The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-03

without violating this Convention Beyond all
question, the protection of our laws aud our uris
dlction. civil and criminal, ought to he immediate
ly extended over our citizens in Oregon. They
have just cause to complain Of our long neglect in
this particular. and have in consequence, been
compelled, for their own security and protection,
TO establish a provisional government for them
selves. Strong in their allegiance and ardent in
their attachment to the United States, they have
been thus cast upon their own resources. They
are anxious that our laws should be extended over
them, and recommend that this be done by Con-
gTess with as little delay possible, in the full
extent to which the British Parliament have pro-
ceeded in regard to British subjects in that terri
tory, by their act of July the second, 1921, for
regulating the fur trade, and establishing crimi-
nal and civil jurisdiction, within certain parts of
North America" BY this act Great Britain ex-
teuded her laws and jurisdiction, civil and crmi-
NAL over her subjects engaged in the fur-trade in
that territory.
BY it, che courts of the province of Upper Can
ada were empowered to take cog nizance of causes
civil and criminal. justices of the peace and
other Judicial officers were authorized to be APP
pointed in Oregon, with power TO execute all pro-
cess issuing from the courts of that province, and
TO &c sill and hold courts of record for the trial of
criminal offences and misdemeanors," not made
the subjects of capital punishm ent. and also of
exceed in value the amount or sum Of two hun
bred pounds
Subsequent to the date of this act Of Parlia-
ment, grant was made from the British
Crown" to the Hudson's Bay Company, of the
exclusive trade with the Indian tribes in the Ore
gon territory, subject to reservation that it shall
not operate to the exclusion IS of the subjects of
any foreign States respectively, may be entitled
TO, and shall be engaged in, the said trade"
1t is much to be regretted, that, while under
this British subjects have enjoyed the protec-
ton of British laws and Br fish judicial tribunals
throughout the whole of Oregon, American clti-
zens. in the same territory, have enjoyed no such
protection from their govern ment. At the same
time, the result illustrates the character of our
people and their institutions. In spite of this
neglect, they have multiplied, and their number
is rapidly increasing in that territory. They have
made no appeal TO arms, but have peacefully for
tilted themselves In their new homes, by the
| adoption of republican institutions for themselves
furnishing another example of the truth that self
government is inherent in the American breast
and must prevail. 1t is due to them that they
| should be embraced and protected by our laws.
Ii is deemed important that our laws regula-
ting trade 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 to its citizens in that distant region make il
our duty as it is our interest, to cultivate AMIGA
BILE relations with the Indian tribes of that terri
tory. For this purpose, | recommend that pro-
vision be made for establishing an Indian agency
and such sub-agencies as may be deemed neces-
sary, 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 a suitable number of stock
AIDES and block house forts be erected along the
usual route between frontier settlements nc
the Missouri and Rocky mountains and that an
adequate force of mounted Tifiemen 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-
sting treaty. 1t will be doing nothing more for
American citizens than British laws have LONG
since done for British subjects in the same terri.
tory.
1t requires several months to perform the vow.
aye by sea from the Atlantic States to Orepon
and although we have large number of whale
ships in the Pacific, but few of them afford an CD
purtunity of interchanging intelligence, without
great delay, between our settlements in that dis
tant region and the United States An overland
mail is believed to be entirely practicable; and
! the importance of establishing such mail, at
/ least once month, is submitted to the favorable
consideration of Congress.
| Ii is submitted TO the wisdom of Congress to
determine 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 it will ultimately be
wise and proper to make liberal grants of land to
the patriotic pioneers who, amidst privations and
dangers, lead the way through savage tribes in.
habitlng the vast wilderness intervening between
our frontier settlements and Oregon, and who cul-
tivae, and ever ready 10 defend the soil, am
fully satisfied. To doubt whether they will OBJ
tain 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 oil
! Congress; but, pending the years notice, it i;
worthy of consideration whether a stipulation tC
this effect may not be made, consistently with the
| spirit of that convention.
| The recommendations which have made as
TO the best manner Of securing our rights in Ore
| gon, are submitted to Congress with great defer
ence. Should they, in their wisdom, devise any
! other mode better to accomplish the same object,
| it shall meet my hearty concurrence.
! AT the end Of the years notice, should Congress
| think it proper TO make provisions for giving thai
notice, we shall have reached a period when the
national rights Of Oregon must either be abandon.