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V\ud 7 ^ ^ '^ f REMARKS. \ On the 8th of January, 1844, Mr. Semple introduced the following Reso- lution : ^ ♦ " Retolved, That the PresiJcnt of the United States be requested to give notice to the British Government that it i« the desire of the Governmrnt of the United States to annul and abrogate the provisions of the Third Article of the Convention concluded between the Government of the United States of America and His Britannic Mnjestj the King of the United Kingdom of Great britain and Ireland, on the 20th of Octol>er, 18 IS, and indefinitely continued by the Conventioa between the same parties, signed at London, the 6th of August, 1827." On the 25th of January, the resolution was called up for consideration, when Mr. Archer, of Virginia, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, moved to have it referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. . Mr. SEMPLE said— Mr. President : I did not suppose, after the delay which has already attended the consideration of the resolution which I had the honor to in- troduce, that there would be any desire for a further postponement. I had, at first, no disposition to urge a hasty decision of the question, and there- fore, with great pleasure, yielded to the suggestion of my friends to give time for reflection. I was fully aware that it was a question of great importance, and I myself wished that every Senator should have ample lime to examine^ the subject in ail its bearings. I think suflicient time lias been given, and I cannot consent to a longer delay. The object of a reference to a committee is generally for the purpose of inquiry and examination, with a view to prepare auti digest a compli- cated subject for the action of the Senate. If such inquiry and examina- tion were necessary in this case, I should have no objection to a reference ; but so far from this, it has been avowed by the honorable Senator from Virginia [Mr. Archku] that the object of the rcCerence is delay. He does not wish to talce any step whatever in relation to this subject, until after we have seen the result of negotiations which, he informs us, are in prospect. He is not willing to intcrl'e'rc with the Prcsitl^'tit in these nego- tiations. Now, sir, in the first place, I do not believe that tlie passage of this resolution will have any injurious effect upon any negotiation whir li may lake place between ^he two coiintrieH. The very fact of commencing a negotiation presiipiiofje.s that tlie parties are not satisfied with existing treaties. Can there he anything diHrespectriil to inform a friendly nation that we are not satisfied with an existing treaty, and pro|>ose to make a new one ? Certainly not. This is the first step in making all treaties whatever. The resolution nnder consideration is nothing more than this. AVhcn we shall have given notice Ihat we desire to terminate the present treaty, we are then hetter prepared to make or to rereivi^ proposititms for a new one. In the present state of the case, the British Government is well enough siitisiied with the present treaty : we are not. Can any one su])|)ose that, while the treaty with which the British Government is satisfied exists, there is the least jjrospect that a new one will he made ? He who supi)oses so cannot he well acquainted with the chai'ucter of the British Government. But if we abrogate this treaty, and take exclusive pos- session of the territory, then there will be some inducement for both parties to come to some understanding. But how is it |iossible that there can be any disrespect shown by giving the notice, and abrogating this treaty ? The treaty itself provides for its own dissolution; the British Government has already agreed that wc may abrogate it whenever we please. How, then, can the Senator from Virginia suppose for a moment that wc can give offence, or he looked on as standing in a hostile attitude, by doing that wiiich we have a right to do by solemn compact — by the treaty itself? But, sir, the Senator from Virginia is opposed to inter- fering with the President in any new negotiations which may he in pros- jjcct. My opinion is Just tli.^ reverse : 1 ;'.m in favor of expressing an opinion in advance. 1 wisli to indicate now to the President that we cannot agree to any treaty which shall provide for a joint occupaticm, or which shall allow any other nation to have any jurisdiction or control whatever over the soil of the Or.'gon. Are we to sit here wftii our arms folded, a»id wait mitil a treaty is made, and then reji ct it ? Have we no power, or no right, to afirisc the President what course, in ouropinion, should he pursued ? 1 think this is the host mode of treating on any suli- ject. The President himself should ask the advice of tiie Senate before a treaty is concluded. Tiie Senate .sIkhjUI advise first, and after it is signed, then consent to the treaty. Jidvice and consent arc? both necessj^ry on the part of the Striate. In this case, I am not sure that our advice is, or will he, obligatory on the President. He may or may not give the lioiice, even should this resolution ])ass; hut it will be a strong indication,, and will scarcely he entiiely neglected hy the President.* AVe have the right, ho\\ever, to act on the suhject, whether our action is regaris, and 1 am not willing to let any other go on to a final terniinution \vitln)nt first giving some ojiinimi as to what sliould he done, or, in other \v(M'(Is, ndvii^} i:^ tlu^ l*rosiiient what to do. Had the honorable Senator from Virginia [Mr. An{ iir.u] not made this motion to ivfcr the resolution, wilh llie avowed ohjiut of delay, I should not have said anything on the subject ; and it is not my intention at jire- scnt to «)ccin»y the time of tlio Senate longer than will he necessary merely to explain the reasons which indin ed me to introduce the resolution now uruler consideration. It is well known to every Senator present, that the occupation of the Oregon Territory has. for some time past, engaged the attention of the people of the United States generally, but more particularly the people of the Western States. The peojjle of the, State which I have the honor, in jiart, to represent on this lioor, has taken a very decided stand in favor of the immediate occupation of the Oregon. If 1 aig not mistaken, the lirst public mcdin^ of the people held lo ex|)ress a formal opinion on this sub- ject, was held in the city of Alton, in that State.* This was followed by several otiiers, in Illinois anil the adjoining States. During the last winter, a meeting of more than fifteen hundred persons was held in the State-House at J^pringfteld, composed of members of the Legislature, and others, from every part of tlie State of Illinois, when this (piestioii was ; most fully discussed, and strong resolutions, expressive of the wish of the people of that State, wore passed. ( At several of these meetings I had the honor of addressing my fellow-citizens, and giving my views of the propriety of the orgaui/ation of a Territorial Government west of the mountains, and of taking such steps as would effectually exclude all other < Governments from exercising any Jurisdiction over the soil admitted by all to be the undoubted pri>|)erty of the United States. During the past summer, the pcojile of the Western Stales were invited to meet in conven- tion at Cincinnati, ill the State of Ohio, for the purpose of taking ibis subject into consideration, and to adopt such measures as wduld appear best calculated to secure the rights of this country, and expedite the set- tlement of the Oregon. A very large pm'tion «)f the wlnde Western coun- try was rcpresente»l in this convention ; a much larger