The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-17
II H E N f w Err A
SPEECH OF MIR. HUNTER.
Of VIRGINIA

cupancy relative to the Oregon territory.
MT. Hunter rose and addressed the House as
follows:
Mr. Chairman was one of those who regret
ted that this debate should have arisen when it
did. | regarded it as premature and unfortunate.
and feared that il might add to the difficulties
In the way of a wise and dispassionate settlement
OF the question before us. But so much has now
been said. that yet fuller development of the
opinion of this House is perhaps due to the coun-
try, and ourselves. For myself, have been the
more anxious to express my opinions at an early
stage of the debate, because | furesaw that
should be separated from many, perhaps from
most OF my political friends upon the question be-
fore Us. am happy to believe however, that
the differences between us are not so wide and
deep as Ia be irreconcilabe. This difference
relates not so much 10 the end which we all de
sire 10 attain. as To the means Ivy which il s To
he pursued. From what have gathered of the
opinions Of This House. | believe that all desire
the possession of Oregon, not only up Ia the
parallel OF 49', bur tn that of $40 40. Nearly
all, SD far as an informed believe that our title
|" inns country is good, not only 10 the 49lh
parallel, hut up To- that of $40 40 l. for one
entertain that opinion. The whole question be-
tween us is as To the best and wisest means of
attaining an end which we all equally desire
Mr. Chairman. have expressed the upinion
mat, without regard To The distinctions of party
or ut sections, all of us desire the possession Of
The whole territory in Oregon, to which we are
entitled. There is man with an American
heart In his bosom who could he inSensibe la The
prospect of planting our flag and our SETTLEMENTS
upon the shores of The Pacific There is no sucb
bosom which would not swell with emotions Of
hope and OF pride at the prospect of The Influence.
commercial. political, and military. which we
should derive from position on the shores of
oregon and California, should we he so fortunate
as To be able TO obtain the last by just and eGuta.
bic means. Looking To the map of the ylube.
and taking the world over with view tn lilo
social and political relations, and To physical
characteristics, there Is no such position for mill
tafy strength and commercial supremacy as we
SNAP occupy II our settlements should cover the
whole breadth of the continent from the Atlantic
10 The Pacific ocean, under our present form of
government. In the centre, lies The vast valley
oi The Mississippi, destined to be not only the
hlve, hut the sOrehOuse of nations and impreqna-
Oly secured behind the Alleshanies ON the one
side, and the Rocky mountains on the other. In
lime OF war, mighty reserve, ready 10 debonch
on either the Atlantic or the Pacific slope to
oVerwhelm with irresistible force any FOREIGN in
Faslon, and able IN time of peuce-teeininn, as il
VIII be, with people and reSources-lo cherish
ano sustain vast commerce on either sea- From
The Chesapeake northward, our harbors and
7 1871
us the most commanding commercial position on
the vast basin of the Atlantic which receives the
waters and the commerce Of most of the large
rivers of the world. With Oregon and Cali
iurnla, our position on the Pacific would be near
IL as commanding. We should hold the advanc-
cd posts on The line of commercial! intercbanoes
between the civilized portion of the world and
most OF that which IS semi civilized or barbarous
and we should probably. become the centre Of
cnm IN prpIal kaf,,, a..
possession of Oregon, and The peaceful acanisi-
lion OF California, would place this Union in a
position OF lmpregnable strength and stable great
ness, with one arm on the Atlanic sea and the
other on the Pacific shore, ready ~ strike in
ei'her direction with a rapldlty and an efficiency
not 10 be rivaIed by any natun on the earth.
know that these speculatlons on the future
are uncertain and often dangerous but il would
seem 10 be next To impossible that with this posi-
tl0n, and with all these elements of military
strength and of political and commercial great
ness. we should not be able, not only to command
The largest share of commerce of both seas. but
also To protect and advance the march of civiIiza -
ton throughout the entire extent of this continent
With these views Of the subject, how could be
IhsensIhle To the importance Of maintaining our
claims to Oregon But shall we hest promote
our purpose by adopting the recommendation of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs in relation Ia,
The notice with great Difference to their niatur
ed and, perhaps, better, opinion, must say that
think not. To determine this question: il will
be necessary to ascertain, as far as possible the
probable consequences Of either course, as we NAV
give, refuse 10 give, the notice for the termlna
ton Of the convention Of joint occupancy.
Let us, then. Mr.. Chairman, examine this oues
ton calmly and dispassionatey. Let us view
this subject under none Of the haucinations of ma
tional pride let approach it in no buastful or
braggart spirit, and with no disposition to use it
as the mere means Of hauering national vanity
Let us come to it in that higher spirit which con
scious strength should inspire-with the feelings
Of those who are too we'll satisfied of our tile In
the respect of the world and of orr ability To hold
oDT own, to believe that it can either be necessa.
W or dignifed TO deal in extIavioant prelen,ons
| or exaggerated assertion. Ifthere be such q spir
| il of inquiry in this body TO which NAV address
myself | would ask, what are to be the conse
quences if we give the notice II the notice he
| given, the best result which can possibly flow
from it will be an adjustment Of the difficulty bv
! treaty, upon the basis Of boundary on the loth
parallel Of latitude. Under existing circum-
stances, we expect no better treaty, and it is
| manifest that VIC will take nothing worse. I, IS
absurd TO suppose that Great Britain will ofer To
give os more than we have agreed TO take. II
This matter be amicably adjusted, it is eyident.
under the existing stale Of the negotiations thar