Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

For the protection Of emigrants whilst
on their way to Oregon. against the attacks
Of the Indian tribes occupying the coun-
ty through which they PASS, recon-
mend that suitable number Of stockades
and block-house forts be erected along the
usual route between our frontier settle
ments on the Missouri and Rocky noun
tsins; and that an adequate force Of
mounted refemen be raised to guard and
protect them on their journey. The i'm
mediate adoption Of these Recommended
tons by Congress wall not violate the pro-
visions Of the existing treaty. 1t will be
doing nothing more for American citi-
zens than British laws have long since
done for British subjects 10 that territory.
Itrequires several months to perform
the voyage by sea from the Atlantic States
to Oregon; aud although we have large
number of whale ships in the Pacific, but
few of them afford an opportunity Of in
terchanging intelligence, without great
delay, between our settlements in that dis
tani region and the United States. An
overland mail is believed to be entirely
practicable; and the importance Of estab-
fishing such mail, at least once month,
is submitted 10 the favorable consideration
Of Congress.
II is submitted 10 the wisdom Of Con-
gress TO determine whether, at their pre-
sent session, and until after the expiration
Of the years notice, any other measures
may be adopted, consistently with the
convention Of 1927, for the security Of
our rights and the government and protec-
ton Of our citizens in Oregon. That it
will ultimately be wise and proper TO make
liberal grants Of land 10 the patriotic pio-
nesrs who, amidst privations and dangers,
lead the way through savage tribes inha-
biting the vast wilderness intervening be-
tween our frontier settlement and Oregon.
and who cultivate, and are ever ready 10
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. pending the
year s-notice, it is this effect may be made,
consistently with the spirit Of that con-
vention.
The recommendation which | have
made, IS to the best manner Of securing
our rights in Oregon, are submitted to
Congress with great Difference. Should
they, in their wisdom, 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
Congress think it proper to make provi-
sion for giving that notice, we shall have
reached period when the national rights
in Oregon must either be abandoned or
firmly maintained. That they cannot be
abandoned without sacrihce of both ma
tional honor and interest, is too clear to
admit of doubt.
Oregon is part ofthe North American
continent, to whichit is confidently affirm
ed. the title of the United States is the
best now in existence. For the grounds
on which that tide rests, refer yon to the
correspondence of the late and present
Secretary of State with tine British pleni-
potentiary during the negotiation. The
British proposition Of compromise, which
would make the Columbia the line south
of forty-nine degrees. with triaing addi-
ton Of detached territory to the United
States, north Of that river. and would leave
on the British side two thirds Of the whole
Oregon territory including the free navi-
CATION Of the Columbia and all the valua-
Bile halbors on the Pacific, can never, for
q moment, be entertained by the United
States, without an abandonment Of their
Just and clear territorial rights; their own
selfrespeot, and the national honor. For
the information Of Congress, communi-
cate herewith the correspondence which
took place between the two governments
during the late negotiation.
The rapid extension of our settlement
over our territories heretofore unoccupied;
the addition of new States to our confede-
Iacy the expansion of free principles, and
our rising greatness as nation, are at
aracsing the attention of the Powers oil
Europe: and lately the doctrine has been
preached in some of them, of a "balance
of power" on this continent TO check our
advancement. The United States, sin
cerely DESTROYS of preserving relations OF
good understanding with all nations. can
not in silence permit any European inter-
ference on the North American continent;
and should any such interference be at
tempted, will be ready to resist it at any
and all hazards.
II is well known to the American peo-
pie and 10 all nations, that this govern
ment has never interfered with the rela.
tions subsisting between other govern
ments. We have never made ourselves
parties TO their wars OF their alliances
we have not sought their territories by
conquest; we have not mingled with
parties in their domestic struggles and
believing our own form of government TO
be the best, we have never attempted to
propagate it by intrigues, by diplomacy.
or by force. We may claim on this con-
tinent like exemption from European
interference. The nations of America are
equally sovereign and independent with
those of Europe. They possess the same
rights, independent of all foreign interpo-
sition, to make war, to conclude peace,
and TO regulate their internal affairs. The
people Of the United States cannot, there
fore. view with indifference attempts OF
European powers to interfere with the in