The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-02-13
: - - -
CONGRESS-.


Mr. Hopkins, Of Virginia, moved tina,
the rules be suspended, and that the
House resolve itself into q Committee
of the Whole.
The motion was adopted, and the
House, being in committee, the bill IA
establish Territorial Government in
Oregon was taken up.
Mr. A. V. Brown, of Tennessee, Of,
iered an amendment making provisions
that the terms of this bill shall not come
in conflict with any treaty stipulation
that may exist with the British Govern
ment in relation to Oregon.
Mr. Hunt, of New York, held the
floor from yesterday, and spoke in oppo
sition to the hill.
MrJohn Quincy Adams rose, when,
as usual, the members generally crowd.
ed around him. He was listened to with
profound and unbroken attention for an
hour.
In giving his views of the course prop
err to be pursued in reference to the
Oregon question he administered re.
buke to the House. for ordering the pub
LEGATION of book to throw lIht upon
the subject and then not wait to examine
the book before they acted.
He pronounced this great question,
q terrible question, and he had not been
so fortunate as other gentlemen seemed
to have been in acquiring all the inior-
nation necessary to enable him TO act
upon this question satisfactorily TO him
self.
The course fthis House, if sanction.
ed by the other Departments ofthe Gov
eminent, most assuredly would lead US
to incur the hazard of war If such
should be the fate Of the Nation, ard we
were compelled to engage in war with
the most formidable power on the face
of the globe, he wished our cause to rest
on the immu.able foundation Of justice
and right. When asked, also, what we
want war about, he wanted to be able to
give satisfactory reply, and 10 justly
act.
He considered it indispensable, as pre-
liminary to any action in reference to
Oregon, that the first step should be the
according to the third article
of the Convention Of 1918, for the joint
occupancy of Oregon. If gentlemen
would agree TO nothing better, at least let
them incorporat in the first section Of
the bill, under consideration, provision
the President to give notice
to the British government of our inten-
ton no longer 10 occupy the territory
jointly 1.-THE bill must be passed let it
be preceded by an act that is absolutely
necessary to preserve our faith with
Great Britain.
The Oregon debate was then discuss.
cd as in Committee ofthe Whole, until
2 clock, when by resolution it was TO.
terminate.
Mr. Hammett offered an amendment
that the President should give notice to
Great Britain Of the termination of the
Treaty ofjoint occupancy, and that the
provisions ofthe act should not go into
operation for the twelve months alter the
notice is thus given, according to the
provisions of the Treaty.
Mr. Hardin Of Illinois, offered a simi.
ar amendment, accompanied by good
and short speech.
The first amendment in order was in,
reduced by Mr. Adams, and proposed
hat the first section should be preceded
~ preamble and ollowedby section,
o give one years notice to Grent Brit
lin ofthe annulIing ofthe Treaty be-
ween the United States and Great Brit
lin, and providing further that IN one
'ear after the notice was given, the bill
should go into operation.
Mr. Adams's amendment was then lost.
Ayes II, noes %.
There was great confusion in the Hall
,cre and Mr. Hudson Of Massachusetts,
ose to point Of order.
State it, said the Chair
Mr. Hudson - Is it in order for gentle
men to 'enlarge the area ofircedom' by
docking up the area Of the Hall?
The Chair commanded members to
axe their seats, which they did after u
inc
MIR Collamerr Of Vermont, offered an
amendment that She United States Ter
tory beyond the Rocky Mountains
houId lie organized into territory
The amendment was rejected, but
ather because it was not understood,
han for any other reason.
MIR Winthrop offered an amendment
0 exclude slavery forever in the terrific
y, which was carried, IS to So
Mr. IIammctt of Mississippi, Offered an
mendment opening all bays, harbors,
reels, &C., equally TO the subjects Of
treat Britain and the United States, ac-
ording TO the provisions o! the Treaty
f 1917.
THE amendment was carried by vote