portion than could ^ have been iniluced to send delegates to a convention on any common or ordinary occasion. I The convention was composed of men of the very first political stand- ] ing in the »'est, without regard to party divisions of any kind ; all of both political parties joining most zealously in their endeavors to pro- mote the object lor which the convention was called — the immediate occupation of the Oregon. The.convention declared, in the most unequi- vocal terms, that they Would *• protest and continue io protest against any act or negotiations, jiast, in progie-js, or hereafter to be perfected, whicli j 8hall yield possession of any portion of the said Territory to any foreign i power,'' but more particularly against the possessicm by Gi'cat Britain. i The language of that coiiventimi was firm and determined, and 1 believe I it 8 the opinion of nearly every man west of the Alleghanies4 • Sec Nolo A, pugc 8. f Sec Note B, page 9. i See Note C, page 18. histoi irictk doma •lercii The people of the West have not contented themselves with expressing about opinions — they have acted. For many years our citizens have gone into ^vill n( the country west of the Rocky Mountains for the purpose of hunting, trap- the nc 5 ling, and trading with the Indians. They have also more recently gone States or the purpose of malcing permanent settlements. During the last year Tlif more than a thousand brave and hardy pioneers set out from Independence, |)ccasi in Missouri, and* overcoming all obstacles, have arrived safe in the iongci Oregon. Thus the first attempt to cross the extensive prairies and high -were moimtains which intervene between the settlements in the States and the idence Pacific ocean has been completely successful. The prairie wilderness and Michi the snowy mountains, which have heretofore been deemed impassable, .Terri which were to constitute, in the opinion of some, an impenetrable barrier relati to tjie further progress of emigration to the West, is already overcome, it woi The same bf)ld and daring spirits, whose intrepidity has heretofore over- dispu come the Western wilderness in the midst of dangers, can never be »ohe c checked in their march to the shores of the Pacific. During the next the di summer I believe thousands will follow. Extensive preparfitions are now umpii making for a general move towards that country. The complete success pertit of those who have first gone will encourage others ; and as the road is yield now marked out, I do not think I am at all extravagant when I suppose only that ten thousand emigrants will go to Oregon next summer, in the < I b meantime, what course sitall the Government pursue? to th The indications of public opinion thus everywhere expressed, and the apparent determination to emigrate, I am sure cannot he disregarded by this Senate. For one, I am sure that I cannot discharge the duty I owe ♦o r.y constituents without using every exertion in my power to effect the j quest t they have so much at heart. 1 cannot compromise, I cannot yield ; shall *,ii. part of the Oregon Territory. I cannot agree to wait for negotia- j , it tions. I cannot agree that there is sufficient doubt as to our title to admit | doub that it is a subject proper for serious dispute. 1 that The joint occupation of the country never ought to have been a subject* and 1 of negotiation. Our Government committed a great error, in my opinion, .^ pass* when the treaty of 1818 was made ; and a still greater error when that that treaty was indefinitely prolonged. It is, however, not beyond a remedy, and The treaty was made on the supposition that it might become necessary to abrogate that part providing for a joint occupation, and a plain and easy mode was pointed out in tlie treaty itself. This was for either party ; to give notice of a desire to abrogate that part of the treaty. This, sir,, is the object of the resolution which I have had the honor to introduce. This thing of a joint occupation of a country, and of a joint jurisdiction f by two independent Governments, is an anomaly in the history of thC; world. I do not now remember anything like it, either among ancient or modern Governments. I have no doubt that it has often happened that| two nations may have been at the same time in possession of the samc| country; but I think that in all such cases they have both contended foi| exclusive jurisdiction, and the joint possession has generally been hostile, 4 and one or the other has been compelled by force to yield. I rememberj that there was once a joint and concurrent jurisdiction over a strip oil country between Keiitucky and Tennessee; I am not sure that there ever| >vas in that case an agreement for the joint occupation ; I am inclined t«l think there never was llence and forbearance. The difficulties between the States of Ohio and Michigan, and that still more recent between the State of Missouri and iTerritory of Iowa, will show how tenacious Governments always are in relation to boundaries. These difficulties happened between States, when ;it would seem really to be a matter of no great consequence whether the disputed territory belonged to the one or the other, as both belonged to 'one common country. It is a matter of more serious consequence when tlie disputed territory lies between two rival powers, having no common umpire to determine the dispute. Nations generally adhere with greater pertinacity to a claim of territory than to any other species of right, and yield it with greater reluctance; scarcely ever without appealing to the only umpire between nations — tlie ti'ial by battle. I believe, sir, that the recent surrender of a part of the State of Maine to the British Government is probably the only instance recorded in history where a great and powerful nation, with a full and complete con- viction of its right to the soil, has tamely surrendered a part of its domain from fear of war. That was a question of limits ; this also is a question of limits. Wc have surrendered a part of the State of Maine ; shall wc also surrender a part of the Oregon ? It was after the treaty of 1842, that wc of the West began to have doubts as to the propriety of treating on this subject. It was after this that we began to doubt the efficacy of negotiations to maintain our rights ; and for this reason we have passed the strong resolutions which have been passed in the West, expressing a determination not to abide by any treaty that shall surrender any part of the Oregon. Our people will go there, and they will not submit to British domination. If the Governnieni here will not protect them, they will protect themselves ; and all the power of England will never be able to dislodge, from the mountain-fastnesses of the Columbia river, the hardy Western riHcinen, who will in a few years occupy that delightful country. 