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ONTHE RESOLUTION GIVING THE TWELVE MONTHS' NOTICE FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE JOINT OCCUPANCY OF THE OREGON TERRITORY. I DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 2, 1846. Mr. THOMPSON said: At this late period of the debate, Mr. Chairman, I do not l.now that I could prepare the way for the remarks which I pniiwse to submit in a more approjiriale niiiniicr tlian by a brief recapitulation of the several points upon which I conceive there is a general agreement on ;;!! sides of tiie House. I assume, then, in general terms, that we all go for Oregon — not, indeed, defined by any particular or ascertained limits, but still we are all Oregon men. 1 assume, also, that we all are the advocates of peace. The disposition of this committee, so far ad it has exhibited itself, is decidedly pacific. The gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. WiNTimop,] who spoke at an early stage of this debate, went so far as to say that peace was always honorable, and so it should be considered. Cut wliile 1 assume that all are for peaci, it is but just that this assumption should be accompanied with the distinct qualifica- tion, that it can be maintained consistently with the assertion of our national rights and our national honor. Indeed, some gentlemen, seemingly under the guidance of a settled hatred to Great Britain, and a rooted jealousy of her gigantic power all over th'^ earth, had manifested a disposition not to avoid war — even a readiness to rush into a conflict, if it be- came necessary, in the defence of their rights and that honor — but at the same time they have avowed their jnefererioe for peace. I assume that our title to the Oregon territory up to 4!)^^ nortii latitude is "clear and unquestionable." It') validity no one disjtutes, and no difference of opinion is expres.'.ed. As to the country lying be- tween 4!P and ,>4° 40', difficulties presented them- selves, and different views were entertained and. had developed themselves during the discussion. But tlie more general — I may say the univensal opinion — was that ours is the better title up to 5 1'^ 40'. To discuss the title is not my present purpose, nor do I deem it necessary foi the present decision. I will not weaken, by such an attempt, the force of the able cxpo.-idon of it contained in the late letter of Mr. Buclianaii to Mr. Pakenham. On that onru- ment 1 am willing to rest the whole question. That letter alone, in my estimation, will be the means of handing his n;ime down to all posterity aa one of the ablest diplomatists of the age in v»-hicii he lives, and will associate it imli.ssolubly witii that vast country witiiin whose borders will be found, at tio distant day, a vast population of intelligent and en- terprising freemen. With this r.ssuption 1 am con- tented, then, with the question of title. Again: I believe the people of the United States demand of us action; action of some kind must be iiad. This ques;ion has been the subject of discus- sion between the two gu\eriiinenis for nearly half a century. Simultaneous with the purchase of Lou- isiana in 1H03, a treaty was concluded with Great Britain, fixing the norliiern boundary of the Uiiitod States. That treaty was rejected by the Senate so far as the boundary line was concerned, and another treaty in 1807, on the same subject, was also re- jected by Mr. Jefferson. The same question was discus.sed in 1814 by our ne<rotiators at Ghent, and no conclusion was reached. In IHlri, a eonv>nti(m was concluded which was indefinitely extended in 1827, which expressly declined to decide anything, and by virtue of which the citizens and subjects of the two governments jointly occupy the territory of Oregon up to this day. In the formation of the trealy of Washington in 184.'}, the northwestern boundary was discus.sed and the subject abandoned. At different times from 1822 up to this time, the question of Oregon has been before Congress, and nothing whatever has been done. In 1844, the deru- ocratic"party declared ihenuselves in favor of Oregon, and upon almost every flag which waved over every public assemblage in any .section of the Union, were inscribed, "Oreo-on and Texas," and James K. Polk wns elected. We have marched up to the issue and discharjei! our duty for Texas, and we have now the appeals to us of her twin-sister— Oregon. We cannot — we dare not — (:l().«e our ears to her petition- ers. We have come to that point wher' the peo- ple demand action. This House— Congress must do something- must sive the country .some earnest of our feelings and intentions. It is idle to .say that we arc for Oregon, and yet do notl.n to as.sert onr rights to Oregon. That representative who refuses to take some onward step at this session, will, in ray judgment, be found recreant to his duty, and his constituents will hold him to a fearful ac- countaljility. The great quealion then conies up, What sliall be ]^ > r^ I 2 dnric? It is c:t;noral!y nL-rcfuI in tl.i-' H^iii?" thi'. we .stimo to us. For iIk; purposn of arri^inf^ r.t a j ist slio.ili] ore".: (oris luid ijl().;k-!i(>usf^3ni suit-iolc poinlf inttrprcfation oftiiiH rotivcniion, it is firop' r bnf;fly u:i far w<;.st n^ tiie Rnr.'ty moiiiirain.i; tlinl n s'lpnrin- to review ilir. I'luxiitinn of the country in 1^18. At tciitlcnry for tlwi Hiiuin^rmoiit o!" our Indian relntir>i).-j ; ihiit tiiu'', our population wa.T 'J,0(ii),Ui)ll, about wt.'ist of tli("-.c mountains Hhould L)« c.^iaiiliMlicd, and ; l.TOO.O^H) of whom resided we.^t ot" the Aiiegiiiiny tliat a in.iii'-;v>u'c rn. '.clwrii; i:i"i)()rr^iin .'■•luiuM !)(; put mountains, and nt't more tlian 'Ji.'OJlOO west ot' t!ic into operulion. A^ ti) liie oroprioiy and i>:| 'Nlienoy | M'ssi-sippi river. A f-:eanil)oal was u cuno.sity, e»t" til. li J iii:;a'5".re!i t!:"re Wis no e ■■.srni'ii.il (lill'ere.ii'c. ' e.rid aimi.st '.i!iki;')wn iipnn t'l'i wi';-ier/i waters, liut these liiii!:;.s bf-in;L; (ioiip, emij^r.-ition to Oregon Tlio only practicable route to (Vetion was sup- will I'C in. !i\ccd, faciliia'pd, and .'icceieratec!. V7hen posf.d to lie by duii'ilui;; Cnfie llorii nl sea, and the e iii'^rant, at t!:e end i-l" !ii( lo.i;; and WL'ary jo'jr- thu-? to mai<o ttie dist.ineo from 18.bl!.'l to 2(),UI)U ncy, pi'.clies hi.? teat in so ne fertile valley of Ore- niile.T, s'nd liein:; situated more than 3,IM)U mile.s by t.|;on, wiial ilocs he want, and what does hi.) Hitiiaii.Tn : land fr.'m the mouth of the .\ii.-souri, the road ran rcf|',;iie.' 11; wants to feel, even there, the pruuJ thiou^h a va.'-:t wildernc.'.:!, ii\er, imrassab!e nioun- coiir>i:ic,u.sn-.:-i^ of bi'lnz r'l Ameri'an riu/.rr — t!-,„t t.iins, 'JMrroiinded livnuinernus! iribe.s of ■A'ar like.ind still he tn.iKi.! upon .Anieriivm «oi'. inherited l' Voni hi sav:i;re Indian'?. Kveri d'l'.vn to so la'e a perioii a^- foref-itLe:-.