Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-12-28
col. BENTON's HISTORY.
AMMO 182o-JAMEs MONROE PREsIpENT-oREec
TERRITORY.

'AN~-SA' =.-ss-.
The session of 1s2e--21 is remarkable as be-
ing the first at which any proposition was made
in Congress for the occupation and settlement of
our territory on the Columbia river--the only
part then owned by the United States on the Pa
cific coast. ; It was made by DR.. Floyd, Repre-
sentative from Virginia, an ardent man of great
ability and decision of character, and, from an
early residence in Kentucky, strongly imbued
with Western feelings. He took up this subject
with the energy which belonged to him, and it re-
quired not only energy but courage to embrace u
subject, which, at that time, seemed more likely
to bring ridicue than credit to it's advocate. Ihad
written and published some essays on the subject
the year before, which he had read Two gen.
tlemen, DIR. Ramsay Crooks, of New York, and
Mr.. Russell Farnham of Massachusetts, who
had bees in the employment of John Jacob AS
tor, in founding his colony of Astoria and carry
ing ON the fur trade upon the northwest coast of
America, were at Washington that winter, and
had their quarters at the same hotel, (Brown's)
where DR.. Floyd and had ours. Their acquaint-
ance was naturally made by Western men like
US; in fact, knew them before; and their con-
versation, rich in information upon new and in
teresting country, was eagerly devoured by the
ardent spirit of Floyd. He resolvedto bring for
ward the question of occupation,
He moved for a select committee to consider
and report upon the subject. Itwns granted by
the House, more through courtesy to respected
member than with any view to business results.
1t was a committee of three; himself chairman,
according to parliamentary rule, and Thomas
Metcalf, of Kentucky, (since Governor of the
State,) and Thomas V. Swearington, from West
ern Virginia, for his associates-both, like him.
self, ardent men, and strong in Western feeling.
They reported bill, within six days after the COM
mittee was raised, "to authorize the occupation of
the Columbia river, and to regulate trade and in
tercourse with the Indian tribes thereon ac-
companied by an elaborate report, replete1 with
valuable statistics, in support of the measure
The fur trade, the Asiatic, and the preservation of
our territory were the advantages proposed The
bill was treated with the parliamentary courtesy
which respect for the committee requiredi it was
read twice and committed to a committee Of the
whole House for the next day, most of the mem
bers not considering it serious proceeding
Nothing further was done in the House that ses-
sion, but the first view we struck; public attention
was awakened and the geographical, historical
and statistical facts set forth in the report made
u Judgement in the public mind WHICH promised
eventual favorable consideration.
have not been admitted to my seat in the SEN
ate at the time, but was soon after and quickly
came to the support Of DR.. Floyd's measure,
(who continued to pursue it with zeal and ability
and at subsequent session presented some views
on the subject which will bear reproduction at
this time. The danger of a contest with Great
Britain, to whom he had omitted joint posses
sion, was strongly suggested, if we delayed long
er our own occupation, "ard vigorous effort of
policy, and perhaps of arms, might be necessary
to break her hold" Unauthorized or Individual
occupation was intmated as a consequence of
Government neglect, and what has since taken
place was foreshadowed in this sentences: "Mere
aGvanturers may enter upon it, as Eneas entered
upon the Tiber, and as our forefather's came upon
the Potomac, the Delaware, and the Hudson, and
renew the phenomenon of individuals laying the
foundation of future empire" The effectupon
Asia of the arrival of an American population on
the coast Of the Pacific ocean was thus exhibited:
ssUpon the people of Eastern Asia the establish
ment of civilized power, upon the opposite coast
of America could not fail to produce great and
wonderful benefits. Science, liberal principles
in government, and the true religion might cast
their light across the intervening sea- The val
ley of the Columbia might become the granary of
China and japan, and an outlet to their imprison-
ed and exuberant population. The inhabitants of
the Oldest and newest, the most despotc and most
free Governments would become the neighbors
md the friends of each other To nv mind the
proposition isclear that Eastern Asia, and the two
Americas, as they become neighbors, should be-
come friends; and for one had as lief see Ameri-
can Ministers going to the Emperors of China and
Japan, to the King of Persia, and even to the
Grand Turk, as to see them dancing attendance
ON those. European legitimates who hold every
thing American in contempt and detestation. -
Thus spoke; and this believe was the first
time that suggestion for sending Ministers to the
Oriental nations was publicly made in the Uni
ted States II was then "wild' suggestion; it
is now history. g. .E
| Besides the preservation of our own territory on
the Pacific, the establishment of port there for
the shelter of our commercial and military marine,
the protection of the fur trade and aid to the wha-
| ling vessels, the establishment Of commercial
communication with Asia through the heart of our
continent, was constantly insisted upon as con-
sequence of planting an American colony on the
mouth of the Columbia. That man of large and
useful ideas-that statesman who could conceive
measures useful to all mankind, and in all time to
come-was the first to propose that commercial
communication, and may also be considered the
first dlscoverer of Columbia river. His philosoph-