1 will not, Mr. Pi'csident, add any thing more to what I have said ; I am not certain that there will be any serious opposition to the adoption of the resolution. I hope most sincerely that there may be none. I believe that a similar resolution will be adopted in the House of Representatives. The President cannot disregard tliese expressions of the will of the Nation. The notice will be given ; in twelve months we will be free from any treaty stipulations ; we can then extend our laws and Government over our people who have gone and will go there; and, in a few years, you will see what is now a wildnerncss, the most delightful residence of man. 8 [NOTE A.] rmigra genera will be is then giniii huti no bwiini cniiili'i of Ills wliicli be I'liji nc88 ; I OREfiON— PTIULIC MEKTINO. In paraniince of a public notice |. cviousiy given, n meetini^ of (he cilizcnn of Alton was Iield ;ii (he Court Konm, on Tuesiiny evening, Novrniber 8, It^VJi, for the purpose of taking the ocnt- pancy of tl# ()rej;on Territory into considcrulion. Colonel N. DiicKMASTKn wub culled to (hr •hair, and J. E. SpAun was chnsc-u Secrotary. General J. Seni'li: niaiit^ amotion to appoint a ooinmittoo to draft resolutioiiH cxpr«rttsivo of Uir nenKc of this inertinR; which motion wan approved ; and Miid c«niinitlce waH ordered to considtol General ./. Srmfifr, Sir.Jrssr Ifcn/n; Mr. .V. If. Jiu/ihinn, and jMr. S. S. fii-fwi-H. The commit- tee having retired, returned and preHontcd the following : Renolvetl, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the occupation of the Oregon Territory in of •""' I"** ▼a«t importance to the vviiole I'r.ion, iiut more cipcriuliy (o the Western HlutCH. *''• " tii'Holved, That we will, by every mcaoH in our power, encoiirugc cMiigriition to that country, *''"' '" and U8e our influence with our Delegation in Congrei^s to have it occupied by the Government of *''" ^^" the United States. ihouijhi Renolved, That wc will never give our consent to gurrendcr any part of that Territory lying P'S" »" between the Russian and Mexican boundaiics, to atiy Nation, for any coii-iileration whatever. ''^\*' ^^^ Jfesoh'cil, That tluH sentiment Hhou'd bo o.\[)rcss((l hct'ort; any f'liillier ni^olialion tokca place, Jiosuig so H8 to prevejit any steps being taken that will for a moment wmken the clitiin which we have URft^'^t' to that tifho/e country. With this view, we invite the attention of the peii|ile of the United Staten, favor of the LegiRlatures of tlie several JStafes, and especially tho.se of the States of Mis^souri and Arkansua, and the Territory of Iowa, whoso boundaries approiul' more nc;ir than any otliers to the Oregon Territory, and whose frontiers arc more iminediaicly exposed to any deprcdalionhi which the /^''«f«^> I Indians may be induced to connnit. *' RrKolvtil, That we view the conclusion of a Treaty with Enfiland, without settling our west- ern boundary, as wholly overlooking the Wef^tern interests, while a nner opportunity than will, in all probability, ever again be ofVered, presented itself, to require and obtain a complete rulin- quishment of all the British cluim to the Territory in dispute. The object of the resolutions having been commented upon and explained, they were unani- mously adopted. ^ A motion that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, ami published in the city papers, was approved. Motion to adjourn prevailed. • N. HUCKMASTER, Chairman. J. E. Starr, Secretary. Semple war, an the limi found li{ \ersy, a v/nr t'ci ex plana! whole o ill laying one acri refusal. 1 Upon presenting the Resolutions, Mr. Semplk offered the following remarks : He was in favor of the resolutions. He was glad to see a movement made among the people, on the subject of the occupation of the Oregftn. We were much indebted to tlio patriotic exer- tions of several members of Con;:rress, in relation to this matter ; and probably to none more than to his much esteemed personal friend Dr. Linn, of Missouri. He said that he had been, for thn ■ iaat four or five years, placed in a. situation whore it became his duty, as well as inclination, to atudy the commercial interest of the United Slates. He had, during that time, made himself acquainted with the importance to us of the vast trade of the Pacific, ocean, and of the immense wealth that would flow into cur country by means of the occupation of the Oregon Territory. The rich furs of the Northwest were alone a source of great wealth. Add to this the tropical productions of the western coast of Mexico and central America, the pearls and gold of Panama and Choco, the inexhau.stiblc mineral and other productions of Peru and Chili, on the western coast of South America, which would be brought within our limits through the Oregon. All \ these would only be a part of the wealth to be gained by having a population and sea-ports on the Pacific. The great trade of the East Indies, which has been for so many years of such great importance to every commercial nation, would be brought within a short distance of our borders. It is not very probable that East India goods will ever be carried by land from the Oregon to New York or Boston. It will probably be always cheaper for those cities to import them by sea around the capes. But we, in the centre of the Continent, are very differently situated. The difference in the distance to the Pacific and the Atlantic is but trifling. With the same facilities for transportation, we can bring goods from the mouth of the Columbia as cheap as from Boston or New York. We have, then, in our favor a distance of nearly fifteen thousand miles of sea navigation. The beneficial effects of this advantage would soon be felt as far as the bamlu of p^id t1\e the Mississippi and Ohio. But suppose xoe do not, the future inhabitants of Oregon will reap ' Ji:sQ these advantt^cs. And who will they be ? Our friendsi^relations, and countrymen, who may At a 1 notice, i ieltlcme CJiiled to (Jn 111 luiioiis I Tiie < nor .]/«( C'limfi/jc Al'u'r until W Wcdi Mr. 1 |ng lesc ., liestji duc=i|ia! tpe disr Mid resi BBciit "'• I Alton was held ai (nkiriK the ocrir WitK cuHcd to thr ' cxpntHaivoof Uir Inrcd to conflidt ol ■#. The comniit- r>n Territory is of I to that country, \c f Jovornmcnt of »l Territory lying iun u'liutovcr. iitiuii takcH phicc, M which we have lIic United StateH, iri und ArkanHUH, •r.s to the Oregon ilioiis which titc H-ttling our wcst- rtunily than will, a complete ruHn- they were unani- id Secretary, and R, Chairman. ffmigrat« to thoM delightful regioni. Every State that is occupied by our people will add to the general prosperity. They will bo neighbors and Triends and countrymen. Those who enii$;rato will be as much at home on the shorcH of the Pacific U8 on the banks of the .MiMxiifsippi. Who is tliore here that has not come from some other State ? Ho who has lelt Massachusetts, \'ir- giiiia, or CJrorjjirt, to settle in Illinoii<, feels hiiiiself as iii'ch in liis own native country as if ho had never n iiidv. I. The same nali iii:!l fi'i-liii'^ sti'l exi>t'». Hi* iiiiT not expatriated; h" h'^n not bvvorii allegiance "o any ol!nr Govt.. . iit ; In- is ^t!ll i i tlu> riiiicil .States, unJer the s .me !a">s, cnlilU'd to llie ^alnc priUcclion, am; ^roud of the same star.* and ^tl■il)cs that waved over (iio >.'. co of hi.s birth. It would lie the same witli him on tlsc shires of lac Pacil'.c. The a('.^.i.;(..;83 which liuvi! been enumirated would be enjojtd |iy us, if we c'lidn'c to ^o there, and u.j.l . ;;!! be enjoyed by us lirre in the persons of liio.se who do gd. Tlnir liaintiness would he our iut^ ,'i- ness ; tlieir pro.'^perity would be our prosperity ; und their wealth would add to the general wealth and power of tiie nation. Mr. SShMPLi; said that he regretted exceedingly that the western boundary had not been set- tled in the late treaty of limits with England. IIo con.'