Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-08-13

THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE.
TO ne honorable the Legislature Assembly Of Oregon
FELLOW CGrizENs-Alow me to congratulate you
on your return to this place. again enter the I'M
porant duties assigned 10 yon by your constituents
By the latest dates we have from the United States
are informed that the affairs Of Oregon still remain
unsettled, arrangement having yet been entered in
betweenthe United States aud Great Britain fixing
The boundary line between the two governments.
In my last message suggested several alterations
in the militia law, and would again cdiis your atten
ton 10 the subject. At present, all is peace and
quetness but should thing requiring the AID
of the military, every thing should be ready for mme-
diath end prompt action. =,
The currency is another subject on which you VIII
be called to act That legal tender should be pro-
vided for the payment of liabilities, besides gold and
silver we are all aware The precious metals are
very in this country and by most persons not
to be had.
What shall be the legal tender is an important ques
ton for you to decide. If all the articles produced,
raised and manufactured the country, made le-
gal tenders person viii sell anything he has to dis
pose of unless there be special contract drawn up,
designating how and in what manner the seller is TO
receive his Vayeths will cause much inconvenience
10 both parties Wheat, in my opinion, should be the
only article used in this country legal tender, IN
addition TO gold and silver 1t is, at present, the sta
pie article Of countrycan be procured by all the
settlers in abundance, be readily disposed of by
the merchants and others, aud is not perishabe ar
ticle.
The next question is where shall the article
ticles, made a legal tender, be delivered Ii the
debtor allowed the privilege Of delivering wheat at
any point the navigable rivers, and thereby dis
charging his debt it will throw all the trouble of get
ting TO market the receiver; this should not be
the trouble should devolve on the one who, by
delivering his produces relieved from his liability
Oregon city is present the business place, and for
the convenience of all parties, would, in my opinions
be the best depot for the country.
] Other articles and other places Of deposit can be
agreed upon between the parties who are transacting
business together. Our business Is to provide for
man. who being in debt to another, pressed for sill
yer. and informed that nothing else viii answer in
payment; we must in some way provide to relieve
him from this difficulty, but doing this, we should
be cautious not to throw the door too wide open, for
in doing so, may break down all confidence, and
do more injury than good.
We are visited occasionally by vessels for trade and
other purposes | think it would be well to have an
officer appointed to reside at the mouth of the river,
whose duty it should be- on the arrival OF any vessel,
board her and deliver the captain copy of the law
relating to the sale &C. of ardent splrs many COM
plants have come from the inhabitants at the mouth
of the river that spurious liquors have been distribut
ed among the Indians from different vessels, causing
much excitement among the Indians, and in case
I leading Y. a between two parties of them
1t cannot be expected that stranger his arrival
should be acquainted with the law on this subject,
and he may deal out to Indians and others enought to
do great deal of mischief, before he becomes ac-
quaned with it, unless some steps are taken by you
TO inform him. The officer appointed could inform
the proper authorities, should the captain then persist
in selling liquor, and the necessary steps to enforce
the law could then be.taken.--,- 's,-se,sf
I There should be a sealer of weights and measures
appointed and no weights or measures used in the
colony excepting such stamped by him; by this
means, a uniformity in our weights and measures
would be brought about, and one source OF complaint
removed
The boundary lines between some of the districts
asenet been Defined and persons living the bor-
ders of such districts do not really Know siich dis
trict they reside. would call your a.tentionte this
subject, that you may examine into II. and define the
boundary lines.
1t will be necessary to decide upon and locate the
seat of government the present session, would re-
commend that committee be appo4tea hegssEbody.
at an early day. to take this matter considera-
ton
large emigration has this year crossed the Rocky
Mountains and the individuals who composed it are
now in our midst and make one with after passing
through many scenes of difficulty and privation.
There has been more suffering than usual among
the emigrants the present season, perhaps in some
measure owing to the largeness of the party, which
numbered over two thousand persons, but principally
owing to anattempt made by of them TO shorten
the way; they failed in their.oblect, and many of
= them persisted in consequence or difficulties they
. encountered, encountered as they. were with~theIr
fardifeS and CATTLE in untrled route. Something
should be done to facilitate the arrival Of emigrants
among US; nearly all the difficulties they encounter
occur between Walla Wala and the settlements, and
perhaps may bring it still nearer and say between
the Dalies and this place.
If there can be remedy provided for this 1t should
be done at once, and easy and safe conveyance
provided for the emigrant, who may hereafter seek to
make this land his home. Two plans have suggested
themselves to me; is to employ one or more OF
the old settlers who profess to be acquainted with the
pass leading through the mountains from Fort Boisy
thereabout, to the upper settlements in the Villa
mette, to take charge of party, whose duty it shall
be examine the route mark it out, and report to
committee appointed by you. All the particulars Of
the route should be carefully noted down. particularly
the distance between camps where water be pro-
cured and the quality of the water, together with the
quantity of grass land that may be in the route
whether there any sandy deserts to cross that
would be difficult for cattle over, for want OF
= twateF and proper food.
The other plan is tocompleie tleroad that has been
commenced by Mr. Barlow and others, South of Mount
Hood. Either of these plans will require funds, and
i would recommend that committee be appointed BY
you whose duty it shall be to enquire into the FEAST
bilty of either of either of the plans, and to obtain
subscriptions from the setterso the colony to carry
the one fxedupon into operation the amount requir-
ed have no doubt can easily be raised
have made the following appointments during the
recess of the Legislature wv. II. Wilson, First
Judge for the district Of Champoc, in place of E. E
Parish who refused to accept the appointment Also
Robert Moore Judge for the Twaaty district in place
of II. Higgins, resigned There is vacancy in the
Catsop district. occasoned by the refusal of r. Shor
tess to accept the Office of Judge for that district
there Court to be held in that district previous
to the meeting of the Legislature, have left the of
fee to be filled by you.
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