Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-08-08

nicated to Congress by the President Thursday !:
To the Senate and House
Of Representatives. Of the United States:
communicate herewith copy of convention for the set
Element and adjustment of the Oregon question, which
concluded in this city the fifteenth day Of June last be-
tween the United States and her Britannia Majesty This
convention has been duly ratified by the respective par
ties, and the Publications exchanged at London the
seventeenth day Of July 1916.
becomes important that provision should be made by
law, the earliest practicable PERIOD for the organization of
a Territorial government in Oregon.
1t also deemed proper that laws regulating trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes of the Rocky Noun
tains should be extended such tribes within territory
dwell beyond them and that suitable number OF Indian
agents should be appointed for the purpose of carrying these
laws into execution.
is likewise important that mail facilities, indispensable
for the diffusion OF information and for binding together the
different portions of extended conedeacy, should be nj
forded to citizens west Of the Rocky Mountains
There is another subject which desire to call your pe
cal attention is of great importance to country gene
rally, and especially navigating and whaling interests
that the Pacific coast and indeed the whole of territory
of the Rocky Mountains, should speedily be filled by
hardy and patriotic population. Emgrants to that territory
have many difficulties to encounter and Prvaons to endure
in their long perous Journey and by the time they reach
much reduced if altogether exhausted Under these cir
cumstances deemed but act of justice that these emf
grants whilst eEe:tuay advancing the interests and po
Icy of the Government should be aided by liberal grants
land would therefore recommend that such grants be made
to actual settlers upon the and under the restrictions and
limitations which Congress may think advisable
JAMES X. POLK.
WAsnlSGroS, AuGusr 5, 1916.
On the reception of the above message in the Senate
Mr.. SPEIGHT moved that it be referred to the Committee
on Territories and printed.
Mr. HANNEGAN said he must confess that he could not
any propriety in attempting act upon any
relation to Oregon this late period the session. when their
table was already goanng under great of business
ANY measure contemplating the establishment OF Territorial
Government in Oregon a matter of course, under all the
circumstances which had heretofore TRANSFERRED occasion
heightened debate for it only right, just and proper
that those who voted against the treaty should have
tuniy to give their views to the country They had had
such opportunity heretofore and for his part he should
feel ashamed to obude himself upon of the Senate
upon this subject when there but three days remaining
OF the session He moved therefore, that the
be laid upon the table, and that all now pending
ating TO Oregon be postponed until the first Monday De-
cember next.
Mr.. BREEsE made some remark regarding the Oregon
measures already reported from various committees which
not distinctly heard by the Reporter.
The PRESIDING OFFICER remarked that part Of the
motion just made being lay the communication OF the Pre-
sident upon the table, it was not debatable.
Mr.. HANNEGAN said he would withdraw that part Of his
notion
Mr.. sPEIGHT and said that there was no disposition
on his part to bring discussion at this time upon the sub
ect OF Oregon The motion which he had made print
made because he thought disposition ought be made
OF the communication Of the President and he had
any gentleman disposed to make any motion regarding ii
he agreed perfectly with the Senator from Indiana that there
was not now time enough for the consideration Of the subject
He would therefore withdraw his motion to refer.
Mr. SEWER said be hoped would be REFERRED for il was
highly necessary and proper that should be
adopted for the establishment Of Territorial Government
over Oregon American citizens who there had right
to expect that would be provided for them and
the passage Of bill for that purpose which would
occupy but little time There precedents and forms
rrqurIru government OF that
territory would be analogous all respects those which a
piled TO other Territories He did conceive that the pas
OF such bill could give any debate might be
passed. he quite in twenty minutes its details
would be precisely like those of all other territorial bills He
hoped the communication would be referred and the usual
course taken in regard TO it.
Mr. HANNEGAN remarked again that he did not con-
ceiye practicable pass bill for the Of Oregon
without occasonng debate concerning the convention which
had been recently concluded Those were opposed to that
convention desired to be heard upon the subject the
connected with it.
Mr.. SEWER observed that the bill for the government of
Oregon had nothing whatever do with treaty with Great
Britain regarding the boundary.
Mr.. HANNEGAN said il measures were to be passed re-
laing to Oregon, matter Of they expect
debae upon that convention, which he would take this
sion to say neither less than convention for
the JOINT occupation OF Oregon south of the de-
gree OF latudea convention which had ceded the Hud
sons Bay Company in perpetuy the navigation Of the Co
lumba river IL convention for the Joint occupation Of
Oregon south Of 49, while before its formation we held as
far north $40 40 He repeated that those who were o
posed TO the convention desired be heard reference il
in appeal to their constituents and 10 the country
Mr. SEWER said that when the proper time arrived he
wished to say few things himself upon that subject But
here communication the object of which was 10 bring
TO the attention Of the Senate the propety Of organizing
territorial government To DO this nothing necessary
but to follow the beaten track to report bill containing the
provisions applicable all territories II il were deemed de-
able to discuss the terms OF the treaty with Great Britain
upon the occasion OF passing such BILL he Of course so far
from having any objection would desire participate in such
dscussion provided the time would permit but he could
no real necessity for connecting the subjects bill for
establishing aterntoa government Oregon had
reported some time agoong before the question Of bounda
~ was settled II his intention cali up some time this
week. perhaps tomorrow, the bill which had been reported
from the Committee Indian Affairs for the purpose of max
ing better provision for the regulation matters pertaining To
the Indian tribes in the West That was bin which be
thought ought to be passed.
Mr.. ATCHISON said he could not see that a,y thing was
TO be gained by referring this communication 10 committee
for contained precisely what stated by the President in
his message TO Congress in the early part the session.
There was bill already reported for the establishment Of
mail route TO Oregon, and als) establish territorial
government u referred the committee could do no
more than had been done already.
Mr. BAGBf, (wlthou rising) The reference can do no
HARM
Mr.. BREESE said he thought the reference vona do
hsrm because the recommendation Of the President contain
ed in this communication had been anticipated by two snc,
bsone Tor the establishment Of a regular territorial govern
men and another for Indian agency and other matters
connected herewith The reference, the