Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-11-22
OREGON.


The Washington Union Of the 9th has
the following on the subject of Oregon. 1t
may be regarded as rejecting the views of
the administration on the subject, and taken
in connection with the expressed views Of
the English Government, certainly places
the two counties in rather hostile attitude.
The Western democratic papers are pleased
to see this article in the Union, while the
Northern and Eastern papers of the same
politics regret its appearance.
The Whols Of Oregon, or none--this is the
only alternative as an issue Of territorial right.
We wholly deny the break in the American tile
at latitude 49 deg. We hold that our title from
40 deg. to 81 deg. 40 min. is one title, and, as
we believe, perfect title against all the world.
As the question has been discussed for a quarter
Of century between US and England, we are
not aware OF one argument-scarcely OF one
phrase purporting to be an argument which
carries our title up 10 40 deg. and there stops
We claim as matter Of right the territory drained
by the Columbia river. In the view OF the law
OF nations, this territory being unoccuped. has its
distinctive character and unity as one region,
| in the fact that it is so drained. And as one
region, we either own it, or we do not own it.
Away, then, once for all, with such nonsense
as 'the claim Of England north of 49 deg is
better than our claim" Let US at least know
clearly and state accurately, what we do in this
matter. If ii have ever been deemed erpedient
las matter OF compromise, and TO hush up dis
pute) to giue a1oay to England a certain portion
Of that land, all Of which we consider ours or
| if. from any other motives Of high national con-
cernment it may have been deemed wise 10
compromise the question Of possession, let US
say so. and put our past action on that ground
But let us make no attempt TO cloak our policy
under pretended inferiority Of our title 10 the
land so sacrificed. No such pretence can save
US.
We observe that several journsls are greatly
| occupied with rumors Of proposition submitted,
or about to be submitted, by the English gov.
eminent, that Oregon shall remain for some
twenty years longer under the stipulation OF
1918, in the joint occupation Of the two nations,
with the understanding that, at the close OF the
stipulated period, the Oregon colonlsts may de-
eide for themselves whether they will then exist
as an independent nation, or whether they will
belong to the United States or to England. A
few days ago we took occasion 10 show how this
theory Of joint occupation works in practice.
We then showed that it resulted through the sur.
reptitious agency Of the Hudson Bay Company,
in the extension Of English law over the whole
unoccuPed territory; while every measure re.
cognizing the citizens there as OUR citizens, and
as entitled to the protection Of our laws, had been
regarded in England, at least, as violating the
treaty stipulation. In our judgment, it is full
time that this state OF things should cease. We
believe that Congress will so decree. On the
subject OF the rumored proposition, 10 which we
have alluded, we quote with pleasure the follow.
ing just sentiments from the French journal in
New York, the Courier des Flats Uns."
They are entitled to the more consideration, as
the sentiments OF comparatively dsinterested
third party.
Let not the Americans" says the Courier,
'be deceived All that England wishes, all that
she aims at in presenting this proposition, is to
gain time. or what interest 10 her is sojourn
Of a teD gears in Oregon? What she desires is
permanent position on the Pacific shore of the
American continent We may rest assured that
she will not risk the chances of this hazardous
proposition, unless she counts on the new ele
ments which the lapse Of twenty years cannot
lall 10 bring into the question, and, il need be,
on the ,Oeigh of her gold scattered By handsfuU
IN Oregon, to incline IN her favor the doubtful
balance of decision, when the hour OF decision
shall sound"
How much these considerations are empha
cised by the presence and the agency in that
region OF the great corporate organization TO
which we have alluded, is but too manifest. We
hold, with the Courier, that such proposition
from England can be no more than proposition
to gain time. And now we say, once for all,
that we know Of no evidence whatever that any
such proposition has been, or will be, submitted
by the British government.
Meantime, the question must come up in the
next Congress, "What shall we do in relation
to our citizens in Oregon?" And we have no
doubt that the patriotism OF Congress will an.
swer, in view Of all the facls--recn gnize them,
protect them, establish communication with them,
and extend 10 them participation OF our own
FREE REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.
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