Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-12-10

| tueII ihstltutious. LII spite OF TINS neglect
they ave multiplied, and their number is ra
pidy increasing in that territory. They hav,
made NO appeal 10 arms, but have peaceful lly
fortified themselves in their new homes, By
the adoption Of republican institutions Col
+ themselves !; furnishing another example a
/ the truth that sell. government is inherent ir
the American breast, and must prevail. II
| is due to them that they should be embraced
and protected by our laws. .t-
II is deemed important that our laws reg
ulating trade and intercourse with the Indian
tribes east of the Rocky Mountains, should
be extended to such tribes as dwell beyond
them.
The increasing emigration to Oregon, and
the care and protection which is due from
the government to its citizens in that distant
region, make it our duty as it is our interest,
to cultivate amicable relations with the Indian
tribes of that territory. For this purpose.
l recommendtbat provision be made for estab-
fishing an indian agency.and such sub agen-
cies as may Sesdeened necessary, beyond the
Rocky mountains.
For the protection Of emigrants whilst on
their way 10 Oregon. against the attacks Of
Indian tribes occupying the country through
which they pass, recommend that suita-
bic number of stockades and block house
forts be erected along the usual route be.
tween our frontier settlements on the Mis-
souri, and the Rocky mountains: and that an
adequate force of mounted rifiemen be rails
cd to guard and protect them on their jour
ney. The immediate adoption of these recon-
mendations by Congress will not violate the
provisions of the existing treaty. II will be
dong nothing more for American citizens
than British laws have long since done for
British subjects in the same territory.
1t requires several months to perform
the voyage by sea from the Atlantic States
to Oregon; and although we have large
number Of whale ships in the Pacific, but
few of them afford an opportunity of inter-
changing intelligence, without great delay
between our settlements in that distant re-
gion and the United States. An overland
mail is believed 10 be entirely practicable ;
and The importance Of establishing such a
mail, at least once month. is submitted
to the favorable consideration Of Congress.
1t is submitted to the wisdom Of Con-
gress to determine whether, at their pres
ent session. and until after the expiration
Of the years notice, any other measures
may be adopted, consistently with the con-
vention Of 1927, for the security Of our
rights, and the government and protection
Of our citizens iii Oregon.
That it will ultimately be wise and proper
to make liberal grants Of land to the patriotic
pioneers, who, amidst privations and dangers,
lead the way through savage tribes inhablt>
ing the vast wilderness intervening between
our frontier settlements and Oregon, and who
cultivate, and are ever ready to defend the
soil, am fully satisfied. TO doubt whether
they will obtain such grants as soon as the
convention between the United States and
Great Britain shall have ceased to exist, would
be to doubt the justice Of Congress; but pend
ing the years notice. 1t is worthy of consid
Grafton whether stipulation to this effect may
be made, consistently with the spirit of tlla
convention.
The recommendations which have made
as to the best manner of securing our rights
in Oregon, are submitted to Congress with
great Difference. Should they, in their wis
dom, devise any other mode better calculated
to accomplish the same object, it shall meet
with my hearty concurrence.
At the end of the years notice, should Con
gress think it proper to make provision fo
Q wing that notice, we shall have reached {
period when the national rights in Oregon
must either be abandoned or firmly MAINTAIN
ed. Thai they cannot be abandoned withou
sacrifice of both national honor and interest
is too clear to admit of doubt.
Oregon is part of the NorthAmerican contl
nent, to which it is confidently affirmed, the It'll
of the United States is the best now in existence
for the grounds on which that title rests, reie
you 10 the correspondence of the late aud presen
Secretary Of State with the British penipotent
ary during the negotiation. The British propc
sition of compromise, which would make the Ct
lumbia the line south of fortynlne degrees, wit
trif1ng addition of detached territory, TO th
United States, north of that river, and woul
leave on the British side two thirds of the who
Oregon territory, including the free navigatio
of the Columbia and all the valuable harbors o
the Pacific, can never, for moment, be ente
tanned by the United States, without an abar
donment of their Just and clear territorial right
their own self.respect, and the national homo
For the information Of ofCongress, comnunica
herewith the correspondence which took place b
tween the two governments during the late n
gotiation. .. -.-.. ...,"
The rapid extension Of our SETTLE
ments over our territories heretofore ur
occupied; the addition of new States
our confederacy; the expansion of fire
principles, and our rising greatness; as
nation, are attracting the attention OF tt
Powers of Europe; and lately the dot
trine has been broached in some of then
of "beIance of power" OIL this cont
nent. to check our advancement. TT
United States sincerely desirous Of pr
serving relations of good understandiu
with all nations, cannot in silence perm
any European interference on the Nor
American continent; and should ar
such interference be attempted. will
resisted at any and all hazards.
1t is we'll known to the American pc
pie and to all nations. that this govern
ment has never interfered with the rel
tons subsistlng between other COVER
ments we have never made ourselv
parties to their wars or their alliance
we have not sought their territories