The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-09-11

OREGoN-A New MovE BUT AN OH IDEA.-I
A letter of Mr.. Peter H. Bennett, who appears
to be a citizen of Oregon, and a man of note
among the settlers there, has recently been pub
lished in the papers of this country: 'sEre this
rea ches you, says Mr.. Bennett, pc rhaps you will
have learned that we have a regular govern
men. in most successful operation in Oregon
When | first reached this region, about a year
age, l thought an attempt at organization might
be premature. | had not, however, been here
long before 1t was conceived that u government
oi.somc kind was inevitabe. it grew out OF
stern invlncible necessity. Our commercial
and business transactions were considerable
Difficulties are daily occurring between individ-
uals in relation 10 their claims ;,he estates of de-
ceased persons were daily devoured, and help
less orphans plundered; crimes were committed,
and the base and unpflnci plod, the reckless and
turbulent.w were hourly trampling upon the rights
of the honest and peaceabie. A CIVILIZED popu-
%1aion, numerous as we were, could not exist
without COVE rnment. The thing was impossi-
bic. We therefore organized a government OF
our own.
The Territory is divided into five counties, in
each OF which there are two terms of the circuit
court annually. There is but one judge,
who discharges the duties of probate judge
aud chancellor, and all other iudiciaI duties, ex-
cept such as pertain to justices OF the peace
The statute laws of Iowa have been adopted by
he provisional government.
1.-The letter states that the country is most
beautiful, fertile, and well watered. The pop
ulatlon doubles every year. The crops of1844
were abundant, the settlers viii have wheat fof
expectation. A newspaper is about TO be estab-
lIshed.9 I'VE can them says, the letter. publish
our laws.' The following passagh has interest
in it,:
1--WE are now waiting most anxiously for the
result Oi Pakenham'S mission, and if the two
Governments have not settled The question be-
tween them, the moment that fact is known
there viii be one universal movement made
A regular convention will be held and a consti-
tuition adopted, Republican no doubt0 and an
independent government put in operation at
once. Necessity will compel US to the step.-
The population of this country are no doubt de-
sIrous TO 1--we under the Government of United
States, but if she Will never do any thing for us
we mustard will do it Tor ourselves. The ueo-
pie here are worn out by delay,and their con-
ditIon becomes every day more intelerable. |
speak 10 your with great.eandor, for you know
me. and know that | withhold nothing and dis
guise nothing. We are well satisfied that the
United States Government as well as Great Bri-
tain could not object, and would not object, if
we form an independent government for our
selves. situated as we are. Treaties must be
formed with the Indians, and many other tn inos
oI Importance must OF necessity be done.'"
The New Era Of ST. Louis thinks that there is
more danger of lose ing Oregon from this source
then from the encroachments OF England.
"Oregon and California; remarks the Era .em-
brace much line country, an extensive seacoast
and ample commercial advantages, and, by be-
ing united, they may form a greet independent
Republic on the Pacific. This appears TO be the
desire and expectation Of a large portion of the
settlers, and is much favored by their local stu
alton. That country is separated by thousands
of miles of uninhabitable country from Mexico
and the United States. whenever il shall have
su efficient population there will exist a strong
temptation 10 fall off and establish a seperate
Independent Republic. s
"Calliernia and Ore gOn will naturally unite,
and when united they will naturally seperale
from the distant Governmets on which they are
now dependant. They will soon find that their
peculiar and loo al interests will be ne elected by
a distant General Government and that they
have many int erests separate from and %conflic-
ting with those Of the Atlantic States. All
!, these thing would tend to induce a separation,
and it would he doubtful whether the counter
acting causes would be %suficien mt to- prevent a
separation.
s.The opinion is very freely expressed by per-
sons who have lived III Oregon and California
thatthe emigrants already look forward TO separ-
ate indep endence, and the provisional govern
ment of Oregon seems to have been founded on
the supposition thatsuch d result was probable
The continual influx Of emigration to the Pacif.
Eic coast will continuallysgiSe additional strength
and confidence to the inhabitants of that region
of country, and encourage them to attempt tn
establishment OF a sePerate nation in thatexten.
siye country. p
.'Such a result would speedily put to rest al
controversies about she ownership and bounda
ries of Oregon and California, and the right o
:. discovery would yield 10 the right of soccupan
+ CIV and actual possession.
Those " no are making themselves miserable,il
j The affairs OF Ore gon VOID do well to turn their at
q teptlon more to the tendencies that exist to sep
%aration and Independence, and then the pow e
OF Great Britain would be less frightfnlito then
The bold restless spirits who have gone to Ore
" gon and California are the very sorI OF men VIII
y are disposed to build up a new g~oyernmenl.''
e This state of things was Prophesied nea
. twenty years ago by Colonel Benton when tn
question of the occupation of Oregon. as befoI
: Congressman as a remarkable instance of pollt
+ calforesight, we append an extract IRON h
IS speech upon that occ aston:
sMr. Benton proceeded to the nextInouiry-
:. the effect which the occupation of the Columb
~ would have upon this linton. On this point /
in could speak for himself only but he would soes
without reserve. lie believed that The nnion
y these States +, ould not be jeoparded by The o
~ cuPation of that river, but that it would be II
:. means of planting the germ of a new and ind
Is pendent Power beyond the Rocky Mountains. l..
ri There was a beginning and natural progress
the order of things. The military post on !,
river would be the nucleus ola settlement. VIII,
arrived at some degree of strength and populate
the young society would sicken Of a militia
TO government, and sigh Tor the establishment
ed a civil authority. A territorial Government o
tanned, the iuh enjoyment OF State rights won
y next be demanded; and, these acquired. loI
clamor would soon be heard against the hardsh