The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-15

the moment that convention was terminated by
giving the notice, the law ceases TO exist Yet the
gentleman proposed to amend the bill by limiting
It's operation TO the termination Of the joint con-
yentlon, which, he seemed TO think, would be very
soon-ln the course Of some twelve months. Ac.
cordlng to the gentemsn's own argument his
amendment was work Of supererogstion What
then, according TO the gentleman from Ohio, was the
use Of the amendment Why, he seemed 70 b
afraid, unless that declaration put on the face
Of the law itself that Il might give offence Great
Britain. He would ask the honorable gentleman II
Great Britain, when she passed the law Of 1871,
consulted this government She did not. And he
claimed that we had the right TO do under this treaty
precisely what Great Britain has done. She had
set the precedent, and it was for Us TO follow the
example.
The gentleman from South Carolina [Mr'
HOLaEsl was opposed to the bill because il author
ICED the President to TO be erected such block
houses, stockades, or military posts as may be ne
eessary 10 protect our emigrants and settlers on
their route to oregon-beeause IL would be in yio-
laon Of the treaty and be just cause Of war on the
part OF Great Britain. But Great Britain had some
thirty forts on that territory coming almost down
to the Mexican line, going quite up 70 the Russian
line, and scattered all over the territory and yet
the gentleman from South CArolins would not al.
low the United States TO build single fort on that
tel ritory Now, Great Britain had erected her forts
and planted her flag there without the explanation
that is given in this bill We propose by the bin
TO forts for protection against Indian depreda-
ton and aggressons, and TO furnish such ammuni.
tons and supplies may be necessary for the de-
fence Of our settlers; and has Il come to this thar
for the territory Of Oregon under the convention Of
1897, we shall not be permitted 10 do this, when
Great Britain has scattered some thirty fbvss over
that territory, and gasoned them, not only kerp
the Indians in check and punish sssrsssioss upon
her subjects but as he believed also to defend and
clair, In the Halur,hi. rixsr ~ -
low and to enlist the Indians on her side And
| could we not follow her example without giving Of
| fence TO this naughty, over-bearing power
Again, the gentleman fosnd fault with the 5,h
section a monstrous violation OF the tresty sub
sisting between the two countries, because it pro-
posed to appoint Indian agentsnot to cell grant
land but TO regulate trade and intercourse with the
| Indian tribes, and to sec TO the execution Of the
laws extended over that country In the first section
Oft act. But, Great Britain had done all this and
more; she had enlisted the indians her side. Mr.
g. commended that, by parity OF reasoning, we had
| the right to operate upon them TO bring them
to stand at least equally favorable to us In case Of
conflict. Great Britain might do oil these things--
might claim the territory 70 the Columbia river
might have her forts garrisoned-her military pow
er and civil government organized within this terri
tory under the convention Of 1877, and vet the do
\ ing the same thing on our part cause Of COM
plant He could not understand such logic. And
il appeared to him, there must be something behind
hidden. Itappesred TO him that this argument must
be built upon desire that this territory should be
lost to the United States, and should belong TO the
power which is asserting a claim 70 IL. .a.f.,
| There was nothing in this bill which not Jus
;fed by the presidents set by Great Britain. Our
territory was not defined in this bill; we were shout
extending our laws and jurisdiction people
in that region; and, il the convention 10 terminated
the execution OF this Law would devolve upon the
Presiden,; and Mr. G., without any dstrust OF him,
| 10 h.x1r n
tends. w .""re "... - H..
He hoped, and sincerely believed, that IL we eave
the notice, as he trusted we should, before the
expiration Of twelve months this question Of dspae
between Great Britain and the United States would
| be settled BY negotiation by the two governments
On what parallel Of latitude the settlement would be
made he would not anticipate, but believed, if 90
settled, il would be setiled by the Executive a. il
ought to be. The question, the longer IL vas de-
layed, was becoming the moro difficult of settle.
mint, and, unless we passed the notice, Il wosh
doubtless become morn complicsssd. II was not
settled within twelve months, be feared IL never
would be, unless by resort 70 forcs. II IL wss no,
settled within that time, was tuere any gentsmaa in
this House who was not prspawed to stand up and
assert our claim to Oregon whore this bill would
! carry I'D #n a7s. . : s-.#. - Iss E.t
He wss Of ths-Spis;s~ ,hss dis hwrwSu,d ,s6-
tiuue after ~the expiration of the notice, and
the termination Of the treaty Of 1897. And
it should continues shoud our citizens be lsft there
without the protection of law Should there b. an
nterregnum in which they should neither enjoy the
protection Of treaty, the protection Of law, while
still this act of Great Britain continued in force pro-
tectng our ctzensi SET" -
| These were his views. There was nothing in the
bill that violates the conventions there was nothing
but we could find precedent for in the British egis-
ation on the subject: and he was for going under
the treaty of 1897, as fu the British legislation
had gone and for giving that protection TO our ci.
that territory that belongs To them that
our duty to give, and the same that Great Britain
| has given to her citizens. And if we wished TO be
| respected among the nations of the earth, If we
wished the respect love, and allegiance Of our own
citizens; We must extend our laws and protection
over them, and give them that prosection which they
have right to claim, from the fact that they are cit.
| izens Of this free government. ...,.. E. ~
A motion was made that the committee rise, on
which, no quorum voted. a|..rt .aag
The committee rose, and reported that fact TO the
| House. .rst -. . NV. 81,
| And on motion, the House adjourned. lt,sa.
|