Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-12-04


other example of the truth that selfgovernment IS
inherent in the American breast, and must prevail
n Is due TO them that they should be embraced and
protected by our laws.
II is deemed important that our laws regulating
rade 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 govern
ment 10 lis citizens in that distant region, make II
our duty as il is our interest, to cultivate amicabie
relations with the Indian tribes OF that territory
For this purpose, | recommend that provision De
made for establishing m Indian agency, and such
sub-apencies as may be deemed necessary, beyond
the Rocky mountains.
For the protection Of emigrants whilst on their
way TO Oregon against the attacks Of the Indian
tribes occupying the country through which they
pass, recommend that suitable number OF stock
AIDES and block house forts be erected along the
usual route between our frontier settlements ON the
Missouri and the Rocky mountains; and that an
adequate force of mounted rhemen be raised to
guard and protect them on their journey. The
immediate adoption Of these recommendations by
Congress will not violate the provisions OF the ex-
isting treaty. IL will be doing nothing more Tor
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 al
though we have large number OF whale ships IN
the Pacific, but few Of them afford an opportunity
of nierchangng intelligence, without great delay,
between our settlements in that distant region and
the United States An overland mail IS believed to
be entirely practicable and the Importance OF es-
tabshing such mail, at least once month, Is
submitted to the favorable consideration Of Con-
gress.
II is submitted to the wisdom Of Congress to de-
termine whether at their present 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 protection Of our citizens
in Oregon. That il will ultimately be wise and
proper to make liberal grants Of land to the patriot
ic pioneers who amidst privations and dangers lead
the way through savage tribes inhabiting the vast
wilderness intervening between our frontier settle
ments and Oregon, and who cultivate and are ever
ready TO defend the soil, ! am satisfied. To doubt
whether they will obtain such grants soon the
convention between the United States and Great
Britain shall have ceased to exist would be 10
doubt the justice of Congress; but, pending the
years notice, it is worthy Of consideration whether
stipulation TO this effect may be made, consistent
| ly with the spirit of our convention.
The recommendations which have made, as 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 object, il
will meet with my hearty concurrence.
AT the end of the years notice should Congress
think II proper to make provision for giving that
iice, we shall have reached period when the
tonal rights in Oregon must either be abandoned or
firmly maintained That they cannot be abandon
ed without a sacrifice Of both national honor and
interest," is too clear to admit Of doubt
Oregon is a part Of the North American CONT
nent, to which is confidently affirmed, the title of
the United States is the best in existence. For
the grounds which that title rests, refer you TO
the correspondence of the late and present Secre-
tary Of State with the British Penipotentiary dur
ing the negotiation. The British proposition of
compromise, which would make the Columbia the
line south of forty-nine degrees. VIII 2,tea States
norm oil that river, and would leave ON the British
sac two-thlrds OF the whole Oregon territory. in
eiuding The Tree navigation of the Columbia and
an the valuable harbors on the Pacific. can never
ior moment be entertained by the United States
without an abandonment Of their Just and clear ter
l'oHai rights, their own selfrespect, and the ma
hohal honor. For the information of CONGRESS
communicate herewith the correspondence which
took place between The two governments during the
late negotiation VIC
ne rapid extension Of our settlements over fer
Tltores heretofore unoccupied the addition of new
states to our confederacy; the expansion of FREQ
principles and our rising greatness as a nation. ARE
attracting the attention Of the Powers of Europe
ana iaieiy the doctrine has been preached in some
OF men, oil balance Of power" on this CONT
S 60 W oheck our advancement The United
STATES sincerely DESTROYS of preserving relations of
Hoou understanding with all nations cannot in 81;
renee permit any European interference on the
No''n american continent and should anv sncb
interference be attempted will be ready 10 resist il
al any and all hazards.
II Is well known TO the American naonIa al A.,
al nations that this government has never intereer-
Gu WIN 'he relations subssting between other gov
e'nmeh's. we have never made ourselves naTties |
70 ther wars or their alliances we have no, so,,oh,
uheir territories by conquest we have NOT m;no7si /
WIN parties IN their domestic STRUGGLES and 10
lle'ihg our own form of government 10 be the hes,
We nave never endeavored to propagate il by in.
uigues' oy diplomacy, or by force We NAV claim
'u;o Son'nen. ike exemption from European
so''aIei ne nations Of America are equally I
IT, su anu independent with those of Europe. /
Coro;,P 1865 'ne same rights independent of all
peace, and to regulate their internal aG,;rs TIL
people Of the United States, cannot therefore v;e
WIN inuiherence attempts Of European powers 10
"eieIe WIN the Independent action of the natons
ou TINS continent The American system of gov ,
I'"heht is entirely different from that of EuroDe I
'eaonsy among the different soyereigDs of Eurone
est any one of them might become loo nowerfpi {
or Inc resi-, has caused them anxiously to desire
ne establishment of what they term the "balance I
u power 1t cannot be permitted TO have any c
'PPhea.ion to the North American continent. and {
,sPeoiaiy TO the United States. We must ever i
an.a'i me principle, that the people of this con-
inent alone have the right to decide their own Jos
any. Should any portion of them. const,ut;ng M v
Independent State propose to unite themselves ,S;,,
'ur coniederacy, this will be a question e. ,L .