^idercd the rii;ht of the United States to the wliole of Oregon, a^^ far north as the Russian boundary, as clear as the noon-day sun. He thought that the right of the State of Maine to all that she claimed equally as clear. But a for- eign nation laid claim to a part of that territory without any shadow of right whatever. Vet, wo have seen the special agent of that nation refusing even to discuss tlic question of right ; and pro- jtosing, for the sake of pcaa; to divide the country in dis|)ute, and we have seen that proposition agreed to by tiic Executive and Senate of the United States. Mr. S. said he was as much in favor of fieace as he thought any citi/.cn of the United States ought to be. 13uf, for himself, he would have preferred xfar before he would have yielded one inch of the territory claimed by the State of iMaine. It is possible, before a long time, th rn will be a |)ri)popition, for the sake of peace, to divide the Oregon with the British. Will the \\ r--' ever allow it ? God forbid ! Mr. I^emple paid that if ever we were obliged to have war, he w.nited to have as many good causes of war, and as many parts of tlie country interested in it as prxsible. If we hail gone to war about the limits of Maine, we of the West would have been erinally intcrc.Med, and would have been found lighting together. But we have divided the question ; we have settled the Maine contro- versy, and left ours unsettled. Will Maine and Massachusetts now have the same interest in a war til lie Oregon, as if tlieir own boundary were at stake] Mr. Semplc here went into an explanation of what he considered to be the foundation of the right of the United States to tlio whole of the Oregon, as far as tlw Russian boundary, and the frivolous pretences of the British ill laying claim to any part of it. He concluded by hoping that the West would never give up one acre of that country, though war, and repeated wars, might be the consequence of suclj refusal. I [NOTE B.] Or.EGOX MSETIXG. nong the people, patriotic cxer- none more than lad been, for the 18 inclination, to e, made himself of the immense regon Territory. this the tropical gold of Panama on the western ic Oregon. All sea-ports on the rs of such great of our borders. the Oregon to ort them by sea situated. The c same facilities OS from Boston nd miles of sea as the banks of Oregon will reap men, who may At a public meeting held on the evening of the 5lh of February, 184.3, in pursuance of public notice, in ilie Hall of the House of Representatives, to take into cuiisideiation the subject of the •eltleniont and occupation of the Territory of Oregon, the Honoiable JtssK B. Tiio.maii was Ciiiled to the Chair, and Nkwtox Clolmi wa.s appointed tieerctary. On motion of .Mr. TrumbuU, a cominitlee of «iiic was appoiuled to prepare and report reso- lutions expressive of the sense of tiie iiie;;liiig. Tile Chair appointed the following gentlemen said coniinittee, viz: Liimau Trumbull, Gover- nor ,Muori', .Major JIackv'ton, I), L. Gri\L-;ii,Jiilui J)cjiic;'/r'r'!/, Jl'illiuin II. Jiavidisun, Thompson CtimfiijcU, K.lwcrd Conner, and Mr. Lonif. Al'ier some remarks hy JuJgi! Seinple, .Mr. TranibuH, and .Mr. Pec!:, the meeting adjourned until VVcdni'sday evening. Wediiei^day evening the meeting was numerously attended. 3.1r. 7'RU.MBULIi, iVom the comniittce appointed on the former evening, reported t'.ie follow- ing resolutioii.s : , Jiesa/vctl, That the rijht of the United States to tlie whole Oregon Territory is not to be ducjiUoned; and under vvli.itcver pretence any other natioii nuiy l:iy claim to lliat country, both ^\e dignity and iioaor of the United States require t!iat they should at once as.icrt their right, tiful resist s;uch claim. Jiesolved, That the interest and safely of the I'nlfed State,') demand that the Federal Govern- jipent .slioLiid take immediate and ci'licient measure? for the ocei'pntion of the Oregon Territory, lUi 1 the estahlislnnent tlicre of a Territorial Government. .R-'3olvei!, That wp viinv with distrust the occijpation of any portion of the Oregon Ten-itory 1 } m m '??; f 10 i by the tubjectt of the British Crown, and cannot but believe that the object of Great Britain in eatablishing military posts in that country, and encouraging her subjects to settle there, is to cause its settlement by a people devoted to her interests, and to afford her a pretence hereafter to claim the countiy as her own. Resolved, That the policy of Great Britain in establishing colonies in remote parts of the globe, contiguous to other nations, with a view of extending her own power, and encroaching upon the 1 . rritory of other Governments, should not be permitted to be brought to bear upon the United States ; and that we will never give our consent to a surrender of any part of the Oregon Territory to that or any other power. Jiesolved, That the settlement of the Oregon Territory by the citizens of the United States will prove of immense advantage to the commercial interests of the country, by affording harbors for our vessels in the Pacific ocean, and facilitating trade with the East Indies ; and will greatly add to the safety, as well as the honor of the Republic. Resolved, That if the General Government will but assert its rights, and extend its fostering care and protection alike to all citizens wheresoever settled within her limits, the day is not distant when our enterprising and adventurous countrymen, invited by the salubrious climate and fertile soil of the country bordering the Pacific, will extend thither their settlements, and dispense from the western shore of this vast Continent, wealth, commerce, and freedom, to the remotest parts of the earth. After the reading of the resolutions, the meeting was addressed by Judge Semple, Judge Douglass, and U. F. Litider, in favor of their adaption, and by Mr. Baker, in opposition. The meeting adjourned to meet again on Thursday evening. On that evening the Hall waj crowded. The meeting was addressed at great length by General Hardin, in favor of the resolutions. Mr. Malheny, of Springfield, ofl'ered a substitute for the resolutions reported by the com mittee, which was read, and supported by Mr. Mathenv and Mr. Baker. Mr. Linder also addressed the meeting again, in favor of the resolutions of the committee. The substitute was laid upon the table, and the resolutions of the committee adopted. The meeting then requested the two papers printed in Springfield to publish the resolutions. The meeting then adjourned, JESSE B. THOMAS, Chairman. Newton Cloud, Secretary. natio whic the SI that I by fo natio a po' who aggrc attacl greati , more well I Ih adapt but, , the c< avoid day t( men i ' God i ? arrive those add tr menl that c posses ' tion, £ maice ' separa will \v ' time, I • the T( the Sli as we hostili it » wc as • will ■ we no ,' divide •> wises ■ discor • rt-mec ' iJi wc w ' hiis g( ' are to SPEECH OF JUDGE SEMPLE. In this country, where public opinion not only governs the conduct of men in society, bi the Government itself; where the President and Congiess of the United States look to pubii sentiment as a proper rule of action, it is a matter of importance to adopt some mode of ascc: taining that sentiment, and giving it its due weight in the councils of the nation. I know i no means more clleciual than those of public meetings, where tlie wiiole body of the people en meet together, and, alter full discussion, express in tho form of »esolutions, the opinions whic they entertain. Entertaining this opinion, I invited the attention of the public to the immediate occupation ( the Oregon, at a public meeting of the people at Alton, in the month of November last. I fbui my expectations fully realized in the unanimous expression of opinion among citizens of n political parlies on that subject. That, I believe, was the first public meeting ever called in tl United States on the subject of the occupation of the Oregon. The proceedings of that meetii; have been noticed and commented on in every part of the United States. This shows tl i throu interest that is bcginriiug to be taken by the whole people of the United States on that sulyect. o"*^) This question presents itself to us ia many important points of view. One of the pbjectioi to th« extension of our territory is, that the Government will become unwieldly, and that Stal situated on the Pacific can never be kept under the Government of the United States, but mu become independent. I