Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-01-22
Hon. John q. Adams Speech on Oregon.
]. d. w, Esq.


The following report of the speech of the Hon
John Quincy Adams, delivered in the U. s House
of Representatives, on Friday, we copy from the
National lntelligencer:-
Mr. ]. q. Adams rose TO address the House lie
said that he ought perhaps to commence with an
apology to the House for addressing at all on this
question. The state Of his health was such as to
render it impossible for him to enter at all on the
many important questions connected with this sub
ject, and, whatever observations he might feel it his
duty TO make upon it, must necessarily be brief
His physical power would not enable him to 90 at
any length into the question.
The question now Immediately before the House
he understood to be, whether the bull making pro-
visions for raising two regiments of rl1emen should
be made the special order for the first Tuesday in
January.
The speaker said that that constituted one part
OF the question, but not debatable The other
part OF the question on referring this bill to
Committee OF the Whole on the state Of the Union
aud that question was open TO debate
Mr. Adams said that he asked, then, that the
question might be divided, and might first be put
on the reference, because he presumed that there
was no diversity Of opinion on that point If there
was II would change the whole state Of the debate
Mr. Houston, Of Alabama, said, in explanation,
that IT the reference of the bill he had OBJ
iected TO, but its being made special order.
The Speaker further declared that the first
branch OF the question: viz the reference of the
bill could be decided by majority, but that to
make It special order would require vote oftwo
thirds
Mr. Adams said that if the House should refuse
the reference then he should have nothing further
to say
The Speaker said the first question would be on
the reference Of the BILL and that question was de-
batable.
Mr. Adams then asked if he was at liberty to de.
bate the question whether this bill should be made
the special order for Tuesday next
The Speaker replied that he could not, but that
the question of reference might be debated
Well, (said Mr. Adams) | will, at the risk of be-
ing arrested for irreleyancy (Which seems, of late,
iavorite mode Of preventing discussion speak in
reality and in substance to the question of making
the bill spectral order-whie, in form, my remark
will be on the question Of reference
This measure now proposed TO be referred is one,
which, for a variety Of reasons is as important as
any question which has hitherto come, or will here
after come, before this House for discussion. II is
difficult to speak of the bills relating to this
subject without a reference TO all the others For
example this is bill to raise two regiments of RI
iiemen. Now, find there has been reported in
another part Of this building a bill providing for
one regiment of mounted rifemen. The question,
then, presents itself TO mellow are these two bills
to go together and whether they ought not to be
considered together If but one regiment only of
mounted rillemen is necessary to be maintained
then II does not fellow that two regiments of un.
mounted riflemen are needed: the one bill depends.
in measure upon the other. | refer to this mere
ly an illustration, TO show the variety Of measures
which are at the same time in contemplation by the
House | find further, in the same bill to which |
hav inst udad Of 4 II
lars for the expenses of any military defences which
the President may deem necessary on the line of
our communication with Oregon Now the impor-
lance Of that provision depends on the sum which
shall be put into the hands Of the President All |
infer from this is that it is contemplated that other
expenses land in my opinion very heavy ones) must
be considered as concurrent measures with the rails.
ing OF these regiments of rlemen. This is not the
only measure that will be necessary and therefore
it may be doubtful if there is any necessity for vast
ing the time of this House in discussing the ques-
ton whether these two regiments of rillemen shall
be raised unless the necessity is made apparent for
their employment Why, what occasion is there
that two regiments or one regiment shall be raised
at this time We have heretofore gone through
some measures which presented prospec tof war
we have gone through them and there has been no
war We are at profound peace with all the world
Why then, increase our military establishment? Ii
must be recollected that the spirit which prevailed
in this House two three, or four years ago, was
very different as to this matter Of increasing our
military force. Who were then here voted moi ON.
ly TO prevent the increase of our military establish
ment, but we reduced it by very nearly one third
That was four years ago. when the prospect of wal
was quite as great as now, and will take this op
porIunity TO say that do not believe at all in ANY
DANGER Of t0ar at this time.
do not see any testimonials Of the probability