Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-01-22
The Debate in the House
On the Oregon Question.

OF the Oregon question. On the I'd inst.
in the House, Mr. CUNNINGHAM of Ohio
introduced set Of War resolutions. A
motion was made 10 suspend the rules to
secure their immedi.,e passage, bu, it as
voted down by 80 nays 10 IS yeas.
MIR HARRISON. from the committee on
military affairs reported bill to raise two
regiments Of riflemen and for other pur-
poses. He stated that il was some Ina,
connected with Mr. DouonAss's bill for
the Occupation Of Oregon, and he moved
that it should be made the order Of the
day f'r the following Tuesday. Mr. &.
s. HousT"N made some objections, when
a mos. exciting and interesting debate
sprang up. which lasted through the 2nd
and had no. ended OH the 3D. inst.
Mr. DOUGLASS made some very pointed
reflections in view Of the action Of some
Of The peculiar friends Of Texas. He
said every thing was made TO 60 by the
jump, while securing Texas; but now
every obstacle must needs be thrown in
The way Of securing Oreg"n He cri,-
cised The non action Of The COMMITTEE on
Foreign Relations. which brough, the
chairman Of that Commi.iee-C. J. In
GrRsoLL-to his fee. TO explain, and then
turned TO Mr. HOLMES Of S. Carolina, and
hoped he would be as jealous to secure
Oregon. although England would be our
opponent, as he was last year 10 secure
Texas. with Mexico for our adversary.
Mr. HOLMES replied; and the members,
anxious 10 catch every word he should
say, crowded around him. lie declared
,ha. he did seel the gres,est concern at the
prospect of war between Great Britain
and the United States, which stared them
in the face. He deprecated haste and
precipitancv in the matter. The bill re-
ported by Mr. DOUGLASS, Chairman Of the
Committee on Territories. if passed by
Congress. would inevitably bring on war,
the horrors and cos, Of which there could
be no counting in advance. When the
war did come, if come war must, he mott
fed his warike friend from Illinois, Mr.
Douglass, that lie would be as bold and
jealous as any one, in standing by the
cause Of his country.
Mr. ADAMS next rose, the whole House
was in commotion to get near the venera.
bic member and catch his every syllable.
lie commenced by abiding 10 his feeble
health, but he addressed the House in
clearer. fuller tones, than he had done for
the last two sessions. He objected to the
project Of raising the regiments Of rife.
men for the purpose proposed, as prema
ture. lie minated that if called for a,
all. this would not be the only measure
that would be necessary to be adopted,
and he thought it doubtful whether there
was any necessity for wasting the time
Of the House in discussing that question,
unless the need Of their employment was
made apparent. We are =, profound peace
with all the world, said he. why then in
crease our military establishment! The
spirit that prevailed in The House two,
three or four years ago was very differ.
ent as to increasing our military force
The members not only prevented an in.
crease. bn, reduced the military establish
ment nearly one third. That was four
years ago. when the prospect Of war was
quite as great as now, and will take this
opportunity. said Mr. A.. to say tina. I do
not belieue at all in ANY DANGER of war
at this time. II there were any sppre.
tensions Of war, the very first measure to
be adopted--lhat which should preceae
all military measures of every kinds
to give notice to great Britain that we
mean 10 terminate The existing join, oc.
cufancy Of Oregon. That is The FRS,
measure to be taken. How can gentle.
men apprehend war otherwise!
Does Great Rri.ain tell us tina: she -!,ani
take offence at the continuance of the
treaty Of joint occupancy! She does
not, though | have heard Of some ques-
lion being made in England. whether
| they shall no. give us notice Of the ter.
mination of The jnin, occupancy. Yet it
is not join, occupation. and have been
surprised a. the language held by some
gentlemen on the subject. The treaty
acknowledges no occupation Of the terri.
tory by either party; il is commercial
convention fur free navigation. but il does
not admit by either party the occupation
Of one inch Of territory by the other. 1t
is no occupation. But, whatever i, is,
neither party can permanently ocru7y the
country without notice 10 the other To
terminate the convention Of commerce
and trade. which would not be permitted
without such convention. II is not trea
~ Of joint occupation, it is treaty for
the exercise Of navigation rights, CONNER.
cial rights. and trading rights with The
indians. 1t precludes the occupation Of
the country by either party. Exclusive
occupation cannot be assumed by either
without notice. Of all the measures for
occupancy and for assuming jurisdiction
over citizens Of the United States who