The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-01-13


deem necessary on the line of our COM
munication with Oregon. Now the inn
portance Of that provision depends on the
sum which shall be put into the hands of
the President Ali infer from this is,
that il is contemplated that other expenses
(and in my opinion very heavy ones)
must be considered as concurrent meas
ures with the raising of these regiments
of rif1emen. This is not the only meas
ure that will be necessary, and therefore
it may be doubtful if there is any neces-
sity for wasting the time Of this House in
discussing the question whether these
two regiments of rifemen shall be raised,
unless the necessity is made apparent for
their employment. Why, what reason
is there that two regiments or one regi-
ment shall be raised at this time! We
have heretofore gone through some meas
ures which presented a prospect of war:
we have gone through them and there has
been no war. We are at a profound
peace with all the world. Why then in
crease our military establishment! ltmust
be recollected that the spirit which pre-
vailed in this House two, three, or four
years ago, was very different as to this mat
ter of increasing our military force. We
who were then here voted not only to
prevent the increase of our military es-
tablishment, but we reduced it by very
nearly one-third. That was four years
ago, when the prospect of war was quite
as great as now, and | will take this op-
portunity to say that ! DO NOT BELIEVE AT
ALL IN ANY DANGER OF WAR AT THIS
TINE.
do not see any testimonials of the
probability of war at this time; but, if
any danger is apprehended by any gen
tlemen here, it appears to me that the
very first measure to be taken-that
which should precede all military meas
ures Of any kinds to give notice to
Great Britain that we mean TO terminate
the existing joint occupancy of Oregon.
That is the first measure to be TAKEN
How can gentlemen apprehend war 9TH
vice? Does Great Britain tell us that
she shall take offence at the continuance
of the treaty of joint occupancy! She
does not, though | have heard of some
question being made in England whether
II go ------
nation of the joint occupancy. Yet it is
not joint occupation, and have been
surprised at the language held by some
gentlemen on the subject. The treaty
acknowledges, no occupation of the ter
ritory by either party; it is commercial
convention for free navigation, but it does
not admit by either party the occupation
of one inch of territory by the other. 1t
is no occupation. But whether it is,
neither party can permanently occupy
the country without notice to the other
to terminate the convention of commerce
and trade. which would not be permitted
without such convention. 1t is not a
treaty of joint occupation; it is a treaty
for the exercise Of navigation rights, COM
mercial rights, and trading rights with the
Indians. 1t procludes the occupation of
the country by either party. Exclusive
occupation cannot be assumed by either
without notice. Ofall the measures for
| assuming jurisdiction over citizens of the
United States who have gone into Oregon
and are there in actual possession, notice
is the first thing. Twelve months after
that notice shall have been given the right
will accrue to the United States to occupy
any part of the territory they may think
proper.
| In the bill which passed at the last ses-
sion myself moved. as first section to
the bill. that such notice should be given.
The House did not think proper to a.
gree to it, and passed the bill without any
notice.
Mr.. G. J. Ingersoll. No: 1t was put
! into the bill at the last moment.
Mr.. Adams. But the bill did not pass
the Senate, and so the insertion was inn
material. But it is material fact to me,
because proposed it as constituting the
first section of the bill. | declared N.Y.
self ready then, and am ready now, to
give such notice. Great sensation.
hope it will be given, and that we shall
do it as the first measure TO be taken
to be followed afterwards by real occu-
I DdIlOH Vi luc WIlOiC olOdl
sensation in the House and an incipient
| clap, which, however. was promptly ar
rested by the, Speake rwho called loudly
to order. But it is indispensable that we
shall frstgiye notice.
The gentleman from Illinois Mr..
Douglas) says that it appears to him there
is game playing here-a remark which
is quite incomprehensible to me. | shall
not inquire to what the gentlemen allu-
ded, but confess l was very much SUI
prised to hear that the Committee on
Foreign Affairs will not report to the
House such notice.
Mr.. G. ]. Ingerson. know OF no
member Of that committee who has said
SO.
Mr.. Douglass. said SO, because /
had heard that such was their determine