Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-05
1RtrNtotnatD as1tatttrRf.

bill, only glanced al in his more general view, a.
h compelling The same conclusion. The ansuase
d of the bill already quoted is: 1.-THE laws OF 'ne
Territory OF Iowa, as far as applicable over az
n the territory west OF the Rocky mountains owned
: by the United States" No treaty will exist 70 IL
! mi, The applicability Of the laws Of Iowa Some
mere local enactment for bridges or court-houses
4 NAV moi apply; but all The general laws OF iowa
I will be extended TO, and operate over, the whoie
4 territory. Those laws, as over Iowa, man,
G tain exclusive and absolute jurisdiction ahu
S sovereignty so, likewise, must they 40 osel
/ The whole of Oregon They are 10 be oreeas ,as
{ over il ms territory owned by the United States
r in The absence OF any treaty 10 limit or uenns
that ownership. Who ever heard OF DIVIDED
or limited jurisdiction on the par. oil an inuepsh'
dent nation over The territory owned By III ne
laws OF Iowa assert over exclusive lunsaicIio,n,
f maintain The eminent domain, and exclude an
preteDsions 10 sovereignty or jurisdiction on Inc
. par; of all other nations. Extended To oregon
as territory owned by the United States, hey must
, have no less efficacy and exclusive opeI2tion.-
Ii might as well be commended that Great Britain,
or her Subjects have rights OF sovereignty, OF are
entitled 10 exercise jurisdiction over The Spot on
which we stand, in this, the Capita The union,
as they will have any such rishls or tIlie ieeos
missed or respected in any paH OF the oresoh ,el
r,ory alter we shall have extended the Jnrisdlc-
lion OF our laws and government over u as terri-
tory "owned by The United States" II surely is
moi necessary 10 elaborate this view. Inc SIM
nile statement OF the terms OF the law is conclu-
sive 10 show that after The convention shall, by
lis termination have ceased 10 restrict the apPh-
cabiliy of the laws OF Iowa, their extension over
the whole territory OF Oregon involves the claim
of entire sovereignty, and the exercise oil excn-
sive jurisdiction, TO The complete custer OF Inc
sovereignty and jurisdiction of Great Britain and
all other nations.
The exclusive character OF the sovereignty and
jurisdiction 10 be exercised under this bill, aiter
the termination OF the convention, having been
thus certained, il remainslo enquire, MT. Chair
man, by what means, and with what consequent
ces, such jurisdiction ana sovereignty alc " NC
enforced. ,
The executive of Iowa, or the mere subordi-
male agents 10 whom this bill in,rusts the execu-
ton of its provisions will be bound Immediately
after the termination of the convention, to extend
our exclusive jurisdiction, and take possession
of the whole territory, dismantng all forts or
other establishments in which the nag oil To-
reign sovereignty waves, closing and abrogating
| all tribunals in which foreign jurisdiction is
exercised, and ejecting all companies settlers or
traders, who will not acknowledge allegiance 10
the Government Of the United States, and submit
10 accept the protection of its laws. The power
full Hudson Bay Company with lis army OF
agents and employees, and its tribes of savage
auxiaries, will be in the possession OF much OF
the territory and most Of its Slrongholds. Nume-
rous British subjects, settlers or traders, will be
in different paris, relying on The asserted rights
OF their nation, and her pledged faith 10 protect
and defend them Great Britain having asserted,
with singular unanimity on The part OF her lead
ing statesmen, that she has rights in The 'e--o.y,
which az all hazards, she will maintain, and
placed BY such legislation in position when 10
Weld would be dishonor and The violation Of the
most sacred engagements OF nation 10 her sub
iects, must and will sustain her claims 10 The Ut
most of her power. Al the first attempt, then, on
the part Of The Executive OF Iowa, or This new
Oregon territory TO enforce The provisions OF
this act, he must and will be resisted with the
strong hand. The whole military force at his
command, and subsequently al that OF the Exc
cutive of the Union, must be invoked, under his
clear obligation 10 extend and ma ntan jurisdic-
lion over the territory declared by clear enact
ment to belong 10 the United States. And this,
Sir, will be war-nolhing but war-lhe begin
ming OF dire contest, the end whereof no man
can know.
