New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-05
THE TRIBUNE.
THE OREGON QUESTION.
Specch of Hon. John Quincy Adams.

I Mr.. HARRISON from the Committee on Military
Affairs having reported bill TO provide for the or
usnizstion Of two egments OF Riaemen, and moved
/ is reference 10 the Committee OF the Whole and
ba, be made the special order for Tuesday, Jan.
aier considerable debate,
/ Mr.. O. ADAMS rose to address the House. He
/ said that he ought perhaps to commence with an
analogy 10 the House for addressing ii at all on this
question The state OF his health was such as TO rem
der impossible for him 10 at all the many
important questions connected with this subject, and
whatever observations he might feel 1t his duty 10
make upon it, must necessarily be brief His ply
steal power would not enable him to go at any length
| into the question.
| The question now Immediately before the House
he understood TO be, whether the bill making provl
sion for raising two regiments of riflemen should be
made the special order for the first Tuesday in Jan
| uary.
The SPEAKER said that that constituted one part of the
question but not debatabc. The other part Of the
question was on referring this bill! to Committee OF the
Whole the Of the Union, and that question was
open 10 debate.
Mr. ADAMS said that he asked. then, that the ques-
ton might be divided. aad might first be put on the
reference because he presumed that there was no
diversity OF opinion OF that point; II there was, 1t
would change the whole state Of the debate.
Mr. Houston Of Alabama said, in explanation that 1t
was not reference of the bill he had objected to- but
is being made special order.
the question: viz the reference OF the bill could be de-
cided by majority but that to make it special order
would require vote OF two.thirds
Mr.. ADAMS said, that II the House should refuse
the reference then he should having nothing farther
10 say.
The SPEAKER said that the first question would be
the reference of the bill and that question debaabe
Mr. ADAMS then asked If he was al liberty to de-
bate the question whether this bill should be made
The special order for Tuesday next.
The SPEAKER replied that he could not but that the
question OF reference might be debated.
Well, then, tsaid Mr.. ADAMs.l | WILL al the risk
Of being arrested for irrelevancy, (which seems of
late iavorte mode OF preventing d!scussion,l speak
in reality and in substance 10 the question OF max
ine the bill special order-while, in form, my re-
marks will be on the question OF reference.
This measure now proposed to be referred is one
which, for q variety of reasons, is important as
any question which has hitherto come, or will here
after come, before this House for discussion II is
difcul, to speak of the bills relating TO this
subject without reference TO all the others For
example: this is u bill 10 raise two regiments OF
riiemen. Now, find there has been reported in
another part of this building bill providing for one
regiment OF mounted rifemen. The question then
presents itself 10 mellow these two bills to go
together and whether they ought not 10 be consld-
cred together? II but one regiment only OF mount
ed riemen is necessary to be maintained, then 1t
does not follow that two regiments OF unmountcd
rihemen are needed the one bill depends In
measure upon the other. ] refer to this merely as
an Illustration 10 show the variety oil measures
which are at the same time in contemplation OF the
House find farther, in The same bill TO which L
have Just alluded, an appropriation OF - dollars,
for the expense of any military detences which the
President may deem necessary on the line OF our
communication with Oregon. Now the Importance
Of that provision depends on the sum which shall
be out into the hands of the President. All inter
from this is, that it is contemplated that DINER OK
yenses and in my opinion very heavy ones) must
te considered as concurrent measures with the
uising of these regiments of ritlcmen. This Is not
the only measure that will be necessary, and there
bre it may be doubtful if there is any necessity Tor
wasting the time of this House in discussing the
question whether these two regiments OF rhcmen
shall be raised unless the necessity is made appar
eat for their employment. Why, what reason Is
here that two regiments or one regiment shall be
missed at this timel We have heretofore gone
though some measures which presented prospect
oiwar: we have gone through Them and there has
been no war We are at profound peace with all
he world. Why then increase our military estao-
lshmen,7 II must be rccolected that the spirit
which prevailed in this House two, three, or four
years ago was very ditiercn; as 10 this matter OF
Increasing our military force. we whp were tnen
here voted not only 10 prevent the increase oil our
military establishment, but we reduced II by very
nearly one third That was four years ago, when
the prospect of war quite as great as now, and
will take this opportunity 10 say that do not De
here at all IN ANY DANCER 81 tcar at fhtS ttme.
awar al this time but, il any danger IS apprehend'
cd BY any gentleman here it appears To nue. that the
very first measure 10 be taken-that when should
precede all military measures OF any Kinds 10
give notice TO Great Britain that we mean 10 terml'
nate the existing joint occupancy OF Oregon That
Is the first measure TO be taken. How can gentle
men apprehend war otherwise! Does Great Bril-
tam tell that she shall take offence at the contin-
lance OF the treaty of joint occupancy She does
not, though have heard of some question being
made IL .,Il
nce OF the termination OF the Joint occupancy. Yet
his not joint occupation, and have been surprs
CO al the language held by some gentlemen on the
subject The treaty acknowledges no occupation
Oh the territory by either party II is commercial
convention for free navigation, but does not admit
oy either party the occupation OF one inch OF terrific
Fyoy the other. Il is no occupation But, what
ever Is neither party can permanently occupy the
country without notice TO the other 10 terminate the
convention OF commerce and trade, which would
not be permitted without such convention. II Is not
treaty of JOINT occupation; II Is treaty TOR the
exercise OF navigation rights commercial rights and
trading rights with the indians. Ii precludes the
occupation OF the country by either party. ENclu-
Sve occupation cannot be assumed by either with.
oat notice. or all the measures for occupancy and
for assuming jurisdiction over citizens OF the United
States who have gone into Oregon, and are there in
actual possession notice is the first thing, Twelve
months after that notice shall have been given the
right will acrue 10 the United States 10 occupy any
PaIt VI inc territory lDey may sNuN FtoFS''
In the bill which passed at the ias session my
self moved as frs, section TO the bill that such no
ice should be given The House did not thins
proper TO agree 10 il, and passed the bill wiihou
any notice.
Mr.. c. j. INcEasoLL. No; it was put into the bill a
ne last moment
Nj ADAMS But the bill did not pass the Senate
and 30 the insertion was immateria. But II Is
maiera fac, to me- because proposed II as constl
latng The frs, section Of the bill. declared my sci
teady then, and am ready now 10 give such no
uee lGTeat sensa,ionl l hope II VIII be given
ana TIA, We shall do il the first measure 10 be
skea-to be followed afterwards by real occnpa
Ion q the aoAoie territory. Great sensation IN The
house. and an incipient clap which, however. wa.
promptly arrested by the Speaker, who called loudly
@oroer But il is Indispensable tina, we shall hrs
give notice.
1ee gentleman from Illinois tMr. Douglass) say:
mar appears TO him there is game playing here
remark which is quite incomprehensaoie 10 me
sasl not inquire 10 what the gentleman alluded
". confess was very much surprised 10 hear thai
.ae Committee on Foreign Affairs will not report Il