Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

ii was VIC WIN II 4 NdN W
eoncede. Ii also embraced provision
10 make free 10 great Britain any por, or
ports on the cape Of Quadra and vancou-
ver's island, south of this parallel. Had
this been a new question, coming under
discussion for the first time, this prop
osition would not have been made. The
extraordinary and wholly inadmissibIe de-
mands of the British government and the
rejection Of the proposition made in def.
erence alone 10 what bad been done by
my predecessors and the implied obiiga-
! ton which their acts seemed TO impose.
afford satisfactory evidence that no com.
promise which the United States ough, to
accept, can be effected. With this con-
victlon, the proposition Of compromise
which had been made and rejected, was,
by my direction, subsequently, Withdrawn,
and our title 10 the whole Oregon terrific
~ asserted, and, as is believed, maintain.
ed by irrefragable facts and arguments.
The civilized world will see in these
proceedings spiri, of liberal concession
on the part of the United States; and this
government will be relieved from all res.
possibility which may follow the failure
to settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having fail
ed, it becomes the duty Of Congress to
consider what measures j, may be proper
TO adopt for the security and protection of
our citizens now inhabiting, or who may
hereafter inhabit Oregon, and for the
maintenance Of our just title to tina, ter
ritory. In adopting measures for this
purpose, care should be taken that moth.
ing be done TO violate the s,ipua,ions Of
the convention of 1927, which is still in
force. The faith of treaties, in their let
ter and spirit, has ever been, and, trust
will ever be, scrupulously observed by
the United States. Under that conven-
ton, years notice is required 10 be given
by either party TO the other. and before
either can rightfully assert or exercise ex-
elusive jurisdiction over any portion Of
the territory. This notice it would, in
my judgement, be proper to give; and
recommend that provision be made by
law Cor giving it accordingly, and ,ermin-
ating, in this manner, the convention Of
the sixth of August, 1927.
1t will become proper for Congress
TO determine what legislation they can, in
the mean time, adopt without violating
this convention. Beyond all question,
the protection of our laws and our juris-
diction, civil and criminal, ought to be
Immediately extended over our citizens
in Oregon. They have bad just cause 10
complain of our long neglect in this par
ticular, and have in consequence, been
compelled, for their own security aud
protection, 10 establish provisional gov.
eminent for themselves. 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 ex-
tended over them. and | recommend that
this be done by Congress with as little de-
lay as possible in the full extent TO which
the British Parliament have proceeded in
regard to BRUSH subjects, in that terrific
~, by their act of July the second. 1921.
"for regulating the fur trade. and establish.
ing criminal and civil jurisdiction with
in certain parts of North America" BY
this act Great Britain extended her laws
and Jurisdiction, civil and criminal. over
her subjects engaged in the fur trade in
that territory,
BY it, the courts Of the province Of
Upper Canada were empowered 10 take
cognizance of causes civil and criminal.
Justices Of the peace and other judicial
officers were authorized TO be appointed
in Oregon, with power 10 execute all pro.
cess issuing from the courts of that pro.
- Ill
cord for the trial of criminal offences and
nisdemeanors, not made the subject of
capital punishment and also civil cases,
where the cause Of action shall not eek
coed in value The amount or sum Of two
hundred pounds"
Subsequent 10 the date of this act Of
Parliament, a grant was made from the
British Crown" to the Hudson's Bay
Company, Of the exclusive trade with the
Indian tribes in the Oregon territory. sub
ject TO a reservation thai il shall not ope.
rate to the exclusion "of the subjects Of
any foreign States who, under or by force
Of any convention for the time being, be.
tween US and such foreign States respec-
lively, may be entitled TO, and shall be
engaged in, the said trade"
1t is much 10 be regretted that, while
under this act British subjects have enjoy.
ed the protection of British laws and
British judicial tribunals throughout the
whole Of Oregon, American citizens. in
the same territory, have enjoyed no such
protection from their government At
the same time, tie result illustrates the
character Of our people and their insttu.
tons. ln 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 peace
fully fortified themselves in their new
homes, by the adoption Of republican in.
stitutions for themselves, furnishing an
other example of the truth that selfsov-
eminent is inherent in the American
breast, and must prevail. 1t is due to
them that they should be embraced and
protected.
II is deemed important that our laws
regulating 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,