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 CoUectiorv 
 
 -4 
 
' 
 
 SPEECH 
 
 O F 
 
 MR. THOMPSON, OF MISSISSIPPI, 
 
 •. 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