The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-19

tnc otateS respectively In Wnlcn lney may De
situated, in the course Of some rather lengthy
remarks he made on some instructions which
he had received from his Stae--he should
follow the course pointed out by Gen. Jack
son.
Messrs. Penny hacker and Johnson presented
several private pension petitions, and
Mr. flanagan petition in relation to Ma
val Depots on Lake Erie.
Reports from committees being in order,
Mr.. Johnson, of La, on leave, introduced
bill Tor the adjustment Of land claims, amen
datory Of the act of January IL, 1874, in the
states OF Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Referred TO committee on private land claims.
Mr.. Evans submitted resolution calling for
information from the Secretary Of State (who
was sitting in Mr.. Bagby's seat at the time) as
10 what had been done in relation to the cut
ting OF ship canal through the lsthmus of
Darien. Ii lies over under the rule.
MIR. Hannegan Withdrew his motion Of last
week for the printing OF $4,000 extra copies of
the diplomatic correspondence. Many other
reports OF private nature were disposed Of;
and the Senate took up the Oregon business.
Mr.. Dix, who had the floor from yesterday,
yielded il Tor the purpose of an explanation of
the errors committed in the Union and lntell-
gencer reports Of yesterday. Mr.. Hannegan,
Mr.. Atkinson, and Mr.. Sewer took part in
the discussion, which continued some time,
branching into Oregon, Texas, and the Balti-
more Convention, and there back 10 the Senate
chamber.
Mr. Dix commenced by saying that he was
obliged to differ from Mr. Allen and Mr.. Clay
ton in that, that they had both assumed that it
was improper or unnecessary to discuss our
title to the whole Of Oregon. Mr. A. because
il was already decided, and Mr.. G. because the
lime had not arrived for its discussion, and
that when it did it must be done with closed
doors. He, Mr.. Dix, proposed TO look into
the title. He allowed it was natural that cider
Senators should deem it unnecessary but he
was young Senator, and there had been
much Misrepresentation abroad, as well as
much misconception at home. The press
teemed with errors; and he should endeavor 10
state our title as plainly and briefly as possible,
anu also without prejudice or passion.
Oregon was discovered fifty-one years after
the di, covery of America. 1t was considered
worthless when compared to the golden regions
further south for over 250 years; but Spain
continually asserted her dominion over it 1t
was visited by ships Of various nations, and
thus arose divers and diverse claims. England
and Russia have settled theirs, and also the
United States and Russia, and Great Britain
and ourselves are the only claimants now.
Several messages from the President Of the
United States were received during Mr.. Dix's
speech, as also message from the House with
the bill passed yesterday--,he revolutionary
pension appropriation bill.
MIR. Dix proceeded. He stated very i'm
portant point, viz that while Meares was
freebooting on the western coast of North Ame-
rica, and publicly charged and threatened as a
pirate-w hile he sailed as Portuguese cap
tain, when smuggling from the coast into Chi
ma for the benefit of British subjects, and as
Lieutenant of the British Navy when plunder-
ing the Spanish possessions in Oregon, vet
England does not scruple TO attempt TO avail
herself OF his pretended discoveries. MIR. d.
rendered the titles derived by Meares and the
Noolka Sound Convention entirely nugalory
Ito England; and he perfectly demolished that
derived from Vancouver's voyages. His man
ner is calm, clear, and convincing, and his de-
ductions drawn from documents of British pub
| lication were conclusive. The Senate adjourn
ed leaving the floor for Mr.. Dix tomorrow.
| On the floor Of the Senate to-day, many vi
s,ors appeared. Several strangers from Cana
da who seemed TO lake much interest in the
proceedings. Mr.. Secretary Buchanan enli-
vened the Chamber with the smiles that have
so often Gghtened the labors Of the Senate
when he was member Of the body. Mr..
Charley Brown, formerly member in the
other House, was quite trump among the De
mocratc Senators. Mr.. Pakenham entered
during Mr.. Dix's speech, and was quite a
trump with the Whig Senators. The differ
ence arose, perhaps, from the sides of The
Chamber chosen by the two visitors respective
| ly and not from the predictions Of the polit-
cal parties. The Belgium and Dutch minis
ters were also present, and pretty large uu-
ant deputaiion from the House.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The resolution Of yesterday furnishing the
reporters with one copy Of 6 House docu-
ments as laid on the members desks each