Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-02-28

only Of the present Texan territory was ceded by
France to the United States; and upon this a title is
now proposed to be extended TO the whole. A
fourth is for splitting the difference about slavery, by
making half the new State slaveholding and half
free, and for disregarding altogether the consent of
Mexico; while others again have different nostrums
for both of these difficulties and one illustrious
statesman, 10 crown the whole threatens TO pro-
pose a bill TO satisfy all parties, factions, or sections,
who are willing to allow Of admission"
All these proposals proceed upon the comfortable
that the prey is secure. Texas is consid-
cred to be already caught and the question is how
to cut il up.
Nor is the squabbling about Texas either one de-
gree more or one degree less imposing or edfylng
than the cool quietness which hangs over the des-
patching of the Oregon affair. Resolutions in favor
of tho immediate occupation of The Oregon territory
have long since passed both Houses. There was nodii-
ference of opinion here. Slavery, Mexico, or the neces-
sityof throwing the seizure into some form Of interna-
tional law. interposed no difficulties here. A i'll was
introduced, on the resol luons, and is now pending, in
the Senate Of the United States, for appropriating and
occupying the whole line Of sea coast on the Pacific,
from between the 5ith and 55th degrees OF north lat
itnde (more than 300 miles north of The most north.
erly settled part of Canada) downward, and as far
inland as the Rocky Mountains. THIS valuable nc.
QUESTION lslpposing it acquired) is TO be connected
with the Missouri River by n line of stockade forts,
" not exceeding s in number" Ard various enact
mcnts are further in contemplation for encouraging
settlers, and consolidating them when settled. This
quiet proposal is now before the Senate.
~ io llbouulc tuul iHC Wlst huu w DIdtlstu
portion of American statesmen of all parties, and es-
pecially those of them who have the practical man
agemcnt of public affairs, and are conversant with the
popular modes of thinking, speaking of. and transact
Inv business, know what all this means, and what it
really amounts to, better than we do, Public men in
America probably know better how 10 give their coun-
tryinen rope, and how 10 rely on the usual and ulli.
mate, though not at first apparent, result of such a
proceeding, than we do on this side of the water. De-
bates in the Senate, and quarrels about the mode and
manner oil any gwen PROJECT, are useful in more way
tnan one and in American politics il is premature TO
imp 10 a conclusion until all these bitches are settled.
II is not TO be denied, however, that brother Jonathan
has already, TO his own perfect satisfaction, " cast up
his accounts for, Texas and the Oregon, however il
may be certain that " he has been reckoning withou.
his host" There arc two parties to the occupation OF
tne oregon, and more than two to the appropriation
oil leSas, as our friends in the United States will
probably learn before very long, ifihev have not learnt
1t already. Mere unprincipled, prof gate self.aggran.
dizement is all that the United State have TO allere
in support of the monsirous breach of all natural lus-
tice and positive treaty would be involved in either OF
the measures IN which they seem so deeply engaged.
In neither one nor the other could the States reason.
ably expect this country to acquiesce; and the an
nexaiion Of Texas would involve n disturb ancc ofthe
settled relations OF the American continent, in which
all the chief European powers would be more or less
interested yet there seems to be no pause on the par,
of the States in n headlong adoption of them; and
though il would be premature unit the measures
have passed the Legislature TO speculate on them as
accomplished. vet they certainly appear to have been
already pushed to n point that demands the most Sc.
rious attention to them.