Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-19
COL. B8NTON,s HISTORY.
Aano 1S20.-James Monroe President Orego,
TERRITORY.

The session Of 1,202l is remarkable as being the first
at which any proposition made in Congress for the
occupation and settlement of territory the Column
onypart then owned by the United States
on the Pacific coast 1t made by DR.. Floyd, Rep
resentaye from Virginia, ardent man. of great ability
and decision OF character and from an early residence
in Kentucky, strongly mbued with Western feelings. lie
took up this subject with the energy which belonged to
him. and it required only energy but courage to en-
brace subject which, that time seemed more likely
to bring rdicule than credit to its advocate had writ
ten and published some essays the subject the year
before, which he had read Two gentlemen, AIr Ram
say Crooks Of New York. and Mr.. Russell Farnham, of
Massachusetts,, who had been in the employment of Mr.
John Jacob Asor in founding his colony of Astoria and
carrying the fur trade the northwest coast Of Anne
RIGA, at Washington that winter, and had their
quarters at the hotel Browns) where DR.. Floyd
and had ours Their acquaintance was naturally made
by Western men like in fact, knew them before
and their conversation rich in information upon
and interesting country eagerly devoured by the
dent spirit of Floyd lie resolved to bring forward the
question of occupation, and did So lie moved for
ect committee to consider and report upon the subject
The committee granted by the House. more through
courtesy to respected member than with any view to
business results. 1t committee of three himself
chairman, according to parliamentary rule, and Thomas
Metoalfe, of Kentucky (snce Governor Of the State
and Thomas " Swearngen, from Western Virginia, for
his associatesboh, like himself ardent men, and strong
in Western feeling They reported bill, within six days
after the committee raised to authorize the
patton of the Columbia river and to regulate trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes thereon" accom-
panied by elaborate report replee with valuable sta
tistcs, in support of the The fur trade the
Asatic trade and the preservation of territory
the advantages proposed The bill treated with the
parliamentary courtesy which respect for the committee
required; twas read twice, and committed to commit
tee OF the whole House for the next day, most of the
members not considering it serious proceeding Nothing
further done in the House that session. but the first
blow was struck; public attention was awakened, and
the geographical historical and statistical facts forth
in the report made Judgment in the public mind which
promised eventual favorable consideration.
had not been admitted to my seat in the Senate at
the time, but after, and quickly came to the
support of DR.. Floyds measure who continued pur
it with zeal and ability; and subsequent session
presented views the subject which will bear
production this time The danger of contest with
Great Britain, to whom had admitted joint posses
sion, and who had already taken possession, was
strongly suggested, if delayed longer occu
patton, and vigorous effort of policy and perhaps
of arms, might be necessary to break her hold" I'm
authorized individual occupation intimated rs
consequence of Government neglect and what has since
taken place foreshadowed in this sentence Mere
adventures may enter upon it, Eneas entered upon
the Tiber and orefahers upon the Potomac
the Delaware and the Hudson, and renew the phenome
of individuals laying the foundation of future
pire" The effect upon Asia of the arrival Of Ameri
population the coast of the Pacific thus
exhibited Upon the people of Eastern Asia the esta
blishment of civilized Power the opposite of
America could not fail to produce great and wonderful
benefits Science liberal principles in government, and
the true religion might their lights across the inter-
vening The valley of the Columbia might become
the granary Of China and Japan, and outlet their
imprisoned and e1uberant population The inhabitants
of the oldest and the newest the despoc and the
feest Governments would become the neghbors and the
friends of each other. To my mind the proposition is
clear that Eastern Asia and the two Americas they
become neighbors, should become friends and Tor
had as lief American Ministers going the Emperor
Of China and Japan the King Of Persia and to
the Grand Turk to them dancing attendance upon
those European legitimates who hold every thing Aner
in contempt and detcstation.' Thus spoke; and
this believe the first time that suggestion for
sending Ministers the Oriental nations was publicly
made in the United States 1t was then wild" sug-
gestion; it is now history.
Besides the preservation Of territory on the
Pacific the establishment Of port there for the shelter
of commercial and military marine, the protection OF
plishmsnt of Mr. Jeffersons idea of commercial COM
runcaton with Asia through the heart Of own
tnent constantly insisted upon consequence Of
planting American colony at the mouth Of the Column
bia That Of large and useful deas-that states
man who could conceive useful to al mankind
and in all time the first to propose that
commercial communication, and may also be considered
the first discoverer Of the Columbia river. His pho-
sophie mind told him that where snow-cad mountain
like that Of the Rocky Mountains shed the on ono
side which collected into such river the Missouri
there must be corresponding shedding and collecting
the other and thus he perfectly assured
of the existence Of river where the Columbia has since
been found TO be, although navigator had seen its
mouth and explorer trod its bank His conviction
was complete but the idea was too grand and useful
be permitted in speculation He was then Minis
ter France, and the famous traveller Ledysrd having
arrived at Paris his expedition of discovery to the
Ne prevailed upon by Mr. Jefferson to enter upon
fresher and useful field of discovery. lie pro-
posed him change his theatre from the Old to the New
World and, proceeding ST. Petersburgh upon pass
port he would obtain for him. he should there obtain per-
mission from the Empress Catherine to traverse her do
minons in high northern latitude to their eastern
remty the from Kamschatka or at Behring'
Straits and descending the northwest Of America
come down upon the river which must head opposite The
head Of the Missouri ascend it to its source in the Rocky
Mountains and then follow the Missouri to the French
settlements the Upper Mississippi and thence home
1t magnificent and daring project of discovery,
and that account the more captivating to the ardent
spirit Of Ledyard lie undertook it; went to ST. Peters
burph received the permission of the EMPRESS and had