Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-07
Congress---the Oregon Resolutions.

In the Senate, April %, Mr.. Berrien, from the
committee of Conference reported the following
modification of the Oregon resolutions of notice,
which had been agreed upon by the Senate and House
Committees and recommended its adoption:
JOINT RESOLUTION concerning the Oregon Territory.
Whereas, by the convention concluded the 10Th day OF
October, 1913, between the United States OF America
and the king of the United kingdom of Great Britain
aud Ireland for the period OF ten years, and alter
wards indefinitely extended and continued in force by
another convention of the parties concluded
the 9th day of August, m the year Of our Lord lc2T,
It was agreed that any country that may be claimed
by either party The northwest coast of Amenca,
westward of the Stony or Rocky mountains, now
commonly called the Oregon territory, shOuld together
with its haTbours bays and creeks, and the navigation
of all rivers within the same, be free and open the
vessels, citizens aud subjects Of the two powers; but
without prejudice to any claim which either of the
parties might have any part of said cOuniry aud
with tins further provision IN the second article OF the
SAID convention Of the 9th of August 1877 that either
party might abrogate and annnl said convention,
giving due notice Of twelve months TO the other
tracing party
And whereas it has now become desirable that the re-
speciive claims of the United States and Great Britain
should be definitely settled and that said territory may
longer than need be, remain subject TO the evil
consequences of the divided allegiance of It's American
and British population, and Of The confusion and conflict
of national jurisdictions, dangerous 10 the cherished
peace and good understanding OF the countries
With view, therefore, that steps be taken for the
abrogaon of the said convention OF the 9th of August,
1897 in the mode prescribed in its second article aud
that the attention of the governments of both countries
may be the earnestly directed TO the adoption of
all proper for aspeedy and amlcabe adjustment
ofihe differences and disputes regard said territory
ReSOred By the Senate and House of Representatives. Of
The United States Of .7aeriea IN Congress assembled,
That the President of the United States be- and he is
hereby authorized at his discretion, to give the
government of Great Britain the notice required by
the second article Of the said convention of the 9th Of
August, 1897, for the abrogaton of the
from the reading of the resolution proposed
from the committee of conference that part of it which
relates to giving the notice is exactly the as
passed by the Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatves. 1t may be, however, that l have misap-
pretended the resolution from only having heard it
read once.
Mr.. BERRrEy The Senator from Ohio is correct ;
it is precisely the resolution as that passed By
the Senate.
MIR. ALLEN. So suppose, sir. The only material
change made, as | understand is, that by which the
preamble to the resolution which from the Senate
is restored to It's proper position in the proceedings
preamble, instead of forming part of the positive
resolve of the Senate-that is 1t is restored 10 the
condition it was in when the original motion was
made by the Senator from Kentucky, (Ar. Crttcnden
by motion to amend which, that part of the resolu-
ton assumed the form Of preamble. BY the subsc-
quent action of the Senate adopting the amendment of
the Senator from Maryland, (r. Johnson the pream-
bic was incorporated into, and became part Of the
resolution. The amendment proposed by the commit
tee of conference is to restore the parts of the Senate
resolution TO the relation they bore TO each other
in tie original one; to make that part which was
originally preamble, again assume that FORM which
it had lost by the action of the Senate incorporating
1t into the body of the resolution. believe that is
the result of the proceedings of the committee OF
conference. There is am reminded by the Senator
from Arkansas, Mr.. Sever) a slight change in the
last clause of the preamble change Of phraseology
but not of fact So that we have here, SUBSTANTIALLY
the resolution passed by the Senate; and the old
question arises, whether this body approves the
luton in that form When that question comes up,
|, sir, shall record my vote against the proceeding
Upon the question of agreeing, wish to record my
name, for the reasons have given former occa-
sion, and which shall not repeat, against these
proceedings
On motion of Mr.. Allen the taking of the vote was
postponed til O'Clock, at which time,
Mr. BERRIEN then renewed bis call for the question
on the resolution of concurrence submitted by him.
Mr.. SEWER requested the Senator to state the diff
ference between the Senate amendment and the reso-
luton proposed by the conference committee.
Mr. BERRIEN replied, that the committee of confer
propose to restore the resolution to the form
originally proposed by Mr.. Crittenden, with the fol-
lowing alteration, to wit: in the last clause of the
preamble, instead of and that the governments oil
both countries may be earnestly and immediately
ulItCteu u IeUeWeu cuOTlS lOE UI al
their differences and disputes in respect said terri
tory insert, and that the attention of the govern
ments of both countries may be the more earnestl;
directed to The adoption Of all Pro2e measures for
speedy and amicGbe adjustment Of the differences anC
disputes in regard to said territory" Also, in the
resolution, instead of give the British government
the notice required by Its said I'd article for the abro
CATION of the said convention Of the 9th of August
1871 insert give to the government Of Grea
Britain the notice required by tie second article
the said contention for the abrogaton of the same
The House amended that amendment of the Senat,
by striking out " ami Immediately directed renewed
efforts for the amicable settlement" and by subsitut
ing the words directed to the Importance of SPEEDY
adjustment" The committee of conference hac
agreed to strike out from the amendment of the Hous
from the word Z" Importance inclusive and to inser
'' directing the adoption of all proper measures 70
the amicable settlement of all their differences
disputes in respect to said territory" If in order
he asked the yeas and nays the question.
Mr.. CAMERON said lie should vote for the report O
the committee, and before he did So he wished to sa
word two, in explanation Of his vote. Mr.. c
said he in favor of plain notice, and in ever
vote pending the termination of the question: he ha
been with the friends of it. Next, he was willing
take the notice which came from the House of Repre-
sentatives and had voted for it, Failing to get eithe
of these he had voted for the resolutions which passe
the Senate He did so, because he considered NOR
important to the interests of the country that tn
action of Congress this important question: shout
be indicated by unanimity, than it was to have tina
action expressed in any particular FORM and, abov
ALL he believed that speedy settlement of the in
pending difficulties between the two countries coul
only be had by terminating the joint occupancy of tn
territory in dispute. Until period was fixed
which the state of uncertainty must cease, he did
believe the question Of peace would be deter
mined The President in his annual message ha
asked for authority to give the notice to terminate tn
joint occupancy. under the treaty, and having flu
confidence in his integrity, capacity and patriotism, Nj
c. WINS willing TO trust the whole nnestion Id his hand