Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-02-22
From the Neo York Courier and Enquirer.
OREGON TERRITORY.

immediate rupture with Great Britain.
Congress manifests a disposition to take
summary possession of the disputed terri
tory known as Oregon, and to maintain il
by force of arms Great Britain, all con-
cede, will not reinquish her pretended |
title to it without struggle. This country
has awaited, with great impotence. The
result of peading negotiations. and since it
is understood that these negotiations are
likely to issue in no adjustment of the
question. the disposition to seize and keep
the territory has acquired fresh strength
and restlessness. The House of Represen-
tatives has post poned the discussion of the
question until after the publication of a
memoir on the subject, prepared by Mr.
Greenhow, under the direction of the gov
ernment. AS the matter is one of intense
interest," and on which definite and anthem
tic information is greatly to be desired, we
shall present as briefly as possible state
ment of the whole question, including the
foundation of the claims on either side,
drawn almost entirely from this forthcom-
ing book of Mr.. Greenhow, which is un-
doubtedly much the best treatise hitherto
published on the subject.
1. The dispute and the disputed Territory
BY the Florida treaty Of 1919 between the
United States and SPAIN a line drawn along
the 42nd parallel Of latitude, from the Rocky
Mountains to the Pacific, was fixed as the north
ern limit Of the Spanish territory and the SOUTH
ern limit Of the territory Of the United States
in Western America; and when Mexico took
the place Of Spain, the same boundary line was
preserved by new treaty.
BY the convention Of 1924, between the
United States and Russia, the Russians agreed
to make no settlements south Of the latitude of
L. "a Il Ctntoc
agreed to make no settlement north OF that line
By the convention Of 1925, between Russia
and Great Britain, it was agreed that the British
should occupy no place north Of 81 degrees 40
minutes, and that the Russians should make nc
settlement south of that line; and further, that a
line from that parallel uorthward, within 20
miles Of tue sea, to lis intersection with the l41s
meridian OF west longitude, and thence along
that meridian to the Arctic Sea, should be the
limit between the Russian and British posses
sons. A glance at any good map will show tina
this line passes through Mt. st. Elias.
Here, then, are two lines Of boundary; ont
north from the lne of 81 deg, DO latitude to the
Arctic sea. between Great Britain and Russia;
the other following the 42nd parallel, marking
the limit between the United States and Mexico
The inters1ediats region is the disputed territory
of OREGoN. The Americans claim north Of the
42d lina, the British south Of the line Of 81 deg
40, each to an underlined extent, but each so Ia
as to embrace the country drained by the CoIum
bia river. These claims were compromised BY
an arrangement made in 1918, continued indefi
ntely in 1927 and still 10 force, by which an,
territory in that section claimed by either, shall
be free and open to the citizens OF subjects o
both-the government OF each being at liberty to
abrogate the arrangements after giving due notice
OF twelve months to that OF the other. This,
then, is the dspute-the Ownership Of this terri
tory.
Oregon, the disputed territory, thus extends
from the 42i parallel to the line OF 81 deg. &c
min. It's natural boundaries are, on the east
the Rocky Mountains; on the south, the Snowy
Mounlains; On the west, the Pacific, from Cape
Mendocno to Cape FIattery; and on the north
the Strait of Fura, about l20 miles eastward
thence line running northeast along the high
lands separating the waters Of the Columbia
from those Of Frazer's river, TO the Rocky
Mountains. This is the territory drained by the
Columbia, and the extent of its surface is abou
$4,000 square miles, This country is divided
by its natural confguration, into three grea
regions, which differ from each other materially
in climate, soil and productive powers.
1. The first region, or iolU country lies be-
tween the Pacific coast and chain OF mountains
running near the sea. This chain has received
variety Of names, the Californian, the Klamet
the Cascade and the President range and 1T
seven highest peaks have been named after thu
seven Presidents, from Washington to Jackson
in succession. These mountains are Of consid
cradle elevation, and those who have travelled
over them speak in rapturous terms OF the wide
and magnificent view which they present. Tit
distance from the coast to the foot OF thes
mountains is in some places one hundred miles
in others less. The intervening country i
crossed by low ridges, between which are vallie
drained by rivers flowing into the Pacific ant
the Columbia. or the two which empty into thu
Columbia, the Cowilitz has been but partially
traced; the Southern, the Multnomah or Walla
met, has been traced two hundred miles, throug
valley said TO be the most delightful and fertl
part of North. west America. The climate o
this region is more favorable to agriculture thar
that Of the other parts OF Oregon. The summe
is warm and dry. Snow is rarely seen in tn
vales, and the ground is very seldom Gozen s.
that ploughng may be carried on during th
whole winter Wheat barley, rye, peas, apples
potatoes, &C., are raised; horses and cattle sue
coed toleraby well, but agriculture must AWAY
suffer from TIE dryness OF the summer. Tn
growth Of timber on the uplandS is enormous
far surprising in thickness and size any forest:
known in the United States There are exen
sive praries extremely fertile and above inunda
ton. Travellers describe fir and pine tree
growing here of gigantic size, Ross Cox men
lions fir near Astoria, 4G feet in circumference
1853 feet high before reaching branch, and 3O
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