The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-04

statements cannot be true On one side. are oap-
tain Wilkes, (who did not superintend the sur
vey IN person, but who says he drew his conclu-
sons from the log kept by Knox, and from his
written communications touching the survey,)
and the Hudson's Bay Company, anu on the
other, are the three gentlemen, who made
the survey and soundngs by Captain WillSes's
order. Mr.. Benton has taken the side of Knox
and the others, and has had their statements
printed for the use of the Senate. Capt. Wilkes
came ont with statement last night in the Union,
IN which he endeavors to show discrepancy be-
tween the late statements of Knox, in relation to
this matter, and the log of the survey kept oy him.
You recollect that the London Times stated in a
certain article, iii relation 10 the Oregon treaty,
that by that treaty, the free navigation of the Co
lumbis was secured TO the Hudson's Bay Compa-
ny forever. The Union denied that this interpre-
taton correct, but did not state where the in
accuracy existed--and for the simple reason, that
the venerable editor OF the administration organ
was himself in profound ignorance of the real
state of the
1.-The facts are these:-
the Hudson's Bay Company's charter was
granted by Charles the Second, and is perpetual
But this charter contains no grant ofands or wa
tiers west of the Rocky Mountains. Attached to
1t, however, Is permit OF the privileges OF hunt
ing, trapping, building boats for protection, sc.
&c over the lands in the Oregon territory, now
occupied by the servants OF the company. This
permit is Tor term OF years, and expires in 1858
Now the Oregon treaty stipulates for the free ma
vigation OF the Columbia 10 the Hudson's Bay
Company, and 10 British subjects trading with
the same. But the permit TO The company of the
privileges which they now enjoy, expires in 1883;
therefore, the stipulation OF the free navigation OF
the Columbia dies out in that year. But it may
be asked. is 1t not easy for the British COVE n
nent to extend the duration of this permit, If they
wish to retain the free navigation of the
Columbia Z answer, ihat in the first place,
peltry is even now diminishing so fast,
that the company barely clear their expenses
In seven years from now the prosecution oil the
hunting and trapping trade will be dead loss !;
and know enough of the English character 10
believe that English merchants will not indulge in
so expensive an amusement as voyagng such a
vast distance from home, the somewhat fanc-
ful speculation of hunting possible muskrats over
the wilds of Oregon, soemnIy sailing up and
down the Coumsia, TO make it practically under
stood that they are monarchs OF all they survey
equi-potent with ourselves.
So that it appears morally certain that even be-
fore the expiration of the permit or grant to the
Hudson's Bay company of the privileges in the
Oregon territory which they now enjoy, there
will De no claim but our own to the free naviga-
ton of the Columbia, as their trade in Oregon
will cease before that period. 1t would require a
great stretch OF imagination to suppose that the
compa y would apply for renewal of the grant
after the trade will not only have ceased to be
productive, but when its pursuit would be certain
to entail a ruinous expenditure.
This is the true explanation of the " free navi-
cation" article.
An amusing scene took place in the House of
Representatives a day or two ago. The House
being in committee Of the whole, Mr.. Houston.
of Alabama, if remember rightly, in the chair,
an appeal was taken from decision of the
Chairman on some point of order, and was sus-
tanned by the House. About five minutes after
wards, similar question of order was raised, and
decided by the Chairman, not in accordance with
his own views, but with those of the House as
Indicated by their vote on the appeal few mi
nutes previous. To this decision an appeal was
taken, and sustained by the House, which thus
voted down its own so recently recorded decision
Many amusing scenes of this nature occur in
these latter days of the session. aALvIENsIs