The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-06
REMARKS OF Mix. BURT,
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

on the protcction of American Settlers
am Oregon. Delivered IN the House OF
Representatives., April 1871, lS46.
Mr.. BURT said, that he did not in
tend to enter into the question of title to
this territory, nor to PROFOUND interrosa-
ries to the gentleman from Mass. [Mr.
Adams.] That gentleman had a right
to pursue such course Of argument as,
in his discretion, he thought proper.
But Continued Mr. b. I should have
been gratified If the gentleman had
thought fit to answer some of the objcc-
tions which have been urged against his
course on this subject. remember that
when, amongst others, had the honor
Of addressing the committee upon it,
desired to know why it was that he, ZEN
tcrtaining the views he had expressed
today, and denying, as l understood
him, that he had received any new lights
respecting our title to this territory,)
while Secretary of State under Mr.
Monroe: and again whilst President of
the United States, offered to divide the
country with Great Britain; and, in the
emphatic language of Mr.. Clay -lan-
guage which, upon the gentlcmcn's own
authority, may attribute to him as con-
veying his sentiments, and not the senti-
ments of his Secretary Of State, spoke
of an equal partition Of this territory as
being the only just mode Of settling the
conflicting pretensions Of the two 60
vernments. then said that this House,
and this country, had right to know of
that honorable gentleman, why, if he
entertained the opinion that Great Bri-
tain had no just pretension to this terri
tory-nay, without the expression of
any opinion whatsoever of our own title
If he believed, as he says today he
does, that Great Britain has no Just pre-
tension or title to land on that coast, why
he was then willing to divide the coun-
try equally between the United States
and Great Britain? / believe that he
is responsible for the offer of Mr. Gala
tin. That proposition l understood 10
be the proposition of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, and the country, and the
world, will now demand of him WHY
the prosition he then made he is not to-
day willing TO accord to Great Britain.
do not mean now, or at any time, to
speak disrespectfully or dscourteously to
that gentleman. Ihave many reasons
for not doing so. But must be permit
ted to say that, in my judgment, there is
great truth and force in the position of
the present Executive, that his predeces-
sors, and, chief among them, the homo
rable gentleman from Massachusetts,
were responsible for that necessity,
which, in his estimation, authorized this
government to divide that territory with
Great Britain. The gentleman is re-
sponsible, and he should answer.
But the gentleman from Illinois, [Mr.
Wentworth in his brief remarks this
morning, as we'll as on another occasion,
seemed disposed, in my estimation, to
place these members Of the democratic
party who, during the last session of
Congress, voted for the territorial bill re-
ported by gentleman at that time at
the head Of the Committee on Terrific
ries, and now Governor Of the State OF
Tennessee, [Mr. Brown] in a position
which subjected them to the imputation,
at least, of very gross inconsistency.
Not only once, but twice, during the
present session of Congress, the honora-
BILE gentleman has made special refer
ence to the representation in this Hall
from the State Of South Carolina. AS
one ofthat representation, as one of those
who voted for the bill to which the gen
tleman has referred, think proper, on
this occasion, to place that representa-.
ton and myself right before this House
and the country. understand the gen
tleman to allege that the bilf of the last
session, which passed this House, as.
serted the title of the United States to
the northwest territory from AZ to 50 40
Now, have that bill before me. Its
history will be remembered, am sure
by many members who how hear me
And call upon the gentleman to pu,
his finger on the section, the line, or the
word OF that bill which sserts the title
Of the United States to "a 40