The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-22
BRITISH VIEWS-OREGON.

oOme OF Inc wings ana tnelr presses nave insisted
upon it that Mr.. Folks message would lead to
war--that his notice to England would provoke
nay, Justify her to proceed to acts of hostility.
But do her own avowed friends hold this language
Certainly the New York Albion does not for it
maintains the following decided proposition:
GAS the case now stands, concur in the opin-
ion that the the notice is given to put an end
to the jont-occupancy convention the better; for
then the influential men, and the true friends of the
two countries will sec the approaching danger, and
arouse themselves to bring about settlement 1t is
really too bad that the two countries should continue
to quarrel on such question"
Here the Albion recommends the giving of the
notice. But we have another authority nearer the
court.
Hear what the London Times Gust received by
the Acada) says Of the consequences to flow from
the notice of termination Of the joint occupation
and the extension of American laws over the Amer
lean occupants, viz
CAT no distant period, therefore, we augur that
the system of joint occupation will be terminated;
and as we ourselves have extended the jurisdiction
of the British courts of justice Of Canada to our own
settlements on the Columbia, we readily admit
that the Americans free to establish their uris-
dicton on the southern bank Of that river or wher
ever their settlements are formed. In these two
measures there is nothing to render war inevitable;
and whenever they have been carried, we shall be
glad to learn how Mr.. Polk proposes to take pos
session Of a country which the agents of the Hud-
son Bay Company have already occupied, and are
perfectly able to defend"
1t is to be hoped that the Presidents views will
be carried out by Congress. The London Times
and the New York Albion see no act of hostility in
giving the notice. The bill reported by Judge
AZ
very important provisions in carrying out the plans
recommended by the message.
Perhaps no bill could have been devised by hui
man ingenuity better calculated to facilitate and slim
ulae emigration to Oregon, and protect the rights Of
American citizens against Indian depredations in
that territory than the one which has been reported
to the House by Judge Douglass, chairman of the
Committee Territories. 1t is one ofthose mas
tcrly measures which indicate master mind; and
its essential merit consists in this that though preg
nant with efficiency, and capable in itself to people
Oregon with body of men in a few years, the
bravest and hardest on earh-and capable of hold
ing that country against the most powerful
nation in the world--yet the most fastid-
ious Engishman must confess that neither in letter
nor spirit does it violate any Of the stipulaons of
the treaty of joint occupation 1t provides for the
extension Of the laws Of Iowa, far they are APP
pcabe, over the whole territory, and for the appoint
ment of Judge, who will be associate justice Of
the supreme court of Iowa. and district Judge of
the territory, to administer those laws. II pro-
vdes large bountes Of lands to settlers II provides
for the raising Of two regiments, and the establish
ment of block-houses and military posts, both on
the route to, and in Oregon to protect American cit
liens against Indians. And it authorizes the APP
pontment of superintendent of Indian affairs, who
will regulate commerce with the Indians, and see
the laws faithfully executed; and it further pro-
vdes, that no one of these provisions shall apply
to British subjects, residing in that territory under
the provisions of the treaty of joint occupation
Nothing can be fairer, and nothing more efficient
than this. If our citizens have a right to go there
have right TO give them protection, both on the
route, and also in the territory. We have not only
the right, but it is the duty Of government to pro-
tect citizens in that territory--a duty that has
been too long most shamefully neglected, although
the subjects Of England have been protected by the
interest and regard for their welfare as if they re-
e1Qeu IN BRUSH Isle. w nile tnls power
full and efficient to protect American citizens, it care
fully avoids any interference with the rights Of Brit
ish subjects, although English legislation on the
same subject leaves the American citizen at the mer-
cy Of the discretion Of subordinate agents. This is
the course to pursuo-energetc measures, but no in
fraction of treaties.
The giving Of notice to Great Britain must be
carried out with the most scrupulous regard for the
faith of this country. The joint occupancy must
first cease, by giving the notice, before the emgra
ton to Oregon be accelerated in sufficient num-
bcrs to settle the country. Nothing is so well cal
culated TO have that effect as to apporon the lands
among the actual settlers. The notice should,
however, preccdc the appropriation Of the territory.
In addition to the measures connected with Judge
Douglass's reported bill, it becomes, we humbly
think, the policy Of Congress to press the prcpara-