Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-14
PER M oMt-aptoeMtr.
BRaTrLEyoRo, .fRIDaY. FEB "a, ls4S.
OREGON.

OREGONs
We rive in another column, a synopsis Of the bill
that has recently passed the House Of Representa-
tiyes, for taking possession of, and organizing a
Territorial Governmental the region known as the
Oregon Territory We have watched the debate
upon this subject, and the progress oil this bill WIN
more than ordinary interest. We have long and
decidedly been the opinion that the time has fully
come when our rights in that important region
should be settled We can see no good motive FOR
delay, and an abundance Of reasons for urging
speedy settlement of question of such momentous
Importance. Already has the apathy Of our Gov
eminent given great advantages 10 Great Britain
advantages by which she has profted 10 the utmost
While our Government has been wasting away the
precious years in diplomatic dulliance with lis rival
this rival has practically got possession of the coun-
try and has established its power upon firm foot
ing The British Hudson Bay Company, in be-
half of the British Government, have seized upon
all the strong and commanding posts, and control
the trade Of, and exercise virtual jurisdiction over
the whole country. Its numerous trading posts
form in fact, chain of military forts, extending
from the mouth Of the Columbia, TO the Rocky Noun
tains on the East and to the Russian possessions
on the North The Savage tribes are becoming
accustomed to British rule, and no Efforts fair or
foul, are spared TO insl deep into their minds,
deadly hate of Americans Each passing year is
more fully and clearly developing the vast impor-
lance of the country to us, and is at the same time
giving strength and stability TO the British domin-
ion over it. Repeated attempts 10 settle our rights
by negotiation, have resulted in repeated failure,
and stilthe cry is with some, negotiate! negotiate
For ourselves sick Of negotiation. While
we are negotiating, Great Britain is acting, and
every day Strengthening and Purifying her power.
The British Government has passion, frenzy for
power, for territory for agrandIzement. IL grnsps
and clutches after these, mser does after gold
and with the avidty of avsrice, and the force OF
greatness, il holds what il grasps with an undying
tenacity. The whole course Of its policy for the
last two hundred years, has been characterized by
a ruthless a-grasping ambition, that has known
no law but might, and no limits but necessity, and
that has grown by what it feeds on until it threa-
tens engulf within its Unsuitable half of the
habitable globe. In the far distant East its iron
hand has been laid upon its once-happy millions,
and they sinking beneath its ponderous weight.
War, rapine, treachery, murder and crime of every
kind have been called to aid in extending its ter
rible dominion. Native princes have been in
Vel1leu ny drlS INTO Wut WIN tuCti otiitT,
have thus destroyed themselves, leaving their COM
mon territory prey to the common enemy. Even
the degrading and cruel superstitions of that now
miserable people, have been made TO minister to ITS
power and add TO its wealth. 1t is folly and mad
ness to waste time in negotiation with such gov
eminent upon such subject, while the time thus
spent in booiess negotiation but adds force to her
claim, and frmness to her grasp upon the territory
in dispute.
Holding these views, we are rejoced to see Con-
gress moving in the matter, and only regret that
the management of question Of such moment has
fallen into such unwise, and ndscreet hands the
present administration. Oregon doubtless affords
good cry 10 the 'Tapers of the west, but these
nad-cap statesmen are not fit men to direct the
policy of n great nation upon so great subject
The present bill as originally introduced, was ex
ceedingy Objectionable, but il has been greatly
modified and improved during its passage. We are
glad to that John Quincy Adams has given the
weight Of his great name and matured opinion in
favor OF disseminating the joint occupation of
Oregon with Great Britain, and of asserting our
rights and having them settled. We should greatly
have preferred the suggested by him of the
passage of an act simply directing the President to
Great Britain, to put an end to the present conven-
tonal arrangement for the joint occupation Of the
territory, leaving other legislation to the incoming
administration.
Our rights to the Territory in dispute, extending
from the 42d deg. of West latitude, to that of 81
deg. 40 M, and embracing all the territory west of
the Rocky mountains between these lattudes rest
upon several grounds.
LIST, The mouth of Columbia river, in latitude IS
deg. north, was first discovered by Capt. Gray of
Boston, in the ship Columbia in May 1872.
3D. In 1903 Louisiana Territory was ceded to us
and was claimed to extend to the Pacific.
Sd, Lewis a. Clark in 1866 explored a branch
of the Columbia to its mouth and were the first
plorers.
4th, The first settlement was made on the Colum-
ba river by John Jacob Astor, in l6lia settlement
of American citizens under the American flag.
9Th, By the treaty with Spain in 1919, all her
rights and claims the territory were ceded
government.
Great Britain relies, we believe, principally upon
the following grounds;
LIST, Nooka sound, in latitude 40 deg 30 IN. was
discovered by Capt. Cook in l779. But ii dis
covered by Spanish navigators and claimed by
Spain previous to this.
Cd, By virtue of treaty with Spain in 1890, in
which there was an agreement that the citizens of
neither country should be disturbed in trading or
making settlements in the unoccupied territory
along the coast.
In 1905, an attempt was made TO settle the rights
Of the two countries to this territory, by treaty. and
the commissioners on the part of this government
offered to make 40 deg. NJ latitude the boundary
line, but this was before Spain ceded to us her