-^, an i i aiit,,s,'ii and c!;n.-;e--H'.(!d to liberty Iri'Jl, many ofour far-seuini^ and able.'i statesmen by iheir bi-'od. (lis situation recjuire^j of u.t the ei,- believed iiiat the. Re-cl;y mouniain.s n.u.st lie:om!j aelniont uf lav/.s for t!ie sr'-urity of tiie riy/iis of ik-i- the iill'inu tlutli- of our ref.ublie; and that it WiV) in- son .uid iiroperty, the establish. aent of forts i'nr ti:i po;>ibl- that there slionld be other than .to inde- ]))0t'.'' tioii aijain.sl tho us-'anlts or' >-;;va'^e.5 and ene- pendent 2;ove;-!iinent en the other side. IJut .^dnee mies; ;.ii'J, aijove all, a iiroit of h'.f.d on wlueli lie that time v/o have mn.de the men rapid strides, both C...1 I.;.:... .'. home M-h' r(! \\< ■s.'.lVtv. A'A lu:-.(! tnint'; 11 ; m.iy live in peaoo ;"i(i orrr.hi i!o:'ire '.!.i t i 'Ut for tnc pcojiiv' ofl'rf ','0!i; aoii if nil tlie-e things cai; ai't ii'.e.^'erve our 111 p.jiMil ifion and '-n no.- m .ir.i of fiiii.'k and easy intereoiuinunieation. \'7e have n 'iw lalvaoeed, in ll'.e ve;ir Iivli), 'o :i population of iiclm" -JO, Oeiy ,()()() faith — if we r.an ^o r.ioru th:!n d;(JUi),')iJ') ('t' wiiom were ie3idni;.< v/e's; of the Ai!ei;!',r'oy mon'itainr!, and about ;2,.'U0,UUl» were west of t!ie Mi.-:si.-;si|)!'i. Ste<.irii hais lieen ap- I infringe rieitlier in !i..'ter nor s[)iiit our ay ■-■tipLilatio.is, the r;uestio!i may very ,' use of terii'inatin':: liie plied iiDre extensiveh' and more successfully in new in t'or.-e octwcen v," navigation; r.nlroad.i have been cont;triieted, and 1,'e di.iK thurJ I'lr C.\i:'tillg pioporiy aiise, v.-hat is 11 trti.'ty of j.iiei (ii;eapirion ana (.irriu ilritain .' Here, tlitn, !.•? the prceii^e i.'^.-.iie | di;'t;>nt ilaecs liiv.-; Iieeii broiiu;'it near to each other v/hii.h li\s bofn vp.\:-'i d !)y l!ie, resolution under dis- i \iv have ('i.icovered t!ie 8ou'h puss at tiu; head of ciisuon, ar.d on wh'ci' iw:> partie-; .seemed to be | t!ie Lu P! iite; !>nd, iniUead of a voyage of -JOjilOU (orniing tliemselvef ; the on.; (iivi.sion f»rotcs.'-"ing ; miles, \vc have seen our hardy jiioiieers of the themsi Ive.s v/illing to do a'l tiiat t!ie settlers h.;d a:\Vest, with their stout hearts and .brawrjy arras, right to ei-iiic.-.t, by v/ay of giving ihein laws, pro- 1 without the tiid of frorcrnment, pcnetratii;}^ these teciio!', and lioin;.'=i, aiul ins:,s;i,ig tiuit their eour.-^e i moimlairi!'., and through iliem opening a wagon the u'iimu:o .'recurernent of the j way for th.eir earts in wliieh they carry their little io:e 'rrrroiy in a peaceful manner, i;.ul de- ! all, ,iiid acturdiy m.-iking selth^nitnt.i by thoiis.'.nd:! nomuing tiie re.solut;(j!i .-.uthori/.ing notice .13 I'-jn']- ( in the dist.mt territory beyond them. At tli.^it tirTie, iiig to inevitable war tind i!.". f;val ]o.-3s of tlie Cii- I in 1.!>H, we wanted tiie Oregon territory only for tire terriiorr- '^t'he other '.'.ivi-'ioii '.'ji.'ri to be the ; limiting, fishing, and trading with the na'ivc.i. Now will ;cii'i who'" true frien.U ef Orcgar-, and, admitting l!:at .ve h.jve Ihnv.vn I' ::;r;ctions ur.nind ourselves l.>y s^ibsisiing treaties, and wi:>hing pun;'.;i!ionPiy to ob:-'erve good faith, advo'-.tte the iioiice in m-der to abrog^ite th" treaty, v.hi.'di, in their estimation, d'jbars them i'rom enacting ;h'; lav.-s n-'.i'.s.vary to meet tiie w.uits of the se;tlrr.i in Orcro.;. Afid tiii;-; divis:o:i i.s con- sidered the v.-ar-party of tlie code. Ivor to dem,);i.3trate that. v,/e w\M;t it for far diflcrent purpo.«es — tor agricul- ture and permanent setilement; and to compass these ends, we inu.^it liave exi.dusive .sovereignty and pe)s.;!;.,s,5ion; ami duri ig the cnntiiurince of the nrcjcnt treaty arrangoment.s for the joint occupa- tion of the CO i.ntry, can we do ;-.ny act which look;-: to the exjitic)!! oi' exclusive right.'* and jiowersove.' House. iJut I sliail I the territory of Oregon.' If VvC can, there is much t!iou2;li war m".y not plaiLsibiiity iind force in the position, that to give the notice is wholly unneccssn-y and inexpedient. But iMr. Aii\y,, wlio was .Secretary of State at settler.') it if woi to tins spirit « disicussi jjrorruju' Ibis, in ■was ne.H was the decided niiike gr f.:.st gi\ joint occ l:efore tr UP, both rearcli w rlie iiuth ))ecause ity of tl dorsed jfornia. during ing tiie I bia, wIk lection a; secure la to its citi the Sen; V. ould violets' ly ineasMrfi ■Great IJr of our - Umied.S prop'^-.-eil i>rofe: .• that tiiL Bat 1 . Ihorities licen add talc in 1,1 t!oi .;ctif' po'i.ubly be avioded by eithei line of pidiey, yet, llioae v.'ho take the position that we Hnonld fur niali the emi •rant scillcrs vvitii i.iws, [irotecti 'n, F.nd j the dat.3 of the negotiation of this treaty, haa al- lifmi3s, v,;th<uit giving the notice, ndopi a course I ready favored. us with hi.? views. lie onjert.s even .whi'di mu.st lead to war — an immediate, most in- j to the n.'?c of the tctin of joint ocunatioii, and con- glorious w.ir, broi.i<-l'.t, about by Irroken lltith and i .^jirues the convention as reserving to our citizens Violated en'j.i:;ptnent:'; and thi:t they, while they only commercial, trading, and navigation rights and claim to act for pracc, deserve to be ranked as tlic privilegcf, aiid of forming settlements v/ith a view •war-p.u'ty of the lloa-e, of carrying out these objects. Mr. C.vi.iini'N, What, then, are tlie e>;a::t words of tlie treaty of 1818, renewed in 1827? "Air .■■.. It i: a-^reiHl tb u :iny foii'.itry tliat mfiy lie claim- «il tiy eitliiT puity on tli- noilliwe.et coR't .if .'VnierirT, •wcs'w. Oil oT til!" .Stony i:ioiiiil;ens. --lia'l, toi<elh<r '.vitli it? hiir!)' . liav.^, aii(! erceks, i'l.i ti-.r i';iviir.iti(.in ol iiH rivrrs wilhiii th.' .nai.K', Im fri'f aii.i u\n;i\ 'oi the term ol tr:i yi'irfi from tlio ilat.' of tlio .siii^naturi' ol' lUc pre.sent coiivciitiiia, to tlie ves ,els, oitiieii.?, ami subjects ol'tliu two powiTS." After many yearn of uns.iti.sl'actorv discussion, this treaty wa^ entered into, which decides notliing, but leaves everything open, and ha.3 transmitted the whose opinion ohvaya hcia much v.-eight with me. eaistains this position, and emphatically expressed himself that this government has no })owcr, till the t .rmination of the treaty, eitlier to grant, or to prom- ise \.u^r(\nt,\-dniiih\ that territory. In addition to this, the President of the United Statcfc-, Mr. Polk, expressed his opinion in the debate on the Oregon bill ill ls2'.), that we were inhibited by the treaty of 1818 from establishing forts in Oregon, or inaking grants of land; and in hia annual message to thi^' session of (Congress, he refuses to commit himself in favor of making promises of grants of land to our IJ arris iiif^ at a j'.ist is pii>p< r hrif.fly try in iMl.^. At J,(l(i(),(JOl>, about It' I lie Allf'o;liany ,nO(i west of t!io k^-as a 'uridsity, wi'.-if:rii wdtrrs. r(:i;oii was su|i- urii at sea, ami IH.dliO M 20,1)1)0 II 3.1)1)1) milf.s by luri, the loail ran inra.'