The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-06-09
CONGRESS-.
TWENTY-SIXTHW WEEK OF THE
SESSION OF CONGRESS.

The past week closed the first six monihs
OF the session Of Congress. vi the progress
made in public business for the past month
there il no reason 10 complain. When the
session will end is a matter ofgreat doubt.
though fer the past week the Indications
have been that il would not be prstracied
beyond the middle OF July, while the previous
opinion has been that it would be protracted
10 the last of August or the first Of Sepiem-
Der. The hot weather of Washington Is
usually prevailing argument for diminish
ing the Session of Congress, but SO far the
CITY has been unusually healthy. But one
member OF Congress has died during the
session, tMr. Taylor of Ya.) and he in the
winter.
Tho speech of Mr.. Benton, commenced
last wesk, and has been the Important event
OF the present week. Ills able and lucid
throughout, crowded with documentary his
tory and historical facts. The Oregon ques-
hon has been treated by Mr.. B. in parts, &C
eorJing TO the titles and claims Of The re-
speciiye Governments Of The United States,
England and Russia. BY separating the
country geographically much light has been
thrown upon the whole question: Our right
10 the valley ofihe Columbia river has beeu
argued and proved more clearly than we
have seen il demonstrated before. So the
title Of England TO the country watered by
Frazer's river has been in like rAanner dem
onstrated upon the strongest Of all claims,
which are discovery, followed by settlement.
and continued occupation. The claim Of
England has been good since 1898, when
the river was discovered by Mackenzie.
The settlement by the North Western Fur
Company IN 1906 was the commencement
ofthe settlements, which have been suhse-
quenily continued. FraZer's river rises in
The Rocky Mountains and flows south TO
near 40 degrees, along that parallel, and
Just north of il, 10 the Gulf Of Georgia, and
into which it falls just behind Vancouver's
Island. Our tile 10 this country was de-
rived from the Spanish treaty of 1919. but
England had discovered the country twenty
six years previously and settled II twelve
years previously. The SpaniardS had never
at thatt time { or when the treaty was made
with the United States, put foot upon the
banks Of the river, and were no more enti-
tied 10 the country, by any law of nations,
thun the Khan of Tariary. But we did not
propose to argue Mr.. Benton'S positions over
again. We must give him crsdit for making
clear and correct argument upon the mer-
its ofthe whole question,-and also !or the
consistency oil his position. Eighteen years
ngo be opposed the joint occupation Of the
Oregon territory, and advocated the line Of
forty-nns as permanent line Of division be-
tween the British possessions on the north
wesl and the country of the United States.
The entire valley OF the Columbia would be-
long 10 this Government under such di-
vision OF territory, and the valley Of Frazer's
river 10 Great Britain, with the head waters
waters oflhe Columbia. The extension of
the line of Utrecht 10 the Pacific, Mr.. Ben
ton regards as much better line than that
which would include the Columbia valley
Eone. Twenty years ago Mr.. Benton
maintained the same views OF the Utrecht
line as the proper division that lie has now
Advanced. When, therefore. his Loco Foco
constituents rave AT him, he has an answer
al hand. He has remained true 10 his prin-
cipIcs, and they are false to theirs. Mr..
Benton closed his speech on Thursday. and
I'll: debate was postponed until Monday
Express.