Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-05-10
From The N. o Ereaing Mercury
LETTER OF SENATOR BENTON 10 TIE
PEOPLE OF OREGON
WAsnIsorov Cry, March, ls47

W AshNGroN tirf, March, lSli.
My FRunns-For such may call many Of you from
pffsual acquaintance, aud all If you from my thirty
years devotion 10 the interests Of Your conntrvi think
II right la make this communication To YOU at The pres
ont momeut when the adjournment ol Congress, with.
out passing the bill for your government and protec,un.
seems to have l You in state Of abandonment by Your
mother country. Nnl such IL mol the iou are not
abandoned nor will you be denied praection for not
agreeing 10 admit slavery. nan ol the South, aud
slavcha lder toll Won lhs
The iioueeoi Representatives, a. early ms thu middle
ii January had pasted the bin 10 giYo YOU Teut rs
Government audi That b had sanctioned and lepaliz-
ed your Provisional Organic Act one Of the clauses of
which leveT prohibits the existence of slavery in ORE
gon. An amendment from the Senaie's committee, ID
which his bill was referred, proposed to abrogute that
prohibition; and in the delays and ycxaions to which
thai amendment gave, the whole bill was laid upon the
table aud iosi for the session. This viii be great dis
appointment 10 you, and real calamity; already fvs
ans without law, or legal institution for the proelin
J lltr Liberty and property and doomed wait 4
year longer This is strange and anomalous condition.
almost Incredible 10 contemplate, and most critical
duro'-a colony OF free men, 1OhO miles from the mcirDp
Titan government aud without laws government pre-
serve them! But donot be alarmed desperate, you viii
mol be outlawed for not admitting slavery. Your finds
mental actaeanst thai institution, copied from the ordnance
Of l1e7-(the work Of the great Of the South.
in the great day Of the South, prohibiting sla-
very territory far loss northern than yoars) -wil
no, be abroeaed is that the intention of the prime
mover oil the amendment. Upon the record. the JUDI
cary Committee Of the Senate is the author Of that
amendment, but not the iact That committee is on
y midwife 10 it, Its author is the same mind that gen.
Grated the "irebraud respluons,' Of which send you
copy and OF which the amendment is the legitimate de-
ryaton. Oregon The object The rabd propa-
gadat OF slavery cannot peci to plant il the shores
OF the Pacific in the latitude of Wisconsin and The Lake
of the Woods. home agitation, for election and dlsu-
Mon purposes, is all HAT is intended by thrustng this
rebrand question into your bill and the next ses-
when & Out
and pass your blll as Il oughlo be- ] promise you this
IN the name Of the South. well of the North, and
the event Vii not deceive In the meantime the
President will give You all the protection which existing
laws and detachmcuis Of the army and navy can enable
him To extend you; and until Congress has time to act,
your friends must rely upon you 10 continue to govern
yourselves you has. heretofore done, uader the proyi
sons Of your own voluntary and with the justice,
harmony and moderation which due your own char
scer and To the honor Of he American name.
send You, by Mrshnoly copy Of the bill ofthe late
session, buth it passed the House Of Representative
and proposed to be amended in the Senate, with tho
Sonates upon laying II the table and copy &C
Mr.. Calhouns res1lutions-( posterior in date the
amendment. bu nevertheless. father to it also copy
OF your provisional organic act, printed by the
ders of The Senate all Of which will put you completely
possession Of the proceedings Of Congress your petit
ton for territorial government, and for the protection
and secuni, OF your rights
In conclusion, have to assure yon that the spi
h which has made the friend Of Oregon for 80 years
which led me denounce the joint occupation the day
IT made, and to oppose It's renewal in 1928, aud to
labor Its abrogatlon until II terminated; the same
spirit which led Dle 10 reveal the grand destiny of Ore
gon in articles written IN 1915 and support every inca
for her benefit ever sncehs saline spirit anmates
ne aud will continue To do lille live which, hop
will be long enough TO emporium # Asaiic
nerce the mouth Of your river. aud Of Asialc
trade pouring into the valley Of the Mississippi through
the channel Of Oregon.
Your friend and fcllow.ctizen.
THOMAS H. BENTON.