-'sul;!*! nioiin- i(!H of war likoand 1') la'e a pfrioii as ab'.t'M statesmen lis Hiust l»e:oiH!j \ that it was ir.i- hf;r tliaii aa inJc- side. lUit .-^incc apiil strido.<<, both f (iiiirk ami easy ii.iw i.dv aorcd, in ,R\.r ;.>l),Oi)a,l)Ui) Te rt'sidii:.'.^ wes; a!)'jut ■2,-m,om ■irii lias liccii ap- ■c i-ucecssfuUy in cotir;trn'',tcd, and ear to each otlier. U8H at tin; licad of voyage of -JOjUOU y pioneer.s of the id .braumy arms, Ijcitetratiiifi; llicsc pening a wagon • carry their little kt.J by thousand Tl settlers in thcc word.'?: "Pending tlie year's notice, | ^'.^'••^•'n. f'< , have r.m,!. tl-.e i .,:iMitiv.> gn\fnim('iit Ii.is .■si^^ni it i^ worthy of consideration, whet'aer a rtifinlation (0 this eil'eri may be made roiisifitently witli the spirit of tliat convention." Moreover, after a full disicu.'>.sioi; i:i 1H43 on llio right and power to niuice proiruMis tf) grant lunib, |iending tlie treaty of lb]6, in tiie Senate of the Uniltd !Stute«, that body was nearly cquHlly divided. Superadded to all this ] t)rinni:-e gr.inta of land to tl'.e seii'er.>, a.vd tiierebv was the autiiorily of the last Congress, when it was .secure •le.n hopio.i, iu.ii Icnve nnrcpctibd in fall (ii'il til ii.i its ilusin- to maintain pcnrc. .inl to rft-ct i ,-ii*;.-lia'- lory i.'jii.liiii'nt of till! (iiK'slioiiof tli ■ Oh-ijoi'. t'Miitoiy. I tm.t ii; ll." as»ii:-a;u'('? iil tlu' I'xrrutivc i;o\ or:,iiiiM' ; iiiid I will lol lulievi- tliat It will ;;ivl' itii couM-nt to ;i !v^i>l,it;\e nuMMui' at varianct ui'.li tho>(" afsumncrs." Pa.«!.^ your Jawa, then, for the proteciiop, of oor |)eo[ile In Orejjon — biii!d your forts and mun them — tleeidtd by a large . ajoriiy that we coulii neither nuike gr.uus or promisctj of grant.s of land without f.:.st giving notice, au'j terminating the treaty of joint occu;.aiicy. Hut still I have another authority Lcfore mo, wliicli dcderved nnich con.sideration from u.i, botli on account of the great industry and re- for'C c\i;iiina tr(ati(s — aralinfitcad of}-.ca.(' you will have war: instead of t.ii\u:g gradiud and iiaiet pos- .^icssion of the whole country, you will be fali'-d on forihwith to buckle eai your armor and struggle in f.orce battle for every ineh of ground you reiain. All negotiation mu.st i;ca. e. ''i'lie English govorntncnt, Fcarch whicii the writer l.ad u;-ied in compiii.^.g all | after e.x'prcising the view.; aljove iiu^.tcii, would be tlie auth.ori'.ierf lelaliiig to our title to Oregcin, and because hi.-j book had been publi.-^hi-d by the aiiilior- ity of this liou.-^e, thereby to a certain extent en- :h At that time, rritory only for e na'ive.-?. Now ea — for agricul- nd to compass ive .■sovereignty ntinu:ince of the the joint occupa- act which look;-; di.-<li>iiior< i!, afier the pa>--age of pueh ai, a"t, either to treat or to entertui:. a proposition to t:e'>t, till its withdrawal or repeal. Then, it rni..st be evident, dorsed by it. I refer to Greenliow's Oregon atid Cal- j ih.^t we cant.ot take ti.;> lactliod of securing Oregon ifornia. "Neither of the partie;; rould be justified, ] without meeting the British lion in our v/ay, and during the .subsi.sience of tlie agreenunit, in order- 1 wi(!i(;;:t Mibjecting oursclveH to the ci\arg:' of !)ad ing llie erection of t'orts at the mouth of the CoIum-| faith, and, indeed, wiL.uit dish.or.or. 1 in.sitt, then, bia, wlure tlicy ccrtunly arc not required for pro- j upon the pr ij.os^iiion wliieh I conceive I'.ns been lection against any tliird pov;e,r, and in promising to ; ni'^st clearly prove.;, t'.at tlf^s.^ wlio pr.rsue this secure lai ge tr;>cttj of land i.n that territury, by ()atent, j co'.t.sc of meai^Mre.;, .'.id yet lelVse notice, will iii- to its citizens or. subjfi'ts Had the hill pa.'-'sed by j vo've our gi'VcrnnKr." it' a certiiit;, but nii.-.st iri- ihe Senate ih 184U become a law, the r.onvcntion i gloriou- wir. V. ouhl fioni that in(.!:ient have beim virtually Mid ' 'i'iuM- i.s btit o::e o!l;T way left o]"iCii, ae.d ir. that Ticdemly rescinded; and any attCir:|it to enfo;-.';e tlu; i we m^.-t irmve cr abandon lliC i i;utit> y; ai i; tlnit ineas'-irta wcaiid undoubtedly have been re;;is;t(l iiy! wcis, ro n;ive the notice as reconmiende 1 in the I.Ue "Great JJnt.im." Here, then, we have the op.iiiioii I messr./e lif th" 1're.sidLi:'. of tb.e I'nlied State . Iti of our own author, eiulo/i,,'.! I>y the Corgr;;.~-.s of the 1 thi.s re"jor;uiVMulalion, I ."vse wisdoiv., t.:o Jeiat'on, Uiutcd S.ates, denying the ai.thorJiy for tlio cour.-.e j and a iu.-it r. :;:r,d for t!-,c honor ai'.d dig.:ity of tie ])rop'^:-'ed to be pur..\i(d by tiio-:o gentlemen who i republic.. The President'.*! meKs:;ge had been foi't |>rofc: iTiuch foi.diie.'is for p.race, anil avo\vin:r i t'orfh to liie couniry; th.e r'eo|pIe l.ud examiutd it, that t:u -lesjlablc conscqucnc;; of r,ot;:c mu.t be ! conred it over, and ( ■. ■ -y iv.ail from every c'lrc.-- w.'.r. I tj.-.u i;,id brouL'ht ■'.-, ;'.:/ verdict of o -r 0(c;sti;u- Biit I :ii. ',1 not ror.tciit mys( If v.itli Aiiic-.-ic-u! nii-j e..;.s rendered i.i a l..>i;tv and f.ii.-s' , . dii,;; ap- thoi'ities lU! iliis fi\iiiji:ct, though I thiiilv enou'.l; lies p,-oval. I'i the, m'.ids of ail partien. I'.cre ^eeir.- bcen ndihicc'-i to ma;<o any niom^'cr pai'.se a.'al he.'i- ' ed to be a gen',';;' acrjuiesce ;ice tate iil his advocacy of tlic jv-op'ise.l luea.-aire.f for j ready adoption of, l.is vitw:;. -*-■' an, I el :ii(' t;c,vcr!;irie:ii.'' ,1. S!i .1 there i.s much ion. that to give inexpedient. ary of State at tre.-ity, has al- Ile oiijec ts even atiun, and con- to our citir.euR gation rights and nts with a view Mr. C.vi.iior.v, weight with me. cally expressed jiower, till the rant, or to prom- 111 addition to tales, Mr. Polk, 3 on the Oregon by the treaty of gon, or iTiaking message to thi^; cotnmit himself ts of land to our iliC ietd.'m--iit of the country', however cl-ai-and de- j .sustain h.iiu in t'ne attit ci.^ivc his own convictions n.ay bo to t'lC conriuy. I hpve the Parliuuentary r3eb;af.-; for tl;c ye:ir 1843, hum v;hicti I inlond to show iiov/ the nieas- lire of givi.'g hiws and ar-.^ertin:: right.? of scitle- r..ec.L is \iev.ed by the other eon'raning )i;>.rtv, a.s express.'.d in the P.udi uticni of Great P.ri'ain. L'.\-d PaJiV.erstO!; — the aiiknowlcdgid loader oftliowh;:; jiarty of Eiigluul on all sHibjccts pcrt:iining to their to the bill I foreiyn rclat^^iis — ^■pl■akinf: m reference iissed by the Senate, in la43 extending tlie laws of owa Territ jry over Oregon, and promising the set- tlers grains of certain ('uantiiies of iand when the title was filially vested in the United States, said: "■\Vh,it )i.is tiDjipened lately ulioat that ((lri't;oni (|ti"sti(in? \Vh\ , tlin.-ii'i-iit..: iiavo octiially [)as.'ii!(l a t^ill lur iiinni'ili-itily taking lori-iiile ii(is<j.isi,,':i ol tlif v.holi- ol liuit tci litory ; ,uiil t'li"' si'iint')!' wlio lirout;lit ii; that liiU oxpii'sfcd his convic- tion t!