think this opinion is entirely unfounded. The nature of our Fedei and State Government is calculated to extend itself. I am quite willing to admit that one centr Government would never be able to make laws to satisfy any great extent of territory ; indec that now contained in tlic limits of the United States could never be governed by one and t! same Legislature. But while the State Governments are maintained in the proper and cons tutional exercise of individual sovereignty, they severally have all the powers necessary to independent State, in the same manner, to all intents and purposes, as if the btato owed : allegiance or obligation to any other on earth. They can make all laws among themselves, tl; tho wishes of the people might dictate, without interfering with any other. This interfere icc State would have no right to exercise if it did not belong to the Union, nd was wholly indcpe * f'*^ c dent. All ouch interference among independent nations in prohibited , y the general laws " 's I a 1 If a pov\ ' ill mu ' the re we th serve ' I Ilea words ' cours to th ' unjus is en( 11 Great Britain in settle there, is to pretence hereafter mote parts of the , and encroaching t to bear upon the )art of the Oregon the United States ^ affording harbors and will greatly jtend its fostering its, the day is not tbrious climate and lents, and dispense )m, to the remotest ge Semple, Judge in opposition, ening the Hall wai the resolutions, lorted by the com the committee. ^ e adopted. I h the resolutions, i ilAS, Chairman. ' men in society, bi tatcs look to pubii ' 3omc mode of ascc, nation. I know c : ]y of the people en v , the opinions vvhii ** lediate occupation ( ' ember last. I four mong citizens of n ng ever called in tl ■ lings of that nieetii; 8. This shows tl <• tcs on that subject. Dne of the pbjectio: I Idly, and tliat Stat i ited States, but mu * lature of our Fedei idmit that one cent! of territory ; indec jrned by one and t! le proper and cons wers necessary to f the State owed i , long themselves, tl; This interfere cc was wholly indepc * the general laws nationfl. The powers of the Federal Oovemment are, and ought to be, Umiitcd tp those nmtten Tvhich concern the whole — powers which no one State would ever desire to possess. If, while the several States were thus exercising the powers of sovereignty, we could suppose, or be assured, that there never would be any difference among them, or that none of them would ever be attacked by foreign powers, there would be no use for a Federal Government. But the sad experience of all nations proves that this it is idle to expect. The transactions now going on before our eyes, where a powerful maritime ration is actually robbing, in the most unjust and cruel manner, a people who never molested or injured them, admonishes us that we must be on our guard against like aggressions. This can only be done by presenting a powerful force, capable of preventing any attack, or of punishing any insult. This can only be done by the united force of all. The greater this power, the more certain will be the security. The more extensive our Union, the more powerful we will be ; while one of a thousand States would manage it^ own affairs as well as if that was the only State on the Continent. I have long been convinced, that, under our peculiar and happy form of Government, so well adapted to the genius of our people, no extension of territory will ever endanger the Union ; but, on the contrary, the tendency of extension will be to strengthen the Union. But suppose the contrary — suppose that extension be, in truth, dangerous ; the question arises, how will we avoid the danger] Is extension more dangerous than division] Is it necessary for me at this day to portray the dangers of disunion] Have the glowing pictures drawn by the ablest states- men and purest patriots been forgotten ] Is the question of union or disunion again to be debated ] God forbid ! What, then, are we to do with those extensive regions west of us ] The time has arrived when we must act. If we do not occupy them, others will. Our people will emigrate to those regions. Are we to extend over them our protecting arm, or will we either allow them to add to the power of some ambitious foreign nation, or let them form an independent Govern- ment] While none will admit the former, the latter would at once be disunion. It is a people ■ that constitutes a nation, not a territory. Those who will emigrate to Oregon will be our people, possessed of the same ideas of Government ; the same industry and enterprise ; the same ambi- t tion, and the same powers of injuring us, if ever foreign intrigues should (which God forbid) make us enemies. I consider this Union as already dissolved and separated into two parts, by the separation of Texas; and the sooner we go to work to unite that, as one ot our States, the sooner will we be able to cure the evils arising from disunion. I am convinced, that, at this moment of time, ail the arts and intrigues of which European powers arc capable, are at work to make the Texans our enemies. Those powers of intrigue have already triumphed as to all the rest of the Slates of Spanish America, and we are now suffering under its evil effectb. Our interests, us well as our safety, require that we should look well to the effects of an extension of tliat hostility. It is true, we have nothing to fear from the weak and puerile States of Spanish America. Have wc as little to fear from a State composed of the Saxon race ] Can we have any assurance that we will always be able to maintain peace with the Texans without a common Government] Could we not, with the same rca:ion, hope to prevent war between a northern and southern Government divided by the Potomac] 'J hose who suppose so, must suppose against the opinions of the wisest and best of men, as well as against actual experience. I assert, therefore, the seeds of discord are now being sown by our enemies and rivals; and that, if wo do not apply a. timely remedy, wo nmst come to suller all that we have evur feared from disunion. But It may be said that the Oregon is in dispute, and that we must take care how we tread, or wc will have war with England, War has no terrors for the people of this country. The time hiis gone by when this Uiition shall agree to surrender a solitary just right to avoid war. If we arc to surrender a solitary uiidoubtCvi right through fear of war, the principle is the same as if, through fear of war, we were to surrender our independence. It is an old saying, and a true one, that if we have our hands in the lion's moutli, wc should get it out the bust way we can. If a nation is weak and defenceless, and unjust and unreasonable demands are made upon it by a powerful nation, I admit that good policy and sound wisdom would justify the weaker nation in niii;;ing the best terms possible, (ind even surrendering some of its undoubted rigiits, to preserve the rest. But is it not shameful, yes, disgraceful, for an American to hold such language ] Are we that weak and defenceless people that would hesitate, and ofitir to give up one right to pr>.