The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-31

inc morning OF the 10Th we got underway, and TO
turned TO our anchorage off Green island.
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From the Psnnsy lSanAR
OREGON.
We give place, on our first page to-day, to an in
teresting article from the Montreal Herald upon the
progress OF The improvement and settlement OF the
Oregon Territory, including the FIRST annual mes
sage from Mr.. Abernethy, the newly elected pro-
sisionn governor Of the colony The article though
long, ia interesting and well worthy Of perusal
showing tho position resources, and expectations Of
the Territory, an well as the state Of society. There
are now Ia Oregon Territory over 5000 Americans,
and perhaps l,000 on their way thiiherJ and now
that ths government is actually and effectively
formed, nucleus is fixed there, around which thou
sands more will annually gather. Trade Is steadily
extending, and quite brisk commerce has sprung
up with the Sand wieh Islands. There are in the
Territory six grist-mills and eight saw-ms. Oregon
city Possesses population Of over 500 souls, con.
tans about eighty houses, two churches, two black
smith shops, four tailor shops, halter, a tannery,
three shoe shops two silversmiths four stores two
houring and two saw-mllls, lath machine, post
once, through which letters conveyed thirty
miles for fifteen cents, and lastly but not the less
imPortanS a sem-monthly paper-Tk Spectator
The city has already obtained an act Of neorpora-
ton and the pubc-sprited editor Of the Spectator
thus calls the attention Of the cty fathers 10 va
rious necessary Improvements;
Gentlemen, dig up the stumps grade the streets,
tax dogs, prohibit hogs, and advertise in the pa
per-"
The temperance question there, as with US, is an
exciting topic, as is also the question Of currency,
and tho habits and feelings Of the people are alto
gsiher eminenuy American. Governor Aber-
nethy was formerly Of New York. His message
would do honor 10 any Of the governors OF the
States. IL contains recommendations in reseon TO
tie routes, &c. for emigrants worthy the considera
kto. ~ n m m
OF Missouri one OF the Oldest settlers, has been APP
pointed circuit judge. John E Long, secretary Of
the Territory, was formerly Of Kentucky:
THE FIRST ADDRESS or THEIFIRsr PRESIDENT
OF OREGON
We find in the Montreal Herald, late adyices
from Oregon with the address Of Mr.. Abernethy the
governor Of the Territory TO the legislature This
is the first message Of the first executive Of that
country, and is an interesting document. The
most exciting question Of internal policy in the new
settlement appears be, whether the State should
or should not, prohibit the manufacture and use of
ardent spirits. The present state Of the law APP
pears to be founded on that truly republican doc.
trine, that the individual must submit his personal
liberty to the will Of the majority; and that MAORI
~ having declared that the individual has no right
to Judge what he shall eat and drink, has attempted
to suppress the manufacture Of ardent spirits by Dc
nal enactment
THE MESSAGE.
To the honorable the legislative assembly Of Oregon:
FELLow-cIrfzEss: Allow me TO congratulate you
on your return to this place, again to enter on the
important duties assigned to you by your constitu-
ents. '.' 'T7.-I ...
By the latest dates we have from the United
States we are informed that the affairs Of Oregon
still remain unsettled, no arrangement having yet
been entered into between the two governments.
In my last message suggested several alterations
in the militia law, and would again call your atten-
ton to the subject At present. all is peace and quiz
etness; but should anything occur requiring the aid
of the military everything should be ready for i'm
mediate and prompt action.
The currency is another subject on which you
will be called to act. That legal tender
should be provided for the payment of liabilities,
besides gold and silver, we are all aware. The
precious metals are very scarce in this country and
by most persons not to be had.
What shall DO the legal tender is an important
question for you to decide. If all the articles pro-
duced, raised and manufactured in the country are
made legal tenders, no person shall sell anything
he has to dispose of unless there ia special con-
tract drawn up, designating how and in what man
ner the seller is to receive his pay-this viii cause
much Inconvenience to both parties Wheat, in nv
opinion, should be the only article used in this
country asa legal tender, in addition to gold and
silver. 1t is at present the staple article of our
country-can be produced by all the settlers in
abundance, can be readily disposed Of by the mer-
chant and others, and is not perishable article.
The next question is, where shall the article or ar
ticlcs, made legal tender, be deliveredi If the
debtor is allowed tho privilege Of delivering wheat
at any point on the navigsble rivers, and thereby
dschargng his debit il will throw all the trouble Of
getting tito market the receiver this should not
be; the trouble should devolve on the one who, by
delivering his produce, is relieved from his abili-
ty. Dragon city is at present the business place,
and for the convenience Of all parties, would in my
opinion, be the best depot for the country.
Other articles and other places Of dcposite can be
agreed upon between parties who are transacting
business together. Our business is to provide for
man, who, being in debt to another, pressed for
silver, and informed that nothing else will
IN payment we must in some way provide to re-
leve him from this difficulty, but, in doing this,
we should be cautious not to throw the door too
wide open; for, in doing so, we may break down
all confidence, and do more injury than good.
We are visited occasionally by vessels for trade
have an officer appointed to reside at the mouth Of
the river, whose duty it should be-, the arrival Of
any vessel, to board her and deliver the captain
copy Of the law relating to the sale, &c. Of ardent
spirits; many complaints have come from the in
habitants at the mouth Of the river that spirtuous
liquors have been distributed among the Indians
from different vessels, causing much excitement
among the Indians, and in one leading to
between two parties of them. .
1t cannot be expected that stranger on his ar
rival should be acquainted with the law on this sub
ject, and he may deal out to Indians and others
enough to do great deal Of mischief before he be-
comes acquainted with it, unless some steps are ia
ken by you to inform him. The officer so appoint
ed could inform the proper authorities, should the
captain then persist in selling liquor, and the neces
sary steps to enforce the law could then be taken
There should be seaer Of weights and meas
ures appointed, and no weights measures used in
the colony excepting such as are stamped by him;
by this MEANS uniformity in our weights and
measures would be brought about, and one source
of complaint removed.
The boundary lines between some of the districts
have not been defined, and persons living near the
borders Of such districts do not really know in
which district they reside. ! would call your at
tention to this subject that you may examine into
il, and define the boundary line. ~
1t will be necessary to decide upon and locate the
recommend that committee be appointed by your
BODY at an early day to take this matter into con-