The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1845-12-09

on the par: of the United States; and
This Government will be relieved from all
resnons,biItv which may follow the fail
ure 10 settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having fail
ed. it becomes the duty of Congress 10
con ider what measures it may be proper
TO adopt for the security and protection of
our citizens now into that territory. In
adopting measures for this purpose, care
should be taken that nothing be done TO
violate the the stipulatons of the conven-
ton of 1927, which is still in force
The faith of treaties, in the letter and spi-
rit, has ever been, and, | trust, will ever
be, scrupulously observed in the United
States. Under that convention, years
notice is required TO be given by either
party to the other, before the joint occu-
pancy shall terminate, and before either
can righaully assert or exercise exclusive
jurisdiction over any portion Of the terri
torv. This notice it would, in my iudg-
ment, be proper to give; and recommend
that provision be made by law for giving
ii, accordingly, and terminating, in this
manner; the convention of the sixth OF
August, 1927.
1t will become proper for Congress to
determine what Legislation they can, In
the meantime, adopt without violating this
convention. Beyond all question, the
protection Of our laws and our jurisdic-
ton, civil and criminal, ought to be imme-
diately extended over our citizcus in Ore
gon. They have had just cause to COM
plain OF our long neglect in this particu-
lar, and have, in consequence, been COM
PEELED, for their own security and protec-
ton, to establish provisional government
for themselves. Strong in their allegl-
ance and ardent in their attachment to the
United States, they have been thus cast
upon their own resources. They are an
xious that our laws should be extended
over them, and recommend that this be
done by Congress with as little delay as
possible, in the full extent to which the
British Parliament have proceeded in re-
gard to British subjects in that territory,
BY their act of July the second, 1921, ''for
regulating the fur-trade, and establishing
a criminal and civil jurisdiction within
certain parts of North America" By
this act Great Britain extended her laws
and jurisdiction, civil and criminal, over
her subjects; engaged in the fur-trade in
that territory. By it, the courts of the
province of Upper Canada were empow-
cred 10 take cogGizance Of causes civil and
criminal. Justices of the peace and other
judicial officers were authorized to be ap-
pointed IN Oregon, with power to execute
all process issuing from the courts of that
province, and 10 ''sit and hold courts OF re-
cord for the trial of criminal offences and
misdemeanors," not made the subject of
capital punishment, and also Of civil cases,
where the cause of action shall not sex
ceed in value the amount or sum of two
hundred pounds.
Subsequent TO the date Of this act of
Parliament, grant was made from the
"Briiish crown" to the Hudson's Bay
Company, Of the exclusive trade with the
Indian tribes in the Oregon territory, SUBJ
ject to a reservation that it shall not opc
rate to the exclusion "of the subjects of
any foreign States who, under or by force
of any convention for the time being, be-
tween us and such foreign States respec-
lively, may be entitled to, and shall be en-
gagged in, the said trade.
1t is much to be regretted, that, while
under this act British subjects have en-
ioyed the protection of British laws and
British judicial tribunals throughout the
whole of Oregon, American citizens, in
the same territory, have enjoyed no such
protection from their government. At
the same time, the result illustrates the
character of our people and their insttu-
tions. In spite of this neglect, they have
multiplied, and their number is rapidly in
creasing III that territory. They have
made no appeal to arms, but have peace
fully fortified themselves in their new
homes, by the adoption of republican in
stitutions for themselves; furnishing ano-
ther example of the truth that self-govern-
ment is inherent in the American breast,
and must prevail. Ii is due to them that
they should be embraced and protected by
or laws.
II is deemed important that our laws
regulating 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 ii our duty, as it is
our interest, to cultivate amicable rela-
tions with the Indian tribes of that terri
tory. For this purpose, recommend
that provision be made for establishing an
Indian agency, and such sub-agencies as
may be deemed necessary, beyond the
Rocky mountains.
For the protection of emigrants whilst
on their way to Oregon, against the at
tacks OF the Indian tribes occupying the
L