Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-02-27

'-'~ aaN" " AN ANA' Y 10 fANl
or acqnrr: limiting and defining the ex.
teniol the grant in the same manner az
would be done if such grant wac absolute;
and promising that the title should be con.
firmed, in case and whenever the sover-
eighty OF the United States was recogni-
sed or asserted and maintained.
The acts which the Government Of the
United States may do, in conformity with
the convention, embrace two objects: the
measures applicable to the territory within
their acknowledged limits which may Ia
ciliiete and promote migration; and those
which are necessary for the protection Of
their citizens residing in the Oregon terri
tory.
1t is remarkable fact that, although the
convention has now been in force twenty
seven years, Congress has actually done
nothing with respect to either OF those OBJ
jects. Enterprisiag individuals have,
without any aid or encouragement by Gov
eminent, opened a wagon road eighteen
hundred miles in length, through an arid
and mountainous region, and made settle
ments on or near the shores of the Pacific,
wilhoutany guaranty for the possession Of
the land improved by their labors, Even
the attempt to carry on an inland trade
with The Indians of Oregon hes been de-
lputed by the refusal to allow drawback
Of high duties, imposed on the importation
of foreign goods absolutely necessary for
that commerce Thus the fur trade has
remained engrossed by the Hudson Bay
Company; missionaries were, till very late
Iy, almost the only citizens Of the United
States to be found in Oregon; the United
States during the whole OF that period,
have derived no other advantage from ,hr
convention than the reservation of their
rights, and the express provision tha, these
should in no way he affected by the con-
inuance of tho British factories in the ter
ritory. And, now that the tide of emigra-
lion has turned in their favor, they are
suddenly invited TO assume hostile posi-
ton; to endure the calamities and to run
the chances and consequences Of war, in
order to gain an object which natural and
irresistible causes, if permitted to operate,
cannot fail ultimately to attain.
The measures applicable to the territo-
ry within the acknowledged limits have
been generally recommended by the Pres
ident. Avery moderate appropriation will
be suffiCien: to improve the most difficult
portions of the road: and bock-houses or
Other temporary works, erected in proper
places and at convenient distances, and
garrisoned by q portion of the additional
force, will protect and facilitate the pro-
gress of the emigrants. However uninvi'
ting may be the vast extent Of praires,
destitute of timber, whi;h intervene be-
tween the western boundary Of the State
of Missouri and the country bordering on
the Stony Mountains, itseems impossible
that there should not be found some more
favored spots where settlements may re
formed. If these were selected for Mil
tlry posts, and donations Of land were
made to actual settlers in their vicinity,
series Of villages, though probably not a
continuity Of settlements, would soon a.
rise through the whole length Of the road.
The most important place, that which is
most wanted, either as place Of rest for
the emigrants or for military purposes, is
one in the immediate vicinity Of the Sto.
ny Mountains. Reports speaks favorahIy
of the fertility of the soil in some of the val
leys Of the upper waters, within our linn
ts--of Bears river, Of the Rio Colorado,
and of some OF the northern branches Of
the river Platte. There, also the seat Of
justice might be placed Of the new terrific
ry, whose Courts should have superior ju-
risdlcton over Oregon. The measures
which the United States have right to
carry into effect within the territory of
Oregon, in conformity with the conven-
ton, have already been pointed out,
1t may not be possible to calculate, with
any degree of certainty, the number of cit
izens of the United States who, aided by
these various measures, will within any
given period, remove to the territory bey-
Ond the Stony Mountains. 1t is certain
that this number will annually increase,
and will keep pace with the rapid increase
5f The population of the Western States.
1t cannot be doubted that ultimately, and
at no very distant time, they will have
possession Of all that Is worth being occu-