Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-20
For the Enquirer
THE OREGON QUESTION.

THE OREGON III ioA'
Messrs Editors: I am thoroughly convinced
thar I.ewis Cas- is sound in his views, as u 'e-
CARDS this question, and that stern pa'',o'S"'
rather than selfish motives prompted a", NM
enced his noli,ical movement in The Unilea o'd'e'
Senate in what possible way can iha' ques''o"
be amicabIy adjudicaled Will aiea' of''a''
ever relincuish her claim 10 Tree and un,es'',ta
ei NAVIGATION of The Columbia riVeI ~" 'ne
u. S. Government ever yield ~ NOW. u ''I.
could b. possibility, COMPROMISE do -, .n1
degree Of latitude that shall diV,ue Ine ia.
rilory Of EACH (and insurmoun'aDie oost ,a ~
present themselves here,) yet as II Iesdi"' ,h
be satisfied with common ana equa! =,
The n s. Government will pertnaciousiy resi:'
apy and all privileges south OF the paranei % Ia"
tude thai NAV divide The possessions OF eucn io
Hinder The circumstance is not war inevndo'e :
And should il not be The policy OF our Govei ~
men, 10 anticipate England in The struggle ior
snnremacy. and not supinely rest lheir cause
mon The principles OF justice, which lhey con-
lend ever Influences them in their intercourse
with nations? A question OF lustice mas ewo
sides as well as all other questions, ana .he,eio.e
we have no reason 10 DOUBT Inc silee,"y 81 80
gland in urging her. as she suPposes' riS"'iu' p'e
tensions. roo.d
between Two poweriHl nations, the ex'ent o. ''e
;ninrv ard suferingis almost incalculabie; mere
fore all honorable efforts should be reSoreu TO- 70
secure The blessings Of peace and irahquiiily.-
When an incendiafy sels flre TO Town, now
soon is exhibited the effect ofthe dreadful change!
Persons who, but few minutes before, were d.,
fluent. animated with The pursuits OF industry ana
blessed with the enjoymens and comforts oil ne,
are now indgenl-slripped in moment OF sheh
possessions secured by years olloil and honest M
duslry-now without motive TO be INDUSTRIOUS,
or The means OF supporl. Andlhs representation
is but speck, in comparison 10 inc raVases w
fic,ed on each other by two contenuinS ha''ons GU
gagged in sangnnary and destructive Wafiaie:-
What, therefore, would render an incenuialy uia-
,'al;cal snd hateful would render doubly so the
Coyernors of nations, who would unwisely and
without ADEQUATE cause, pIecipitaie TWO nations,
ENJOYING The blessings Of friendly relations and
nro6table commercial Intercourse, into The horrors
Of bloody and devastating war. What, men,
can be done Providence always PROVIDES
remedy and a resort 10 all those who disnteresleo
Iv consult the peace, The blessings and repose OF
,be world. Ietihen The United STATES Government
and Great Britain, in spirit OF lnasnanimty
thai shouh ever characterize the brave ana Inc
i,st seyerally relinqush their claims upon Inc
soil and citizens Of Oregon, recognise lheii IN,
dcnc,dence and guarantee their freedom, ana
,hen the contention will be nj an end-no nos.
lille rivalry then for the navigation Of any stream
,hat NAV in,ersecl The soil. The ice and The
snow will limit The boundary to the North-lhe
Rocky mountains East-the Pacific ocean West,
and some geographical line OF demarcaton on
The South, which shall secure to The en'erprizins
citizens OF Oregon ample territory ior all Inc
blessings Of liberty and good government, nappily
secured 10 them By two 0: Inc nooiesl NATIONS OF
The earth, who, in a spirit of ami,y and friendly
sacrifice. avoided The calamities of war, that they
might ioin.ly contribute 10 the establishment Of
prosperous and happy government the offspring
Of consolation, and monumen, of British and
American magnan'miiy. MEDlAlOh
E.n,.n Cnuniv Va