\'it t)\e Aril. 'lican claim on tlii.s tiTpitory waiiM iniinc <liately be a,';|!iii;sce(l in tiy Ciit.it liritain, il it was only lugnit in W'hiil lie was pleased to c.ill u ',-i'inn'r manii'T. It is iiiipo^Nitilc, I coacrivo, tliat tiiU t.i'l ."i'lio'ild pass llie other biancli oi'the ieL,;slature; hut if it were to p.ci.-^, and to he acted >ipon, it would lio a declaration oiwjir It would tie the invasi.m and sei/in-e ol' a territory in dispute liy vir tuH of a deciee made by one of the pailifa in its own fa- vor." This speech of Lord Palmcrston ca'led out a re- ply from the premier — Sir Robert Peel — in these words: "TlipnoMe lord ';nys the adoption of that liill would he a case ol war. I will not di:;cujs In pothetical cases ol war, in, anii a lai: ;..is IJ.ouse ■'-(: 1!; V. inch he l.aS pliU'id s\ c. wlio r.o: ;ef- • tl'.e war- maMi:g;iov,er, i;o,:; ;■■•■■■ the hands o:' toe li'i'nrueci:'. in whi.ih is vc~,iLd tl.e ;rt aty-mt.kirig pov;'':; — or shall we l-ack out fror; 'is .= uppO!t, aud -uv.- .cvit;-, evt;n force, the Prcj.!-.:i ft to r>iiet.i: .""■'o, Mr. i.o. Let UK g-> forward: let!';: the departnuMii.s nf gov- ernment .bold tl-.e sa::.". languaef, and present a serried frojit. Let us take the neetwary steps to diseacnn.uer ours'dvjs fro:.-i the restrict ior::- of trea- ties c'ltered imo in fo;':,.iv times, atid thus eni.blo our.-'.lvcs ;o furnisii to iv;,- people tije luo'rc'ion of our l.iws to which tl-.cy are cntitied, iind the homes for v.liich they emigrate. The sccond'articie ol t'ne treaty of IS'iT runs as follows: 'it Hi, ill he competent luiwevor, to o th.er of tlie con- tractiiiii l-a!t:es. ill ca«e .(■ ,' .-. •,!ioii!i{ Itiitk r.i.nl aiiv time ■•ittertl.e Clith ol 0,-tol".T. ' v:.-i. on K!vii:!> due notire of tw.'lve inoiith;. to the otlwr C'>;'.tr3etint; paiiy . to ar.i.e! and i(hi02iW- this rijiiventi'J!': tind it siiall. in such case, hw ac- (■o'llijiijly eiitirid) aiaunled and al>ros.-tea alur the exiiru- lioa of the said term o! i.otu-c." An express resrrvat;oii is here made to eit'ner party to annul this convention, whenever either party sknll tlduk Jit. Of the fitness of the tir.ie for giving the notice, either pa-'ty can exerci.se h;s own judgment tmd discretion, and tl-.e other has no ground of ofTence, tio justifiable cau.<:e of quarre' or comidair.t. We cu;. exercise tliis reserved light !l 1 I 7 4 without onerinq; fuiy rxciiHP, without sliowing any rcasoiiH. And I cull on ^-nllnnitn, urui particularly those who assert that notice is taiitainouiit to war, to point me to the first Enj^lisli statesman who holils any position of re;-!pon.iiij;lity to his own :;ov- ernment, or any post of honor, who has a:)K('rtr(l that the i;ivini;of n(>li<'.e will be just cause of ofTcnce to it. I defy j!;cntlemen to produce any f^uch au- thority whicli iH entitled to wiirht and considcratKui with us. No opinion of the kind can anywhere be found, so far as I am advised. The rii,'ht, then, is clear to terminate tins convention of joint occu pancy at the option of either party, without a wliy or wherefore, simply because it may be ou'- ^or-j pieaNure to do so. But still we have the stronyrest reasons uri^inir us to the adoption of this measure, and in a friendly and manly manner the President may, if he deems it jiroper, render them to ex- clude the suspicion of all .sellish and unjust motives on the part of our government. He may state to the British government, in all sincerity and truth, that "ihccirr.umsiances have ohani^ed in reference to this territory, which we re willin;,' to occupy in common with you in times gone by; that our emi- grants have gone t^cre; they will go theie; and it is not our wisli or purpose to stay their progress. You are setting up claims and pretensions of title to thid same district of country; we want to know where our boundaries may hf ; we want no conflict of jurisdiction — no confusion. Wc do not desire our citizens to settle in your territory, and thus for- feit unwittingly their claims uf)on our protection- Impelled by the wislies of the ])eopIe of the United States, who desire the country for permanent set- tlements and homes, and in order to avoid all future difficul'ies between us, our treaty of joint occupa- tion must be terminated, our rights must be de- fined, and our limits must he distinctly known; and that it is equally the interest of buth nations, that this sluuild lie done without unnecessary delay." Can sucli manly frankness, in the ordinary c.ourse of human events, beget woful murder and disas- trous war? Do gentlemen sec in this honorable straiglilforwardness th.e germ from wiiicii is to spring Mic destruction of the peace of the world, the shock of nations, and the overthrow of systems. "Sucli chimeras dire" may be conjured up Ly an ill-directed brain, and may have their efTect upon the weak and the timid; but still the nerves of the American nPOi)le will be unmoved, their hearts will beat regularly on, and they will form no such con- clusions till their judgments arc convinced. But suppose the notice is given, and no negotia- tions are ccmchuled in the interim, a: the expiration of the ivvelve months, in what relation will the par- ties stand to the country." There are three grades of title to real estate, as laid down in the law books — possession, the right of possession, and the right of projierty. In the application of this natural divis- ion of right to our present claims to the Oregon territory, we find our government not only in pos- session, but entitled to the acknowledged right of possession. For proof of this, it is only necessary to refer to the following suitement contained in the let- ter of Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Pakenham, at an early stage of the late negotiations, dated September 3, 1844; and the position there taken is no where con- troverted by the British minister: ■'We are then, as adniitted by Lord (astlerejigli, entitled as tliH party in possession; and the convention which stipu- lated that the territory should be fiee and open for the term often years, from the date of its signal re, to the Vv^Bsels, citizens, and ^iibjcr-ts <»f the two criintncs, without preju dji'i' to any cl.iiiii wliich iMtlicr puity may bavi' to any part of the >ame, prcsiMViil and pripi'luatrd ail our claimi to tlir territory, incliidiii:; th(! icknoulcdi^cd rii?hl to In: con- sidcri'i rioil <>t w ,is fi: the prut; in piissfssion, as pcrloctly durinj^ the pe- ils contiiiuLinci' as tlu;y were tlio day the convention ;n«d. ()1 tliis there can be no doubt." We are, then, the admitted party in possession; we are entitled t« the right of possession; and we I'laim the right of property — of exclusive sovereign- ty. But, by the treaty of 1H18, we have thrown barriers and restrictiims around ourselves, which preclude us from the exercise of exclusive owner- ship and sovereignty