Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-01-15
Gbe 1noiana legislature.
Reported for fhe Indiana State Sentinel.
SENATE.
Reports Ton Sianding Commitiees

Reports from Standing Committees.
Mr. Murphey from the Judiciary committee reported back
1he bill IN relation to the Probate Courts OF Henry county
read the third time and passed.
Mr.. Logan from the committee reported against tie
expedency of amending certain sections Of the Revised
Statutes; cOncurred in.
message was received from the House by Mr. Kinder,
the Clerk requesting the Of the Senate, which
Resolved, That House will adjourn sine die
Monday the 18th instant the Senate concuring therein
Mr. Barbour from the committee Federal Relations,
reported joint resolution the subject Of the Cumberland
road +; passed TO the second reading.
Mr. Buell. from the committee reported back the joint
resolution on the subject Of the Oregon territory amended
following:
Whereas the liberal propositions repeatedly by the
Government Of the United States, to settle the Oregon
boundary question, have manifested earnest desire
their part and avoid war and Whereas,
President Polk actuatedby the motives OF beay has
renewed the proposition to grant the British Government all
Of said territory north of the 49h degree of north latitude
which has again been rejected by the British Minister at
Washington thereby clearly showing determination on The
part of the British Government, negotiate
mise upon that would be just and honorable TO the
people of the United States,
Be resolved by the Senate Representatives
of the State Of Indiana that heartily respond to the SEN
ment contained in the Message OF the Chel Magistrate OF
this territory of Oregon, and the
American citizens therein aud that his prompt Withdrawal
Of all propositions further negotiate under the ccumstan-
ces the appreciation of the people Of this State
ResOlved. That opinion of this
General Assembly the United States have the best right
the tDhOle Of Oregon.
ResOred That the Secretary of State is hereby directed
to forward copy of this joint resolution to Senator'S and
Mr. Morgan Of D. wished to know from the Senator from
Dearborn his for declaring that call of Oregon Ours
Mr. Buell. said be had the documentary evidence with
him that he could produce but he could cite the authority Of
the Hon. John O. Adams, which would be accepted by the
Senator He clearly of the opinion that Great Britain has
no right whatever to any part of Oregon.
Mr. Read and said in addition to what the Senator
from Dearborn had said he would quote the very language Of
the statesman he referred to. Oregon he says is
by discovery, by occupancy aud by purchase"
Mr. Ellis thought the Senate anscending their duty
At least policy he thought would dictate different course
at present. From the latest intelligence we are informed
that negotiation has been renewed with the prospect of
happy termination Senators should beware how they pro-
juncture the least possible interrupt
the harmony OF relations interfere when pacific feel
ings about to prevail.
Mr. E. then moved to amend the amendment by striking
all from the resolving clause and insert in its place one
he submitted which was the same he previously introduced
Mr. Morgan Of D. moved to indefinitely postpone the
luton and pending amendments moi eedo ayes IL, noes
The Senate refused to adopt Mr.. Ess amendment,
ayes 81 noes %
Mr. Ortiz then introduced an amendment to the amendment
follows:
And be IL further Resolved That as the committee
Federal Relations in this Senate has just reported that the
whole of Oregon ours Therefore be IL RESOLVED That our
Senators in Congress be instructed aud Representatives
be requested oppose any compromise whereby we shall
lose single foot Of American territory.
Mr. Montgomery moved to lay the resolution and amend
ments on the table, ayes H. noes 80
Mr. Orh's amendment then adopted ayes 90 49,
MIR. Handy thought this amendment would make the
luton appear ridiculous He voted with the majority and
would therefore reconsider the vote adopting the
amendment
Mr. Barbour said the amendment the right spirit
He concratuated MT o. ON so cheering dsplay of patr
om He did not regard the amendment but with vo and
believed prompted by the most holy and patriotic feel
ings No should object to the Seniors manifesns his
loyalty to his country in his own way.
Mr. Handy then withdrew the motion to reconsider.
Mr. Coffin said he could not for this resolution
He could not endorse the language of President Polk
in his Inaugural Address where he declares that
title to Oregon clear and ndpuabe and then in his Mes
TO secure the claim of the remainder. Such glaring
Inconsistencies would be endorsed by his vote He
was admer Of that class of politicians who have
settled opnons-beings Of impulse rather than Of
Such conduct should be eensured aud reudatd instead Of
approved and lauded by this Senate The that
Senators offer for this dsreputabe inconsistency that COM
promise proposed at the 49h degree north attud from
respect to preceding administrations miserable subterfuge
to conceal the odum that the Presidents inconsistent and
uhstatesmanlike course must excite
Mr. Akin said he was not willing that President Folks
opinions should alone be endorsed by the Senate Other
great should have the benefit of appreciation. lie
would there fore move the following amendment:
And be further RssOlrsi, That this General Assembly do
heartily concur in the sentiments Of the Hon. Henry Clay,
which expressed his instructions to the Hon.
Gaatin, in which he says that England has the
of title Oregon and that title is clear and ndputa-
be" notwithstanding MI. Clay did instruct Mr. Gaatn
accept of the 49h degree 40 min tn latitude ADJUST
ment Of that questions and therefore be it resolved &c.
Mr. Coffin said he hoped this amendment would pre-
vail. 1t would make Mr.. Clay appear have exhibited
himself in as ridiculous light as President Polk
Mr. Akin said he introduced the amendment in good faith
but it acceptable Mr.. Clay's friends
withdraw il; and it accordingly Withdrawn.
Mr. Morgan of D. introduced amendment, as follows
And be It further Resolved, That this General Assembly
understand why President Polk offered compromise
at the 10Th degree after he had previously declared title
TO be clear and indisputable.
The amendment laid the table by motion of Mr.
Handy, ayes %, 10.
Mr.. Coffin introduced amendment Incorporating Mr.
Atkins resolution addition declaring the Senaes approval
of the speech X Polk
on The Oregon question in 1925.
Mr. Parks moved to lay the amendment the table,
81, does 10.
Mr.. Holloway introduced the following amendment;
Re0lred, That this General Assembly does heartily
endorse the noble and patriotic stand taken by the Hon.
Laid the table by motion Of Mr.. EdmOBsOn ayes g.
1S-
Mr. Coffin introduced the following resolution: that we
approve Of the sentiments contained in President Folks
augual in which he declares title TO the whole Of Ore
clear and indsputsbe and that approve
his Offer compromise by yielding all from the 49h degree
of north latitude.
yerbrke regretted unnecessary consumption of
time that occasoned by this resolution and amendments
The time for sdournng rapidly approaching and much
necessary legislation yet to be done. He moved that the
resolution and amendments laid the tabenOt agreed
10, ayes 10, noes 81.
The previous question called but sustained.
Mr.. Collins amendment was laid TIE table.
Mr.. ReybuIn objected 10 the whole proceeding He
tended that uncalled for and unnecessarysuch
buttons this time farcical, and the work Of dems
g0gue The question OF the Oregon controversy did not
within the jurisdiction of the Legislature of Indiana
il belongs higher trbunaltbat Of the Congress of the
United States He doubted not but that the Legislature Of
Indiana, however, in with the Legislative authori
ties o other States might in ordinary cases. express to the
national legislature the wishes of those whom they repre-
SENT but IL seemed to him that this was not the time nor
these the circumstances which called for expression on
this subject IL well known every obefvant sena-
that the threatening cloud or which has hung
country being dspeled and that the prospect
that the peaceful ePOse Of country would not be bro