Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-16

delay as possible, in the full extent 10
which the British Parliament have pro-
ceeded in regard 10 British subjects IN
that territory, by their act Of July ID.
1921, "for regulating the fur trade, and
establishing criminal and evil Iurisdict
ion within certain parts of North Ameri-
ca" By this act Great Britain extend
ed her laws and jurisdiction civil and
criminal. over her subjects engaged in
the fur trade in that territory. By it,
the courts oltbe Province OF Upper Cam
ada were empowered 10 take cognizance
of causes civil and criminal. Justices
Of the Peace and other judicial officers
were authorized to be appointed in Ore
gon with power to execute ali process is
suing from the courts of that province,
and 10 "sit and hold courts of record Cor
the trial Of criminal offences and misde-
meanors," not made the subject Of capt.
tai punishment, and also of civil cases,
where the cause Of action shall not ex-
coed in value The sum of Two hundred
dollars"
Subsequent to the date Of the act Of
parliament grant was made from the
british Crown" to the Hudson's Bay
Company, of the exclusive trade with
the Indian tribes in the Oregon territory,
subject to a reservation that 1t shall not
operate to the exclusion "of the subjects
Of any foreign State, who, under or by
force of any convention for the time be-
ing between us and any foreign State
respectively, may be entitled to, and
shall be engaged 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 institu-
tons. In spite Of this neglect, they have
multiplied, and their number is rapidly
increasing in that territory. They have
made no appeals to arms, but have peace
fully fortified themselves. in their new
homes, by the adoption of republican in
sttutions for themselves; furnishing an
other example of the truth that self-gov-
eminent is inherent in the American
breast, and must prevail. 1t is due to
them that they should be embraced and
protected by our laws.
1t is deemed important that our inter-
est to cultivate amicable relations with
the Indian tribes Of that territory. 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
country through which they pass, rec
ommend that u suitable number of stock
edes and block house forts be erected "a
settlements on the Missouri, and the
Rocky Mountains; and that an adequate
force be raised to guard and protect them
on their journey. The immediate adopt
ion Of the these recommendations by
Congress will not violate the provisions
Of the existing treaty. 1t will be doing
nothing more for American citizens than
British laws have long since done for
British subjects in the same territory.
II requires several months to perform
the voyage by sea from the Atlantic
States to Oregon; and although we have
"a large number Of whale ships in the
Pacific, but few Of them afford an oppor-
tunity of interchanging, intelligence
without great delay, between our settle
ments in that distant region and the Uni
ted States. An overland mail is believed
to be entirely practicable, and the i'm.
portance of establishing such a mail, at
least once q month, is submitted TO the
favorable consideration Of Congress.
1t is submitted TO the wisdom of Con-
gress whather, at their present session,
and until after the expiration Of the
years notice, auy other measures may
be adopted, consistently with the conven-
ton OF 1927, for the security of their
rights, and the gevernm ent and protect
ion Of onr citizens in Oregon. That it
will ultimately be wise and proper to
make liberia! grants Of land to the patri-
otto pioneers, who, amidst privatons and
dangers, lead the way through savage
tribes inhabiting the wild wilderness inter
venng between our frontier settlements
and Oregon, aud 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 conven
ton between the United States and Great
Britain shall have ceased to exist, would
be to doubt the justice of Congress; but,
pending the years notice, it is worthy
of consideration whether stipulation TO
this effect may be made, consistently
with the spirit Of that convention.
The recommendations which have
made, as TO the best manner Of securing
our rights in Oregon, are submitted 10
Congress with great Difference. Should
they, in their wisdom, devise any other
mode better calculated to accom-
plish the same object, it shall meet with
my hearty concurrence.
At the end Of years notice, should
Congress think it proper to make provis-
ion for giving that notice, we shall have
reached period when the national rights
in Oregon must either be abandoned or
firmly maintained. They cannot be aban-
doned without a sacrifice OF both nation
al honor and interest, is too clear 10 ad-
nit of doubt.
Oregon is part Of the North American
,1b - - oT