The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-30

ment OF a territorial government in Oregon has been post
ponen from time to timemuch too long-even until the
people there have organized territorial government OF
their own Now, he thought that the appeal thus made
by the people OF Oregonan appeal now very properly
responded 10 with prompness by the PresdentouSnt al
people Were pioneers, occupying of Territories
whose boundaries were settled than two years
since such were the people calling upon us for proec
ton, and they ought TO have il forthwith.
lie proposed to submit to the House motion TO lay the
message on the table, and to print and at the proper
time he should move TO amend the resolution offered by
the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. SMITH,l to pro-
VIDE mat the special order be postponed as to give
place or immediate action upon the bill to establish the
leIT orlal government OF Oregon
| Mr.. COLLAMER desired to ask the gentleman from
Georgia whether the Oregon bill contained any provision
to raise troops Tor the protection OF seers and furner
whether the act OF former Congress, approved May 49,
1916, did not provide regiment OF mounted rlemen Tor
thus purpose and whether this regiment was not divert
ed from the purpose for which was raised and
Mexico by order of the PRESIDENT
MIR. COBB admitted that the bill pending for the
organization of the territorial government of Oregon did
amended in this respect Such amendment, he trust
ed, would certainly be made He would himself propose
Int, If other gentlemen neglected it, With reference to
the question about the action OF the Executive under the
act OF the 10Th May, 1876 which matured before
the breaking out of Mexican hoslities and approved
aerwards-f the gentleman will examine he will see
that these troops not raised for any particular
vice. although there clause in the bill for the
ton OF forts and military posts for the protection OF emf
grants on the route to Oregon would be recolleced
that, the breaking of hostiles it became
sary for the President to command all the troops he
could. This regiment which commanded by the
gallant Col Persifor f. Smith, therefore Immediate
ly transferred to the service in the Mexican
MIR MURPHY desired to ask the gentleman from
Georgia, whether in order to give protection to the peo
pie OF Oregon II necessary to organize territorial
governments He asked whether Congress might not ex
tend the required protection by an immediate act?
Mr. COBB proceeded further in reply to the gentleman
| from Vermont, [Mr. CoLLAMER.l In consequence of
this transfer of Colonel Smiths regiment to Mexico,
other arrangements have been made by the Executive for
the erection by other volunteer troops OF military posts
for the protection OF emgrans the route to Oregon
But the term OF service OF these troops expires upon the
termination of the war with Mexico and it may be,
that before any law could reach them from this govern
ment, they will be entitled to their discharge.
In reply to the gentleman from New York, Mr.
MURPHY] he admitted that it in the power of the
government to grant the desired protection without the
bill TO organize civil governments but be insisted that
these settlers have been entitled to this bill now more
than two years and we have been holding out to them
indeed this House passed the bill the last session. but it
failed for want OF me and now, when this call for pro-
lection IS made upon us, in view OF Immediate danger
fuse to give them all the protection to which they
entitled He trusted there would be shrinking from
the whole duty which now recurs upon us. tie now
offered his amendment to the resolution by the gentleman
IRON Indiana posponng every special order for the i'm
mediate consideration of the Oregon bill
The SPEAKER said the subject before the House was
the disposition OF the Presidents message
Mr.. COBB desired nevertheless, to have his amend
ment read and il read accordingly The consdera-
Ion n o. Inc messae ne continued IS now before the
Necessary to refer the message at all ii not then ought
to be referred to the Committee Territories For the
purpose, then, OF testing the of the House, he
moved to lay tie message on the table.
MIR. VlNION desired % say that the message contem
plates the action Of the House on two subjects first the
protection of the people of Oregon and next, the prov
ding of territorial civil government Tor them There is
necessary connexon between these questions If the
people of Oregon danger il may be necessary to
TEN riiOpO hut here
urgent necessity to pass the bill to organize this territorial
government than there has been for the last two years
He referred the brief period that might be left of the
session pass the special ORDER the several general a
preparation bills, which of the most pressing ugen
cy. He was willing to extend military protection; but if
we got up the civil BILL should have to occupy, per-
| haps, month with its consideration.
| Mr.. COBB interrupted to ask the gentleman if ma
lory OF the House could not put stop to debate, and
Mr. VlNTON. That bill involves one of those sub
jects which cannot be gagged here. He was not willing
to take that great subject with the understanding that
members should be gagged upon 1t. We are expecting
information of peace and, in that event. It will become
question whether shall not find ourselves already in
the possession of an organized and dsposabe force su
cent for the purpose OF the protection OF Oregon.
| Mr. BOYDON interposed to inquire how 1t was that
the President could interfere to protect the settlers OF
to Oregon clear and ndispuabe and the President
had heretofore nteered without application to Congress,
when even this not the case.
| Mr. COBB. / should like to respond to that
Mr. VINTON merely desired to add. that if we to
have any special order for this NATTER should be fixed
for Friday Saturday not to interfere with the ac-
ton OF the House on the appropriation bills.
Mr. HARALSON. If our Oregon citizens were in
danger, he would be for speedy action, and would not
be against action on the civil bill But he foresaw that
that subject would lead the House into prolonged dis
cussion. He desired therefore, that these questions
might be divided Instead Of the motion of his colleague,
he would to refer the message to the Military Com
mee, with instructions to report bill to organize a
regiment may be for the protection OF our cIt
Zens III Oregon.
Mr. COBB suggested that this very danger from the
Indians had originated from the delay of this government
in the establishment of Indian agencies there We need
both the troops and the territorial government The
sending of troops alone would only effect temporary
lief
Mr.. HARRISON appealed to his colleague if he did
not know that the bill did not involve questions which
would require months of discussion!
Mr. COBB. These will not arise out OF any question
which has not been already discussed here over and over
again; and it will depend entirely the determination
of the House whether the action upon the bill shall be
prompt or not.
Mr. HARRISON assented to this; but could any man
expect that these questions will not be discussed again
He still thought his plan for the attainment OF this Ore
gon protection would lead to the desired result in the
shortest tme which all important to our nnprotect-
proposition and ask for its reading at the Clerks table
which had He added, let this protection bill be re-
ported and acted on and then he would agree to take up
the Oregon territorial bill gentlemen might de-
sire
| Mr. COLLAMER There had been several instances
of pessng emergency taken advantage of TO urge the
action of the House upon subjects not very closely con-
nected with those emergencies From his experience,
he had learned to try TO avoid this mixing matters and
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