- serve another] Are we not strong enough to preserve all our rights ] I must confess, that when I hear an American talking of surrendering our just rights "for the sake of peace," or, in other words, surrendering them through fear, I feel somewhat indignant. I have never, in the whole course of my life, felt so sensibly any act of our Federal Government as that which surrendered to the British a part of the undoubted territory of the Stale of Maine. The agreeing to one unjust demand always invites another. There is no stopping place. The encroaching power is encouraged by one concession to demand another, until all is gone. If we are ignorant of the character of that power to which we have lately ceded a part of the State of Maine, it is our own fault; wo have su.iicient evidence of that grasping people, who will not stop I( I '^ r>i ' f 13 short of nrrounding us with enemies. Mexico is now our enemy, not by nature, but made so : by the intrip^ues of that very people who now border us on the north, and wish to join Mexico ] r i on our western frontier. i -.u :„i. The same mail which brought to us the treaty ceding part of Maine, brought news, also, of l-oa-* ships sailing to the Pacific with the obvious intention of occupying the Oregon, or, at least, of >fji„-i! preventing us from doing so. There never was, in my opinion, u grt-ater mistake tii;in to suj-pose ' e « '» that concession procures peace: tiie reverse is the trutli. If, wlien the Ilarliary poweru umJertook .'-__ i. to commit depredations on our commerce in the Mediterranean sea, we had bought peace by j^j^a „, tribute, we would not only have been com|>elied to pay immense sums from time to time, but L_j , even that wouiJ not have protected us. We then took a dilierent course. We asserted our \„a „„ rights at the mouth of the cannon, and no nation in the world has ever since carried on cum- > q^ . mercc in that country with so little interruption. deirrec I will now p.oceed to state what I consider, not to be the foundation of our claim, but the proof gtatcs < of our undoubted viffht to the territory said to be disputed by ihe British. Ifcxtensi The French, Spaniard?, Russians, and British, have all laid claim, from time to time, either to tp j jj^^ the whole or part of the northwest coast of America. Civilized nations have generally admitted ^^ ^ii, the right of discovery, and .igreed that any civilized people might justly occupy a country inhabited l^jth (jj, by savages. Discovery was the foundation of the right or claim of the Spaniards ; several of T their navigators having sailed along the coast of America, in the Pacific ocean, as far as Capo Mcndicino, and, on some occasions, as far as the forty-ninth degree of north latitude. The Spaniards were undoubtedly the first who ever sailed on that coast. There never has been any definite limits set as to how much of any country was acquired by discovery. If the Spaniards sailed along the coast as far as Califurnia, which they most unquestionably did, before any other nation or people, they might lay claim to the whole coast. California yvas discovered as early as 1534, and Cabrillo sailed as far along the coast as the j^vinff"i forty-third degree, as early as 1540; while the first English ship, under the command of Sir ? Thu*: Francis Drake, did not visit the northwest coast until 1578 — nearly forty years after. Whatever rip'.it the Spaniards may have had was ceded to tiic United States by the treaty of IS 19. We have, then, by purchase, all the right which the Spaniards ever could have had. Tim French claim* was also founded on discovery. La Salle first discovered the moutli of the Mississippi, and laid claim to all the waters of that river. After the French colonies in Canada had increased, and their trading posts had extended from Quebec to IS"ew Orleans, they claimed not only ail t\v~} waters of the Mississippi, but extended it indeflnilely west, to all places not actually occnpii'd by any other civilized nation. This was geueially understood to include the Oregon. In support cl' this idea, that Louisiana extended to the Pacific, I will only at present _ nieiitiiiri, thiit tliis was i;i',mUtod by England, at least; for by the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, thujl^ag !,, boundary between Canada and Louisiana on one side, and the Hudson';j Bay Company on iho 'tUy ^ i otlicr, was fixed to commence on the coast in latitude fifty-eight degress thirty-one minutes north, ||i,]e f^^ thence to run in a southwest direction to latitude forty-nine degrees north, and along that lino siii'jjigi indefinitely westward. So far, then, as England is concerned, she is prevented Irom saying thatiltc the Louisiana was hounded by the waters of the .Mississippi. After Canada fell into the hands of the English, Louisiana still remained in possession of ihc French unti! it was coded to Spain in 1762, in whose hands it remained until 1800, when Spain re-ceded it to France ; and in 1803, France ceded it to the United States, 'i'lie words of this cession are : '• In extent the same as it now is in (he hands of France, as it was in the hands of Spain, and as it formerly was in the hands of France." ith El A nor far ai Tued, ( revio\ii , That Ind the r gran til sh< All these transfers of Louisiana were without any specific limits. The ultimate purchaser, therefore, had a right to whatever could ho shown to be, [jroperly npeaking, Louisiana. It is not tirely ich w the tc tailed ereigr p«indenc( my intention to en'"'" into a minuto statement of these several claims on the pari of S()ain and( lims oi It; the Jiinst 1 France, nor do I consider it at all important, as both tiiese nations havo rclimiuished all their;^ Atlai claims to the United States. It is only necessary to mention them as showing the extent of thc;!^ prese claim purchased. Mr. .leiferson, that truly sagacious politician, understood the purchase of)|«lje ij,, Jjouisiana as giving the right as fur as the Pacific; for imniediatoly after tiie negotiation was|A R^sf closed, he sent Messrs. Lewis and Clark to explore those regions, whose vic^it to the mouth of the |But th Columbia may not only be considered in the light of a discovery of that river, (which had, iarflhind, part, been discovered by Captain Gray so early as 1787,) but n»;iy also be considered as an»||h inji expedition, in the name of the Govermncnt, to take possession of Louisiana, as purchased fiomjiprobal the French. l^o the The llussians had made many discoveries, and some settlements, in dilierent places on therjlcre is coast, which it is unnecessary to nolice, because, by the treaty of St. Pctersburgh, that powerigipriety relinquished to t!ic United States all right whatever to all that part of the coast south of fifiy-lour g^ settle degrees forty minutes north latitude. So that the only nation now claiming, against the United |^||inoii States, any part of that coast between forty-two and fifty -lour degveea fony minutes north, iJlBces v\ Great Britain. fright ;;" nerally aJmitted jountry inhabited ' liards ; several of far as Cape I, as h latitude. The 13 ire, but made so , I to join Mexico j Independent of the fact that both Spain and France had better claims than England, both of . I which claims have been tra-'.sferred to the United States, and independent of the fact that the it news, also, of icoogt, as well as the interior of the country, wrrc discovered by Captain Gray, and by Lewis and II, or, at least, of Sciark^ citizens of the United States, and tliat En;jland has recognised our right by the surrender than to suppose j,f Astoria, after the last war; there is one point of view in which, so far as regards England, DWt-rs undertook J^g have an undoubtecrrigbt: By the grant to Virginia, by Charles I^ 1609, the King of Eng- boughl peace by iWa^ made the limits of Virginia to extend from Old Point Comfort two hundred miles northward, time to time, but ^^d two hundred miles southward, along tho sea-coast, and all the land up into tlio interior, west We asserted our tjn,j northwest, from sya to sea. carried on com- > gy the foregoing grant, the southern line of Virginia would extend on or near the thirty-fourth 'degree of latitude from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the northern line would run across the ;/m, but the proof i^tatcs of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and include a great part of Upper Canada. This Extensive grant to Virginia was afterwards curtailed by several other grants to difTercnt persons, to time, either to |^„j tin, limits of Virginia were cut down to iU present form, as far as related to the lines east of e Alleghany Mountains ; but no subsequent grant or claim of any other colony ever interfered ith the claims of Virginia to her possessions west of those mountains. 