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32X

I^f

MR.

Delivered

SPEECH

MR. L. B. CHASE, OF TENNESSEE,

ON THE

OREGON QUESTION.

DcUvtredin the House of Representatives ^ U. S., A^ibruary i, 1846.

WASHINGTON:
PRINTED BY J. fc O. S. GIDEON.
1846.

The House 1
Foreign Affair!
will terminati^
trade in Oregvi

Mr. CW

I regret,. ]
compelled fi
position I o(
ziiade to tho
my duty to
nate if this
country is tc
opinion in tl
sunender of
our land .
should desc(

Th« defei
gentlemen,
rally in the
more dangei
em line, fro
the mouth o
of the BritisI
terrible in ci
ed, or will t
fence of the
of the gentl
ner to the bi
Oregon or n
sition he has
Jiave to drea
fury than th
upon the coi
this floor, bii
has been sail
part, if I lei

SPEECH.

The House having under consideration the joint resolution reported by the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, directing the President to give notice to Great Britain that the United States
will tcrmin?.t(» the convention between the two Governments, providing for the joint ri^ht of
•trade in Oregvin territory, at the expiration of twelve months —

Mr. CHASE, of Tennessee, being entitled to floor, said —
I regr«t, jtfr. Chairman, at tlie present stage of tliis discussion, that I am
compelled (o occupy the time or tlie attention of the committee. But the
position I occupy before my conslituent«,and the allusions which have been
made to tho South, by members from the North, upon this floor, makes it
my duty to forbear giving a silent vote. I shall deem it peculiarly unfortu-
nate if this should become a wtfiono/ question . When the honor of the
coimtry is lo be defended , there should be but one voice in this hall , but one
opinion in this country. If our national escutcheon is to be tarnished bv' a
surrender of our soil, the blight should fall equally upon every portion of
our land. But, if the national faith is to be nobly vindicated, the glory
should descend upon all.

Thn defenceless condition of cities upon the coast has been alluded to by
gentlemen. Have their inhabitants become so enervated that they cannot
rally in the defence of their altars and their firesides? Where can there be
more danger than upon our northern and western border? The entire north-
ern line, from the mouth of the St. John's to the Pacific, the frontier from
the mouth of the Columbia to the Rio del Norte, is exposed to the attacks
of the British and then- allies, the savages. Sir, are the pangs of death more
terrible in cities than in the country; is the loss of property more to be dread-
ed, or will they alike "pledge life, fortune, and Kicred honor," in the de-
fence of their country's rights? I was nuich pleased with the fearlessness
of the gentleman from Missouri, (Mr. Simms.) He boldly flings his ban-
ner to the breeze , upon which he has inscribed his motto, "the whole of
Oregon or none, now or never." That gentleman stakes his all in the po-
sition he has assumed. His home is ujwn the frontier, where his ftxmily
liave to dread the tomahawk of the merciless savages, wore terrible in their
fury than their civilized employers, whose attacks are so much dreaded
upon the coast. Not only will that gentleman maintain his position upon
this floor, but, if necessary, he will back it with a western rifle. So much
has been said about the eagle, it may be considered in bad taste, upon my
part, if I let tl- 2 poor bird rest. So often has he been compelled to dash

through the air, now bleeding the lion, at the reipiest of the gentleman from
Indiana, (Mr. Kennkoy,) and anun al the sohcitation of the eloquent gen-
tleman from Virginia, (Mr. BKDiN(iKn,) atten.pling, but without success, to
dash through dari\ clouds charged with eiwcli ioity . again and iigain making the
effort, as he wheeled and soared aloft, as if determined to l»rave the fire and'
artillery of heaven, and "pass on to the trackless regions of the West."
The gentleman siuiuld have required another bold and triuiiiplmnt effort, en-
abling the eagle, as the emblem of our power and our institutions, to soar
above the cloud , or to pass through it, rather than to suffer him to pause until
xhc daii!scr\\VL<\ passed. I will first, Mr. Cliairman,alludeto the position taken
by my colleague, (Mr. Ewinc;.) I could hardly resist the conclusion, that
the gentleman had made Ciireat liritain his client, such a striking similarity
is there between a part of his arguments and those advanced by Mr. Packcn-
ham.

Sfetch nfMr. Ewing, January 29, 184fi.

" Now the first obsiervalion that is to be
inndf ill regard to our title is, tlml we cannot
rely upon both that arising from our own dis-
coveries and tiiat derived from Snain, and in
one event we aliall be preoUidea altof»etlier
from relying on tlie former at all. If our title
by discovery and settlement be better than that
both of England and Spain, or even better than
that of Spain, we may disregard the Spanish
title altogether, and meet England upon tlmt
ground; l)Ul if the Spanish title be belter than
that wliif-h we possesj!ed in 1818, we may not
be at liberty to disregard the Spanish title, for
in that title England may have an interest un-
der the Nootka convention.

