The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-18
THE OREGON BILL, AND THE OREGON
RESOLUTIONS.

The House OF Representatives rose to-day al an
early hour. Their session was principally oceu-
pied with the two important measures which head
this article. They passed, without debate.
The bill for extending the jurisdiction Of the Uni-
led States to Oregon, provides for the extension of
the laws of Iowa to this territory-reserving to
British subjects all the rights and jurisdiction which
hey derive from the convention. Ii does not de-
enc the boundary of Oregon, but egislatss for the
American citizens who dwell beyond the Rocky
mountains. Il also extends our Indian system,
our post Office system to that country sndprovidss
foe bloek,houses and military authority to proIe ct
the emigrants from the United States who cross tn c
mountains All these measures are in conformity
wlh the recommendations Of the President, and,
with the addition Of the resolutions for notice,
sr the whole ground which he has marked out in
his message. The bill passed the House by the
following yote-yeas l44, nays40. The following
Is the form which it assumed, after various amend
ments had been proposed, and after several days had
been devoted to the discussion:
BILL to protect the rights Of American settlers
In the territory Of Oregon, until the termination
ofthe joint occupation Of the same.
BE enaeisd By The Senate and Hous, Of Rsprssen-
aive Of he United States Of imsrea in Congress
xmbLsd, That the jurisdiction OF the supreme
court OF the Territory OF Iowa, and the laws
Of said Territory, so far the same may
be applicable they now exist, hereby
extended over all that portion of the terri
tory OF the United States which lies west Of the
Rocky mountains; and also all that portion of
the intermediate country west OF the Missouri river
and between the fortieth and forty third parallels Of
north latitude: Provided that this act shall not be
construed nor executed in such a manner as to de-
pnye the subjects of Great Britain of any Of the
rights and privileges secured by the treaty signed
al London, October twentieth, eighteen hundred
and eighteen and continued in force by the treaty
Of August SIXTH eighteen hundred and twenty
seven.
"SEo. 2. .4ndbe Il 6uther enacted, That 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 to be APP
pointed under this act, at such times and places
be shall designate; and said court shall possess all
The powers and authority vested in the present dis
rct courts Of said Territory Of Iowa. An addition
justice Of the supreme court Of the Territory of
Iowa shall be appointed, who shall hold his Office
by the tenure receive the same compensation,
and possess the 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 % aforesaid.
"Ssc. 3. J4nd be further enacted, That the Presi-
dent be hereby authorized to appoint the requisite
number ofustices Of the peace, and such ministerial
officers a. shall be necessary for the due execution
Vt the lawss Prvvided, That any subject of Great
Britain who shall be arrested under the provisions
Of this act, for crime alleged to have been commit
ted within the territory of the United States
west of the Rocky mountains, while the same
remains free and open to the vessels, citizens,
and subjects Of the United States and of Great Brit
ain pursuant to stipulatons between the two pow
.s shall be delivered up for trial, proof of his
being such British subject, to the nearest and most
convenient authorities having cognzance of such Of
| fence by the laws Of Great Britain.
CSC. 4. find be IL further enacted That provision
shall hereafter be made by law to secure and grant
TO every white person, male female, the age
ofeghteen years, three hundred and twenty acres
Of land, and to every white person, male female,
under the age of eighteen years, one hundred and
sixty acres Of land, who shall have resided in the
nd 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.
"SEc S. find be u further enacted, That there shall
be appointed in the manner provided by law for
similar officers, superintendent of Indian affairs,
and such Indian agents and sub-agents as shall be
necessary to the public interests, to whom may be
ntrusted under the direction Of the President and
in accordance with the existing laws, so far they
may be consistent with the purport of this act the
regulation Of trade and intercourse with the Indian
tribes and the execution Of the laws herein extend
ed the country, described in the first section of
this act.
"sEc. g. find be II further enacted, That the Pres-
dent be, and he is hereby, authorized to to be
erected such block-houses, stockades, or military
posts shall be necessary to protect emigrants, set
TIERS and traders the route and in the territory
Of Oregon, against Indian depredations and agrees
aions and to furnish such ammunition and sup
plies as shall be necessary to their defence.
ID. C..Sk \
established from Fort Leavenworth via Grand Island,
on the Platte river Fort Laramie, the South Pass of
the Rocky mountains, Fort Hall, Fort Boise, Fort
Wallawalla and Oregon city, on the Willamette
river, to Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia
river, on the Pacific ocean.
CSC. 8. find be IT, further enacted, That it shall be
the duty ofthe Postmaster General cause the Uni
ted States mail to be transported on the said route
from Fort Leavenworth to Astoria and back, least
once a month, by such means of conveyance as he
may deem most advantageous to the public service,
and the best terms that can be obtained by
tract, in the mode now provided by law for the
transportation Of the United States mail: Provided,
Thatf in the opinion of the President of the Uni
ted States, it be expedient to cause the mail the
route aforesaid TO be carried by detachments of
mounted men in the service Of the United States he
may order the said mail to be carried in that way,
instead Of having it transported by contract above
provided ~
"SRc. 9. find be nfrther enacted, That the sum of
one hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is
hereby appropriated to carry the provisions of this
act into effect"
After the passage of this bill, the resolutions from
the Senate, which had been substituted for the ORR
sinal resolutions Of the House, were taken up and
amended, on motion of Mr.. Owen. The previous
question was then called, and carried. All debate
was thus cut off, and no time was lost in the discus
sion. The resolutions, as amended, were then adopt
ed by vote of li to Al, in the following form; the
words in italics being the amendments proposed and
carried this day in the House:
JOINT RESOLUTIONS concerning the Oregon terri
tory.
That by the convention concluded the twentieth dav Of
October eighteen hundred and eighteen between the Uni
ted OF America and the king Of the United Kingdom
Of Great Britain and ireland for the period Of ten Years
afterwards indefinitely extended and continued in force
BY another convention Of the parties concluded the
sixth day Of August In the year Of Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twentyseven, agreed that any
country that may claimed by either party the north
Of America westward Of the Stony OF Rocky
mountains now commonly called the Oregon territory
should together with lie harbors bays and creeks and the
navigation Of all rivers within the same be free and open
q.