Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-11-08
OREGON.

The Democrats, james X. Polk agreeing
with them, advocate the immediate occupation
of Oregon Ms a territory rightfuly belonging to
the United States. They have no need OF trca-
~ for its possession, because no nation save
this has any claim to rod of the territory. This
is the right and the true doctrine. 1t is time
that a check was placed upon the attempt OF
any nation to rob us of our terrl'ory-to claim
it on the ground of Illegal occupation. The Or
EXON was admitted TO belong TO the U. States.
by the treaty of Client, and was restored to us
immediately after. Great Britain subsequently
opened negotiations for the JOINT occupation oi
Oregon, and it was granted by our Government.
She has 10 shadow Of right To the territory,
bnt whoever would open a treaty with Great
Britain on the subject iacly admits she has
such l ri.t. For this reason, the Democrats
de, hre for the extension Of our authority over
every inch of the Oregon, without any consul
tatinn with Great Britain.
We find the above in the Saratoga SEN
finel, side by side with two assertions that
Mr.. Clay once said, /" t we cannot have
hlack slaves, we must have white Ones" Sc
This Islander has been so thoroughly refntcd
tina, none but the most reckless and aban-
donrd liars now repeat it. In one case, the
Sentinel r.:ss. 'e.th nuNr, ;ndt t,irs rs a eros,
fraud. The ln,ellgcnccr never made any
snch statement. A Mr. Rich of W., who
was opposed to Mr.. ClYy, reported his own
speed, on the Missouri Compromise nearly
a year after it was delivered, and in a note
to ii stated that Mr.. Clay the year before
had said something to this effect. This
charge, which attracted no notice at the
time, Mr.. Clay has most positively contra
dlctcd, and nobody has attempted to sub
sianiiatp.
And now as 10 Oregon. That region was
not admitted to belong to the United States
by the Treaty of Client Both nations
claimed it then, and neither gave il up, but
EnelAn was compelled 10 give up the little
fort or bockhouse at Astoria under "A srncr-
al stipulation for the mutual restoration of
conqunSts: this fort having boon oo,"L,:~i,,I
as private trading post BY John Jacob AS
tor, Of this city.
British trappcrs and traders, as well as
Americans, had settled in Oregon hcflre we
had any understanding on the subject
Neither nation would relnqaisll that terrific
ry. 1t was finally settled by Treaty that
the citizens Of each country should be unmo-
Tested by the other, bat should be under the
rule of their own Government. And it was
further stipulated that, whenever either Gov
ernment should become dissatisfied with this
arrangement it should give the other tcelue
months notice of its intention TO terminate
it. Thus the maler stands to this day. Va
tious attempts have been made in Congress
to instruct our Executive to give the requir-
ed notice, but every one has failed. The
only time James Il. Polk voted upon this
question was in 1928, and he voted against
the proposition, and in favor Of letting things
remain as they were.
Another attempt was made in the las,
Congress, when John &. Calhoun was fore
most in defeating it. He demonstrated ,ha,
we need only practice "a wise and mastery
inactivity" and we shall surely obtain the
whole without difficulty. The British in Or.
rgon are mainly ,rappers, and furs are grow.
ing scarce the Yankees there are farmers
mechanics, &c, and every year is doul ling
their number. If our Government will SIM.
ply let the matter alone, Oregon is ours tc
certainty, and by a process of which Grea
Britain cannot complain. But if we shoult
commence, as the Sentinel urges, by VIOLA
Ting our engagements with England, we shall
have no right to expect SO favorable an is
sue.- Tribune.