Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-12-24

-sOAAh DWCitSdt by VllS ACT OfcdL
Britain extended her laws and jurisdiction,
civil and criminal, over her subjects en-
gagged in the fur-trade in that territory
BY It, the courts of the province Of Up
per Canada were empowered 10 take cogni-
zance of causes civil and criminal. Jus
tees of the peace and other judicial off.
GERS were authorized 10 be appointed in
Oregon, with power to execute all process
issuing from the courts OF that province,
and TO "st and hold cours of record for
the trial of criminal offences and INSIDE
meanors,' not made the subjects of cap.
ltal punishment, and also of civil cases,
where the cause of action shall not ex-
coed in value the amount or sum of two
hundred pounds. ?
Subsequent to the date of this act of
Parliament, grant was made from the
9 British Grown" TO the Hudson's Bay
Company, OF the exclusive trade with the
Indian tribes in the Oregon territory, sub
ject 10 reservation that it shall not ope.
rate TO The exclusion aof the subjects of
any foreign States whose citizens may be
entitled TO, and shall be engaged in, the
said trade.'
II is much to be regretted, that, while
under this act British subjects have en-
joyed the protection Of British laws and
British judicial tribunals throughout the
whole of Oregon, American citizens, in
the same territory, have enjoyed no such
protection from their governments. At
the same time, the result illustrates the
character of our people and their institu-
tons. In spite of this neglect, they have
multiplied, and their number is rapidly in
creasing in that territory. They have
made no appeal to arms, but have peace
fully fortified themselves in their new
homes, by the adoption of republican in
situations for themselves; furnishing an
other example of the truth that seIfgo.
vernment is inherent in the American
breast, and.must prevail. tits due to them
that they should be embraced and protect.
ed by our laws.
II is deemed important that our laws
regulating trade and intercourse with the
Indian tribes east of the Rocky noun.
tains, should be extended to such tribes as
dwell beyond them.
The increasing emigration to Oregon,
and the care and protection which is cue
from the government to its citizens in that
distant region, make it our duty, as il is
our interest, to cultivate amicable relations
with the Indian tribes of that territory
For this purpose, / recommend that
provisions be made for establishing an In
dian agency, and such subagencies as
may be deemed necessary, beyond the
Rocky mountains.
For the protection of emigrants whilst
on their way to Oregon. against the at
tacks of the Indian tribes occupying the
country through which they pass, re-
commend that suitable number of stock
AIDES and bIock-house forts be erected a.
long the usual route between our frontier
settlements on the Missouri and Rocky
mountains; and that an adequate force oil
mounted riflemen be raised to guard and
protect them on their journey, The i'm.
mediate adoption Of these recommends.
tons by Congress will not violate the pro.
visions of the existing treaty. 1t will be
doing nothing more for American citizens
than British laws have long since done
for British subjects in the same territory.
1t requires several months TO perform
the voyage by sea from The Atlantic State;
to Oregon; and although we have large
number Of whale ships in the Pacific. bu
few of them afford an opportunity of in
terchanging intelligence, without grea
delay, between our settlements in tina
distant region and the United States. =
An overland mail is believed TO be en-
tirely practicable; and the Importance o
establishing such mail, at least once {
month, is submitted to Inc favorable con
sideration Of Congress.
Ii is submitted to the wisdom of Con
gress to determine, whether at their pre-
sent session, and until after the expiration
of the years. notice, any other measure
NAV be adopted, consistently with tn
convention of 1927, for the security Of on
rights and the government and protection
of our citizens in Oregon. That 1t vii
ultimately be wise and proper 10 make II
beral grants of land TO the pa triotic pI
oneers who, amidst privations and dan
gers, lead the way through savage tribe
inhabIting the vast wilderness intervening
betw cen our frontier settlements and Or
egon, and who cultivate, and are eve
ysady 10 defend the soil, am .ully salts
fed. To doubt whether they will obtai
such grants as soon as the convention be
tween the United States and Great Britai
shall have ceased to exist, would be
doubt the Justice of Congress; but, pent
ing the years. notice, il IS worthy of cor
sideration whether stipulation to this g
fleet may not be made, consistently wit
the spirit OF that convention.
The recommendations which | hav
made. asto the best manner Of securin