Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-11
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THE OREGON TREATY.

OlSE1OS lItTsh
On Thursday The President sent 10 Congress
the following message, enclosing the ratified Ore
scn Treaty:
10 The senate and House of Representatives.,
81 he Eaitrd States.
communicate herewith copy Of Conven-
ton Tor the settlement and adjustment Of he
Oregon question, which was concluded in this
city on the fifteenth day Of June lasl, between the
United States and her Britannia Majesty. This
Convention has since been duly ratified by The
respective parties, and the ratiicalions were ex-
changed al London on The seventeenth day Of
July, 1916.
Itnow becomes important that provision should
be made BY law, al the carlies! practicable Pc
riud. for the organization Of Territorial Go
vernmen, in Oregon.
II is also deemed proper that our laws regua-
ling trade and Intercourse with The Indian tribes
East OF the Rocky Mountains, should be extended
10 such tribes within our territory, as dwell be-
vond hem; and thaia suitable number Of Indian
agents should BE- appointed Tor The purpose oi
carving these laws into execution.
It's likewise important is: mail facilities, 20
indispensable Tor the diffusion oil Information,
and for binding together The different portions Of
our extended conlederacy should BE- afforded 10
our cllzens West of the Rocky Mountains.
There is another SUBJECT 10 which desire 10
call your special attention. II Is oil great I'M
portance 10 our country generally, anh espe-
cialIy 10 our navigating and whaling interests,
lhal The Pacific coast, and, indeed, The Whole Of
our territory West Of The Rocky Mountains,
should speedily be filed up by hardy and pa
lrotic population. Emigranis 10 iha! territory
have many difficulties 10 encounter, and p!iva-
lions 10 endure, in their long and perlous jour.
ney; and By The Time they reach their place Of
destination. their rccuniary means are generally
much reduced il not altogether exhausted. In
dor these circumstances, i, is deemed hnt an act
Of Justice that these cmisrants, whilst most eec-
iually advancing the interests aud policy 81 The
Government. shou he aided b. liberal grants oi
land. | would, therefore. recommend that such
prasts be made 10 actual settlers upon The terms
and under the restrictions ana Limitations which
Congress may think advisable.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, August 5, 1916.
The United States ol America aud her AlaJes
~ the Queen ii the United Kingdom Of Giea
Britain and Ireland, dcemins il 10 bc desirable
! for he welfare o, both countries lhat the state
doub and upcera ln,y which has hitherto prevail
r,l respecting Inc sovereignty and government
the territory on the northwest coast 81 America
living weslWa ri al The Rocky or Stony mountains
should lie finally terminated Us an anicabis com
promise o; the tights mutually asserted by lie
Two parties over the SAID territory, have Iespec-
liyely named pleniPo;cntiaIies 10 treat and agree
concerning the terms u sich setiesneil-'hat -
10 saw: III, President Of the u. States OF America
has on his part furnished with full powers James
buchanan. Secretary OF State OF the Ua..ed
States. and her Majesy the Queen al The United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, has, on
her part, appointed The right honorable Richard
Pakenham, n member OF her Majesiy's most
honorable privy council, and her Malesty's en-
yoy extraordinary and minister plenipoenliary
to the United States; who, after having commu-
nicated 10 each other their respective ull powers,
found in good and due form, have agreed upon
and concluded the following articles:
ARTICLE /.
From the point on the iorty-ninih parallel OF
north latitude. where the boundary laid down in
existing treaties and conventions between the
United States and Great Britain terminates, the
line Of boundary between the territories Of the
JTnited States and those of her Britannia ma jes-
~. snail be continued westward along The said
iorty-ninh parallel oil north latitude, 70 the middle
Of the channel which separates the continent from
VancouycTs Island, and thence souherly though
The middle ot the said channel, and 81 Fuca )
straits to The Pacific Ocean; Pror'dsd honerer,
that The navigation OF The whole Of The said chan
mel and straits south Of the iorty-rin'h parallel Of
north latitude remain Tree and open - both parties
ARTICLE II.
From The noint AT which the forty-nnh pa raj
lei Of north latitude shall be lound,o iniersec he
great northern branch of the Columbia river, The
navigation ot the said branch shall be free and
open TO The Hudson Bav Company and 10 all Bril-
tieh subjects trading with lhc same, 10 The poin,
where Inc said branch meets the main stream Of
of the Columbia, ard thence down The said
main stream 10 The ocean, with tree access into
and through the said river or rivers, il bein: IN
der.tood that all The usual poragcs along The line
thus described shall in like manner DC Tree and
open. In navigating the said river or rivers Bril-
fish subjects with their goods and prodnce shall
be treated on The same footing as citizens Of the
United States; il being, however, always under
stood that nothing in This article shall be construed
as preventing or intended to prevent the govern
ment of the United States from making any re-
ouaions respecting the navigation of the said
river or rivers not inconsis,en, with The present
treaty.
In the future appropriation Of The territory
south OF the forty. ninth parallel oil north latitude,
as provided in the first article oil this treaty, the
pcssessory rights Of he Hudson Bay Company
and Of all British subjects who may be already in
The occupation O! land or other property lawfully
acquired within the said territory, shall be re-
specled.
ARTICLE ".
The farms. lands, ami other property Of every
descrip,ion belonging 20 The Pugets Sound AgrI-
cultural COMPANY, On The North side Of the Co
lurbia river. shall he confirmed to the said COM
nany. In case, however, the situation Of those
farms and lands should be considered By the Uni
red STATES 10 be Of public and political importance
ana The United States Government should sleni-
TO desire 10 obtain possession OF ihe whole or
NJ any mart thereof, the property so required
sb,u be transferred 10 The Government at pro-
oer valuation, 10 be agreed upon between The par
ties.
ARTIcLEy.
The nrescnt treaty shall be ratified by the Pre-
s;dsn, 81 The United States, by and with the ad-
v;ce and consent Of the Senate thereof, and BY her
Rrirannic Majesty; and the Publications shall
he exchanged at London al the expiration OF SIX
months from the date hereof, or sooner, possible.
In witness whereof the respective plenipolen.
,iaries have signed the same, and have afhxed
thereto the seals OF their arms.
Dome at Washington the fifteenth day OF June,
in The wear Of our Lord ono thousand eight nun
bred and lorty.sir. ,,r :. :,
(Signed) RICH'D PAkENHAM. L.. 81
In regard to the construction OF particular pro,
visions Of the Treaty, we ex,rac! the remarks OF
MIR. Owen, OF Indiana, one OF the most eioquen'
speakers and most philosophical reasoncfs 10 me
| House:
Mr. Owen said have sought the floor tor
la, r,;nr,s. In offer a correction in regard 10