Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-05-13

The OREGON QrEsTIoS-YIGws OF Me- C,tuorv T.,
January, ls43, the Hon. John e. Calhoun made sne.eh
on the Oregon question in tbe Senate, from which we
make the following extracts The question ton before
that body the passage OF BILL in substance the ann,
% that which at the las, Of Congress PASSED the
House Of Representative, but WHICH ultimately failed in
the Senate MI Calhoun had changed hi. views up
to the time Of his leaving the State Deparment-Mons
Adv.
Mr. calhoun, after having recspiulaed the history Of
the Ore gou negotiations, said:
With these preliminary remarks repeat the question,
has the time nriived when IL would be wise and prudent
for Us TO attempt to and maintain exclusive night
to the territory against the adverse and conflicting claim I
Great Britani answer, 1t has and that for the
decisive reason, because the attempt made must prove
unsuccessful against the resistance Of Great Britain w.
could neither take hold against her; and thai far
reason not less decisivethat she could in much shorter
me and at far less expense, concentrate much greaer
force than could in the territory
We to forget, in The discussion of this subject the
great events which huve occurred in the eastern portion of
Asa, during the last year. and which have so greatly *
tended the power Of Great Britain ~ that auaer sf the
globe She has there IN that period terminated success
fully Two wars by one Of which she has given increased
quiet and stability to her possessions in India and by the
other has firmly planted her power the eastern coast of
China where che will undoubtedly keep up nj least for
me strong military and naval force, for the purpose Of
intimidation and strengthening her newly acquired possez
sion Tho point she occupies there the western shore
Of the Pacific Is almost directly opposite to the Oregon
Territory, az the distance Of about five thousand five hun
dred miles from the mouth OF Columbia river with iran
gull ocean between which may passed overin six weeks
In that short time, she might place. moderate expense
strong naval and military force the mouth Of that river
where formidable body Of men, as hardy and energetic s
any this continent the service Of the Hudson Bay
Company, and numerous tribes Of Indians under IFS con
troll, could be prepared 10 sustain and operate with it
Such IL tho facility with which she could concentrate
force there TO mainain her claim the territory against
ours, should they be brought into collision by this BILL
now turn to examine means Of concentrating an
opposing force by land and water should become nooes
sary to maintain claim. We have military or naval
position on the Pacific ocean, Our fleet would have TO
sail from shores and would have 10 cross tho line
and double Cape Horn In So degrees Of s. ade and tur
ing porh, recross tie line and ascend latitude 46 NORTH
order 10 &c oh the mouth Of Col NIB rivera distance from
New York (Ovor the shortest and srughosi no) Of more
than $1,000 miles, and which would require run Of more
tisn $1,000 miles Of actual sailing The usual Instead
vt siH weeks t9 vJyoto would require six months sJeuk
on the authority Of one Of the most experienced officers
iaehed 20 the Navy Department.
These facts decisive. We could do nothing by water
AZ far NJ that element Is concerned could oppose
TO her a gun or soldier 10 the territory.
But, as great Ie impedimonls hY water, th'
a present, not lees 70 by land. II
point IN the State Of Missouri the place Of rendezvous
from which our military force would commence it, march
Tor the territory the distance 10 the mouth Of the COumbia
river will be shout two thousand miles; Of which Than
thousand miles will be unsettled county consist
ing II naked plains mountainous regions, without pro
Vsions, except such game the rifle might supply On
grestor portion Of this long march, the force would be LA
bic % be attacked and hanassed by and warke
Tribes q" Indians, whose hOses might be readily turned
agans Us by the British traders. To march such q dis
lance without opposition would take upward Of 100 days.
assuming the march 10 be al tho usual Of nary forces
Should " be impeded by the hoscs " Indians, the
wCsd be greatly prolonged.
now ask, how could suy considerable force sustain IT,
self in long march, through region destitute Of
supplies7 A small detachment might live Game; bot
that would be sogethef inadequate The support
Of army Bot admitting army could find Sufficient
supplies sustain itse ts march 10 tho territory. how
could IL sustain itself Ia uneulvsed territory, too re-
mote 70 drnw supplies from oar settlements w s rear and
viii A hv
And how could supplies be found 10 return, " reues,
should become neeesssvi In whatsoever Wow the subjee,