'I'he treaty of peace ith England, in 17R3, further curtailed her limits, so as to cut off all that part which laid west ind north of the lakes, and the forty-ninth dogrec of latitude, west of the Lake of the Woods, -fs far as the Rocky Mountains. The treaty of 1783 was not intended, and could not be con- er has been any itrued, to deprive any of the then colonies of the limits to which they were entitled by any If the Spaniards Previous grant, farther than its terms import. before any other % That part of said treaty of 1783, which undertook to lix boundaries between the United States ind the French and Spanish possessions, was wholly void ; neither of the contracting' parties g the coast as the ||aving any right to fix their lines unless they were jjarties to the treaty. command of Sir ¥ Thu»;, we sev> Virginia, after the peace of 1783, claiming all the western country included in s after. fer grant, as far as the Mississippi ; and this was undisputed by any other of tho United Colonies, is by the treaty of ^til she ceded all her western lands to the United States. I have said that Virginia did not aid have had. 'd|aim west of the Missipsippi ; but why did she not \ It was not because England had any right the mouth of tho Whatever to prevent it, but because, until the purchase of Louisiana, in 1803, the claims of Spain d France were considered paramount, as well to Virginia as to England, who granted it to irginia ; and we were not so hardy as to set up the grant of England, who had no title, against ain and France, who, we had the justice to admit, had a better riglit. But «vhat do we now T England has the audacity, at this day, to set up a claim not only against the title of ance, whose title was admitted by the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, but against Virginia, to whom echt. In 1713, thu jj was granted in 1609. Company on the TBy a subsequent treaty with England, our northern line was fixed on the 49lh parallel of lati- inc minutes north, ^Je, from the Lake of the Woods west, as far as tho Kocky Mountains. nd along lliat lino j|This line, it will be seen, stopped short at the Rocky Mountains. It does not pretend to desig- liom saying that^tc the line beyond, either to give it to tne British or acknowledge it to tii. i uited States. Being tirely silent, the grant to Virginia remained as it was at the time of the grant froni England, ich was from sea to sea. The acknowledgment of the independence of V'^irginia gave to her tho territory she then claimed, except so far as Virginia herself agreed to have those limits tailed. When any nation becomes independent, it becomes sd with the right to exercise ereignty in all the territory claimed, and which it can maintain with arms ; and when inde- p^dencc is acknowledged, the same act gives the sovereignty over that terrhory. Saving the Itimatc purchaser, j|||iins of Franco and Spain, then, Virginia claimed, as against England, all the land from sea to ; the purchase of Ijouisiana, therefore, with the cession from Virginia, which was good us inst England, the United States became lawfully and of right possessors of all the land from Atlantic to th«! Pacific. These limits went south of tho present Mexican line, and north of present Russian line. But as we have already ceded to those countries all north and soutli he lines we now claim, wc can have no other cluimthan to that country between the Mexican Russian boundaries ;^ but to that I think our right is beyond a doubt. ut there is another ground on which 1 place our right to the Oregon. And if, in taking this r, (which had, ia;iii|und, I may depart from tho idea some may entertain of right, I hope I may not .be charged considered as atifith injustice or even singularity, when they reflect that upon this ground the question will, in as purchased from J| probability, have to be ultimately determined. I allude to the right derive• against the United | minutes north, iai Illinois, he lays claim to such portions of the adjoir.ing land, as, in the nature of the circum- ices which surround him, is better suited for him than any other person ; and he maintains ' right oven against the Government of the United States. If this can be done amongst ^^^^ ^''^ hs&A of the Platte river, will afford a good wagon road to the west of the Rocky and vailoya, vvhicmp'*''^''"'- ' ^'" ^^^'^ ^'^'^"^ ^ letter, which I believe is authentic, and will show the facilities which wagons may be driven into the Oregon : viflc arc ^\^^f^jLract of a letter from Messrs. Smith, Jackson, and Sublette, dated in October, 1829, 7o the il.u.t.c or Gult o-| Secretary of War. cry extensive wet J /. c t . . . • uption, only abou,^^" ^^ '^*" °' April last (1829) we set out from St. Louis with eighty-one men, all mounted Icr it very difficullji""'^''' ^*^" wagons, each drawn by five mules, and two dearborns, each drawn by one mule. its source. Thesis ^^^^ ^a" n<''""'y ♦^u" west to the western limits of the State of Missouri, and thence along ler easy to make ^®''"** ^^ '"''*'' ^^°^^ 'orty nii|pp,froni which the course was .some degrees north of west, across it while this rapi™^"^^''^ of the Kanzas, and up the Great Platte river to the Jiocky Mountains and the head of lavii ation there iW''' "vcr, where it issues (Vom the mountains. This look ui: until the IGth of July, and was iidvantagc': canahV"' ^^ "^^ wanted the war^ons to go. Here the wagons could easily have crossed the Rocky ileys and mountaiiW"*'*'"''*' ''^ hcing what is culled the Sout/ieni pass, had it been desirable for thcni to do so. rica by ColumbusW""''*"Pr°"^^ *^" leaving the Missouri settlements, until we should get into the Buffalo country, known to fall) intcV'^"'*' twelve head of cattle, besides a milch cow, tight of these only 4ieing required for use ^e we got to the buH'uloes. The others went on to the head of Wind river. We began to ented as barren foW" ^'''* ^''® buffaloes on the Platte, about three hundred and fifty miles from the white settle- • and this with iiA'"' '^"^ ''^*'"* ^''"^ ^"'^'' W'V'^A on buffaloes, the quantities being infinitely beyond what we aVreeablo places o'W*'^'' ^^" *'^^ 4th of Auu;ust, we set out on the return to St. Jiouis; all the high points of be purer and morriP^''""^^'"^ ''^'^" '" view, being covered with snow ; but the pai^scs and valleys, and all the elling. I'hey wiw country, was preen wilh ^jrass. Our route back was over the same ground, nearly, as in iterrupted sun an(!S^ ""'■' '*"^' ^'^ arrived in St. Louis on the 10th of October, bringing back the two wagons, at the same tirneW^^'* '^"'' ^"^'"!? '*'*' hf'hind ;) four of the oxen and the milch cow were also brought to the ments in Missouri. Our men were all healthy during the whole time ; we sufftred nothing Its riches in thi*y weather, and hid no accident but the death of one man, who was killed by the falling in in the mo'untaing«''""'^ of earth. Of the mules, wo lost but nw ; and two h .i atitudo gold wash W"*^'' ""equned culling down, and for this purpose a few pioneers were sent ahead of the it the farther nortL**^'*'" '" ^^'^ ^"^''* ^'"'*' ^'^"'^ wagons ever went to the Rocky Mountains; and the ease and safety ns finullv drove th^^'"*^'^ ^^ ^'"* done, prove the fiicility of