The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27

sonins-others 80 absurd that reasoning upon them
ought not TO be permitted Of the latter class
slider the distinctions that my friends from Georgia
Messrs. JOINS and Co.'s have attempted TO prove.
Mr.. Chairman, have endeayored thus briefly TO
point out the objections TO the bill now under con-
sideranonj objections that may very easily and
ought 10 be removed, without changing lis charae-
Ter as "a bill 20 protect the rights Of American set
usrs In the territory Of Oregon until the termination
Of the joint occupation Of the samen The amend
mont proposed by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
VHrosl hope will be adopted, 30 as to confne the
operation OF The bill 10 citizens and limit il
TO the joint occupation. Without that or some SIM
liar amendment, IL will, iD my judgment, not only
violate the terms Of the treaty, but will embarrass
me Executive IN his efforts TO settle this yexed
question ameaby. .
Why, let me ask, Mr.. Chairman, are we called
upon TO pass ball at this session, containing pro-
risions so obnoxious 10 many members of the dem
oeralie party Why not delay, al least until the
next session the delicate the dangerous expo rimen
OF extending our laws over British subjects
OF threatening 10 expel lhem from the country :
We shall meet here again long before the twelve
months notice can be given. In the mean time
a treaty may be concluded, 90 that such course
may not be necessary; or IL no treaty 10 made il can
then be done soss 10 meet the emergency II any ex
lists. Sufficient unto the day Is the evil thereof
- motto Of high authority, and should never be
dsregarded. At the next session, provided no trea-
ty Is made in the mean time, confess that the ne
eessity for such legislation will be greater, mas
much as the twelve months will have expired before
another Congress assemblies. j frankly confess
Mr. Chairman, that there great difficulties in the
way OF any legislation under the joint occupancy.
IL rs not easy 70 arrange system by which the
separate laws Of the United States and Great Brit
AIN over the same territory be extended, with
out a conflict OF jurisdiction. Two sovereiguties
cannot exist well together. All who have observ-
ed our own beautiful system-our novel and COM
Ulla afaH MAJ ~ lad II
ments-musI admit how difficult il 10 TO carry on
the two IN harmony. Nevertheless, we have the
right, under the joint convention, to legisate for
our own citizens; and If, in the exercise Of this
right, such conflicts ensue, we must meet the con-
sequence. But let us do our duty by guarding our
Legislation, and keeping within our Just powers
under the treaty. Great Britain has not pretended
10 claim Jurisdiction our citizens nor ought we
TO attempt to exercise ours prospeetyely over
hers. When the twelve months notice has been
given, II no settlement Of the question is made and
we are reduced TO the alternative referred TO by the
President, OF abandoning or asserting our rights 10
Oregon the time will then have arrived, as he says
for action. All will then say, our rights shall be
asserted. In the mean time, am in favor OF extend
ing our laws over our citizens in Oregon, and OF
adording then, all the protection while emigraiing
there, and after they get there, that be afforded
without violation Of the treaty. | will vote for
any bill combining its operation to our own citizens
there. This We have right TO do under the
convention. For the sake Of harmony and union
among the friends ofthe administration | ask then,
why not avoid the objections that have been
urged against this measure'-or at least, why NAV
we not delay the obnoxious provisions until the
next session, as they cannot operate before, ex-
cept to embarrass negotiation II we must differ
upon principles, let us put Off the disagreement un-
al 1t becomes necessary. For in the mean time
there may be such a change Of circumstances as
TO avoid any disagreement. BY that time we may
all unite upon measure suited to the then exstinp
state Of things. .'...'' '
Mr.. Chairman, confess that I have felt mort-
fed to observe, during all this Oregon debate, so
little disposition manifested by those who claim tn
be the peculiar friends Of Oregon, but who are, in
my estimation, ultra in their course on all measures
relating to the question: TO union in our ac-
ton On this subject-so delicate, because It init
mately concerns our foreign relations-it does an
pear to me that union and harmony are Of more inn
portance than upon any other. The moral force of
that united public sentiment which is altogether
within our power If we will mutually yield some
thing for the sake OF securing it, is worth than
any difference in the various plans proposed for our
action. Give the Executive the benefit Of such a
moral force, and my word for it the difficulty
will be adjusted in such way as to satisfy
all who have not resolved already not to be salts
fed. Instead Of securing such moral force we
have BEEN delivering moral lectures to England
The legitimate business in hand, Of so conducting
our affairs as to insure an advantageous and AMIGA
BILE settlement Of the present dispute, or Of making
timely preparations TO meet the consequences If
it comes to that, have all been overlooked, and
long list of other injuries, committed by Great
Britain upon other nations, well as upon our
selves, have been hauled up for examination This
is, indeed, a new plan Of settling dispute-by re-
curing TO old ones long since settled; or if not set
tied, "not now before the court"
Let us remember, and profit by that old saving,
that ga certain man once made fortune by attend
10 k,ao k,,, r.
an advantageous settlement of our present difficult
ties with Great Britain, amicably if we can, forcby
II we must, If we have nothing of more Importance
TO engage our attention, we can look into the con-
duct of that proud and overbearng nation towards
others But first let us settle our own affairs
Mr.. Chairman, have said that it is not nv DUR
pose, on this occasion, to examine into the respect
i've claims of the United States and Great Britain to
this territory. That question is not necessarily in
volved in legslatng on the as far as rec
commended by the President. This bill, however,
goes beyond his recommendations, by extending TO
British subjects, and beyond the Joint occupancy
To those who advocate the bill extending to British
subjects and proposing to drive them from the whole
territory, belongs the responsibility of making out
our perfect title to the whole up to the Russian line
do not propose such legislation now, consequently
that task is not mine. l will say, however, Mr.
Chairman, that do not decline the examination of
the title with any view Of shielding myself from re-
sponsbility When it becomes necessary for me to
do so, shall express my views freely and clearly;
at present it is neither necessary nor prudent.
We have heard much upon this subject. BY some
our claim has been traced to "Adam's will" by ano-
Their, to still older authority-"he book Of Genesis "
Sacred these authorities are, they have been dis
puted Great Britain claims also to be legatee I'M
der the will of Adam; and the authority Of the Old
Testament, so riumphantly brought up by the gen.
t'eman from Massachusetts, Mr.. ADAMS, may like
wise be controverted. We both heard in a sermon
preached in this hall last Sabbath another fact stated
in that same book of Genesis disputed. We were
then told that the generally received statement that
the world was created in six days, was all felton,
that, instead of sir days. many thousand years were
required for the creation of the world. | will not
say, however, that believe in this new and strange
theory.
Mr.. Chairman, ask the gentleman from Massa.
chuse,ts, Mr.. ADAMs,l how it happens that he did
not find these conclusive proofs Of perfect title
to the whole territory up to $40 40 sooner' Why
did he, as Secretary Of State and President agree
thatGrea Britain should jointly occupy the terrific
ry with us, if our exclusive claim clear and
IN eaau of proof1 WIN did he ,bo l..