Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-26


saw that the settlement Of Oregon by American
cl.izeus was rapidly approaching.
Il ne soal3 9aly adhere strictly 70 the con-
vention, the progress Of things would eventual
II decide who should have possession Of tie
territory. Our power 70 populate the region,
ard thus 10 obtain its actual possession, was
far greater than that Of Great Britain. Its dis
lance from US was far less the access to It was
through an open, grassy country, and, TO men
so active and hardy as our Western pioneers,
the journey presented comparatively but small
difficulty; whereas 70 reach Oregon from Great
Britain required circumnayigaton OF twenty
thousand miles-a space but little short OF the
circumference Of the globe. OF all the spots
on the face Of the earth, presenting to her the
possibility Of colonization, Oregon was NE
most remote. There were hundreds OF colonies
that law nearer, and presented a better soil and
climate Even New Zealand was nearer 20
lthe shores of England. All, therefore, we had
to do was to stick to the convention. to observe
all its provisions with the most scrupulous fl
deity, and then let the question Of title be qui
ety and gradually settled by the actual occu-
patton and possession Of the country. To this
course there was but one impediment Great
Britain might give the notice. But had no
such fear for had read the discussion Of this
question on her side, and thought saw clear
| ly that she placed no great value upon Oregon,
as a permanent possession OF the British
| Crown, but rather seemed to conclude from ITS
geographical position, the United States must
ultimately get the whole Of it. But, even if
her calculation was otherwise, there were great
impediments m the way Of her giving notice
to terminate the convention. She could do so
Iif she pleased so could we: this was an ex-
press provision of the treaty, and could not, in
itself, be considered as hostile movement on
either side But there was another convention
which Great Britain contends TO be still in ex-
istence, but which we insist has expired, and
that is the convention of Nootka. This treaty
of Nootka is in strict analogy with our conven-
ton Of 1918; and if she should give us notice,
it could not be set aside unless It's provisions
were violated We had observed the terms of
our convention, and thus foreclosed her from
the possibility of such movement
1t seemed. then, to me clear as the light of
heaven, that it would not do for us to make a
movement of any kind. We might, indeed,
give our people some facilities in reaching the
country and when they got there, we might
extend our laws over them personally, but not
terrtorally. doubted then, and still doubt,
even the expediency Of going so far as that
but, most clearly, we could not set up our laws
there territorally; because the moment we
should do that, we should establish a custom
house, and levy and collect duties and ifthere
is any thing that can ALLEVIATE the affections Of
those people from us, II will be the collection OF
high duties. Our people have gone there as
their fathers came to New England at the be-
ginning and one important end they seek is
the enjoyment of free trade They win con
tend as earnestly for the free enjoyment of the
trade Of the Pacific as their ancestors did for
that of the Atlantic before the Revolution. II
we levy high duties on their infant trade, they
will soon find a neighboring Power who will
extend to them greater advantages IN this res
pect, and whose influence might rend the ter
ritory from you. My disposition has been to
let them 90 there and govern themselves
That is a business for which they deem TO have
a native instinct, that marks their origin. Let
them go there and settle the country, and then
gradually, and with judgment and caution,
extend our laws over them, as il may become
necessary for here is the most delicate and
critical point in the whole affair
The other course that lay open to us was
that pointed out in the bill Of 1913, which pro-
vided for the practical assertion of our rights in
the territory. and the exercise of our sovereign
ty there to a certain extent, by the passage Of
certain general laws. | thought this course
not to be fit and proper one. | saw very
plainly what would be the consequence and,
indeed, it requires but little reflection TO per
ceive this To extend our settlements in Ore
ron. in conformity with the provisions of that
bill, would be inconsistent with the terms OF
the convention, and would speedily bring US
either to negotiation or to war | anticipated
tina, the result would be negotiation. And
what then2 Negotiation must end in either
compromise or war. never could believe in
any other result. | also saw that, if we com
promised, it must be on the parallel Of 49,
The past history of the whole matter decided
that and. besides, as 400 was the boundary
on this side the mountains, most people would
think it reasonable and natural it should be the
boundary Of the other side.
But would 90 neither for notice nor for
compromise, so long as we could perseYere IN
what conceived to be true American policy.
Hence did resist the bill of 1913, in common
with many able men in both Houses. 1t pas
sed here by an equivocal majority of one vote,
! (the Senator voting under instructions IN the
afirmatve,) but ii was lostin the other House.
Since then the proposition for notice has been
repeated, with a view TO taking possession OF
( the whole country. And so now we are where
we area position which all ought TO have
! foreseen--whcre we mustcompromlse or hight
! say. then, if there is any responsibility at
tached TO circumstances IN which ! find my
self, stand acquitted from any participation in
it. The responsibility lies among nay friends
on the right. | doubt not they acted patriot
cally, hut impatently-in obedience to the i'm
patience of their people. They have suffered
/ themselves to be pushed into their present posi-
ton without due reflection.
Now, being brought to the alternative, by
circumstances over which | have no control
/ | 90 for compromise and against war. But in
I this course am actuated by no unmanly fear
of consequences. know that, under the ex-
isting state of the world, wars are sometimes
necessary; the utmost regard Professionalism
/ ty cannotalways preventthem. Andwhen war
mustbe met, | shall be among thellst to finch;
/ may appeal to my past history in support Of
this assertion. But am averse from going to
war on this question, for the reasons have gi-
ven. Butnot for these only | have still high
or reasons. Although wars may at times be
necessary, yet peace is positive good and
war is positive evil and lclng to peace so
/ long as ii can bepreseryed consistently with the
national safety and honor; and ! am against
war so long as it can be avoided without a sac
riice of either. am opposed 10 war in this
case. because neither of these exigeneies exist;
/ I "A