Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-07
Jan. 81.

Mr. Hopkins, Of Virginia, moved that the
rules be suspended, and that the House resolve
itself into a Committee Oi the Whole.
The motion was adopted, and the House,
being in committee, the bill to establish Ter
ritorial Government in Oregon was taken up.
Mr. A. V. Brown, Of Tennessee, offered an
amendment making provisions that the terms
Of this bill shall not come 10 conflict with any
treaty stipulation that may exist with the Brit
ish Government in relation to Oregon.
Mr. Hunt, OF New York, held the floor from
yesterday, and spoke in opposition to the bill.
Mr. John Quincy Adams rose, when, as usu-
the members generally crowded around him.
He was listened to with profound and unbroken
attention for an hour.
In giving his views of the course proper to
be pursued in reference to the Oregon question
he administered a rebuke to the House, for or
dering the publication of book TO throw light
upon the subject and then not wait TO examine
the book before they acted.
He pronounced this great question, a ter
rble question, and he had not been so fortunate
as other gentlemen seemed to have been in ac-
quiTing all the Information necessary TO enable
him TO act upon this question satisfactorily to
himself
The course of this House, If sanctioned by
the other Departments of the Government,
most assuredly would lead US to incur the haz-
ard of war. II such should be the fate Of the
Nation, and we were compelled to engage in a
war with the most formidable power on the
face of the globe, he wished our cause to rest
on the immutable foundation Of Justice and
right.-When asked, also, what we want war
about, he wanted TO be able to give a salsfac-
tory reply, and TO justly act.
He considered it indispensable, as prelimina-
~ to any action in reference TO Oregon, that the
first step should be the termination, according
TO the third article of the Convention Of 1918,
for the joint occupancy of Oregon. II gentle
men would agree TO nothing better, at least lei
them incorporate in the first section Of the bill,
under consideration, provision requiring the
President to give notice TO the British govern
ment OF our intention no longer to occupy the
territory jointly. If the bill must be passed lei
it be preceded by an act that is absolutely nee
essary to preserve our faith with Great Britain.
The Oregon debate was then discussed as in
Committee OF the Whole, until 9 O'Clock, when
by resolution il was to terminate.
Mr. Hammett offered an amendment that the
President should give notice to Great Britain
of the termination OF the Treaty of joint occu.
pancy, and that the provisions OF the act should
not go into operation for the twelve month:
after the notice is thus given, according to the
provisions Of the Treaty.
Mr. Hardin Of Illinois, offered a similar a
mendment, accompanied by good and shor
speech.
The first amendment in order was ntrodu
ced by Mr. Adams, and proposed that the frs
section should be preceded by preamble anC
followed by section, to give one years motto,
| to Great Britain Of the annulng of the Treat,
between the United States and Great Britain
and providing further that in one year after tn,
notice was given, the bill should 60 into opera
ton.
Mr. Adams's amendment was then lost.-
| Ayes II, noes 80.
| There was great confusion in the Hall here
and Mr. Hudson Of Massachusetts, rose to
point of order.
State it, said the Chair.
! Mr. Hudson-Is il in order for gentlemen L
'enarge the area OF freedom by blocking VI
the area Of the Hall!
The Chair commanded members to taxi
their seats, which they did after time.
Mr. Collamer of Vermont, offered an amend
ment that "the United States Territory be
yond the Rocky Mountains should be organ
lied into territory"
The amendment was rejected, but rather be
cause il was not understood, than Tor any 9th
er reason.
Mr. Winthrop offered an amendment TO ex
cude slavery forever in the territory, which
was carried, IS to Sc.
Mr. Hammett OF Mississippi, offered an a
mendment opening all bays, harbors, creeks
&C., equally TO the subjects OF Great Britail
and the United States, according to the pro
visions of the Treaty of 1917.
This amendment was carried by vote 0
104 ayes, noes not counted.
The next amendment was that the Presiden
was hereby required to give the notice O
twelve months TO the government OF Grea
Britain that the treaty of 1897 was ended, an
further that none Of the provisions Of the bi
should affect the subjects Of Great Britain dur
ing the time oftwelve months.
This amendment was carried. Ayes, 80
noPs IT