Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-12-20
The Presidents Message.

paper, the Gazette of Galena. FOR an early copy
of the Presidents Message. We publish be-
low, such parts of the Message as relate to
Oregon. the Tariff and the Mineral Lands
Nothing else contained 10 it. is of the slightest
interest. After detailing the history and fail.
ure of the Oregon negotiation. the Message
proceeds;-
All attempts at compro mise having
failed, it becomes the duty of Congress
to consider what measures it may be
proper to adopt for the security and
protection of our citizens now inhabit-
ing, or who may hereafter inhabit Or
egon, and for the maintenance of our
just title to that territory. In adopt
ing measures for this purpose care
should be taken that nothing be done
to violate the stipulations of the con-
yention Of 1927, which is still in force.
The faith of treaties, in their letter,
and spirit, has ever been, and trust
ever will be, scrupulously observed by
the United States. Under that con-
vention, years notice is required to
be given to the other, before the joint
occupancy shall terminate, and before
either can rightfully assert or exercise
exclusive jurisdiction over any portion
OF the territory. This notice it would,
to 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-
vention of the 9th Of August, 1897.
II will become proper for Congress
to determine what legislation they
can in the meantime adopt without vio-
lating this convention. Beyond all
question the protection Of our laws and
our jurisdiction, civil and criminal,
ought to be Immediately extended
over our citizens in Oregon. They
have just cause to complain Of our long
neglect in this particular, and have in
consequence been compelled, for their
own security. and protection, TO estab-
lish provisional government for them
selves. Strong in their allegiance and
ardent in their attachment TO the Uni
ted States, they have thus been cast
upon their own resources. They are
anxious that our laws should be extend
cd 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
proceeded in regard to British subjects
in that territory, by their act of July
Cd, 1921, "for regulating the fur trade
and establishing criminal and civil ju-
risdiction within certain parts ofNorth
America. "By this act Great Britain ex-
tended her laws and jurisdiction, civil
and criminal, over her subjects en-
gagged in the territory. BY it, the
courts Of the province Of Upper Cana
da were empowered to take cogni-
zance Of causes, civil and criminal -
Justices Of the Peace and other Judi.
cial offices were authorized to be APP
pointed in Oregon, with power to exc
cute all processes issuing from the
courts Of that province, and to ''sit and
hold courts Of record for the trial oil
criminal offences and misdemeanors
not made the subject Of capital punish
ment. and also OF civil cases where the
cause OF action shall not exceed in val
ue the amount Of two hundred dollars.
Subsequent to the date of the 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 terri
tory, subject to reservation that it
shall not operate to the exclusion col
the subjects Of aay foreign State, who,
under or by force OF any convention
for the time being, between us and any
foreign State respectively, may be en-,
tiled, to, and shall be engaged in, the
said trade"
II is much to be regretted that,
while under this act British subjects
have enjoyed the protection Of British
laws and British tribunals throughout
the whole of Oregon; American citi.
zens, in the same territory. have en-
joyed no such protection from theil
government. At the same time, the
result illustrates the character Of oul
people and their institutions. In spite
Of this neglect, they have multiplied
and their number is rapidly ihcreas
ing in thst territory. They have mad,
no appeal to arms, but have peacefully
fortified themselves in their new
homes. by the adoption of republican
institutions for themselves; furnishing
another example of the truth that self