The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-02

70 snow the utter lmpTactlcabllty OF such measure
10 impose, in this wholesale Jumping way, upon
the Oregonians the laws Of country three thousand
miles of, with which tn y neither can be acquainted
nor have the means or opportunity OF becoming ae-
qualnted, and that, too without their asking such
measure, and when they ask for the sanction to laws
framed by themselves, it seemed 10 him TO be UNI
just and unw wise
Mr.. w. said he would saw one word as 10 the
boundary Of Oregon. Not that he considered ii had
anything TO do with the bill under consideration for
he did not. He regarded the discussion as TO $40
4V and 49o, between the honorable senator from
Missouri, Mr.. BENTON, and the honorable senator
from Michigan, Mr. CAss, as irrelevant and totally
foreign to this bll. lie expressed this opinion with
the most profound and unfeigned respect for both
those distinguished senators. He did not think the
question as TO $40 40 or 49o came up either under
the proposition establish a temporary territorial
government IN Oregon, to last till the 'notee year"
expired, or under the proposition TO establish per
mansnt territorial government, to commence when
that year expired. In the first place. to the tenn
pOrary government, to continue until the convention
for joint occupation ended, surely we could do
much as the British government had done under
thatsconyention twenty odd years ago. The British
government extended its laws and the laws OF Can
ada over all Oregon down to the Mexican line
down 10 California, including all our settlements.
We have just the same right 10 extend ourlaws and
Jurisdiction up TO the Russian line on the coast,
so Az, over FraZer's river and the New Caledonia,
NoOtka Sound, and further north in the interior
including the headwaters Of the Columbia river,
Frazers river, and all the country naturally tTibu-
tary TO those rivers and all others emptying
into the Pacific between $40 4U down to Cali.
lornla. The true northern boundary of Oregon
IN the interior is the highland dividing the head
OF the waters which empty into the Hudson Bay
on the one side, and into the Pacific on the other
Great Britain cannot rightfully object To the extern
sion of our laws over all this country Her act Of
har a.. d.. l.
can authorizes, IN the execution of those laws do
not attempt 10 exercise them persons over whom
they have not jurisdiction, there can he no difficult
ty. Even II we establish a territorial government
now, 10 exist after the "notice year" has expired
there can be no trouble made this score if pru-
dence is observed II a treaty is concluded and rat
fed settling the boundary before the year expires,
II would, tr u lernai control to boundary. IL
would be the paramount law, and would itself repeal
an act Of Congress establishing different boundaries
and shave down the territory and It's government To
the limits prescribed by the treaty.
If Congress intends TO usurp the treaty making
prerogauye, TO decide for both sides, and say that
the United States will not have more nor take less
than up to 1872 and that the United States intends
10 do as II pleaSes in this business as If Great Br-
tain has right to be considered or consulted about
II, or any notice taken OF her. we may as we'll 20 up
TO $40 49, as to stop at 49o for such course whether
go for the other WILL If Great Britain has
establish our jurisdiction BY force up to 49o now
when the "notIce year" expires, who can doubt that
il will lead TO war Why, sir, such an attempt
even up to the Columbia river and denying Great
Britain the navigation of that river, will doubtless
be resented.
Mr. w. said his position on the question oftitle
was known. He believed our title to the whole Of
Oregon up IN $40 40 the coast including Frazer's
river, New Caledonia, and all was better than that
Of Great Britain He did not believe Great Britain
had any just right to any part Of tho country not
tributary to the wuters Of Hudson Bay and that
side Of the continent. All her pretended right was
founded on the encroachments Of the Hudson Bay
Company, and the usurpations, spoations, and
diplomatic trickery of her government.
lie said It was known he voted against Civ
ing the NOTICE IN any and every form, and he had
been told he was the only member Of Congress who
had done so He was against il, because he sppre-
hended its effects and results, whatever The form
adopted, or however hOneyed and concillatory the
terms employed He had not changed his opn ons
either to the title the bad policy Of the notice if
we desired to preserve peace If an Oregon war with
Great Britain was desired, that was another thing.
He yet believed those who desired il, if there were
such, would be grathed, and he would venture to
express the opinion that it would aid to produce
such result for US to define 40 degrees as the boun
dairy by an act this sion. Those who desire
peace, in his opinion, should define no such line,
but extend our jurisdiction all Oregon; and in
stedu OF congress eVdulng tne responsibility, II
should expressly declare that until treaty settle
ment it includes the coast up to the Russian line
and the territory empying into the Pacific on that
coast Why (asked Mr.. W. abandon in advance
all north Of forty-nine cutting off to the lands the
headwaers Of the Columbia, where that line crosses
above' Great Britain does abandon all south Of
49o, or any south Of ago. She claims half of the
Columbia rver-nay, she has never given up any
between that river and the Mexican line, except in
propositions for compromise. We have at least
much and as good right to claim northwardy to the
extent have stated. If we do assert our right by
extending our jurisdiction it now, when the
boundary is fixed by negotiation, (Which God grant
may be the case the territorial government will be-
come extended over all the country north of such
agreed boundary. But, to avoid possible difficulty
growing out Of such legislation to favorable negota
tons, Mr.. w. said he would not attempt at this
session such legi station.
Mr.. w. said if the Senate would indulge him
moment he would reduce to writing the amend
ments he had suggested to the resolution of nstruc
tons, which he would then offer, and he about
to take his for that purpose, but several sena-
tors suggested that the hour of adjournment had
rived, and he moved that the Senate adjourn; but,
Mr.. WEBSTER stating that he desired to say few
Uorda he Withdraw the rnotion