The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-01
S.xx Territory NJ Columbia.

The following memorial has been sent 10 Congress,
from \ Convention held ut Monticello in Northern
Oregon, ON The 18th OF November last asking for a
division of the territory of Oregon, giving the
northern part separate organization, under tue
name OF Columbia -
MEMORIAL
To the Honorable the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatyes OF the United States, in Congress assem-
bed.-1he memorial OF the delegates Of the citizens
OF Northern Oregon, in convention assembled, re-
spectfuy represents to your honorable bodies that it
is the earnest desire OF your petitioners and ct said
citizens that al that portioa OF Oregon Territory y-
ing north of the Columbia river and west OF the
great branch thereof, should be organized sepa
rate territory under the name and style of the Ter
ritory of Columbia.
In support Of the prayer Of this memorial, your
petitioners would respectfully urge the following
among many other reasons -
|. The present Territory of Oregon containing au
area of 341 GOO square miles, is entirely too large
extent Of territory TO be embraced within the limits
Of one State.
=. The said territory possesses sea coast of $50
miles in extent: the country east of the Cascade
Mountains Is hoand to that on the coast by the
strongest ties OF interest-and ina,much your pc
Efioners believe that the territory must inevitably be
divided at no very distant day. they are of opinion
that il would be unjust that State should possess
~ large sea beard to the exclusion Of that in the
interior.
5; The territory embraced within the said bounda-
ries of the proposed Territory of Columbia con
tning an area OF about 81 900 square miles, IS, in
the opinion OF your petit about fair aud just
medium of territorial extent to form State.
4. The proposed Territory Of Columba" presents
natural resources capable of supporting population
at least large that Of any state IN the Union
POSSESSING an equal extent oil territory.
5. Those portions Of Oregon Territory lying re-
spectiyeiy north and south OF the Columbia river,
must FROM their geographical position, always rival
each other in commercial advantages, and their re.
spective citizens must, they now are and always
have been. be actuated by spirit of opposition.
q. The southern part of Oregon Territory, having
a majority OF voters, have controlled the Territorial
Legislature and Northern Oregon has never received
any benefit from the appropriations made 10y Con
gress for said Territory which we're subject TO the
disposition OF said Legislature.
I. The seat of the Territorial Legislature l. now
situated. by the nearest practicable route at dis
lance of five hundred miles FROM large portion Of
the citizens Of Northern Oregon.
s. A great part Of the legislation suitable to the
south is for local reasons opposed to the Interests OF
the north and inasinuch the south has majority
vi voters and representatives always bound 10
reflect the will Of their constituents your petitioners
entertain reasonable hopes that their leg-la-
tive wants will ever be properly regarded under he
present organization.
O. Experience has in the opinion Of your petit
toners well established the principle, that In states
having moderate sized territory the wants Of the
people are more easily made known TO their repre-
rentatiyes there il less danger OF conflict between
sectional interests, and more prompt and adequate
legislation can always he obtained.
In conclusion your petitioners would respectfully
represent that Northern Oregon, with it, great na-
tural resource presenting such unparalleled induce
ments TO entrants, and with its present large po-
pulation, constantly and rapidly increasing by nmi-
graton, is OF sufficient Importance in = national
point OF yew 10 merit The fostering care OF Con-
gress and it, interests are 20 numerous and
20 entirely d-tinct in their character a. to de.
mand the attention 81 separate and independent
Legislature.
Wherefore. your petitioners bumbly pray that your
honorable bodies sill IT an early day, Pass 4 law or
ganizsg the district Of country before described IN
der territorial government, . be named the Ter.
ritory OF Columbia.