The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-01-16
eon.ICss.


during which very little was done in congress.
Undoubtedly the most important item, was the
Introduction IN the senate. on the 29sh Dec. by
Mr.Hannegan, Of three resolutions, declaring our
night to the whole OF Or .ln SerrItory, tina, there
exists no power in the government 10 transfer its
soil TO any foreign power. aud that TO abandon
any portion OF the territory Of Oregon would be
10 abandon the honor, character, and hes, inter.
ests of the American people; and the motion u
Mr. Calhoun, on the following day to amend the
resolutions OF Nr. flanagan by substituting 9TH
ers, declaring, in broad terms, that tho Senate
and executive have the hight to dispose of ,by
treaty. any portion VI the public domain no,
| within the boundaries II Ee sovereign states
that Oregon is still proper subject OF ncsocia-
ltion--and ha, a compromise on the 49,h paral-
lei of North latitude would now be for the hes,
interests and honor Of the country. MIR. &. sus-
tanned these resolutions in short speech, in
which be remarked that if he understood the
policy of the administration, tiey were vel vii.
ling 10 make this honorab compromised aud
that he iel, it his duty to aid them in settling
the question without war. He conceived 1t could
he speedily settled 10 the satisfaction Of both
countries by negotiation; whereas the position
assumed by Mr.. Hanuessn's resolutions prescn-
ted war, active, fierce ard desnatne war. withou,
any other alteIn tive. He said that, at the pro.
per time, he stnud ready to prove that, il the pro-
position of Mr. Hoanegan, which, in his rnls-
ment, implied strong and undrserved censrrc
on the Administration, was passed by congress,
the result wuuln he the entire lnss to the United
States Of the territory ia dispute; while on the
| other hand, tho line of policy suggested hy his
Resolutions would insure at least SO much of it
os is of importance ard value to us. He also
proclaimed, that he stood ON the same ground
with reference to this question that be occupied
in 1913, lie wished for peace and would be
against war Until every reasonable, honorable and
proper alternative TO secure peace had been tried
in vain; but, if all of these failed he would then
go as far rs any man to sustain the honor and
interest Of the country at the swords point.
MIR. iianncgan replied conlsndmy that, if the
whole country was ours, as the administration
had declared, we were hound to defend and keep
It at all hasards. He iaunlcd Mr.. Calhoun with
dechraiion, that he, (Mr. C.,) and the reli Of
the peculiar friends Of Texas, were, IN the sell
Element el TINT question, most anxious TO strike
while the iron was ho-to press itat the "golden
moment bu; that, in this, where the immcdi.
ate interest of their constituents were differently
affected, .ihcy had lost their wnnsd patriotic lire
aud energy TO wonderful d,grsc. .
Messrs. Haywood cf North Carolina, Allen Of
Ohio, and Clayton of Delaware, also Joined in
this desul,ory debate. The first, in measure,
sustained the position Of Mr.. Calhoun; while
the second declared that, thong coinci,ling some
what in the remarks Of Mr.. ilauneeau, he could
not sustain his resolutions in tho present f,rm
The third gentleman merely essayed 10 make
little capital for poor disconsola,e Whigsery.
The whole subject was laid over, and swords
were sheaihed for the time being. ..
Mr.. Levy, on the 9Th in the senate withdrew
his resolutions in favor OF the purchase Of Cuba.
The Massachusetts native resolutions are still
debated from day to day in the house, which,
together with a very long and irilins debate
about the superintendent Of the folding room Of
the house. have taken up abou, all its time.
NJ