The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-28
CON GREss IoNAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. seldom,

Il VI VIC DoibA OcSupoeioh VI "ouio'
The House being in Committee of the Whole on
| the state OF the Union
Mr.. Seldom rose and addressed the committee
as follows
| Mr.. CHAiRMAsi In much that had intended TO
say, had succeeded in obtaining the floor at an
earlier period, have been anticipated by the able
gentlemen who have preceded me, and especially by
| the honorable member from Ohio, MIR. VMros, j
who so forcbly addressed the committee yester-
| day IN support Of tie amendment offered by him
| self But for being so anticipated, 4 should myself
have offered similar amend ment; for 30 important
and essential in its character do deem that amend
ment that my own ultimate vote upon this bill must
be determined by its acceptance or rejection. tpro-
poses 10 limit the operation and effect of the bill 70
the period during which the existing convention be-
tween the United States and Great Britain for the
joint occupation Of the Oregon territory shall con-
tinue In force. The bill, as reported, Mr.. Chair
man. will operate in two very different and distinct
suites OF our relations with reference 10 the Oregon
territory. ostensisly, Judging from the tits Of the
until the termination Of the joint occupancy, and
Jfro most of It's provisions its aim and purpose were
SIMPLY TO provide for the extension Of the laws ard
Jurisdiction Of the United Suites over our citizens in
Oregon during the continuance Of the convention at
esent subsisting; but in actual operation and effect
bout the Limitation proposed by the amendment,
& indefinite IN duration, Il must extend beyond
ontinuance Of that convention, and have an ap-
ion and efficacy far exceeding, as presume,
interpolation and purpose even Of those who
ted and now sustain IL.
Mr. JAMES Thompson here rose, and (Mr. s.
giving way for explanatory said that the gentleman
was mistaken The effect Of the bill after the ter
minaton of the convention had been conte m plated
and intended by those who reported 1t, and they had
now come TO the determination, when the proper
time arrived, TO propose to amend the title TO
make it read "A bill to protect the rights Of Amer
can settlers west Of the Rocky mountains"
Mr.. Seldom resumed Well, SIR, ] must be per.
mitted to express both my surprise and regret If
such effect was designed be given TO the bI-thar
il should have been reported with title so incorrect
and delusiye. From the title as reported, and even
a cursory examination of its leading provisions
mem ers might readily have been msled to believe
its operation designed to be limited to the dura-
ton Of the convention and be determined with H.
and thus the House might have been betrayed
through misconcepuon into the needless adoption OF
measure repugnant TO its sense Of policy and JUS
tlce. am happy that, though late, such deusive
guse is to be aside, and that the bill is to be
made to avow on its face its real purpose and ex-
tent
The bill, then, Mr.. Chairman, is to have double
operation, and as have said under essentially diff
ferent circumstances. Ii is first TO operate during
the convention, and while our rights are deter /,
mined by treaty supulatons, and then after the
proposed and expected determination OF that con-
yention IL is TO continue active In the assertion of
our preensions as maintained under the law Of ma.
tons independently Of that convention shall pro-
coed to examine il with reference to each state of
separately. |
In its operation during the continuation Of the |
confess Mr. Chairman, | see no Just |
objections to its provisions; but on the contrary,
deem il, with the saving clause embodied which |
protects all the rights and privileges Of Great Britain
and her subjects under the convention salutary and
Just. During that period, it bat extends the juris-
iiction Of the laws of Iowa, so far applicable in
entire subserviency to the convention, and with an
express saving of all rights secured by it to British
subjects the territory west Of the Rocky noun
lains belonging to the United States. Such extern
sion is consistent with the rights while tits demand
ed by the honor and obligations Of the government.
We have citizens settled already in considerable |
numbers in the territory west Of the Rocky noun |
tans, and they are daily, by emigration and other
wise, increasing and multiplying They have gene
and are going to that remote territory under the in
vtation and Inducements Of our government in both |
its branches, executive and Legislative. They are
without laws, under no competent jurisdiction, and
destitute of all regular government. Their exigen- |
ries have so imperatively demanded the sanctions
Of law and government, that they have been driven
10 the feeble substitute Of sef-consuted nssocia
TONS and an appeal general acquescence in their
DEGREES They have appealed to this government
for the redemption Of its obligation, implicitly at
least given for their security and protection, and in
woke the 9gis of our laws and jurisdiction them
We have no exclusive ownership or jurisdiction |
under the convention over the territory occupied
by them it is true, but we have certain admitted |
rights and privileges there defined and ascertain
ed by that convention itself Coextensive with |
such rights and privileges, may jurisdiction be
most fully carried and so far as we may, humby !
conceive we should not, under the circumstances
hesitate, by the extension Of our laws, to give the
security and protection demanded.
-. SA,,th TN,r 1l,.,
Mr.. HOLMES, who addressed the House yes,er-
Law urged that the extension of jurisdiction con-
empIated by this bill would violate the provisions
IF the Joint convention. l am generally proud to
concur with that gentleman, but from this view
must be permitted wholly to dissent. During the
the bill is made to operate in subservien-
~ to it, and all the rights and privileges of Great
and her subjects expressly saved and ex
,Iuded from its action. How, then, can it violate
Or contravene the provisions Of the convention Is
he objection that urged with zeal by the gentle
nan from Tennessee, Mr.. BRowN,l that our laws
should be extended over persons only, and not be
made to operate property INTENTIONALLY, as this
,ill does hold, sir, that laws, il their appli
alton. should be made cock tensve with the rights
md privileges ascertained and secured by that con-
yentIon 10 our citizens and sufficient for the protec-
ion ana guarantee Of those rights and privileges
Now under the convention, have we not something
more than the mere right Of entry to our citzens'
i've sovereignty is not to be claimed or exercised
her by the United States or Great Britain; but
,ur citizens are not merely free TO enter; they may
AXE their effects and property; they may trade and
,unt; may build, settle, and even occupy the land
.noying the usufruct though not holding the abso-
ute or exclusive title. We may, then, by our laws
10 more than guard mere personal immunIttes; we
nav protect the property and effects of our citizens
md secure them in the peaceable possession and
isofruct Of their temporary settlemen's-nay,
nore as among our own citizens on their acknowl-
,dying allegiance to the government Of the United
States in that territory, having complete jurisdiction,
We may regulate their claims and rights IN regard To
he lands settled or occupied temporarily by them,
Is well az all other matters Of right or contract We
nay then legmately, during the convention, legts-
ate not merely over persons, but las Il has been
allied "ter,itoriaity" likewise. We have done
nothing more in extending "the laws of Iowa, as far
Is appcabe," over the territory west OF the Rocky
and to exclude the possibility OF mlscon-
,trucon, we have inserted express saving OF the
rights secured to Britain and her subjects Such
saving was not, indeed, Of absolute necessity, and
might, perhaps, with safety have been omitted.
We could not, il we would, by legislation violate
bn treaties |