New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-05-05
Letter of senator Benton 10 the People Of

WAsHINGroN CRY, March, lsi7.

WASHINGTON CITY March, lsi7.
w Freads-for such / may call many Of you
from personal acquaintance and all Of you from ny
thirty years devotion the interests OF your country
think il right 70 make this communication to you at
the present moment when the adjournment Of Con
gress without passing the bill for your Government and
protection seems TO have left you In state OF abandon.
nent by your mOnther country. But such 10 not the
case. You not abandoned nor will you be denied
protection for not agreeing 10 admit slavery. l, man
Of the South and a STAKEHOLDER, tell you this
The House OF Representatives as early As the middle
OF January had passed the bill 10 give you territorial
Government and in that bill had sanctioned and legal
ized your Provisional Organic Act one OF the clauses
Of which forever prohibits the existence OF Slavery In
Oregon An amendment from the senates committee
10 which this bill referred proposed 70 a5rogaie that
prohibition aud in the delays and yeXaiions 20 which
that amendment gave rise the whole bill was laid upon
the table and lost for the session This Will be great
disappointment b you and real calamity Already
hye years without law. or legal institution Tor the pro
lection Of life liberty and property and now doomed to
wsit year longer This is strange and anomalous
condition almost incredible 10 contemplate and most
critical 10 endure collection OF free men 400 miles
from the metropolitan Government and without laws
or government 10 preserve them But do not be
alarmed or desperate you will not be outawed Tor not
admitting Slavery Your fundamental act against that IN
sttuuon copied from the ordinance oil lfef-tne WORK
of the great men Of the South in the great day OF the
South prohibiting Slavery in territory far less north
err than yours-wl not be abrogated nor 10 that the
intention OF the prime mover OF the amendment Upon
the record the Judiciary Committee OF the Etuate Is
the author Of that amendment but not so the TACT :
That Committee Is Only midwife 20 H. It's author is
the same mind that generated the " hrebrand
resolutions" of which ! sent you a copy, and OF
which the amendment Is the legitimate derivation ore
gon not the object The most rs0d OF slave
nv cannot expect plant on the shores OF the Pacihc IN
the latitude Of Wisconsin and the Lake Of the Woods
home agitation for election and dsunlOn purposes IS al
that intended by thrustng this nreorand question into
YOUR bill and Al the next session when . thrustln again
will scourge IL out and pass your oii as II ought
10 be promise YOU this IN the name OF the South as
well as of the North and the event viii not deceive me
In the meantime the President will give you al the pro
lection which existing laws, and attachments Of the
army any navy can enable him to extend 10 you and
until Congress has time % act your friends must rely
upon you 10 continue govern yourselves AZ you nave
heretofore done under the provisions OIL your own VOL
untary compact and with the justice harmony and
moderation which Is due to your own Character and 70
the honor OF the American name.
send you by Mr. Shinely copy Of the bill Of the
late session both il passed the House OF Represents
tives and proposed 70 be amended N me senate WIZ
the senAtes vote upon laying the table and copy
of Mr. CahOuns neutrality-suspicious. 10 date 70 the
amendment but nevertheless, iather 10 t-slso copy
Of your own provisional organic set A. printed ~ order
Of the senate all which vii put you completely 70 poe
session of the proceedings Of Congress on Jour petition
for a Territorial Government and Tor lne protecuoh
and security Of your nights "a.
In conclusion have 20 assure you nai ne same spirt
which has made me the friend Of Oregon for thirty years
which led me 10 dsnounce the loint occupation treaty
the day il was made and 70 oppose ts renewal IN les
.nd 10 labor for is abrogaOD until u was terminated
the same Split which led me 70 reveal the grand destiny
of Oregon Ia articles written IL Isle and 70 support
every measure for her beneni since-tnis same spt
sir Auiusfes me and vii continue 70 DO 80 while !
i've which hope will be long enough 20 see an EN-
noruu OF Asarc commerce a. the mouth Of your river
md stream of A.iatc trade pouring into tie valley Of
the Mississippi through the channel Of Oregon.
Your friend and iellow-ciuzen.
THOMAS Il BENTON