The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-23
From the Union, April rs.
THE OREGON BILL. AND THE ORE.
~ CON EESOLUTIpNS ID

mead his article lkey passed, without debate
The blu fos extending the Jurisdiction Of the
United S'stes 10 Oregon, provides for the extern
sion OF the laws of Iowa to this ssrriso,y
ing To British subjects alb the rights and jurisdc-
ton which they derive from tho convention. IL
does not define tho buundsyy of Oregon, but
legisates for the Atnerieas etizens who dwell
beyond the Rocky nountaias. II also extends
our Indian systensr post Office syseEa tu thar
country, and provides for block houses aad mill
iary authority 10 PIe<sc' the emigranis from the
United States who cross tho Ip0nntains Air
these measuresar in ennibrmiy with the recon-
mendaiions of the President, and, with the addi
ton of the resolutions Er ns,ice, ce~er the whole
ground which he has meraeJ out in his message
The bill passed the House by the following v1,e
yeas l44, nays 40l The following 10 the form
which it assumed, after various amendments, Had
been proposed, and after several days Mad BEEN
devoted to the discussion
A BILL to protect the rghtsof American settlers
in the territory of Oregon, until the termination
of the joint occupation, of the ssme.
{" BE st enacted by The Senate and House of
Representatives Of The United States of .4u,eri.
ca in Congress assembled, Thas the jurisdic-
tion of the supreme COURT of the Terriiory of
Iowa, and the laws of said Territory 80 Gar as
! the same may be applicable, as they now exist,
| are hereby extended over all that portion of the
| territory of the United States which lies west of
! ton Of the intermediate country west of the
Missouri river, and between the foriieih and
forty third parallels of north latitude: Provided
that this act shall not be construed executed
4 in such a manner as TO deprive the subjects Of
Great Britain of any of the rights and privileges
secured by the treaty signed at London, October
twentieth, eighteen hundred and eighteen, and
continued in force by the treaty Of August sixth,
\ eighteen hundred and twenty seven.
\ SEC 9 And he n ftrfber .no,}eI IT,,
all the country described in the first section of
this act shall constitute one judicial district. and
district court shall be held therein by the Judge
10 be appointed under this act, at such times and
places as he shall designae; and said court shall
possess all the powers and authority vested in the
present district courts of said Territory of Iowa.
An additional justice of the supreme court of the
| Territory of Iowa shall be appointed, who shall
hold his office by the same tenure, receive the
same compensation, and possess the same powers
and authority as are conferred by law upon the
other justices of said court, and who shall hold
the district courts in said district as aforesaid.
SEC. 3. find be ii further enacted, That
the President be hereby authorized to appoint the
requisite number of justices Of the peace, and such
ministerial officers as shall be necessary for the
due execution of the laws Provided, That any
subject of Great Britain who shall be arrested
under the provisions of this act, for crime alleged
to have been committed within the territory of
The United States west of the Rocky mountains,
while the same remains free and open TO the ves-
sells, citizens, and subjects of the United States
and of Great Britain, pursuant to stpuIa,ions be-
tween the two powers. shall be delivered up for
trial, on proof of his being such British subject,
to the nearest and most convenient authorities
having cognizance Of such offence by the laws Of
Great Britain.
"SEo. a. find be it further enscfed, That
provision shall hereafter be made by law to secure
and grant TO every white person, male or female,
over the age of eighteen years, three hundred and
twenty acres Of land. and TO every white person,
male OF female, under the age Of eighteen years,
lone hundred and sixty acres Of land, who shall
have resided in the said territory described in the
first section of this act for five consecutive years,
TO commence within three years from the passage
of this act. Provided, The said land shall be
located in said territory.
g" SEC. D. lind be IL further enacted, That
there shall be appointed, in the manner provided
by law for similar officers, superintendent Of
Indian Affairs, and such IndiRn agents and sub
agents as shailbe necessary the public interests,
to whom may be intTusted. under the 6iTestion
OF the President, and in accordance with the ex-
ls'ihg laws. so far as they may be consistent with
the pnTport Of this act, the regulation of trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes, and the execu
ton OF Inc laws herein extended over the conn
Try, described in the first section Of this act.
" SEC. 6. find be it further enacted, That
The President be, and he is hereby, authorized to
cause TO be erected such block houses, siockades,
or military posts shall be necessary to protect
emigTants, settlers, and traders Oh tho route to
and IN the territory Of Oregon, against Indian
Expectations and aggressions, and 70 furnish such
ammnnisiliOn and supplies az sholl be necessary
to their defence
" SEC. 7. Be tt further enacted, Tina. post
route be established from Fort Leavenworth, via
Grand Island, on she Platte river, Fort Laramie,
the South Pass of the Rocky mountains, Fors
Hall, For. Boise. Fort WaIlawalla, and Oregon
city, on the Willamette river, to Astoria, at the
month Of the Columbia river, on tho Pacific
ocean.
SEC. 8. find be it further enacted, That il
shall DO the duty Of the Postmaster General 10
cause the United States mail to be transported on
the said SOnIe, from Fo5t LeaVenworIh TO Assens
and back, 1T least once month, By such means
Of conveyance as he may deem most advantageous
to the public service, and on the best terms that
can be obtained by contract, in she mode now
provided BY law for the transportation Of tho
4 United Slater mail: Provided, That if in the
opiaion Of the President Of the Usiied States, 10
be expedient to cause she mail on the route afoTs-
said TO be carried BY detaChment Of mounted men