Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-10

there be jealousy Of crowned heads why not propose
commission Of civilians Ii you will put princes,
there profound jursts, accomplished historians of
learning philosophy, and SCIENCE sides of the water
from whom tribunal might be constituted whose decision
upon any question would command universal confidence and
respect The venerable Gallatn Ito other Amer-
can name) whose original exposition Of this question
all that valuable in the papers by which title
has since been enforced would add the browning grace to his
long life of patriotic service by representing his country
tribunal which her honor, her interests, and her
peace might safely be entrusted AT any rate let US not
jec the idea of arbitration in the abstract and the terms
cannot agreed upon afterwards shall have apology
for submitting General Jackson, SIR, did regard
arbitration unfit either for him or bus country to
adopt Indeed well understood that he was 80 indignant
the King of Hollands line being accepted by that
he declined take any further steps the subject OF the
Northeastern boundary.
cannot but regret Mr.. Speaker, that the President in
making up before the civilized world upon which he
claims be relieved from all responsibility which may follow
the failure settle this question, has omitted all ausion to
the fact that arbitration this subject OF Oregon has been
solemnly rendered to US by Great Britain am w1ng
however, put the very best construction this omission Of
which susceptible and to believe that the President de-
sired to leave himself still uncommited upon the point
Without such explanation, certainly has most UNI
fortunate and disingenuous look This omitted fact Is IN
deed enough the scale of the public judgment upon
the whole ISSUE Arbitration offered by Great Br.An and
rejected by us leaves the responsibility tor the
preservation OF peace upon shoulders The Admin
sraton cannot escape from the burden OF that responsibility
And fearful responsibility it is both to and to God
Before concluding my remarks the clock admonishes
soon must, desire to revert TO two points to which
alluded briefly the have already declared my
self opposed the views Of my honorable colleague, (Mr
ADAms) giving the notice to Great Britain. honestly
believe that the termination Of that convention of joint occu
patton q call by this for convenience, not perceivg
that makes any material difference the real questions
before this moment under existing circumstances, and
with the vew which my honorable colleague has expressed,
Of following up by the immediate occupation Of the whole
of Oregon, would almost unavoidably terminate IN war;
and hard
consequence And to what end to involve our coun
try in such calamity appeal TO honorable colleague,
and every member this floor to tell what particular
advantage be derived from giving this notice and ter
of any amicable adjustment The honorable member from
Pennsylvania Mr. c. j. INGERsoLL) has said that this
venon is the child Of my honorable colleague Il has
been twice established under his auspices and with the adj
and consent Of statesmen patriotic and discriminating
as any who hold the helm of Government. What
evil has it done What evil is it now doing
The honorable member from Pennsylvania has given
description of the rapid influx of population into that
rtory He has presented with lively picture of know
not how many thousand women and children their winding
way this promised land beyond the mountains. Let them
CO. God speed them There nothing the terms of this
convention which mpedes their passage any thing which
prevents from throwing them the protection OF limit
ed Territorial Government. ready to go far Great
Britain has gone in establishing Jurisdiction there and
interest," either Of those who going there Of those who
staying here, calls to go further at present The
best interests Of both parties the contrary forbid any such
proceeding Gentlemen talk about following up this notice by
taking immediate possession Of the territory This
said than DONE What if Great Britain should happen get
the start Of in that proceeding Such thing would
be matter of very tonhmen to those who remember
her CELEBRITY IN such and her power to sustain them
when made. Where should we be then Would there
be war
And what would be the consequences of under such
circumstances the consequences not cotton upon
commerce. upon Boston Charleston New York, but
"iiat would be ts bar merey OrsGon it
self is concerned The cry :" the whole of Oregon
none and echo would answer under such circumstances
none " see not how any in his resist the
conviction that, whatever compensation might console
ourselves WITH by out of Canada, by the whole Of
Canadaunde whatever circumstances of might
carry the IN other quarters OF the world Of our
continent the adoption of such would result in the
immediate loss Of the whole of that territory This least
is my honest opinion
As friend, then, to Oregon, with every disposition
maintain just rights that territory with the most sin
cere desire to that territory the possession of such of
people desire occupy iwhether hereafter an
Independent nation, originally suggested by distn-
guished Senator from Missouri (Mr. BEsroN and more
Gently by less distinguished Senator from Massachusetts,
(Mr. WEBsrER) portion of our widespread and
glorious Republic opposed to the steps which
about TO be SO holly pursued.
Sir, feel that have a right express something
than ordinary interest in this matter There better
element in title Oregon than that which has been
rbued by Boston enterprise You may talk about the old
navgators of Span and the Florida treaty, and the settle
ment at Astoria and the survey Of Lewis and Clarke
much you please but you all back, for your best
satisfaction, "Auld Robin Gray in the end. Cap
tain Robert Gray Of Boston, in the good ship Columbia
gave you your earliest right Of foohod upon that soil
have seen, within few months past the last survivor Of
his hardy crew, still living in green old and exhibiting
with pride few original sketches of some Of the Of
that memorable voyage My constituents feel pride
in their connexon with the title this territory But in their
protest against the result of their peaceful enterprise
being turned the account Of unnecessary and destructive
protest against the pure current of the river which
they discovered and which their ship has given its noble
name being wantony stained with either American British
blood
But while ami thus opposed to for Oregon, TO
any which, in my Judgment likely to lead
war; shall withhold vote from which the
friends of the Administration may bring forward for the defence
Of the country Whether the bill be for regiments for
twenty regiments, it shall pass for all To the last file
the utmost rthing, they shall have and money for
the public protection. But the responsibility for bringing
about such state of things shall be theirs and theirs only
They prevent they please The peace Of the
try and the honor Of the country still entirely compatible
with each other The Oregon question is still perfectly
cephble OF aicabe adjustment, and rejoice to believe
that may still be dusted We have bad Of peace
in the other end Of the Capitol in this But, if
comes the Administration take the responsibility for oil
its guilt and all its disgrace