The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-03-28

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square miles; and if the proportion of tilla-
ble and pasture lands is what it is represent
cd 10 be, it is capable of maintaining popu-
lation of twenty millions.
HIsToRY.-It is through and by the his
tory of Oregon that we are to trace our title
to that territory; and, before commencing
the history, permit me to refer TO some prin-
ciples of national law which all civilized ma
tons recognise, and have adopted as the
rules by which territory is secured and held,
and by which the peace and tranquility, as
we'll as the rights, of nations arc maintained.
"All mankind have an equal right to things
that have not fallen into the hands Of any one; !;
and these things belong to the person who first
takes possession Of them. When, therefore, a na-
| ton finds country uninhabitcd and without ai
owner, it may lawfully take possession Of it; and
after it has sufficiently made known its intention
or viii in this respect. it cannot be deprived of it
! by anot|e" natiCn. Thus navrotors going on
voyages Of discovery, furnished with a commits
sion from their sovereign, and meeting with is
lands or Ot.ar lands in desert state, have taken
possession of them in the name of their nation;
and this title has been usually respected, provided
it was soon after followed by real possession"
Chittys Patel.
need not refer to the wcll-known and
well-establshed principle of national law
viz: that he who first discovers the mouth
of river draining country in state of
nature, aud makes known his discovery, and
the nation he represents i'll reasonable time
takes possession, becomes the owner Of all
the territory drained by such river.
1t is laid down in Vattal--
"That the right of possession comprehends
two things: first, the domain, in virtue of which
the nation alone may use the country for the sup
ply of its necessities. and may dispose of it in
such manner, and derive from it such advantages,
as it thinks proper; second the empire, or the
right of sovereign command, by which the nation
ordons and regulates, at its pleasure, everything
that passes in the coun:ry.''
Further by the same author:
| "Whcn a nation takes possession of coG;22!rv
that never yet belonged to another, ii is consider
ed as possessing there the empire or sovereignty
at the same time with the domain"
viii refer to these established principles
IF naion1l Inv in lha course Of my rcmp;hs,
We were the first DISCOVERIES and the first
poss2ssors Of the Oregon Territory; VIC pos
scss the empire, or sovereignty, and the do
main; we have the possession and the right
10 possess, and we are able to maintain both.
So | proceed to prove by the history, first
romarbing that we have more claims to title
than those of discovery and possession, viz:
the right by purchase and by contiguily, any
and all of which is better than Great Britain
catt show. Of our right by purchase and by
Contruitv will also sneak
will not perpleX my hearers nor my read
crs with a specific or detailed account of the
navjgators and explorations, figures, facts,
and dates connected with tic history OF tic
discovery of the northwestern coast of the
Pacific. | Will confne myself to few of
the most prominent, and those best identified
with the history of American discoveries.
Soon after the discovery and conquest of
Mexico, Tor such parts of it as were con-
quered) Spain pushed her discoveries in the
Pacific, and particular along tho eastern
coast Her first discoveries were the coast,
bays, and harbors Of California, On which
she made early settlements as far north as
42 degrees, and Os high up in the interior as
the head of the Gulf of Caijiiurni"; and the
mouth Of tho Colorado river; and so carly as,
or prior 10, l774 or ITS, took possession Of,
and occupied Friendly cove, or Nootka sound,
between the 49th and 5Olh degrees of north
latitude. The leading object with the Span
ish navigators, as well as subsequent navga-
tors of other nations, as first was to discover
a north passage from the Pacific 10 the AT
lantic ocean, with a view 10 avoid the dan
gers, time, and expense of doubling the C0pe
Of Good Hope, n the prosecution Of Chinese
commerce; and for many years after the dis
covery and possession Of California, but
little attention was bestowed upon disco
verics of the northwest Pacific coast, south
of the 55th or Goth degree Of north latitude.
Navigatoys generally satisfied themselves
with sailing within sight of the coast; few of
them stopping to examine inlets or bays, ex-
cept for the purpose of refreshments or re6t-
ting, and no suitable and safe harbors pre-
senting themselves between California and
Nootka sound, all critical examinations were
neglected. Whatever preference to title
the mere cruising along coast, and seeing
the land at great distance, may give 10 he
first discoverers, Spain has that preference
to all the northwest Pacific region, from the
42d to the 55th degree of north latitude, for
she first navigatod the Pacific ocean, and
first dlscoyercd the coast in question, having
before discovered and possessed herself of
California, from the sources of the Colorado
in the 42d degree of north latitude, to its
southern limits.
In 1543 Qor | pass many voyages, because
they are ,.nimportanD two Spanish vessels,
commanded by CabreIo and Ferrelo (the
former of whom died on the voyage) pushed
their discoveries as far as 43 or ID degrees,