till the termination of that fonvention. What is the position of f.Jreat Bntainr We find it distitu i|y ritaled by ',er own commission- ers, Messrs. Huskisson and Addiiigton, in their protocol submitted ir the year 1B2(). They say: "I /.oat Rritiiiii cl.Oms no uitnsire sdrtrii^nty over any portion of tliat territoiv. Ili'r iircscnt cliiiin. not in respect to any part, but to tin- wlioh;, is limited to a rii^ht of joint occiiiiancy in common w itii other states, leaving the light of exclusive dominion in abeyance." Thus it will ap,)ear that the United States has possession, th^? right of possession, and claiinsex- c,'.u.';ive ownershifi. Great Britain, by her own admissions, pretends neither to hold posses- sion, or the right of possession, or to claim any "exclusive sovereignty over any portion of that ter- ritory," But evidently acting on the hypothesis that tiiis vast country has never been actually net- tled or occupied by any Christian people of the earth, and is therefore etjually open to all nations who may choose to come in ana plant themselves, while she willingly assents to letive "i/ie right of ex- clusive dominion in aheyancf,^^ ahe insists upon "//w .by w of jOl we h( the m these Cired ty in and II we sli Jurisil withii Wliii( piUr^lo the CO and pi relatio I<Jew must British constat Jaws w which its gup stance's govern South ( a war c of defer our soil such a ble. Then king of irrants t or tlieii right ef joint occupancy in common with other States.'''' vast nui A short statement of a few facts will enable us to you ha\ comprehend more fully the nature and force of her and in present position. In 176.3, France and England politicia made a ti jaiy in which the Mississippi river is irre- to a d vocably ;ixeti as the boundary '■ between the do- must cc miniomofthe respective pow;,.s, "in that part oj with the the w ,id — the cont'incnt ofAnurtcay By tiiis sol- brought emn act and covenant, she signed a quit-claim deed as we to France of all her right, title, and claim to any pari with an of the continent of North America lying west ofthf; aion of Mississippi river. And by a plain principle ot give thi: English law, it carried with it not only her rights in without esse, but v) posse, in 1803, the French title was our boh vested in the Unitsd States; and without the aid o: acknow! our own discoveries, explorations, and settlements, olf all fui wc thus became invested with a title, good beyond kostilc ft (piestion against Great Britain, up to 4!)" north lat- volved ir itude. But during this time Spain claimed all tht our coui country on the northwesi coast of America, bu; which v she had not reduced it to possession by actual set- arms in tiemenl. Great Britain, not disputing the discove- faith, pre ries or pretensions of Spain, claimed the righ But it to land on the coast, to fish, to trade with the na^ should 1 fives, and to settle in the country to carry out thesf session t purposes, and in 17'JO, forced Spain, by the Nootk? of a bill f Sound convention, into an acknowledgement o ernmeiu these rights, to be exerci.sed north of the then Spaniel notice, settlements. She never pretended by that treaty ti themseve have actpiired territorial rights, but merely to hav the who! secured privileges and franchises; and upon the sur ^fat Eni position that the Nootka Sound coavention stil andexten continues in force, s'le can have no claim ot«iningto sovereignty to any portion of that territory oitOall ihi.- its provisions. In 1819 we acquired the Span do the aai ish title to all this country. But previou: ioyestigat to that time we had entered into the treaty of 181^ on'y the JS 5 nc<!. witliout prcjil lay liiivi' to .my part •i\ all our claim) to s;im| riijht to In: COn- [■.u'tlv iluriiiK tht! p<;- u dii) tbo convention loubt." ty in possession; ossu.s.-ion; and we icclusive sovereign - , we have thrown ourselves, which exclusive owner- r own commifsion- ildiiif^ton, in their W(i. Tiiey say: .soififi!.'iii!/ over any t cliiiin. not in respect itcil to .i rii^ht of joint tts, li'uving the light United States has ion, and claiins ex- tain, by her own by which wc yielded to Great Britain the privilege! of joint DCcup.iMoy witii us in the country for which we held licr qiiit-cUim deed. Sufiposc now we n;ive the notice conteiniiluted, and nlnoffuti; the tn.ity; these franchises, of course, cease, and can be exer- cised only with fiur pcrmi.sKion. Wi; being the par- ty in po.s.scsaioti, entitUd to the ri<j;ht of iiossession, and invested with the exclusive ri;,'ht(if .siivereij^nty, •we shall iie'^essarily p;iss our laws and extend our juri.sdi';tion over Oregon; and, ofcour.se, all persons within its limit.^ must Kubmlt to their operation. While our friendly relations continue, no act of ex- ermination of that pulsion will bo passed driving British subjctstrom n of CJreat Britain: the country; they may continue in tlieir possessions and pursue their various? occupations in the same relations in winch they enjoy them in the city of New York, or in this [district. Their civil officers must de.';l^t from the exercise of liieii functions; no British magistrate can i-ssue a writ or precept, no constable can serve proces.<; and resistance to our Jaws will be ccmsidered insurrection and rebellion, which will recpiire the strong arm of government for its suppression. If war cone under 'hese circum- 8tance.<, it will assuredly be the act < the British government. And how, I ask the gei Meman from to hold posses- South Carolina, [Mr. Riu;tt,] can this ne viewed as 1 or to claim any a war oiagsiression on our jiart r It wi!! be a tfar portion ofthatter- of defence, of defence solely for the protection of on the hypothesis our soil and the due enforcement of our laws; and in been actually set- such a war, with such a cau;;e. defeat is impossi- istiun people of the ble. pen to all nations Then, I repeat, pass your bills for the gr.idual ta- 1 plant themselves, king of possession of (jregon; m.iking promises of ;ave "t/ic rig/it of ex- grants of land to settlers, and erec'ing military forts 2 insists upon "//w for their protection, in the face of tiie opinions of a 1 with other States.'''' vast number of our most eminent statesmen that cts will enable us to you have reserved no such power, under the treaty, ure and force of her and in the lace, too, of the avcwals of distinguished ance and England politicians that such an opinion will amount issippi river is irre- to a declaration of war, and all negotiation between the do- must cease: an immediate conflict is inevitable, ,iS, "in that pari oj with the sympathies of the world aj;ainst us, being ira." By this sol- brought about by an act of bad faitii, cliarged, ed a quit-claim deed as we shall be, and with some plausibility, nd claim to any part with an :Utcmpt to seize and take exclusive pos.