The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-03

word with our western people. Under the present
aspects Of tho case cannot see how negotiation IL
10 effect any useful result upon this question.
| The Western people are not, most assuredly, dis
posed to submit 70 any line of compromise short Of
tho Russian line, $40 4O northO and Great Britain
will doubtless contend for al north Of the Columbia
river. This would be in keeping with her policy in
all past time, where an important point was TO be
gained, and would bear direct and speedy action,
without exposing her real intentions, and perhaps
defeating her hopes.
Shetook possession IN Oregon under tho cloak OF her
Nootka Sound treaty, wrenched from Spain in l790,
and which gave permission only TO hunt, hsh, &c. in
the then Spanish territory Of Oregon; and through
the conventions of 1878 and 1897 with the United
States, she managed, after the manner OF acquiring
Gibraltar, and her possessions IN India and else
where, 10 ripen mere PERMIT TO occupy for purpo-
SEES of trade only into bona ide claim 10 the soil.
In this stealthy way, and under cover Of the Hud-
son Bay Company, she has planted her power in
Oregon by the erection OF score or two Of forts,
the Introduction Of arms, ammunition, and all the
paraphernalia of civilization, and is ready TO
beat back all settlement by people on the north
side of the Columbia, and contend for her rights TO
| the whole country on the north of that stream.
| Unfortunately, the rumor Of last summer that
most (if not alD Of the cabinet were inclined to
compromise with Great Britain upon the 49th par
allel, has gained credence in the West and the
marks of both the Washington "Union" and the
Nashville "Union,n in refuation ofthe rumor, were
not sufficiently pointed and positive to dissipae all
doubt on the subject
But Mr.. Buchanan's speech of the 18th of March,
| 1874, in the Senate, on this point, exhibits that
clear and positive tone in favor of rights to the
Vhols of Oregon, and the importance Of our excu-
! sive jurisdiction there at once, which forbds the
idea that he would sanction compromise line at the
49th degree, or even at any point south Of 81 deg
40 min.
i England has no valid rights of soil there; and,
even admitting that her Nooka Sound treaty COIL
veyed rights Of sovereignty, they were lost by her
subsequent war with Spain in 1916, and Florida
treaty with that power. And if the arguments Of
our dplomatsts cannot persuade England to sur
render her pretended claim on that coast, ncgotia-
ton should be abandoned, and the President should
urge Congress, at its next session, to act promptly
and determinedly in extending our laws over that
country, and offering reasonable grants Of land to
induce our people to emigrate thther in large num-
bers, to defend the soil, and permanently plant our
institutions there.
Then, depend upon it, the question Of the right Of
exclusive sovereignty will be certainly settled in
our favor, as that Texas has been reclaimed by the
lndomitabie energy, courage, and patriotism of our
own kindred and people.
1t ID tue, that, under both MIR. Monroe and Mr..
Adams, the 49h degree of latitude was offered to
Great Britain a compromise line; but she doggedy
refused and now that the introduction Of railroads,
the navigation ofthe ocean by steam power, and the
opening OF important commercla relations with the
Chinese empire, have enhanced our Oregon possess
sons thousandfold, it is quite proper that we
should insist upon all our rights in that quarter,
!, even at the expense of war.
VI The London ssTmes" boasts that but for our
fear of the strong arm of British power, would
follow up the annexation of Texas with the amer
aiion Of Canada regardless of the faith of treaties;
but the Times need not lay the fatterng JUNCTION
its naughty spirit that this country fears with
Great Britain, when our wellknown rights are at
issue.
The explorations Of our Indian traders, the pub
locations Of Messrs Parker, Fremont, and others,
together with the late abundant and gratifying expe-
rience of emigrants to Oregon, show, most conclu-
sively, that the great "South Pass" in the Rocky
mountains presents few or no Instructions to the
free passage of wagons, and that that route will be-
come the great thoroughfare between the valleys Of
the Mississippi and the Columbia. Several hundred
wagons and about t,co thousand emigrants have
crossed the mountains by that route this summer,
and near three thousand have preceded them the two
previous summers. The route is entirely feasible,
and in many respects pleasant; and the journey
from Missouri to Oregon with wagons is much less
formidable to our people than that of crossing the
Aleganies, to settle in Ohio was forty years ago.
4 Within few days, map of Astoria has been
engraved in this city from accurate and minute
veys upon the spot within the last year, by Mr. J.
NJ Shiye!ey, formerly resident Of this place. He
has laid claim to- and settled up0n the old site select
ed by those in the employ of John Jacob Astor in
A 1911, and which they named "AsroRIA." The
name has been preserved; and now the site for the
first time appears in the shape of a spacious and
well-laid-of autographed city. The day is not re.
mote when It will become the theatre Of vast com
mercial operations and dense population. The
journey horseback can be made to the mouth oil
the Columbia, even at this early period, in GO
days; and vessel will sail from thence to China in
: less than 60 days. May we not then expect that
at distant day, the rich treasures of China, ia.
PAM and the islands Of the Pacific ocean, will be
thrown into the valley of the Mississippi, by rail.
road through the South Pass, connecting the waters
of the Columbia with those of the Mississippi, and
by steam-vessels from Oregon to China--thereby
connecting the cities on the Mississippi with the
seaports Of the Celestial Empire, by trip of moi
over twenty-five days.
Mr. Shively left Astoria in May last, and speaks
in high terms of the soil and climate of the Colum
bia and Willamette Valleys and the character Of ou
population there--which has already formed pro-
visional government for its own protection and in
terna regulation. The main settlement is at The
falls of the Willamette, 80 miles from the Pacific
and the mills already erected sufficient to manu-
j facture surplus of four--which, together with
salmon, pork, beef, &C., is exported to the Sand
witch Islands, in exchange for sugar, coffee, moas
SEES, &c.
Our growing commerce in the Pacific and with
China is destined TO make Oregon one of the bright
est stars in the galaxy of States. a.
i YOUNG g. STEER,
MERCHANT TArLoRs,
4 4 RE now prepared to show to their customers