The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-14
There is Grecan story related Of Alcibiades that
he of the tail Of his beautiful dog to direct public
attention from his graceful follies.
WASHINGTON, May l3, 1913.

w ASHlNGTON, WAY 1910.
O,rgon-State of that Countrywide British En-
croacIments-Neglect of the american Gorerm-
ment, &c.
l have conversed with a gentleman just from
Oregon. He was five or six months upon his
Journey to Washington; but, notwithstanding,
few items related by him may not be unnterest-
ing. He says that the American citizens in that
territory, last summer, in "trying circun-
stances" having been looking with intense solici-
tude to the United States government for protec-
tlor and encouragement, by the extension of the
jurisdiction OF our government over them, until
"hope deferred has "made their hearts sick" In
consequence of the disappointment, they have been
allenated from the ardent attachment they former
~ cherished towards the home government.
In the years lS43, 1874, and lS45, they passed
laws in their provisional government, which were
very good for new country, expecting, long be-
fore this, to have become an organized territory OF
the United States. But Congress has not yet given
them the degree OF attention which they deserve
Great Britain, however, never asleep, watches with
the utmost vigilance her colony in that valuable
portion of North America
The Hudson's Bay Company being protected by
charter from the crown OF Great Britain, and en-
couraged to hold possession of the soil and pro-
perry south of the ortynnth degree of latitude,
well north OF 1t, and, the contrary the United
states granting no power or security to American
citizens south of that degree of latitude, the laws
and word of the Governor of the Hudson's
than those Of the American governor. In
brief the laws of the Americans, in 1917, were
IN low repute and nearly dead letter, as the 60
vernon had no means Of enforcing authority, and
thereby giving weight and Importance to the pro-
visional government of Oregon. The English,
with the same far-reachlng policy they have ever
pursued in the great commercial monopolies in
India, China and Oregon, are carrying out their
course OF competition In trade IN the ast-named
country, holding on to the town site of Oregon city,
and laying of another town, by regular survey,
embracing Bakers Bay, at the mouth of the Co
llmbia river. 1t will be recollected, too, that the
Iludson's Bay Company are encroachlng on Iowa
All this may be for the purpose OF making an I'M
preston that they desire to become American
citizens. But so long as they continue to fortify
Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia river and are
building a large fort on the southern point of Van
couver's Island which will command the entrance
To Puget Sound, II difficult for all of the Amcr-
cans in Oregon to believe that British subjects in
that country ever mean to become citizens of the
United States
Oregon, in word, is in a most lamentable con-
dition. The people are divided into factions. A
part of them side with British subjects another,
IN favor of looking tor protection from France
a third wish TO form constitution for an indepen-
dent government and a fourth still disposed to
wait for the United States TO follow up their treaty
OF 1876, and take possession OF what little OF Oregon
remains to us.
OF course the climate and soil of Oregon are
still the same as well as lts streams for
manufacturing purposes and commerce, afiordlng
inducements to hardy pioneers to emlgrate. Under
present circumstances, however, settlers get no
titles to their land, and have no security given to
their property, persons, or families, from the In
dians who are already troublesome, and, in 1S47,
were demanding pay for their lands from the Anne
rlcans in the Willamette Valley. George Aber-
neihy, Esq, the American Governor, last summer
stated that he had conversed with the head men
and chiefs of the several tribes and that they had
agreed TO wait until the autumn of 1S47, expecting
that then the government of the United States
would make provision TO adjust the difficulties.
At the time our informant left Oregon, all was
quiet in California. A party, four hundred in num-
Der, many of whom served under Lieut. Col. FIRE.
mont, and who are warmly attached to him, have
gone TO California from Oregon, and, under in
tense excitement, declare that they will hereafter
render no services whatever to the American go
vernment, unless they receive the money which is
Justly due to them In fact the greatest dssals-
faction exists IN Oregon owing to the criminal
neglect OF our government in disregarding the in
terests of the inhabitants Would it not be well,
while we are extending the area of freedom" in
Mexico, even down to Yucatan, to secure the
"clear and ndsputable" territory which lies upon
the northwest coast; and while we are talking
about succoring suffering humanity on the Gulf,
would il not become us to have little regard for
our own kindred on the pacificl FELIX