^es- ca lying west of thf: sion of a territory held in joint occupancy. But plain principle of give this notice, and. if the English government, ot only her rights in without justifiable cause, should take ofI'.;nce at French title was our boldness and fr.ukness in the exercise of our witliout the aid oi acknowleilged right, and shnulil determine to break |ns, and settlements. offaJl further negotiation — if a stubborn spirit and a title, good beyond hostile feeling should rule the hour, and we be in- up to 4!)" north lat- volved in war — wc s.ty let it come, and it v.ili be lin claimed all tht our consohition, the pride and boast of our people, !t of America, bu: which will strengthen their he.irts and nei've their lion by actual set- arms in the hoiu- of peri!, tiu-.t we have kept our [puling the discovC' faith, preserved our honor, and as^'ertcd our rii^h's, claimed the righ But it is due to myself, in this connexion, that I fade with the na^ should bri'.tly refer to my positions a; tlie last y to carry out thest session of Congress. Then I advocated the passage lain, by the Nootk.'' of a bill for the establishment of a Territorial gov- iknowledgement o ernment in Oregon, and opposed the giving of the lof tlie thenSpanisl notii;e. But since then new facts have developed ;d by that treaty U themseves to me, and the circumstances attending )ut merely to hav' the wlude question had changed. Then I assumed 1; and upon the sup ti|)at England had erected forts, made settlements, Ind coavention stil and extended the principles of the common law per- Ihave no claim o Uining to land in Oregon. And as we had submitted that territory oitOall this without protest, we could and ought to Icquired the Span do the same thines for our citizens. But, on further But previou: investigation, I find she has erected no forts, and the treaty of 181^ ®'*'y ''i^ Hudson Bay Company, in carrying on the fur-:rade, had erected posts for faoililalinp tliem in their traffic. I find also the authority of .Mr. Buchanan for making the further assertion that she has made no settlement.^. And here let me call the attention of the gentleman from Indiana, [Mr. Owtv,] who spoke of English .settlenientji in Oregon, to Mr. Buchanan's late letter to Mr. I'akenharn, and ask him how he explains Mr. Buchanan's admission. Spc<iking of the Nootka Sound convention, he says: ' (Jroat IJritain had never mndc .iny settlement on tho northweRtcrn coast of America (rum the ilate of the .N'ootka Sound convention, until tiie 'J-M of Fehruiuy, IH1<»; nor, so far a< the nnileirti;^^'!! is inli i nied, /ki.? .the done su Huun to 1*1' iiifsint inuminl.'' Here is an important admission, made by our own negotiator, which has materially affected my views. But were I now as clear and positive in my convictions as I was then, knowing the expressed o[)inions of the President that such an exercise of power is unwarranted by existing conventions, sustained jis he is by a large portion of the people of the United States in that position, and lie- !ieving that such will be the construction of tke Brit- ish government, I would be unwilling to place him in apo&ition which would require him to defend the country against an act of bad faith against his own convictions. I o|iposed notice, then, and the following extract from my speech, made on this subject, will explain my motives: "i ol.jcct to tliis amendment (notice) hecau.ic thi.i House has called lor the corre.spo:uience, wliich, we all know, has taken place l.etween our Secretary of State and tii(! Brftish minister, and that correspondence has not yet l)een commu- :.icated to US. When it comes, if it appears that Kngland is ev.i.lin;; the settlement of this controv(!rsy, if she delays detenninati(Mi for frivolous causes. I shall cheerfully vote it a" my opinion that it is the duty of the ("resident to Rive the notice whi( h determines the joint occupancy- Hut till then, lor my o.vii part, 1 hope this (piestioii will not be press- ed." Now we have the whole of this correspondence, and much nnre that had not then taken place; and we find that a most liberal offer, containing every concession whic.h could at all be justified, has been made by our government, and peremptorily, ay, su- fierciliousiy rejected by the British minister; and, in doing so, .he say;; with a dignified sneer: ■ 'I he und'Tsigiieil, tlu^reforo, trusts that the .American [denipotentiary will he prepared to utlci' .some further jiro- pos.il lor the .'iettli^ment of thi; Orenoii (|U(stion, more con- ■intent with /Vii/'iRvv (inii (.^.jK'n/, and \,ith llic nuisoniitile ;x- p^:l(!lions ol the fJiitinh i^overnment " T/iis prompt rejection of a. Ter conceding so much, ''alfords satisfactory evidence (says the Presi- dent) that no compromise whi:h the United States ou^ht to accept can be efiected;" and, therefore, a decisive system of measures must be adopted, or abandon the country. But it was said by the gentleman from Massachu- setts, [Mr. Ad.^ms,] and repeated by others, that tiiough we may give notice there will be no war, because England, if I understand the gentleman aright, knew full well that if she went to war for Oregon, she would not only lo.se Oregon, but all of her territories north of our country. Though the conclusion may be correct, the reasoning has no force with me, because it rests on the presumption that England may take counsel from her fears. Her whole history furnishes the amplest confutation of such a reflection, and he wlio rests hia course on such a belief will find himself deceived; though Eng- land may be an adversary, ye: truth requires the n I 7 6 adir.ii'liion that sl.e 13 u proud and j;:illant nation. InU^rcHl may control the IJritiKli Parli:iniciit iiiul t!\e Britisli people — fear, never. I do not lielieve she will ever be driven froni her podition by fear or cow- ardice. Bat nlill I think we I'.wr England under bonds to keep the peoc*;. Siie i.s cniplmticnily » conuiiercial nution; iier people are conimen'.ial. Her thnu.sand and one strong forli.'iiaUnns which dot the face of the wiiole earth, anil on which gent'enien liave dwelt in icrniS ho eloquent, (h<:reby fll, owing tlicir onvy and jealoiitiy of iier great power and vast do- nunioMS, are kept np at a heavy expense for the pro- tection of her trnde and coai.ncrcc. Intere.st and profit are l!,'! guiditri; .'itar.s of every «ucli nation, and control all their movcriiei'its. One large item in the condition of that hi>nd to keep the peace was the cotton grown in th, country. By the uni.oxation of Tijxat; the United State;, have the c.onf.-ol and dis jiOfition of five-iiixtli.'i of all the cotton grov/ii i;i the world. At this time the greater jiortinn of thi.s irn- men.^e crop is exported direct to Liverpool, and tlicnre reshijiy)ed to tl'e {lifferent porlH of Europe. The millions of Englii.h capital invested in cotton mtiii'.ifactiirca will be leridorcd profiilenr., and her ten.'! of thon:ianda of iniiividualj that now find onijiloyment in tlicm, \vil! be disrliar=;- ed. 