Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-12-11

their acts seemed TO impose, afford satisfactory evil
dence that no compromise which the United States
ought to accept, be effected. With this convc-
ton, the proposition of compromise which had been
made and rejected, was, by my direction subsequent
ly withdrawn and title to the Whole Oregon ter
ritOry asserted, ard, as is believed maintained by
irrefragabe facts and arguments.
The civilized world will see in these proceedings
spirit Of liberal concession on the part of the United
States; and this Government will be relieved from all
responsibility which may follow the failure to settle
the controversy
All attempts at compromise having failed it be-
comes the duty of Congress to consider what measures
II may be proper TO adopt for the security and protec-
ton of citizens inhabiting or who may here
after ihhabIt Oregon, and for the maintenance of our
Just title to that territory. In adopting measures for
this purpose, care should be taken that nothing be
done to violate the spulations of the Convention of
1921 which is still in force. The faith of treaties in
their letter and spirit, has BEEN and trust, will
be, scrupuously observed by the United States
Under that Convention, years notice is required 10
be given by either party the other before the Joint
occupancy terminate, and before either can
rghfuy assert or exercise exclusive jurisdiction over
any portion of the territory This notice, it would, in
my judgment, be proper to give; and | recommend
that provision be made by law for giving it accord
ngly, and terminating this manner, the convention
of the sixth of August, 1897.
1t will become proper for Congress TO determine
what legislation they can In the meantime, adopt with
out violating this convention. Beyond all question:
the protection of laws and jurisdiction civil
and criminal ought to be Immediately extended over
citizens in Oregon. They had Just cause TO COM
plain of our long neglect in this particular and have
in consequence, been compelled, for their securi-
ty and protection to establish a provisional govern
ment for themselves Strong in their allegiance and
ardent in their attachment to the United States, they
have been thus cast upon their own resources They
are anxious that our laws should be extended over
them, and recommend that this be done By Congress
with little delay possible, in the full extent TO
which the British Parliament have proceeded in re-
gard TO the subjects in that territory by their Act of
July second, 1921 for regulating the furtrade and
establishing criminal and civil jurisdiction within
certain parts of North America" By this act Great
Britain extended her laws and jurisdiction civil and
criminal, her subjects engaged in the ur-trade
in that territory By it, the courts of the province of
Upper Canada were empowered TO take cognizance of
civil and criminal. Justices of the peace and
other Judicial officers were authorized 10 be appointed
in Oregon with power to execute all process issuing
from the courts of that province. and sit and hold
courts of record for the trial of criminal offences and
msdemeanors" not made the subject of capital pun
ishment, and also of civil cases. where the cause of
action shall not exceed in value tie amount or
sum Of two hundred pounds"
Subsequent to the date of this act of Parliament
grant was made from the British crown" to the
Hudson's Bay Company. of the exclusive trade with
the Indian tribes in the Oregon territory subject to
of the subjects of any foreign State who under or
by force of any convention for the time being
US and such foreign States respectively may be en-
titled to, and shall be engaged in, the said trade"
1t IS much to be regretted, that. while under this
act British subjects have enioyed the protection of
British laws and British judicial tribunals throughout
the whole of Oregon, American citizens, in the
territory, have enjoyed much protection from their
Government At the same time the result illustrates
the character of people and their institutions In
spite of this neglect, they have multiplied, and their
number is rapidly Increasing in that territory They
have made appeal to arms but have peacefully for
titled themselves in their new homes, bv the adoption
of republican institutions for themselves furnishing
another example of the truth that selfgovernment is
inherent in the American people and must prevail. It
is due 10 them that they should be embraced and pro-
tected by our laws.
1t is deemed important that our laws regulating
trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east Of
the Rocky Mountains should be extended to such
tribes as dwell beyond them.
The increasing emigration to Oregon and the care and
protection which is due from the government
in that distant region, make il duty, it
interest TO cultivate amlcabe relations with the Indian
tribes of that territory. For this purpose,
that provision be made for establishing Indian agency,
and such subagencles may be necessary beyond the
Rocky mountains
For protection of emIgrants whilst their way to
Oregon against the attacks Of the Indian tribes occupying
the country through which they pass I recommend that
suitable number of sockades and bockhouse forts be
mens on the Missouri and the Rocky mountains; and
adequate force of mounted rifemen be raised
guard and protect them their Journey The immedI-
adoption of these recommendations by Congress will
violate the provisions of the existing 1t will
be doing nothing for American citizens than British
laws have long done for British SUBJECTS IN the same
territory.
1t requires several months to perform the voyage by
from the Atlantic States Oregon and although we
have a large number Of whale ships in the Pacific but
few of them afford opportunity of inerchanging intel
lgence without great delay, between settlements in
that distant region and the United States An overland
mail is believed be entirely practicable; and impor
lance Of establishing such mall least month,
is submitted the favorable consideration of Congress
il is submitted to the wisdom of Congress determine
whether at their present session, and until the expiration
Of the years notice. any other may be adopted
consistently with the convention of 7 for the security
of rights, and the and protection of
citizens in Oregon. That it will ultimately be wise and
proper make liberal grants of land the patriotic pio-
neers who amidst pryatons and dangers lead the way
through savage tribes nhabitng the wilderness
intervening between frontier settlements and Oregon
and who cultivate and ready defend the SOIL
fully satisfied To doubt whether they will obtain
such grants the convention between the United
States and Great Britain shall have ceased exist would
be to doubt the Justice OF Congress- but pending the
years notice, 1t is worthy of consideration whether
stipulation to this effect may be made, consistently with
the spirit of that convention.
The recommendations which have made, as to the
best manner Of securing rights in Oregon, are SUBJ
med TO Congress with great Difference Should they,
in their wisdom, devise any other mode better calculated
TO accomplish the object, il shall meet with my
hearty concurrence.
AT end of the years notice. should Congress think
proper to make provisions for giving that notice. we
shall have reached period when the national RIGHTS in
That they cannot be abandoned without sacrifice Of
both national honor aud interest," clear admit Of
doubt
Oregon is part of the North American continent, to
IL he Of