The daily union., 1846-04-28
THE DAILY UNION

being, between us and such foreign States respect
iysly, may be entitled to, and shall be engaged in,
| the said trade ...-.... ~
sit is much to be regretted, that while under this
act British subjects have enjoyed The protection Of
British laws and British judicial tribunals throughout
the whole Of Oregon, American eiuIens IN the same
territory have enjoyed no such protection from their
government Al The same time, the result illus
Irates the character of people and their nsttu
tons. In spite of this neglect, they have multi
piled and their number is rapidly Increasing in that
territory. They have made 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 hat self government is inherent in the Amer-
can breast and must prevail II is due to them that
they should be embraced and protected by our laws
ut is deemed important that our laws regulating
trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east of
the Rocky mountains, should be extended to such
tribes as dwell beyond them.
"The increasing emigration TO Oregon, and the
care and protection which is due from the govern
ment 10 its citizens in that distant region, make il
our duty as il il our interest," to cultivate amicable
relations with the Indian tribes OF that territory
For this purpose, | recommend that provision be
made for establishing an Indian agency, and such
sub-agencies may be deemed necessary, beyond
the Rocky mountains.
"For the protection of emlgrants, whilst on their
way TO Oregon, against the attacks of the Indian
tribes occupying the country through which
they pass | recommend that suitable number
of stockades and block-house forts be erected
along the usual route between our frontier settle
ments on the Missouri and the Rocky mountains;
and that an adequate force of mounted rihemen be
raised to guard and protect them ontheir journey.
The immediate adoption Of these recommendations
by Congress will not violate ihe provisions of the
existing treaty. Ii will be doing nothing more for
American citizens than British laws have long since
done for British subjects in the same territory.
at requires several months 70 perform the yoy-
age by sea FROM the Atlantic SNtesto 70 Oregon; and
although we have large nsnsber OF whale ships in
the Pacific, but few Of them afford an opportunity
of inerchanging intelligence without great delay,
between our settlements in that distant region and
the United States. An overland mail is believed TO
be entirely practicable, and the importance OF estab-
fishing such mail at least once month, Is sub
mitted TO the favorable consideration Of Congress.
at is submitted to the wisdom OF Congress to
determine whether, at their present session, and
until after the expiration Of the years notice, any
other measures may be adopted consistently with
the convention Of 1897 for the security Of our rights
and the government and protection Of our citizens
in Oregon. That it will ultimately be wise and
proper make liberal grants Of land to the patriotic
pioneers, who, amidst priyations and dangers, lead
the way through savage tribes inhabtlng the vast
wilderness intervening between frontier settle
ments and Oregon, and who cultivate and are ever
ready to defend the soil, am fully satisfied. To
doubt whether they will obtain such grants as soon
AZ the convention between the United States and
Great Britain shall have ceased to exist, would be
to doubt the justice Of Congress; but, pending the
years notice, il is worthy of consideration whether
a stipulation to this effect may be made consistently
with the spirit of that convention.
"The recommendations which have made, as to
the best manner of securing our rights in Oregon,
are subm tied to Congress with great Difference.
Should they, in their wisdom, devise any other
mode better calculated to accomplish the same OBJ
iect, it shall meet with my hearty concurrence.
"At the end of the years notice, should Congress
think it proper to make provision for giving that
notice, we shall have reached period when the
national rights in Oregon must either be abandoned
or firmly maintained. That they cannot be aban-
doned without sacrifice Of both national honor and
interest, is too clear to admit Of doubt"