'I'lie i^cople on tiic continent of Eu- rope etjiiiil, if they do not .surpa.s.s. Great Britain ni the manufacture of all otiier articles cxr( pt c'lton good.;. liy iu:r sujierior mncliiaery ar,(l idiili, i-iic i^-x.s v/eil nigh the monojioly of tlie market;; of the world lor cotton nianufact'iire.^; and tn exleniiively and so ur.iver^^ally do tliey en- ter iiiti) liu; consiuiiiptio.T of every nation oft'ic cart'i ati to be ranked arawng the actual nere.ss.rfie=j of life. On ihii; con:-,ideration, for il,e mo.=.t pru't, her prci.cnt cor.;mei\-.:ul Kupcriorily and pre-emiiiciice IS based. Declare war, interrupt our relatione, break off the direct intercourse betweci' our own and the Eng!i;h mncnnv.ciit, an;I our cotton, in.stt.ad of go- ing • ) Liverjiool to be prep.ud for the con- sunv '■ the world, will nnd its v.-ay in ncutr;)l but; , .1. < the mark. !;-i of I'le continent. This will fcliinulaie fl.e ni.murt.'^ture of this .^vticle wi;!i thn.se po'.v(jr.s. Cajiit:ii, ( ven Eng!i;i!» capital, will seel: ji'vcitiMcntr; u< f.'.ctorifs on the continent; t!v.; raw inatenal will be. obtained cheaper; the same f;kill vail roon be ailaiia .J; and thius si cre;:-sful rival.« v.'ill be raised up who will supersede England, drive her from the n ;iil:el, and r!ri() her of ail her gna'nesB. Her jiri:-,! nt var,i;ivo ground once abandoned an(J lof;t, can .ii'ver bo, n-gai-.rd. Thi.s she knows full veil, and, <-'ai)imred with the magnitude of this in- tere.-t, ila Oregon territory will sink into paltry in- eignifi aii.'c. Auotlinr item. The cry of the people of England is for bnaii. and that cry has reached the palace, and has entered the ear o'f the sovereign. The op- f)res.-:ed and starving million.s will be content no nnger with evasive answers or dilatory jjleas. They demand iho ports to be thrown open to the free admission of our corn, meats, and bread-stufT:;; and sooner than Oregon should be thrown in to blockade their ports, cat off their supplies, and per- petuate their restrictive sy.stem, they would aban- don it forever — especially when they see on our part a deita-niination to adopt a more liberal policy, etrike from ommcrce it.;; encumbering shackles, and enlarge the free inter^ourcje among "the nations of the earth. These inleresls are so extensive, im- portttiU, utid in'-.aloulahlo, and have become 90 in- Plovd. fmiately interwoven, that when peace, with all the.'j(« fr.s,'hav accomiianimei!t«!, i.-' thrown into one scale, and war »0''alc.^ I'or Oregon, with the inevitable lojis of lhp;<e advan- ourrla.t tage.« and the pirobai)le loss c)f the country, i.^ placed uriicd in in tiie other, so overwhelmii'g W'vjid bo the tbe dif- tinr nts ference tl.at the lieam mu-it kn-k t'or peace. men. There is also another consideration which is 3;ig- p .. gested by a friend, why England would de.^ire to ..„.' keep the peace, founded on the uniricnse debt which f^, , IS due from our people to the subjects of that ?'*v-g^|. ,1 ernment. Hy a deelar.ation of v/ar, the iiitercs; l ' muit be surijiendcd 1:1 its payment, and the v.hole_j ,: dtljt itself maybe finally obliterated. Thi.s clTecti ,^ woidd he disas,iiou.s to them, and not so injurious to ^|,^ j;-. In .'iui^iming up thetje incalculable inlerest.s in be-r. '' " f half of the maiiilenance of peace, I fuel 1:0 'U'P'^f'' vfl' -e'' ' henitiona that Great Hrilahi Vv'ould listen to liie ex-:-',' traViigaiit philipinea ot gentlemen on tins noor, j- . i' breatl'.ing awful threats ''to lick Groat Britain, mid 11. , to bring down our young and (nraged eagle "por i:_,.'. '^ her poor T)rostr."'.te lion." These were brilliant ^„,^ ' ,'1 d.^ ■ ■ ■ ■ of th .l<:ll In ever can.'Kit III ■clamatior:M, calculated to fire up tlie i"3si(,r. ^jj^ • ' our iKiople; i)ut with all deference, I consider i„„ „. ■11. 1 . r I I 1 1 11 '"n ^^ 'i»' cm m bad ta.'i.e and out of place, atdd I .-:liall M-." ,1 t(;mptto take no part in them. The.so wartpetcln In a to honor a;:d .sell- vv'ill have no iiiib.ence ariywiiore. In a tone miin'y firm *' their reel , . se; !io;i ( et us preserve our honor a;:U •'•'•'''•«•» .;'.|.,i| le.Hpect, ;i :.-i.'rt rights cliarly leserv'd, and 'i'S'i^ u|,.^^,'ir't!i upon the ncknowh dgment of claim ; undoiibtiti \ ;^,\ .'V - . »ni .111 I. ^ .1 • ■ I"'i tliaia juj'l. 1 lien t'.^ doubt the result of the i.m-uc, 1.5 t ,, doubt the final triumpli oftverla:ning trull, . ii'r.i-i l^ulit !iad been ivpcutedly snid thnt we rshouS ^ ''^'' •' ^■ have ni' W.U-, because Jamf."? K. Polk would la,'?','"^"''' r;i/. Tho;;e wlio t, rule this RP-ci-ti:ui, knev.' not t! man; t'">ey profers.-d nnt to know him in t'le c line fertil ;pl; va.ss of ISn-, but I Oli( ,ni f' hought th-iv bad ioutid hr {»envt>^; 1 Ml'' It, ai;'l longer unacijuai.otaiice was unj.ari'oi'.nt). ■^"'"'■'"■^ r.norrjnce. lie is a n;an of fircane.ss of purpose, . °^ ^"''i' grf-at r/i'^rnnesa of cliai ,'ter, of iron nerve, and ( ^''^"ysi unyielding patriotiiT.t; and wh ju l.e bucks oiu', ='?",■' m by l.iiiioi feel til at ■will re.'.ei ernment In thi: this ;-u'> that the" iiope la gone. Cut it ;:-• a vnuan.-" u;r,vi.-!e expectation that citl. Ei^glaiai or tnc Unilc! States cm or v,il! bai'k o; ?\o brave man, in a per.jona! cfmtrover.'y, wdl c. sdinpe hi.s couiyo ii;ion fiic pro.suiiiption tliat his i. versary is a co<vaid; ai:d it i.-j eq\;ally ut just a' iniruluic. t;> ^:uppo.■^.' (^'.;r friend v.-ill not bear hii self Willi the t:tnio.-t f:r»li'\ntry. In tliis la.^e, 1 ho; trover.'fy gentlemen will put tlie rie.-a(Jent to tl':e test, as 'the .-^uu-: has invited them to do; e'.adiiig r.o rtsponsibihithing 'vva, that belongs to them, and sl'iiw.ing no disipositi. the settle t!iemncIv>-':7 frrt to bad: m t. tainmeiu Gentlfiaei! in t:.i.-. Jei.ate had said much aboi theSou'h — 'nuch ofviol.'iled pledges given to tl . North and West on the Texas rjucstion — much ' the isectiona! feelings which controlled their actioi All this was unjus;, at:d unworthy of thegentlemc , who expressed it. And in the n.'une of tl-.e Soutl^ ; and on her behalf, b.ere in my position, I hurl back to the source from which these reflectio; come with indignation. The a^jsumption that Or- gon wr.-s a sectional question — that it was a nort. ern question, or a western question, was absurd ai: ridiculous. It belonged as much to the South, as ; the North, or to ttie West. It came home as nc; and as dear to rny heart, and the hearts of ray cor stituenta, as to the heart of any gentleman on th ? floor. We sliali not yield the palm, that in titn' gone by the leaders on tlie Oregon question wc: from the South. Jefferson, Madison, Monro »ave bcroinc ao in- Fioyil, r'ul Li.'in, ail southrin mfn nnd s'.r.vrliolii- eaci',, willi all tl)e:jt' er.s,'havr lirrn the oriKinf.toi'; iwiil iintlni :hin.2: ail- onc sctile, ami war toojUcs (ifuil llu; (neiiiiiir.s for tlu^ m.iiiittimr re <.f ().ss of thpMR .'.ilvrvri- our rl(\.ni« in (>i(",'(ni. M^uiy of rhr. nr^ninrn'.n. R country, is pla.