, il is no less necessary
TO be ready to enforce their observance
and fulilment, in reference to ourselves,
than to observe and fulfil them, on our
part, in regard to others.
Since the close of your last session,
negotiation has been formally entered upon
between the Secretary of State and her
Britannia Majesty's minister plenopotenli
airy and envoy extraordinary residing at
Washington, relative to the rights of their
respective nations in and over the Oregon
territory. That negotiation is still pend
ing. Should it, during your session,
be brought to definitive conclusion, the
result will be promptly communicated to
Congress. | would, however, again call
your attention 10 the recommendations
contained in previous messages, designed
to protect and facilitate emigration to that
territory. The establishment of military
posts at suitable points upon the extended
line Of land travel, would enable our riti.
zens TO migrate in comparative safety to
the fertile regions below the falls of the
Columbia, and make the provision of the
existing convention for the joint occupa-
ton oe the territory by subjectst of Great
Britain, and the citizens of the United
States, more available than heretofore to
! the latter.
These posts would continue places of
rest for the weary emigrant, where he
would be sheltered securely against the
danger of attack from the Indians, and be
enabled to recover from the exhaustion OF
a long line of travel. Legislative enact
ments should also he made which should
spread over him the egis of our laws, SO
as to afford protection TO his person and
property when he shall have reached his
distant home. In this latter respect, the
British Government has been much more
careful of the interests of such of hel
people as are TO be found in that country
than the United States. She has made
necessary provision for their security anC
protection against the acts of the viciously
disposed and lawless; and her emigran
reposes. in safety under the panoply o
her laws. Whatever may be the resul
of the pending negotiation, such measure.
are necessary. 1t will afford me thC
greatest pleasure to witness q happy an,
favorable termination 10 the existing ne
goiiation, upon terms compatible with th'
EpubIic honor, and the best effi,rls OF Ii,
Government will continue 10 be dlrecte,
to this end.
1t would have given me the highes
qualification, in this, my last annual com
munication TO Congress, to have beer
f able 10 announce to you the complete an
entire settlement and adjustment of othe
matters in difference between the Unilet
States and the Government of her Britain
mic Majesty, which were adverted to in
previous message. 1t is SO obviously tn
interest of both countries, in respect to th
large and valuable commerce which ex
lists between them, that all causes of com
plant, however inconsIderable, should be
with the greatest promptitude, removed
: that it must be regarded as cause of re
greet, that any unnecessary delays shout
+ be permitted TO intervene.
2 1t is true that, in a pecuniary point {
! view, the matters alluded TO, are altogeth
f er Insignificant in amount, when com
: pared with the ample resources of tina
great nation; but they, nevertheless, NOR
7 particularly that limited class which arts
, under seizures and detentions of Amer
can ships on the coast of Africa, upon tn
} mistaken supposition INDUCED in at tn
5 time the wrong was committed, OF thei
being engaged in the slave trade, deepI
affect the sensbilities of this Govcrnmer
and people. Great Britain having recog
I Missed her responsibility TO repair all sue
: wrongs, by her action in other case:
+ leaves nothing to be regretted upon TIL
e subject, as to all cases prior to the treat
: of Washington, than the delay in maxim
suitable reparaton in such of them as ia
f plainly within the principle of other
: which she has long since adjusted. Tn
d injury inflicted by delays in the settle
: ment of these claimes, fall with seyerit
e upon the individual claimants, and make
i strong appeal to her maganimity an
0 sense of Justice for a speedy settlement
r Other matters arising out of the construC
ton of existing treaties. also remain VI
q adjusted, and will continue to be urge
/ upon her attention.
: The labors of the joint committee ar
It pointed by the two Governments to ri
e the dividing line, established by the treat
: of Washington, were, unfortunately, niue
! DELAYED ia the commencement of the sci
e son, by the failure of Congress, at the la
J. session, to make a timely appropriation
e funds to meet the expenses of the Amer
e can party, and by other causes. III
i United States commissioner, however, G.
is presses his expectation that, by increase
n diligence and energy, the party will
o able 10 make up for lost time.
it We continue to receive assurances