Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16
debledness 10 the loves, possible sum.

recommend tnat the e&IsunS laws on Inc
subject OF pre-emp,ion rights be amended
aud modified so as 10 operate prospectiyey.
and 10 embrace all who may settle upon The
public lands and make Improvements upon
them before they are surveyed, as we'll as af-
forwards, in all cases where such settlements
may be made after the Indian tile shall have
been extlnguished.
II the right Of pre- -emp,ion be thus extend
ed, it will embrace large and merilorious
number of small freehoIders upon our bor-
ders, who will be enabled thereby lo educate
their children and otherwise improve their
condition, while they will be found at ali
times. as they have ever proved themselves
10 be, In The hour Of danger TO their country,
among our hardest and best soldiers, ever
ready 10 tender their services in cases of
energetcy and among the last 10 leave the
field as long an enemy remains 10 be en-
coun'ered. Such policy will also impress
these patriotic pioneer emigfan,s with deeper
feelings of gratitude for the parental care of
their government, when they find their dear
est Interests secured TO them by the perma-
nent laws of the land, and that they are no
longer in danger of losing their their homes
and ha:d-earned Improvements by being
brought into competition with more wealthy
class of purchase al the land sales
The attention Of Congress was invited, al,
their last and the preceding session, 10 The
importance Of establishing Territorial gov
ernmenl over our possession in Oregon; and
ii is 10 be regreued that there was no legis-
lalon on the subject. Our citizens, who IN
habit tha, distant country, are sill left with
ou, the protection of our laws, or any regu-
larly organised government. Before the ques-
ton of limits and boundaries Of the terrlory
Of Oregon was definilvely settled, from the
necessity Of their condilio1nbe inhabitants
had established temporary government of
their own. Besides The want of legal author
iiy for continuing such government, i, is
wholly inadequate to protect them in their
rights Of person and property, or TO secure TO
them The enjoyment of the privileges Of other
citizens, 10 which they are entitled under the
Constitution of The United States. They
should have the right of suffrage, be repre-
senled in Territorial Legislature, and by
delegate in Congress ard possess all the
rights and prlvlless which citizens of other
portions of the Territories of the U. Stales
have heretofore enjoyed, or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws
regulating trade and intercourse with The In
dian tribes, and the protection of our laws
generally, should be extended over Them.
In addition TO the inhabitants in tha, terri
tory who had previously emigra,ed 10 ii,
large numbers of our citizens have followed
them during the present year and II is loi
doubted that during the next and subsequen mt
years their numbers will be greatly increased.
Congress, a, its last session, established
post-routes leading TO Oregon, and between
dlfferen. points within that territory, and au-
lhorised the establishment, of post Offices al
Astoria and such o,her places on the coas.
Of The Pacific, within the territory of the u
States, as the public interests may require
Post Offices have accordingly been eslah-
lished, deputy postmaslers appointed, and
provision made for the transportation of the
mails
The preservation of peace with the Indian
tribes residing ives, Of the Rocky mountains,
will render it proper that authority should be
given by law for the appoinmen. of an ade-
quale number of Indian agents 10 reside "a
mong TEEN.
| recommend that surveyor generals Of
fee be established in that territory, and that
the public lands be surveyed and brough. in
TO market at an early period.
recommend, also, that grants, upon lib
eral terms, Of limited quantities of the public
lands, be made TO all citizens of The u. S
" he have emigra,ed. or may hereafter within
a prescribed period emigrale to Oregon, and
settle upon them. These hardy and adven-
urous citizens, who have encountered the
dangers and priva,ions of long and loisome
journey, and at length found an abiding place
Tor themselves and their families, upon The
utmost verge OF our western limits, should be
secured in The homes which they have i'm
proved by their labor. s,g
refer you 10 the accompanying repori of
he Secretary Of War for detailed account
Of the operations Of The various branches of
he public service connected with the de.
parlmen, under his charge. The duties de-
solsing on this department, have been unusu-
ally onerous and responsible 1uring The past
year, and have been discharged with ability
and success.
Pacific relations continue to exist with The
various Indian tribes, and most of,hem man
fest strong friendship for the United States