Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-12-20
agency, and such sub agencies as may be deem.

way to Oregon, against the attacks Of the Indian
tribes occupying the country through which
they pass, Recommend that suitable number
Of stockades and block house forts be erected
along the usual route between our frontier settle
ments on the Missouri and Rocky mountains
and that an adequate force OF mounted riiemen
be raised to guard and protect them on their
journey. The immediate adoption OF these re
Communications by Congress will not violate
the provisions OF the existing treaty. 1t will be
doing nothing more for American citizens than
British laws have long since done for British sub.
iects in the same territory.
Ii requires several months to perform the voy.
age by sea, from the Atlantic States to Oregon;
and although we have large number Of whale
ships in the Pacific, but few Of them afford an
opportunity Of iuterchaugng intelligence, with
out great delay, between our settlements in that
distant region and the United States. An over.
land mail is believed to be entirely practicable;
and the importance Of establishing such mail,
at least once month, is submitted to the favor.
able consideration OF Congress-.
1t is submitted 10 the wisdom OF Congress to
determine whether, at their present session, and
until after the expiration OF the years notice, any
other measure may be adopted consistently with
the convention Of 1927, for the security OF our
rights and the government and protection Of our
ctiz ms in Oregon. That it will ultimately be
wise and proper 10 make liberal grants Of land
TO the patriotic pioneers who, amidst prvations
and dangers, led the way through savage tribes
inhabiting the vast wilderness intervening be-.
tween our frontier settlements and Oregon, and
who cultivate and are ready to defend the soil,
am fully satisfied, To doubt whether they will
obtain such grants as soon as the convention be-
tween the United States and Great Britain shall
have ceased 10 exist, would be 10 doubt the jus.
tice OF Congress, but, pending the years notice,
it is worthy Of consideration whether stipula
ton 70 this effect may be made, consistently with
the spirit OF that convention.
The recommendations which have made, as
to the best manner OF securing our rights in Ore.
gon, are submitted to Congress with great defer
ence. Should they, in their wisdom, devise any
other mode better calculated 10 accomplish the
same object, it shall meet my hearty concurrence.
AT the end OF the years notice, should Con.
gress think it proper to make provisions for Civ.
ing that notice, we shall have reached period
when the national rights in Oregon must either
be abandoned or maintained. That they cannot
be abandoned without sacrifice of both national
honor and interest," is too clear 10 admit OF doubt.
Oregon is part of the North American con.
tinent, 10 which it is confidently affirmed the IT,
tence. For the grounds on which that title rests,
refer you to the correspondence Of the late and
present Secretary OF State, with the British plen
ipotentiary during the negotiation The British
proposition OF compromise, which would make
the Columbia the line south Of forty nine degrees,
with triiing addition OF detached territory 10
the United States, north of that river, and would
leave on the British side two. thirds OF the whole
Oregon territory, including the free navigation OF
the Columbia aud all the valuable harbors on
the Pacific, can never, for moment, be enter
tanned by the United States, without an abandon.
ment Of their just and clear territorial rights,
their own self respect, and the national honor
For the information Of Congress- communicate
herewith the correspondence which took place
between Ike two governments during the late ne.
gotiation.
The rapid extension OF our settlement over our
territories heretofore unoccupied-the addition OF
new States TO our confederacy-the expansion OF
free principles, and our rising greatness as ma
ton, are attracting the attention Of the powers OF
Europe; and lately the doctrine has been breach
ed in some Of them, Of balance Of power" on
this continent, TO check our advancement. The
United States, sincerely DESTROYS OF preserving
relations Of good understanding with all nations,
cannot in silence permit any European nteIler.
ence on the North American continent; and
should any such interference be attempted, will
be ready 10 resist it at any and all hazards.
II is well known 10 the American people, and
10 all cations, that this government has never in.
terfered with the relations subsisting between
other governments. We have never made our
selves parties to their alliances; we have not
sought their territories by conquest; we have moi
mingled with parties in their domestic struggles;
and believing our own form Of government to be
the best, we have never attempted 10 propagate il
by intrgues, by diplomacy, or by force. We
may claim on this continent like exemption
from European Interference. The nations oil
America are equally sovereign and Independent
with those Of Europe. They possess the same
rights, independent Of all foreign interpositon,
10 make war, to conclude peace, to reguute their
internal affairs.
The people OF the United States cannot, there
fore, view with ind Inference attempts OF European
powers 10 interfere with the independent action
Of the nations on this continent. The American
system oil government is entirely different from
that OF Europe. Jealousy among the different
soveregns OF Europe, lest any one OF them nigh
become too powerful for the rest, has caused
anxiously to desire what they term the "balance
OF power" 1t cannot be permitted 10 have any
application on the North American continent
end especially to the United States We mus
ever maintain the principle, that the people o.
this continent have the right to decide their owr
destiny. Should any portion Of them, constitu
ting an independent State, propose to unite them
selves with our confederacy, this will be ques
ton for them and US to determine, without am
foreign interposLon. We can never consen
that Euronean mowers shall Interfere IN nreyen