communications overland to the Pacilic ocean. The ) have been amonrfa '•"""' '''* Sonlhern pass, where the wagons stopped, to the great falls of the Columbia, being ihc statement tha^W ""'' belter than on this side of the mountains, with grass enough for horses and mules, but mines. This rich*f "^y of game for the support of men." regon 1 errntory, Mave now detained the meeting longer than T at first intended, and will conclude my remarks, in largo quantities, j|pgg ^^^^^ j „,j^y ]^^^q tJio pleasure of hearing the views of others on this subject, as well for net the occupation of ihe Oregon, if any shall be found who are opposed to it. is time, to give anj^ un; but some idea h i 18 • [NOTE C] JteuluHotu, and a JDeelaratien, adopted unanimoualy by a Convention of Delegate* from tk Statet and Territoriea of the We»t and Southvteit, held in the City of CiHOiHirATi, on th\ 3d, 4th, and 5th day of July, 1843. Eetolved, That the right of the United S^Atea to the Orioow Tkrritort, from forty4«d| to fifty-fpur degrees forty minutes north latitude, is unquestioned, and that it is the imperatiil duty of the General Government forthwith to extend the laws of the United States over sayi Territory. RetolveH further. That to encourage emigration to, and the permanent and secure aettlemecl of, said Territory, the Congress of the United States ought to establish a line of forts from tl;|^ Missouri river to the Pacific ocean ; and provide also a suflScient naval force for the protection ( the Territory and its citizens. Beiol'oed, That for the purpose of making known the causes and principles of our aotion, tb following declaration is unanimously adopted, and now signed by the members of this Convention with instructions to the officers thereof to transmit a copy to the President of the United State^|| and to each member of Congress, and elsb to the Executives of the several States, with a reque'tj to present them to their respective Legislatures. 11! ! uV ifr? K* ''111 • DECLARATION OP THE OREGON CONVENTION. A Declaration of the Citizent of the JUitaisaippi Valley, in Convention aatembled, at C\)<{ cmji ATI, July 5, 1843, for the purpoae of adopting aubh meaaurea aa may induce the trl mediate occupation of the Oregon Territory, by the arma and laiva of the United States ? ^orth America. We, the undersigned citizens of the Mississippi Valley, do hereby declare to our fellow-citizcii of the whole Republic, that in urging forward measures for the immediate occupation of tl| Or«gon Territoiy, and the northwest coast of the Pacific, from forty-two to fifly-four degr forty minutes north latitude, we are but performing a duty to ourselves, to the Republic, to commercial nations of the world, to posterity, and to the people of Great Britain and Ireland, nc| as we believe, to be benefited by the further extension of her empire. Duty to ourselves requires that we should urge the immediate occupation of Oregon, not on for the increase and extension of the West, but for the security of our peace and safety, perpetual| threatened by the savage tribes of the Northwest. I'hat this duty is required of us as due to t!| whole Republic ; all parts of which may not appreciate, as they seem not to have appreciated, tijj value of the Territory in question, and its political importance to the honor, prosperity, and pov of th^ Union, to say nothing of our commercial interests and naval predominance, threatened! they are with injury or diminution, should the northeast coast of that ocean pass into the po^ 84&sion of a great naval power. That, as an independent member of the great family of Nation it is due from us to the whole commercial world, that the ports of both coasts of this contineij should be held by a liberal Government, able and willing to extend and facilitate that social ai^ commercial intercourse which an all-wise Providence has made necessary for the iutellectu improvement, the social happiness, and the moral culture of the human race. That we owe the entire uiid absolute occupation of the Oregon to that posterity which, withoi| such occupation by the citizens and free institutions of our great Republic, could not perfect! make available to themselves or to the world the important consideration above sat forth. That, however indignant at the avarice, pride, and ambition of Great Britain, so frequent^ lawlessly, and so lately evinced, wo yet believe that it is for the benefit of all civilized nations tb she should fulfil a legitimate destiny, but that she should be checked in her career of aggressi with impunity, and dominion loithout nght. That for the independence and neutrality of the western coasts of the American continen and the island of the Pacific ocean, it is important that slie should be restrained in the furtL extension of her power on these coasts, and in the middle and eastern portions of that ocean. That, so far as regards our rights to the Territory in question, we are assured of their pert integrity, based as tliey arc on discovery and exploration by our own citizens and Governnu': and on purchase and cession from those powers having the prctciico of right to the same. That beyond these rights so perfectly established, wc would I'eel compelled to retain the wli Territory, in accordance with Mr. Monroe's universally approved dcclanition of 1823, that i. Amcriciiii continents were not thenceforth to bo considered subjects lor future colonization any foreign powers. influenced by those reasons and considerations, so important to \\n and the whole Republic,-^ liberty :iiid juHtice, and to free Governments, wc do subycrihe our uiirucs to this declaration, w: the fum, jii.-it, und matured dctcriiiination never to cease our cxortiuns till its intentions and pn teUgatet from th iHciHirATi, on th^ T, from forty>t«| t u the imperatitl d States over sail d secure settlemct e of forts from tl. or the protection of our action, th of this ConTentioij the United State^j ates, with a reque'iji fi. aatembted, at Cii may induce the in he United States i o our fellow-citizcii te occupation of tl|j to iifly-four degre the Republic, to ain and Ireland, nc| of Oregon, not on id safety, perpetual^ il of us as due to trj lave appreciated, tijj irospcrity, and pov nance, threatened * n pass into the pc^ at family of Natioii^ sts of this continel ilitate that social ai)! for the intellectui terity which, withci| , could not perfect i }ve sat forth, ritain, so frequent^ civilized nations tbt career of affffrevsi Lmerican continen trained in the furtL tns of that ocean, surcd of their perl^ ns and Governinei'j to the same, il to retain the whoj m of 1823, that t'| turc colonization 19 pies are perfected, and the North American Republic, whose citizens we are, shall have estab- ished ita laws, its arms, and its free institutions, from the shores of the Pacific te the Rocky buntains, throughout the limits above specified. And we do hereby protest, as we shall continue to piY>test, against any act or negotiation, ast, in process, or hereafter to be perfected, which shall yield possession of any portion of the me to any foreign power ; and above all do we remonstrate against the possession of any part f the northeast coast of the Pacific ocean by the power of Great Britain. The following resolution was offered and passed : Resolved, That six Commissioners be appointed by this Convention, whose duty it shall b« urge upon Congress, personally or otherwise, the resolutions and declaration of this Conven- ion ; to open a correspondence with the citizens of other States, and endeavor by all means in heir power to obtain the favorable action of the National Legislature o i a bill for the immediate occupation of our territory on the Pacific, between forty