-i-d uirfil in this dfl-utc iir'> Imt tl-.c re-eclio f/fllie seii- nul'l be the tlu! dif- tinivnty kuiji; yin-n: '-x] 'reaped by sowihcrn slutes- mtii. lor pe.ifc. ation wbioli is 3 nd would d'^ire '^' (.ieiT.li;mpn ehould remember til.-;*, tlirrc may be , , . L diilV-rence.-i <if'oi.iniori bi'uvecn individuals from di;- rnmcnsedebt which fg^^.,,. .^^^^.j.^.,,^ ..f-lhc Uru.u; but ns r.-.-.rds ihr ubjye.ts of iIkU P)v-g^y,i, „, _^ ^^,,,„,,._ i.„,„ j,,^^, „..^P,. |„,e„ actu.Uud v/ar, tlip miercsi jjy my ::.utc>-.v or r/iii:ractrd roiiM!.i<^riit:ni)s when lOMt, und tlic v.-nolCpjj,j,,,,.-j| 1,11^,.,.^;,.. f,,. i,,!tioi..i! honor werf iuvoUed. •,n\Uni. ihis cllectjjj ^very naiicniil di-iputc, tiic Soatli \\.\a nlway.'i bren J not 80 injurious to ^i5i^ ,j„, ^,^^,,„i,y_ |j, ,,,p a.<frtion of our riglit.; «li" Ir.iH ever bvcn lortniost in drlifito — in tinir de- foremn;if. \:, tlu; ', I f«cl no iil'iirf .y„;,.,>,; id listen to t.ie cx- ilrld. 1 know that some friendH Inxn t..'- So'ith difTcr v/i'li me i,i in lii'» o;>iMii)>is I have (Xiae 'srd, nnd in tiie course ... I int( tid I ) i.!iri-ue. P.ut it i-: an iuxie.-t ilillV.rKn''e. brcai l.ritam, and| j^,,,,.^ j,,-^ pairioiiiin, tbeu' h^.-vr, luid ^!,^•ir wil- ncaned '■a,?'" "poriing.,.,,.,.^ to make PnrrificeH for the. countrv, and I heae v.-erc I'r.lliani ^g„„„t ,, to take pos.'-^ssion, rinke £jnir.!.i or promi«ci of crant.s of hind, and to erect Vurta fir the protection of tl.c country, must renuii in ineviin'de war. To irivc the notice and noron.-.te t'ae tin.ty ni.iy had, lhout,'ii not ne''C3tiari!y, In hoMtdities. 'I'.ut ni that event, we nh-ill nir cf the slm k vnth n e..ri.:ciou.-in"f5a of liaviii;; nK'.intained our hoiior and preserved uur !,M(.d faitii. IJut one other n.udc i.-i stdl left op(;n to I'e puri'aed, and tluit was tlie only niean.s by vvliich pcaeo was: certain. That wai to do nolhiji-:;, to abnn- dnti our claim.-' to liic country, to leave our pc(ii>lc .vho arc now cmii;ratin^ to Oi-''i,'ij:i under the puar- di;'.n;d<ip and prote'^tion oi" ti)e;iT5e!v(,,i. S'lill Lliey will n^ii'ratc across the n\.iun!ains, and they will eatry vvl'.!! them tlif:ir Vrii' rir:'.n he.irr.s drvotrd to lit)er:y and to oi.r Tie''; in.-ctitution-i. There tiny will form llieu- own l,'o\ eminent, i.e.l they will be I'Dund ef|U.d to il.c task of di.lViaiins,' ihev..-'! Ivch. T'ley Want to know what you iirend to do, and on what tiioy niay rel)', rmd wiiat. c:itei)t of country yeur tlt.e covtr:?. l!ut enamored offjuiet, am! afraal to a!t, you do noihii;;;, and thereby aliaridon the coun- witli i:!i3t. ■•niticneo, that th'ti;;o with ! \''' "'"' f whom 1 intend to ;'o hcnit and linn.t m rnair'inin- injr wiii'.i we eoriccivc to lie ilie rich;;) of our coun- e up the paission. ■ference, I consider J'V?' ""'^ ' ^''"^'l .^'-try, shonid laakc tiie inJi.v'rmunato an^ault that ^Ihesu war,'peecbejhj^^:^,',,^,,l„^„ p.,„i yi, ws tak-. tbeir mlor Irom the ere. In a '"JHf: ri ge; tion ofcountry from wiii-.k they come. 1 hope our honor a;ai ^'t'il'^e shal' tserv'd, and ins^is dl have no more 1 t' it, iacau.se it is unju.^t und unwortliy any i-iemoer on tiii;j Kor , aa w ,1! Claim. v--'l»u'jt.'-^i')in,putation"npon of the i.iKue, i.5 t a.-;ing trot!,. lid th.nt wo shou' C. Polk would lii>- ertion, knev.' not t! low hiiii in t!ic car ii':y i:ad found br 'e was Tinf.avuuiiab, nc.>3 of piirpa;e, 1 ticior to east ducii an tlirm. y own p."rt 1 niii;t:t l:e co.:' ideicd a western r.s a southern n.an. All my iiuercii.s, af- ;fijC!iiuH, and p/edi.'eciion.s were with the South. II P' .'.C'.'. .\r2 ^"iiii-ru-n v/illiP'jj puruia-o peacf. at .ue'ii a ;iri?r.- and l:avm'; ob- t.iined it, are they rfudy to fold tlirn- arma in c«n- '.entn-.ent, u-ui talk about honor, a!id [^lory, and il- luKtrioui) nncealfir;.' Away 'vith Kuch a thought! JJtrike the woid hon ^r froui 'he Amrri.'an vocabula- ry, or derlne 11 to be <'owunl:,'e, .'rav n-luartednesa. No, sir. The hour lia.-j not y^t arrived v;hen we w:L shrink back from tLe ^.•^se.-tion of rit^ht or the vimliiation of truth,. When thi-i .vovernmeiit, .itrong j'.nd ;UiiiCtic as yhe is, will at dan<!;cr, and sul>- 0\'. iron nerve ;i lie i;«c,c5 and out. I'.er in.'uitutions, iier jLtcni.il climate, her fertile paiin.-i, and, above ail, her Vv-arm and ;^enerouf? hearts; but my location i.s in the ;::;rer.t valley of the MiH.:i.ssi|)pi, which is one day dciujed to be the scat of empire in thin '.jiiml refubjic. Our pcofile are anrionu- :he jrionecrs who are to emii;ra'.o to Ort^on; and I i'ni nady to <;o to the utmo-t vert;e .sanctioned by liiirior .■mii a pun poliiy feel tiKit they ai'C Amcnvan will pj'-.eive the luoiection and emment of the United States. make •.lie.'<('. emii.'rants iti/.en:', and that they lefe; ice 01 he srov- ihiR In tlii ! t\d.l and explicit mi'icct, 1 .have avo iM'occf dcd ,val on 0; my views on tile presumption liii that the extent of (mr title -.vas not :he point m con- cpectation ti.at c:ti. an or will back oi niUrover.'^y, \'>'di c. umption ti'.at l\[i ;. e(;i::dly uijust 1 will not bear li.i In this ca.^e, 1 ho;, trover.<?y, and Jiat the posir.iou of t'.e question, and nt to the tcRt, as •, the .-^lat-j of piit'lic opinior', demanded that some- i<T no rc;ipon:<il)ib! thin;.^ wa.s to be doiu; l)y tliia CJooiijreR^ looking to i/,in"- no dif.positir the settlement of the diK[)u!e, and the definite ascer- tiuimiciu of our riR;ht;i. 1 l'>ir,k I Jiavc shov/n that had said mu<;h aboi il"d<^es j^iveii to tl.. question — much ( onirolled tlieir actioi thy of the ^entleme .j le name ofti-.eSout' _| y position, I iiurl lich these reflectio; iKsumplion that Or' -that It was a nort; tion, was absurd ar ch to the South, at? : ; came home as nc: [he hearts of my cc ly gentleman on th e palm, that in tim' Oregon question we: Madiaon, Monro '( mit to be de.«poiled of iier liirdiright, when vre did ni't fail to vindic.ate and maintain our rights with n. tiopuLilion of three millioiuj m TiTG, of seven mil- Jion.s in k'12, can v.e now, with a population of twenty millions in IHIG, i,!,- iominiou.;ly skulk from their defence.- For myoclt', a.-id the p,.\llttnl people Vvfhom I have the lumor in p.ut '.0 represent, I will say, never! never! In the List canvar.?, wlierever 1 v/ent, I aspureil my con.st.tuenfs that whenever the occa.sion did come, I would pledge them one and alt, irre.spectivc of party, to you, and tcrou','!i you to the peofde of the United Statip to .'itand or fibl by the r.s.scrtion of our right.s m Oicgon; and everywlnre I received a hear- ty rcspon;'e, aiiriuging iuvul..>ntaj-ily from the bo- soiMii of a patriotic people. They require mn to go forward in the path of t:uth, of honor, of right, of ju.'itice, and good faith; and if war and its baleful consequences follow from .^uch a course, they will meet tliem with a courage. iL-mneaa, and alncrity that can never know defeat. » «•, - ',» -fc,. • »i