The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-28

rsts, whether they would not IN judicial decision, be
bound to do whatever may be me real ute, the Just
rights according TO the law Of nations, Of the Uni
ted States in Oregon its government throughout all
administrations have asserted claims and maintained
prelensions TO the whole territory up 10 the Russian
| line. In the absence of any conventional atpula-
lions TO oyerrule, would not the courts OF the Uni
ted States and the justices acting under the appoint
ment Of the Executive, be bound 70 maintain and
respect the claims so asserted ] incline TO think
their duty would so constraini but whether Il did
or not no practical man can doubt but that in fact
they would so decide and act .fto, then, as before
| the termination Of the convention, II may be safely
affirmed the jurisdiction TO be exercised under this
bill would extend over the ,ohOk OF Oregon flo the
extreme limit Of $40 40. r..r#
Then, Mr.. Chairman, comes the grave, the aIl.im-
portant inquiry what is the character and degree oil
jurisdiction you will thus extend after the termina-
| ton Of the convention Absolute and exclusive
must it not be- As was on yesterday ably shown by
the learned gentleman from Ohis, lMr, VnroS,
We shall then be RENTED to our riEhis as claimed
under the law Of pstions, and 20 the assertion fthe
only sovereignty known in the absence II conven-
tional anangemeDts--a sovereignty over the emf
nen domain; or in other words, 10 the assertion on
exclusive dominion oyer the ternicr.. | will
not attempt to add TO hH ,-sk's, which
was full and complete, Of the assumption
Of title, and consequent obligations, which,
under the law OF nations, would result from the POI
sition n which, by this bill, we would be placed.
But may refer TO the words Of the bill, only
glanced at in his more general view, as compelling
the same conclusion. The language Of the bill al.
ready quoted are: THE laws Of The Territory OF
Iowa, as far as applicable over all the territsry
west Of the Rocky mountains owned by the United
States" No treaty will exist TO limit the spplica-
bility Of the laws Of Iowa. Some local enact
| ment for bridges or court-houses may not apply;
but all the general laws Of Iowa will be extended TO-
and operate over, the whole territory. Those laws,
| as over Iowa, maintain exclusive and absolute
jurisdiction and sovereignty; so, likewise must
they do over the whole Of Oregon. They are to be
operative over il as territory owned by the United
States In the absence Of any treaty to limit define
that ownership. Who ever heard OF divided or
limited Jurisdiction 81 the part OF an independent
nation over the territory owned by il The laws Of
Iowa assert over IL exclusive jurisdiction
the eminent domain, and exclude all pro,ensions 10
sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part Of all other
nations. Extended to Oregon, as territory owned
by the United States, they must have no less eff
cacy and exclusive operation II might as we'll be
commended that Great Britain, or her subjects have
rights Of sovereignty or are entitled to exercise ju
risdiction over the spot on which we stand in this
the Capitol Of the Union as that they will have any
such rights or title recognised or respected in any
part Of the Oregon territory after we shall have ex
tended the jurisdiction Of our laws and government
over il as territory "owned by the United States "
II surely is not necessary to elaborate this view.
The simple statement OF the terms Of the law is
conclusive to show that after the convention shall
by its determination, have ceased TO restrict the APP
pcabiy Of the laws Of Iowa, their extension over
the whole territory Of Oregon involves the claim of
entire sovereignty, and the exercise Of exclusive
jurisdiction TO the complete custer OF the sovereign
ty and jurisdiction of Great Britain and all other
nations.
The exclusive character of the sovereignty and
jurisdiction TO be exercised under this bill after the
termination Of the convention ha ring been thus as
certaned, 1t remains to inquire, Mr.. Chairman,
by what means, and with what consequences,
such jurisdiction and sovereignty to be en-
forced
dinate agents to whom this bill ntrists the exc
cuton of its provisions, will be bound Immediately
after the termination Of the convention, to extend
our exclusive jurisdiction, and take possession Of
the whole territory, dismanting all forts other
establishments in which the flag Of fcrsgR sovsr-
eighty waves, closing and abrogating all tribunals
in which foreign jurisdiction is exercised, and
eecting all companies, settlers, or traders, who will
not acknowledge allegiance to the government of the
United States, and submit TO accept the protection
Of its laws. The powerful Hudson Bay Company,
with its army of agents and employees, and its tribes
Of savage auxiliaries, will be in the possession Of
much Of the territory and most Of its strongholds.
Numerous British subjects, settlers, traders, will
be in different parts, relying on the asserted rights
Of their nation, and her pledged faith to project and
defend them. Great Britain having asserted, with
singular unanmlty the part of her leading states
men, that she has rights in the territory, which, at
all hazards, she will maintain, and placed by such
legislation in n position when to yield would be dis
honor and the violation of the most sacred engage.
ments of a nation to her subjects, must and will
sustain her claims with the utmost OF her power.
AT the first attempt, then, the part Of the execu-
tive Of Iowa, or this new Oregon territory, to
force the provisions Of this act he must and will
tod thA
tary force at his command, and subsequently at that
Of the Executive of the Union, must be invoked,
under his clear obligation to extend and maintain
jurisdiction the territory declared by clear enact
ment to belong TO the United States. And this, sir,
will be war-nothing but war-the beginning Of a
dire contest, the end whereof no man can know.
This bill, sir, has been regarded, in its application
to the state Of affairs after the termination of the
convention, as rcketty and imbece. Certainly but
little foresight or sagacIty has been manifested in
framing provisions for the eYigencies which will then
demand much wise and cautious legislation. But,
sir, it is anything else but imbece-for mischief, it
will be found allpotent. 1t will render hostile COLI
sion of inevitable necessity and will place at the
discretion of the executive Of remote territory,
)r to the petty officers to be appointed in Oregon,
he issues Of peace and war; with the full power of
compelling the support of the whole military force
IF the country. Is the House prepared thus. in an
lcipaon, to part with the dread power 1eposed in
hey so infatuated to nrust it the discretion of
'ome distant territorial executive, petty mlniste-
ial officer in Oregon | cannot believe it while
etaln respect for its wisdom or patriotism.
In view of the operation of this bill after the ter
nlnahon of the convention, in extending over the
whole of Oregon to the Russian line the exclusive
sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States
with the certain consequence Of collision and war,
eel that may appeal, with entire confidence to all
uch members as have thought our title limited to
he 4sth degree or thereabants or az entertain such
conscientious scruples about the extent Of our rights
IS to have been unwilling assert absolute title to
40 4V, to array themselves in firm opposition to
Is passage, without the amendment limiting it to
he duration of the convention. They cannot, with
'ut abandonment Of their fixed opIn ions and ascer-
AIMED POSITIONS give it their support, and they are
90 wise not to see it,
But is there not even a more numerous class to
whom this BILL without the amend ment, must be !
| refer to those who boast of entire con-
urrenee on this Oregon question with the Presi-
lent, and manifest peculiar desire to comply ex-
city with all the recommendations CT his message, |
n all our legislation on the subject The language
md spirit of the message clearly opposed to le-