This bill, Sir, has been regarded, in its appica-
ton to the stale Of affairs a.er the termination OF
The Convention as rickeuy and imbecie. Ger
tainIy but little foresight sagaoiy has been ma
infested in framing provisions for The exigencles
legislation But, Sir il is anything eve. out i'm
becile-for mischief il will be found all-poent.
Ii will render hostile collision Of inevitable neces-
sily, and will place ai'Lc discretion OF The Execu-
tive cf remote territory, or 10 The petty officers
10 be appointed in Oregon the issues of peace and
war, with the tull power of compelling the sup
port OF the whole military force OF The country.
Is the House prepared thus, in anticipation. 10
part with the dread power reposed 10 Congress
g - Nd if
they so infatuated 10 intrusl il 10 the discretion
of some distant territorial Executive, or petty
ministerial officer in Oregon | cannot believe
it, while retain respect for its wisdom or patriot
ism.
In view of the operation OF this bill after the
termination Of the convention, in extending over
the whole Of Oregon 10 the Russian line, the e1-
elusive sovereignty and jurisdiction oflhe United
States with the certain consequence OF collision
and war, feel that may appeal, with entire
confidence, 10 all such members as have thought
our title limited 10 the 10th degree or Whereabouts,
or as entertain such conscientious scrupes about
the extent OF our rights as TO have been unwil-
ling 10 assert absolute Title 10 81 deg. 40 min, 10
array themselves in firm OPPOSITION 10 its passage,
without the amendment limiting it 10 the duration
OF the convention. They cannot, without aban-
Comment OF their fixed opinions and ascertained
positions, give il their support and they are loo
| wise not 10 see IL.
| But is there not even more numerous class
10 whom This bill, without the amendment must
| be repugnant7 | refer TO those who boast OF en-
lire concurrence on this Oregon question with The
| President, and manifest peculiar desire 10 COM
| ply exactly with all the Recommendations oil his
message in all our Legislation the subject. The
language and spirit of the message are clearly
opposed 10 egisaing nop for the period after The
termination OF the convention, and the exigencies
that may then exist. His recommendations are
| for the adoption Of measures 10 protect our emil
grants and concilate the Indian Tribes during The
! Intermediate time before the abrogation OF The
convention | will not detain the committee by
reading the passages in The message which, du-
ring this debate, have been already exhibited,
showing the nature Of the executive recommen-
dations. They all refer to the "mean time" be-
fore the termination of the convention, and con-
template only provisional legislation. Tbs Pre-
sident, in this respect, acting wisely ana prudent
", so far from recommending Interior legislation,
has even abstained from developing MS opinions
as 10 the Measures which should, alter the lerm-
nation OF the convention, be adopted, or 10 what
extent and in what degree, exclusive sovereignty
and Jurisdiction should then be asserted in Ore
pon. He has, indeed, minated his opinion OF
our title; but in reference 10 the position
of things after the expiration Of The conven-
lion, he has conlented himself with saying
that we shall then have REACHED period when
the national rights in Oregon must either be aban-
doned or firmly maintained" and that they can.
not be abandoned without the sacrifice of nation
al honor and interest. No ntimation is given
what specific measures will then be necessary;
and much less does lie advise legislation noac for
that period. Should not then, bis peculiar adhe-
rents on this matter of Oregon abstain where he
has abstained and shrink from legisaling where
he has not ventured even TO advise
To all, Sir, it must be consideration of no
little moment that such premature legislation
may most seriously embarrass and involve the
relations of the country in the pending nego,ia-
lions They are already in situation Of deca-
cy and embarrassment and further element of
offence or difficulty should not be cast in by impro
vident legislation. From the first, the notice has
been strongly presented and advocated by It's
friends as peace measure. That being spua-