The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-11

properly protected the number Of settlers would IN
ten years, amount TO two hundred and nifty thou
sand. The measure could only succeed oy adher-
ing 10 the bill il Why should not the pres
cut friends Of the measure adhere TO the bihf We
had the recommendation Of the President and the
Secretary Of War in favor of its passage, and also
that Of an expedition which was sent out for the
purpose Of an examination. Gould we not follow
The lights Of those who had investigated the subject
"a had been proved that no less number than two
thousand of our citizens traders and others, had, in
the last ten years been murdered by the Indians in
thai country. What were the motives TO emigra-
lion 20 Oregon Let Il be understood that the eoun-
try is not, as Mr.. MeDUrFM described il, barren
~aste--but let true account Of it be giyen--et il
be understood that IL is country admirably adapt
ed for numbering and grazing, and emigration will
rapidly increase. Let IL be understood that lumber
there obtained in the greatest abundance, and
be sold at nigh price in the Sandwich islands, and
many persons win flock to Oregon for the purpose
Of carrying on that business. The facilities for
grazing were also very great
He wished 10 suggest TO the gentleman from Vir-
gina Mr.. HoPEIss that his amendment, in regard
tothe carrying the mail, entirely unnecessary
because in few days separate bill for that OBJ
jet would come up and all the Oregon bills would,
as he hoped, be passed in the course ola week. He
hoped therefore, that the friends of these measures
you'd stand by the ball as Il was. His honorable
friend, Mr. 5. JosIs, who had offered the last
amendmsnt, had done Il without the sanction Of a
single government officer he presumed. We
could only aet upon the Recommendation Of those
who had military experience. What might be the
military genius Of the gentleman from Georgia he
did not know.
i Mr.. s. JONES here said that he did not pretend
TO any military experience, but he would be ashamed
TO vote for ball Of this kind with reference 10 war
with England. The bills which had already passed,
had increased the peace establishment TO upwards
Of eleven thousand men, which was quite sufficient
for objects Of peace. There were mounted men
enough already, for the President had discretionary
power upon this subject.
II Mr. HARRISON explained that the gentleman
from Georgia was mistaken in supPosing that the
i regiment OF light infantry was mounted.
/ Mr.. J. DAVIS would explain he said, the diff
ference between light infantry and mounted rhemen.
The light infantry used no bsyonets, and marched
in double quick time.
Mr.. THOMPSON resumed: Whether that regi-
ment mounted OF not, he thought the gen
lleman from Georgia was dismounted, and would
| therefore, make poor show in the praires.
| The President had recommended this regiment
for the protection Of emigrants TO Oregon, not to
fight the British. IL would be just expensive to
mount the light infantry regiment, as the gentle
man from Georgia proposed, as to raise this regi-
ment.
Mr.. HOLMES referred to the law, and said
that the President had power to accomplish the OBJ
Jet.
Mr.. s. JONES made some explanations, to show
that the President had the power 10 mount a light
infantry regiment. He had the power, also, to levy
new soldiers to h up the regiments; and il he could
not enlist men in the northern or southern States
who capable Of riding through the woods, he
might go to the West, and there find any number Of
| them.
Mr.. THOMPSON, after some further Interrupt
tons, insisted on proceeding, though he said he
was willing to yield the floor to those who might be
able to do the subject more justice than himself.
The amendment could not be made to work, and
would not answer for the particular purposes in.
tended by the bill. II we increased the number Of
men in the light infantry regiment and then mount
Il ed them, we should incur the same expense a
| we should by the measure proposed in the bill.
| Mr.. s. JONES. There would be Of
6ces.
| Mr.. THOMPSON vent on to insist that after the
examinations and recommendations which had been
made by the proper authorities the bill entitled
TO the confidence and support Of the House.
Mr. JACOB THOMPSON desired, he said, to
make practical speech on the subject so far he
was able. He believed that, under existing circum.
stances regiment ought to be raised for the protection
Of emgrants but he was opposed to any increase Of
the peace establishment. All experience had shown
that, when men got epaulettes upon their
shoulders, they could never be got rid Of. During
the present excitement officers might be appointed,
and when the necessity for them had passed away
1t would be found impossible to obtain any reduc.
ton Of their number.
/ Let us do what existing circumstances demand
and raise volunteer regiment for a limited time.
| II said that we wanted corps OF Dragons
| to gallant emigrants to Oregon, but had
lately increased the regiments from fifty to eighty
men, additional permanent force could not be ne
cessary. The power of the western Indians was
| not so terrible as had been represented.
| Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Pennsylvania, here re-
marked, that there were troops at all in the Ore
gon region. Col Kearney had recommended that
force should be sent once year into that region
| Mr.. JACOB THOMPSON. Well, the Indians
have troops, and that will suffice for them
| II we now raise volunteer regiment, we could OBJ
| tain the most gallant young men in the country to
| go to Oregon; and after two years service they
| would pass again into private life In two years
| our difficulties with Great Britain would be settled,
| or we shall have war. He hoped it would not be
made necessary to pass law in order to discontinue
the existence of this additional force. 1t said
that wanted men for the forts and stockades on
the way, but we had authorized the President to
raise additional force, and he could direct few
companies to garrison the stockades OR the route
| There was one grand objection to the plan of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. JAS. THoMP
| SON. that IT proposed permanent and expensive
addition to the peace establishment
There was no economy in the measure this Con
gress Of the most profigate in expenditures
that he had Witnessed; it only necessary
to name expenditures in order to grant them; but
his plan would avoid any ultimate expense, and
would effect the object in view. 1t said that
the emigants would start the Goth of May next,
and must therefore pass this bill in hot haste; bu
he doubted whether any emgrants cared much about
this escort. Emigrants went out last year without
any escort, and they would do it again. He urged
the raising of volunteer corps, who would at the end
oftwo years bring us back correct information OF
the country, and thereby promote its settlement, or
in the event of war with Great Britain could be re-
tanned, and be honor to the service. This, he
thought would be the most economical and most ef
fectual mode of facilitating emigration to Oregon
l. Mr. HARRISON here remarked that the meas
| ure was not proposed IN view of a war with any
foreign power In reference to that contingency,
bill had been reported by the committee to author
ze the enlistment of volunteers. The number was
left blank in the bill; but he had no objection to
state that the committee would propose to fill the
blank with at least fifty thousand. The gentleman
would here find the volunteer system his hearts
| content.
| Mr.. THOMPSON continued. Then under
stand that this regiment is to be permanent add
ton to the peace establishment, ard against that
enter my solemn protest.
| Mr. JAS. THOMPSON explained. that the bill