The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-12

hererfter inhablt oregon, and for the
maintenance of our jnst title TO that ter.
ritory. In adopting measures for this
purpose, care should be taken that noths
ing be done to violate the stipulations Of
the convention OF 1927, which is still in
force. The faith of treaties, 10 their
letter and spirit. has ever been, and, !
trust, win ever be, scrupulously obse rved
by the Uniied States. Under that con-
vention, a years. notice is required TO be
given by either party TO the other, before
the joint occupancy shall terminate, and
before either can rightfully assert or exs
ercise exclusive jurisdiction any por-
ton Of the territory. This notice il
would, in my judgment, be proper to
give; and recommend that provisions be
made by law for giving it accordingly,
and terminating in this manner the con-.
yeation of the sixth Of August 1927.
II will llibecome proper for Congress to
determine what legislation they can, 10
the mean time, adopt without violating
this convention. Beyond all question,
the protection Of our laws and our jurs
diction, civil snd criminal, ought to be
Immediately extended 10 our citizens 10
Oregon. They have had just cause to
complain Of our long neglect in this par.
ticular, and have, In consequence, been
compelled for their own security and pro-
lection, 10 establish provisional govern.
ment for themselves. Strong in their al
4cgiance and ardent in their att achmenl
20 the United States, they have been thus
cast upon their own resources. They
are anxious that our should be exten-
ded over them, and Recommend that
this be done by Congress with as little
delay as possible, in the full extent TO
which the British Parliament have pro.
ceeded in regard to British subjec Is in that
territory, by their act of July 1921, "for
regulating the fur trade and establishing
a criminal and civil jurisdiction within
certain parts Of North America" By
this act Great Britain extended Ler laws
and jurisdiction, civil and criminal, over
her subjects, engaged in the fur trade in
that territory. By it, the courts of the
province Of Upper Canada were empow-
cred TO take cognizance of causes civil
and criminal. Justices Of peace and 9th,
er rjudicial officers were authorized to be
appointed in Oregon; with power to exc
cute all process issuing from the courts
of that province, and to "sit and hold
courts of record for the trial of criminal
offences and misdemeanors," not made
the subject Of capital punishment, and al
60 of civil cases, where the cause Of ac.
tion shall not"exceed in value the amour,
or sum OF two hundred pounds.'
Subsequent to the date of this act of
Parliament a grant was made from the
British Grown 10 the lIadson Day Compa.
ny of the exclusive trade with the Indian
tribes in the Oregon territory, subject 10
a reservation that it shall not operate to
the exclusion "ofthe subjects Of any for
eign state who, under or by force of any
convention for the time being, between
us and such foreign state respectively,
may be entitled to, and shall be engaged
in, the said trade"
1t much TO be regretted that while un.
der this act, British subjects have noyod
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 government. At the same
lime the result illustrates the character ,
Of our pepele and their institutions. In
spite of this neglect they have multiplied,
and their number is rapidly increasing in
that territory. They haze made no ap.
peal to arms, but have peacefully fortified i,
themselves 10 their new homes by the
adoption of republican institutions for /;
themselves; furnishing another example of [,
he truth that self.gove ernment is inhere n /
n the American breast, and must prevail.
It is due TO them that they should be en- :
oraced and protected by our laws. :.
1t is deemed important that our laws !,
trade and Intercourse with the
indian tribes east the Rocky mountains,
hould be extended TO such tribes as dwell
eyond them.
The increasing emigration to Oregon, :,
nd the care and protection which is due :.
rom the government to its citizens in ;,
hat distant region, make ii our duty, as
is our interest, TO cultivate amicable r
Citations with the Indian tribes of tha, ;,
erritory. For this purpose, / recon-. "
mend that provisions be made for estab. ;,
ishing an Indian agency, and such sub :
gencies as may be deemed nee essary be- :,
ond the Rocky mountains.
For the protection of emigrants whilst
n their way TO Oregon, against the at.
acks of the Indian tribes occu,x;no bo 7