The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-19

No objection being made the motion was considered
Is being adopted
The engrossed act relating to the publication Of the
laws Of the United States. was read third time and
SETTLERS In oaEGos
On motion BY Mr., DOUGLAS, The Senate as in Gem
mittee Of the whole, resumed the constellation OF the
House bill 70 create the office OF OF the
na @ pub nj
fore moved by Mr.. DAVIS. Of Mississippi. making RESET
yatons Of lands necessary for military purposes and
providing that il any property which has been improved
shall be deemed necessary for such purposes fair es
mate shall be made OF the value OF the Improvements
which shall be made 10 The settler.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi. When this bill was last
under consideration, statements made in rela
ton the reservations, and their effect upon the rights OF
inquiry and find not only that the positions then took
were correct, but that they than knew them to
be- find In no instance has any been driven from
bis possessions but that! 10 every instance where oc
cupant has neen upon the land intended be reserved
careful estimate has been made OF any improvements made
upon i. with view OF future compensation.
have learned, too, the whole story OF the store house
al Astoria An officer direct from there who has been
sent here upon duty connected with this reservation, in
forms me that the commanding officer OF the garrison at
Astoria required store house. the property OF the Hud
son bay Company. and that he sent proposition to the
agent Of that company TO rent the building but il had
He left the agent of The Hudson Bay Company on his
way 70 Astoria to agree with the commanding officer
upon the terms OF rent learn also, that the town of As
t0Fia is situated upon Tour claims, each mile square
The houses scattered upon the banks OF the river and
the part intended TO be reserved 10 high point OF land
which overlooks the channel Of the Columbia river. be-
ing the lowest OF those four claims, and only two
three, most four inferior houses have been erected
upon IL which, together with all the improvements were
estimated at two thousand dollars This and all the other
lands claimed by persons now in Oregon, and by the
Hudson Bay Company among their original possessions
and how far the treaty Of Washington which determined
titles Of the Hudson Bay Company in oregonh is not
now for the Senate to decide That is settled question
Their right may be extinguished BY purchase and we
can 20 more allow citizens of the United States to dis
possess them by seizure than turn them off the land by
force There is then, in the first places the title OF the
Hudson Bay Company i is reyesIonary it'e q tne
United Understanding in the way OF these locations
Wemay grant to settlers in this country whatever right
we please-we may go further, and grant whatever
right may hereafter acquires but we have no claim TO
any settlement now made upon any land previously oc
capied by the Hudson Bay Company
understand also that there has been an attempt
permitted its servants TO locate tracts OF land under the
impression that the company itself could not permanently
made these selections
the will Of the company itself The reports are very full
original copies Of which have before me, showing the
value the particular locations selected al Astoria, being
the lowest Of these four granisa high point OF land
that overooks the river and is essentially necessary or
have inquired also how far selections have been made
opons for reservations in Oregon for military purposes
They are as foifows
al Cape Disappointment at the mouth Of the Colum.
bin river hundred and forty At Point Adams
two square miles AT Sand Island twenty acres, being
the whole island
These points, understand, have now no occupants.
and no claim upon them at all The Astoria point.
being the lower OF these claims, known as McCures
grant claim, is square mile. part OF is sup
posed to be necessary for military purposes SIX miles
above Astoria Is another point overlooking the river,
which is also desirable for reservation. There, sup
pose six hundred and forty would be fully as much
Now, sir. understand the argument OF the senator
from Illinois lMr. DouGLAs] founded especially
upon the claim and residence OF Mr. Meek on The Wil
hmette river have sought and obtained, think very
full information upon the subject have map before
me Of the survey which made for reservation II
was point selected by the commanding general for
ordnance because il was on The south side Of the Coum
bia ve and situated to be remote from attack by
the river. the roads across the country also pos
machinery which must be used for the foundry OF the
moy, when is constructed But ii the private
right OF residence upon which he founded his argument;
and would suppose from bis representation OF H. that
there awide spread field OF ground with clustering
vines upon which the cavalry hoof had rudey rod Now
iaPpears there IS just one acre Of cleared land and small
cabin there and that the value oil the cabn the land, and
and all the Improvements is estimated at one hundred
and eighty dollars. allowing one hundred for the cleared
land.
And now as 10 horses running wild over the ground
two officers sent there 10 boat to make the sur.
vey and had horses There was no horse connected
And them as to the dispossession Of the resident,
those officers went to his house. and reported very favor
ably OF il. They said with him, upon the most
friendly terms, and made survey and retired. No
troops have been known there except the surveying
party, and they went Ia a boat Now, instead OF the
troops dispossessng the aud the horses treadng
upon the ground il seems il only surveying party
that went in boat performed their duty, and lett the
place. II intended TO take possession.
II is not recommended now 10 locate the army It's the
selection OF the site before passes into the hands oil IN
divduals that hereafter when il becomes necessary TO
have the reservation without having 10 pay exorbant
prices That, l understand, 10 The whole object In
making this survey, too the greatest was taken not
70 violate any private right nor to interfere with H.
There was saw mill upon the stream, the power OF
which they wished and, before determining the To-
cation they went TO the proprietor and entered into terms
with him in relation 10 the water privilege.
There was also a settlement below, which was some
what valuable fruit having been planted, and some
other valuable improvements made They avoided tbat
and made the location Immediately surrounding this cabin.
with single acre OF cleared land.
The next point suppose, necessary for military pur.
poses 10 Daes and here, suppose, II any - made, y
must be upon the fishing ground This point Is situated
in Indian country and surrounded by peaceful hsh
ing Indians, who subsst entirely. upon the sh OF the
river.
TAT this point, Mr.. DAVIS having given way for a
message 10 be presented from the House OF Representa-
Mr. F00TE asked his colleague to allow him 10 move
concurrence the bill Of the House Just presented
The PRESIDENT stated that il could not be done
without disposing OF the subject under consideration.
Mr. YULEE. suppose II can be done BY unanimous
Mr BRIGHT objected