The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-24

Of latitude $50 4OO was agreed on as the boundary
Of the Russian and British possessions in that
quarter
BY convention concluded in 1918, to last twelve
years il was agreed between the United States ard
Breat Britain that neither government should take
possession of it, occupy H. 10 the exclusion Of the
other, during the period Of the convention, which
either party might renOunce upon giving twelve
months notice. In 1897 this convention was re-
newed indefinitely, 10 cease CATER twelve months
notice. at the option of The contracting parties.
Several attempts were made by different indiyd-
uas from the United States, to settle in this terri
tory. In 1908, the Missouri Fur Company es,sb-
ltshed trading-house on Lewls's river, The FIRST
ever formed on any Of the walers OF the Columbia.
In 1910, the Pacific Fur Company, under John J.
Astor, of New York, was formed and in 1871
Astoria established at the mouth of the Co
lumbs river. In consequence Of the exposure of
this post by the last war with Great Britain IL was
sold to the Hudson Bay Company but was restored
TO ia original propreiors, by order Of the British
government, at the close Of the war, agrseably 10
The frat article of the treaty Of Client. Within
the hast few years many emiyrants from the Uniied
States have taken up their residence In this region.
| Oregon city, town Of 900 or 300 inhabitants,
chiefly Americans, IL laid out at the Falls Of Villa
me,te; il contains already several stores and mills,
and IL is proposed 10 construct a canal around the
falls.
The question ofssltling the Oregon territory, and
organizing government for the security Of the in
States, and has been more than once debated in
Congress. Were such settlement authorized, and
rendered secure by the requisite military establish
menis, there can be no doubt that il would imme-
distely receive large aecsssons Of settlers; and in
the session Of lSli-l5, bill passed the House Of
Representatives for that purpose; but further action
in the matter Sas deferred, until the twelve months
notice Of intention to take possession Of the terri
tory 10 given to Great Britain, according TO the
terms Of the treaty. A provisional government and
legislature has heen recently organized, court has
been established, and a Judge appointed and suita-
bs measures adopted for the permanent settlement
Of the country among other legislative acts passed
IN Oregon il one declaring that slavery shall not
exist there, and the Of slaves who may bring
them into the country shall be allowed two years TO
remove them, and IN default the slaves TO be free.
The act also prohibits free negroes or mulattoes
from settling or remaining in Oregon and requires
them to leave 1t In two years and IN default to be
hired to the lowest bidder. who shall bind him.
self to remove them from the territory for the short
est term OF service, and within six months after the
expiration thereof The object is to prevent a coll
ored population from settling in the country.
BY late adyices from Oregon il appears that two
political parties already exist among the emigrans,
one OF which is in favor e independence and the |
other Of adhering to the United States. Many OF \
the Americans, besdes a number OF individuals in
the employ of the HuIson Bay Company, contem-
plate the formation Of an independent government
the occupation Of the whole Of the disputed terrific
ry, and 10 obtain If possible, from the Hudson Bay
Company, the cesson Of all their forts and trading
houses; this measure they justify, on the ground
that the settlers occupying and improving viii
derness, in which the company has been a mere
hunter or temporary resident, and over which nei-
Their the government Of the United States or that of
Great Britain, entitled to exercise the rights of
sovereignty without their consent.
The greater number of the emgrants TO Oregon
are, however, sincerely attached to the United States
and its institutions, and anxious that the country
shall form part Of the Union; and their views on
that point are fully shown in memorial presented
IN the House OF Representatives, at Washington,
December, le45 In that memorial, which was
signed by all the members Of tn legislature and by
the chief justice, as well as by the members Of the
| executive committee, the inhabitants pray Congress
to establish distinct Territorial government similar
to the other Territories Of the Union, to embrace
Oregon and its adjacent sea-coass; that the lands
OF the Willamette valley, and other necessary por-
tons, may be surveyed, and surveyors and land
officers appointed and located at convenient points;
that donations of land may be made, according to
the faith pledged by the passage of law through
the United States Senate, at the Cd session Of the
9th Congress- entitled "A bill to authorize the adop-
ton of measures for the occupation and settlement
of the territory of Oregon, for extending certain
provisions of the laws Of the Unit States over the
same, and for other purposes" that navy yards and
marine depots may be established upon the river
Columbia, and upon Pugets sound, and naval
force adequate 10 their protection 10 be kept perma
nently in the adjacent seas; that public mail be
established, to arrive and depart monthly, be-
tween Oregon city and Independence, in Mis-
souri,; and also such other local ma-routes as
are essential TO the convenience and commerce Of
the Willamette country and other settlements
for the establishment Of such commercial regula-
tons, as may enable them to trade in their own ter
rtory, at least on an equality with Nonresident for
eigDers; for adequate means OF protection from the
merous Indian tribes which surround them for the
purchase of territories which they are willing to SELL
and for agents with authority regulate intercourse
between whites and lnuians, and between Indian
tribes; that all overland routes may be thoroughly
surveyed, and protection TO be given 10 emigrans;
that the star-spansled banner may be planted in,
and fured over the territory and kept standing and
floating over it, in manner worthy the dignity and
power of the nation.
Although the United States have an ndubitable
claim to the whole region ofOregon from N. lat. 400
to $40 4O, yet the governmenthas several times pro-
posed, from motives of accommodation TO adopt
the forty-nnth parallel of latitude the dividing
line, with the free navigation of the Columbia river
to the people of both nations, with the exception
that in the last proposition (that was made by
President Polk) the use of the Columbia river
south of the parallel Of ago British subjects is re-
scinded, and in lieu thereof it is agreed that Great
Britain shalt have any port or ports on the cape OF
Quadra and Vancouver island, south Of lat. 49o,
she may choose. BY this arrangement, the United
States would relinqush territory of about l60O0
square miles, being nearly equal in extent to the
whole of the New England and Middle States uni
ted The British have, however, constantly refused
to assent to any arrangement which should deprive
them Of the and territories north Of the Co
lumba river They propose, in return, the adoption
Of the 49th parallel Of latitude westward from the
Rocky mountains, to the nearest waters Of the CO.
lumbia (M'Gillivray's river;) thence down stream
to the ocean, the navigation be free to the people
Of both nations. In addition they offer to cede a
small district, nearly equal in extent the State Of
Connecticut, bounded by the Pacific, the straits Of
San Juan de Fuca, Hoods canal, and Bulhnchs or
Grays harbor, having Cape Flattery for its north
westernmost point This scheme would divide
Oregon into two very nearly equal districts; each
| power would receive about 22O,0 225, 600
| square miles of territory.
l The settlement Of the Oregon question, between
the United States and Great Britain, has become a
matter Of the highest Importance involving the ma
tonal honor and interest, well as the ques;;
ton Of peace war between two powerful and
kindred states. The attention Of all classes OF our
citizens in every part of the Union, is drawn to the
subject with intense interest; and IT is evident that
the time has arrived when decisive measures on the