, 1854-03-25

then preserve the feature of the petition.
We do not counsel violation of Treaty,
but We want light--we want investigation.
Let us call upon Congress to urge the Ad-
ministration to do their duty in this matter.
The Administration is ready-let us invite
the attention of the judiciary whose pro-
vince alone it is to interpret this treaty.
Hold on then TO the clause that invites
injuries, let this memorial go from this body
marking the sense, the patriotism, the i'll
telligence Of this body against this wither-
ing foreign monopoly.
Mr. Bigelow replied am aware of the
unpopularity Of the subject, but there was
no doubt that rights were confirmed and
their title such as ii is recognized by treaty,
must be confirmed. He could not vote for
the memorial with the clause objected to by
him.
Mr. Miles, had grave doubts about any
right the Puget Sound Agricultural Com
pany had to the soil-he had doubts about
the existence of any such association, and
thought too, that if the United States had
wished to recognize the title of said compa.
ny the word patent" or some word would
have been inserted therein, obligating the
government to recognize Il fee in said Com
pany.
Mr.. Bigelow followed in a speech Of some
length, quoting the treaty, and insisting
that the government had recognized their
title and were bound to confirm it.
Mr.. Catln observed that he liked the
memorial just as it stood. Could he be-
lieye that such company had any legal
existence, he went for the treaty being
observed implicitly. But no such company
as the Puget Sound Company exists No
articles of agreement or Incorporation have
ever been shown-none have ever been al
legged to exist, and the government of the
United States hes been imposed upon by a
fraud, and is not bound thereby.
Council adjourned without vote on the
memorial.
AFTERNOON SESSION. VIZ
Mr.. Bradford expressed his sentiments
in favor of the memorial lie wanted it
passed as it stood. The question being ta-
ken by ayes and noes, on the amendment
were for striking out,
Aye-Mr: Bigelow-l.
Noes-Messrs Balch, Bradford, Catln,
Miles, Tappan, Yantis and Mr. President
II.
Mr. Tappan rose for information-he no.
ticed that it was stated on I'd page that
2000 acres in all, was the gross amount of
lands enclosed at the time of trcaty--the
said company now set up claim to two
hundred and thirty-scven square miles of
territory.
Mr. McConaha answered that lIc had in
formation from the oldest settlers extending,
back as far as lS45, by which the Nisqual-
ly farms were estimated at four hundred
acres that was the greatest amount they
had ever fenced IN and enclosed. In regard
to the Cowlitz farms, respectable settlers
near that place had fixed 700 acres as
high estimate Of all the lands ever enclosed,
and 1900 acres were all they pretended to
have. The claim as set down in the me
mortal was six square miles, whichthey now
set up q right 10.
Messrs Miles and Cnthn followed sub
stantiating these facts, and the question on
the passage of memorial theu taken by ayes
and noes, and were for the memorial,
Ayes-Messrs. Balch, Bradford, CatIin,
Miles, Tappan, Yantis and Mr.. President
-.
Noes-Mr. Bigclow-1.
Mr.. Miles introduced a resolution re-
qucsting Gov. Stevens to forward copies Of
said memorial to Hon. S. A. Douglass, U.
S. Senate, Chairman of committee on Ter
ritories Hon. I. II. Benton and Hon. C.
Lancaster. Rules suspended and resolu-
ton adopted.
House bill No. IL, TO define the bounda-
ries of Lewis county, read first time, rules
suspended, read second time by title, laid
on the table and ordered printed.
Mr.. Yantis from committee on education,
introduced Council bill No. IL, Fan act di-
rectilg county commissioners to occupy GER
tain lands for school purposes" Read a
second time by title and ordered printed.
Mr. Balch from committee on military
affairs, introduced Council bill No. l2, ian
act relative to militia of Territory, and for
the appointment of Territorial Armorer." !"
Rules suspended, read a I'd time by title
and recommitted-the bill appearing to be
clearly for two objects, ought to be brought
as two bills.
Then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
I