The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-25

Congress 10 establish distinct territorial government
embracing the coast Of Oregon and 10 PrOiee the cit
issrs In their neo Affiliations, &c. .....
To the honorable he Senate and House Of Represent
aiioe' Of the United Siaiss Of .9uaica IN Congress
assembled ...
Your memorallss and petitioners, the represent
atiyes Of the people Of Oregon, for themselves, and
IN behalf Of the citizens Of the United States re-
siding In this territory, would respectfully submit
10 the consideration Of your honorable body some
OF the grievances under which we labor, and pray
your favorable consideration Of our petition for their
remedies.
Without dilating upon the great importance of
this territory appendage TO the federal Union,
or consuming your valuable time in repeating TO
you the oft-repesed account Of agricultural and
commercial advantages, we would with due defer
ence submit to your serious consideration our peeu
liar difficulties as occupants Of this territory.
As by treaty supulatons between the govern
ments OF the United States and Great Britain, this
territory has become kind ofneutra GROUND, in the
occupancy Of which the citizens OF the United
States and subjects Of Great Britain have equal
rights, and, as your memoriulists humbiy conceive,
ought to have equal protection. Such being the
facts the population OF the territory, though promis
euously intespersed composed Of the subjects Of
a crown and the citizens OF republic, between
whom no common bond Of union exists
IL may naturally be supposed that, in the absence
Of any provisions having been made by the two gov
ernments to prevent or settle any such occurrence,
conflicting interests, aided by ancient prejudices,
would speedily lead 10 results the most disastrous,
particularly when IL 10 considered that this mixed
population exists in the midst Of numerous and
like tribes Of Indians, TO whom the smallest dissen-
sion among the white inhabitants would be the sig
nal 10 let loose upon their defencecss families all the
horrors Of savage warfare.
To prevent calamity so much to be dreaded, the
well.dsposed Inhabitants Of this territory have
found il absolutely necessary to establish proyis-
onal and temporary government, embracing all free
male citizens and whose executive, Legislative, and
Judicial powers should be equal to all the ergencies
that may arise among themselves, not provided for
by the governments TO which they owe allegiance;
and we are most happy TO inform your honorable
BODY that, with but few individual exceptions, the
utmost harmony and good will has been the result
Of this as we conceive, wise and judcious measure,
and the British subjects and American citizens VIC
with each other in their obedience and respect TO the
eral welfare OF Oregon.
Although such has been the result thus far Of our
temporary union OF interests, though we, the cit
zens OF the United States, have had no cause to
complain, either Of exactions or oppression at the
hands Of the subjects Of Great Britain, but the
contrary it is but Just to say that their conduct to-
wards US has been most friendly, liberal, and phi
lanthropic; yet we fear long continuance OF tho
present state Of things is not to be expected, our
temporary government being limited in its efficiency,
and crippled in its powers by the paramou II duty
we owe to our respective governments, our revenue
being inadequate TO its support, and the almost total
absence, apart from the Hudson Bay Company, Of
the means Of defence against the Indians, who, re-
cent occurrences lead US to fear entertain hostile
feelings towards the people of the United States.
Your memorialists would further inform your
honorable body, that whilst the subjects Of Great
Britain, through the agency Of the Hudson Bay
Company, are amply provided with all the muni-
tons Of war and can afford, by Of their nu-
merous Qualifications, ample protection for them
selves and their property, the citizens Of the United
States scattered wide cxtsnt Of territory,
without single place Of refuge, and within them
selves almost entirely destitute Of every means Of
defence.
Your memorialists would further crave your in
diligence TO remark that Great Britain has, by ex-
tending her criminal code TO this country, guaran-
lied to every British subject claiming his birthrght
a legitimate trial by the laws Of his country. We,
as citizens Of the United States having neither the
military protection of our government nor the ex-
tension TO US of the civil laws Of our country,
forced to the enactment and execution of laws not
authorized, and which, for aught we know, never
will be sanctioned by our government.
Your memoraliss would further call the attention
of your honorable body to the fact that citizens
of the United States, we labor under the greatest
commercial disadvantages we have neither ships Of
| war nor Of commerce, nor any navigation OF the
rivers of the INTERIOR and for want Of adequate pro-
| successful competition with wealthy and power
full monopoly possessing all the appliances Of com
MERGE and all the influence over the natives, by an
early establishment among them; we are therefore
| dependent for market for large and increasing
surplus, and for nearly all supplies, upon sin
gle company, which holds the market under Its con-
troll.
| Your memoralists, with a view to remedy the
grievances under which we labor, pray the national
Congress to establish distinct territorial govern
ment to embrace Oregon and its adjacent seacoasts
| We pray
GUS Indian tribes which surround u.s. for the pur-
chase of territory which they willing to SELL and
for agents with authority to regulate intercourse
| between whites and Indians, and between Indian
| tribes;
The donations of land may be made according to
the inducements held out 10 US by the passage Of
the bill through the United States Senate, at the
cond session Of the 9th Congress-, entitled "a bill
to authorize the adoption Of measures for the occp.
patton and settlement Of the territory Of Oregon
for extending certain portions Of the laws Of the
United States over the same, and for other purpo.
| ses" '".' '.' |,
| That navy-yards and marine depots may be e.
tabshed on the river Columbia, and upon Puget's
sound; and naval force adequate to our protection
be kept permanently in the adjacent seas;
That public mail be established TO arrive and
depart monthly from Oregon city and Independence
are essential to the Willamette country and other
settlements. We pray for -"
| The establishment of such commercial regula.
lations as may enable us trade in our territory
at least on an equality with now resident foreigners
We pray ..r. ...
That adequate military protection be given to en-
ierants coming to us, either by the establishment
posts upon the route, or by military escort And
we pray j.
That, in the event you deem it inexpedient as ,
measure or contrary to the spirit of existing trea
ties, to establish territorial government in Oregon
you extend to us adequate military and naval pro
lection, so as to place at least upon par with
other occupants Of the country. 81 ' ,. /
For the granting Of which your nhemorialist vii
every pray.
Osborne Russell, } Er,,,,,;r.
| Peter q. Stewart, !
]. w. Nesmith, Judge Of Circuit Court.
M. M. McCarver, Speaker.
Jesse Apologize, ! o..
| Medard @. Foisy,
w. III. Gny,
! J. M. Garrison,
| Abijsh Hendrick,