Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-03-05


on the South seas. And now, while the
pulse beats high, and the Joy is deep at
the assurance this House has given that
the lost one is to be restored, our work is /
incomplete till we extend the @gis of our
protection over the far-off wanderer in the |
valley of the Columbia. The people have |
decided both of these questions, and
nought is left to us but TO record their ver-
dict. If the timid should fear evil resuls,
let them remember the people have taken
the responsibility. If, in the laie election,
the American people did not clearly and
distinctly settle the subject of Texas and
Oregon, they decided nothing. These
were prominent topics of discussion eve
rywhere, and at the ballot-box the sove-
reign people expressed their opinions
They are not for the South or the North.
| do not admit that any honorable member
on this floor can rightfully consider the &C.
cupation of Oregon in any other light than
as an American question. And | defy
gentlemen to point to single instance in
the past history of this republic where the
South has refused to make sacri6ces-ay
TO pour out her blood to sustain the honor
OF the country and the rights of the Amer
lean citizen. And think the expression
made few days since by the gentleman
from New York, Mr. RATHBUN,] that he
predicted we should hear nothing from
Oregon till the Texas question was dis
posed of in the other wing of the Capitol,
was unjust both 10 the distinguished head
of the State Department and the execu-
tive, and unjustiiable by any facts yet de-
veloped to the country. Texas is one
question and Oregon another; and the
true friends of the country, in my estima-
ton, will sustain both, and, if both cannot
be obtained, will not falter in their advoca-
cy OF either, irrespective of all connec.
ton between them.
Mr.. Chairman, we are not now called
upon to decide our right or title to the ex-
elusive sovereignty over this Territory of
| Oregon. We all know that conflicting
claims are set up by distinct governments
to this country, ard the adjustment of
/ these differences belongs to the treaty-ma-
king power. The constitution which we
are bound to support, and the treaties made
in pursuance thereof are the supreme
laws of the land; and any statute passed
by Congress conflicting with the proyi-
Mons of either, is nullity-a mere bru-
tun fulmen. In all our action we must
keep within the bounds of the power con-
fided to us; and the true and proper in
quiry now is, how far we can go without
a violation of any of the stipulations of
existing arrangements.
Citizens of the United States, amount
ing in number TO we'll nigh three thous-
and, and increasing at rapid ratio, have
left the present organized limits of the u.
States, aad-settled on the west side of the
Rocky mountains, in the beautiful valley
of the Columbia. They look back to this
Capitol, and pray the Congress of the U
States to extend to them laws for the GO
| vernment of their society, and to spread
over them the standard of their country
tits to be presumed that all are willing to
go as far as in our power lies, 10 meet thelI
wishes, and secure to them protection
! ! This, at all events, is the decided feeling
, Of the great mass of the American PEG
pie. We are not asked to violate treaty
engagements. We are not expected to b.
> guilty of bad faith. We are not justifiet
i by public opinion in going beyond tn
J. Threshold Of our power. But we are re
quired TO exert all the power that is left u
for the protection of the American citi
zen.
The question 10 be determined, then,
repeat, is how far can we extend our ju
ris1iction in accordance with the meaning
!. and spirit of existing stipulations? Ca
q we erect a territorial government Ca
we send governors and judges and sheriff
: to our people beyond the Rocky noun
tains, for the purpose of maintaining goo
i order, and enforcing right, and commit n
breach of honor or good faith with Grea
4 Britain2 hold that we may; and TO illus
! trate this position is my present purpose.
/ On the Goth October, 1918, Great Br
, tain and the United States entered into
. convention, the Sd article Of which is 9
follows:
o @ARr 3. 1t is agreed that any country thf
: may be claimed by either party on the nortl
= west coast of America, westward OF the oton
= mountains, shall, together with Its harbor
e bays, and creeks. and the navigation OF all !
n vers within the sane. BE FREE AND OPEN I
!. the term Of ten years from the date Of the s.
nature Of the present convention. to the vessel
= citizens, and subjects of the two powers. II b
It ing well understood, that this agreement IS NJ
II TO he construed to the prejudice of any clai
I. which either of the two high contracting PA
:. IRIS MAY HAVE TO ANY PART OF SAID COUNTRY
= nor shall it be taken to affect The claim Of AZ
y other pewer or State to amy part Of said conl
IL try: the only object of the high contrartir
n parties, in that respect, being to prevent d
!, putes and differences among themselves"
lsl In 1927, this agreement was indefinite
81 " extended. with this provision for Its te