The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-04

case. You not abandoned will you be denied
projection for not agreeing to admit slavery J. man
OF the South, and a STAKEHOLDER, tell you this
The House Of Representatives, early the middle
OF January had passed the bill give territorial
ized your Provisional Organic Act of the clauses of
which prohibits forever the existence of slavery in Ore
gon An amendment from the Senate's committee to
Whicn TINS bill was referred proposed to abrogate that
prohibition and in the delays and vexatons to which
that amendment gave rise, the whole bill was laid upon
the table and lost for the session This will be great
disappointment to you, and real calamity already
nve without law, legal institution for the pro-
lection of life liberty and property and doomed
to wait year longer This is strange and anomalous
condition almost incredible to contemplate. and most
ctcal to endure colony of free 1000 miles from
the metropolitan government, and without laws
vernment TO preserve them But do not be alarmed
desperate you will not be ouawed for not admitting
slavery Your fundamental act against that institution
copied from the ordinance OF l1S7-Qhe work of the
great men of the South in the great day of the South
prohibiting slavery in territory far less northern
than yours)-will not be abrogated nor is that
the intention of the prime mover of the amendment.
Is the author OF that amendment but not the fact
That committee is only midwife to it, Its author is the
same mind that generated the frebrand resolutions ~
OF which send you a copy, and Of which the amend
ment is the Legitimate derivation Oregon il not the
object The most rabid propagandis Of slavery
expect to plant 1t the shores Of the Pacific in the
tude of Wisconsin and the Lake of the Woods A
home agitation for election and disunion purposes is all
that is intended by thrusting this rebrand question
into your bill and at the next session. when it is thrust
In again we will scourge it out and pass your bill as it
ought to be- promise you this In the name ofthe
south as well as of the North and the will not
seceive me- In the meantime the President give you
all the protection which existing laws and
OF the army and navy enable him to extend You
anu until Congress has time to act your friends
rely upon you to continue to govern yourselves you
have heretofore done under the provisions your
voluntary compact and with the justice harmony and
moderation which is due to your character and to
the honor of the American name
send you by Mr.. Shinely copy Of the bill of the
late session. both it passed the House of Representa-
lives and proposed to be amended in the Senate,
with the Senates vote upon laying it the table
acopy OF Mr. Calhouns resolutons( posteror in date
to the amendment but nevertheless father to t also
copy of your provisional organic act printed
by order of the Senate all which will put you
petey in possession Of the proceedings of Congress
your petition for territorial government and for the
protection and security Of your rights.
In conclusion have to assure you that the spirit
which has made the friend of Oregon for thirty
which led me to denounce the joint occupation treaty
the day it was made and to oppose its renewal in 1925
and to labor for its abrogaon until 1t terminated
the same spirit which led me to reveal the grand destiny
ct Oregonn articles written in 1878 and support every
measure for her benefit sncethis spirit still ami
mates me- and will continue to do while live; which,
hope will be long enough to emporium of Asiac
commerce at the mouth Of your river and stream of
Asatc trade pouring into the valley of the Mississippi
through the channl of Oregon.
80. Your friend and fellow citizen.
THOMAS HI BENTON.