It is sufficient answer to the arguments of these gendenjen to state the
fact, that we own both these titles, and can use them separately or together
as we please.

Letter of Mr. Packrnham, Jtily^, 1845.

"The United States can found no claim on
discovery, exploration, and settlement, cfTected
previously to the Florida treaty, without ad-
mitting the principles of the Nooika conven-
tion, and the conseouent validity of the paral-
lel claims of Great Britain, founded on like
acts ; nor can they appeal 'o any exclusive
right, as acquired by the Florida treaty, with-
out upsetting all claims adduced in their own
proper right, by reason of discovery, explora-
tion, and settlement, antecedent to Uiut arrange-
ment. "

Jdr. Packrnham, July 24, 184f>.

•Mr. Eving.

" In the first place, as relates to the discov-
ery of Gray, it must be remarked that he was
a privute nuviijalor, sailing jiriiicijially for tlie
purposes of trade."

" First. It is doubtful whether Gray's dis-
covery can enure to the benefit of the United
Suites, he not acting under Government au-
thority."

Neither of the gentlemen have given reasons or authority to show the
distinction between a Government vessel and a merchantman, with the flag
of her country at her mast-head, so far a.s discoveries are concerned.

My colleague proceeds to take another jiosilion, which appears to me to
be untenable. He says:

" What, then, is the true constniction of the Nooikn treaty ? The text of that convention cer-
tainly gives to England the right of settlement of Nootka Sound, and within the parallels, there-
fore, of 42° and 54° 40V "

I will notice the right of the English to make settlements north of Nootks
soimd hereafter. I have been unable to find any authority to sustain the
gentleman's position, that there was a line established at 54° 40' as early as
1790, the date of the Nootka treaty. On the contrary, it was not until the
convention of 1824, between the United States and Russia, that the bounda-
ry of 54° 40' was established — nearly thirty years subsequent to the Nootka
convention. ,

My col
and it is >
their com
minds of
fresh fron
tempting
the count
as a man
that after
will go rif
the whole

First. It i;
he not actint
mouth of tin
crnnient auti
such a clain
Clarke's exp
and its subsi
lishment at I
which IS unt|
to be prefer
though, are (
doubtt'iil one

"Take it,
tl is, I say, ;i
:xn interest in
it; or, if we i
the convtntii

These i
tieman fro

"Sir, I de
that does not

will, I ho
oiM- rights

I was
make the

"Theresv
is not " Cle;i
much Ijettei
it better to
treaty of Un
ty to 49°, a
ceitainly no
tcrmineil as
»ude."

He thii
ritory.
examine,
occurs to
mind as
belona: to
terminatic
title bette
he intent
as I am r
noith lati

man from

[iieiil gen-

jiicccss, to

lakiiigthe

le fire and

e West."

efTortjCn-

ns, (0 soar

)aupe until

ilion taken

usion , that

similarity

. Packcii-

29, 1846.

ihal is to be
lilt M-e cnniiot
our own dis-
Snain, and in
lea aliopethcr
. If our title
otter than that
•en better than
i the Spanish
ind upon tJiat
be better than
), we may not
Kinish title, for
an interest un-

Lo Slate the
' or together

er Gray's dis-
t of the United
overnment au-
to show the
,vith the flag
ned.
irs to nie to

convention ce^
parallels, there

th of Nootks
} sustain the
0* as early as
not until the
the bounda-
the Nootka

My colleague is somewhat celebrated in Tennes.see as a criminal lawyer;
and it is well known by all who have witnessed the trial of criminals, that
their counsel have often to resort to ingenious argument, to create in the
minds of the jiny "rpasonnble doxibts^'' as to their guilt. My colleague is
fresh from the courts, and I was not much surprised, that he is fnund at-
tempting to create ''reasonable doubts" in the minds of this commiltee and
the country ,as to our title to Oregon. I have great respect for my colleague
as a man of learning, and as a patriot, and I am inclined to the opinion,
that after he has abstained from the defence of criminals for a short time, all
will go right with him, and we shall have his cordial assist >.icc in obtaining
the whole of Oregon. I tpiote from the gciulcman's s])eech:

Fir.st. It is doubtful wiicther Gr,-iy"< discovery can inure to the licncfit of the United States,
he niu octiiii; un<l('r govoriiiiunt luithoriiy- .Sfcoud. It is pretty cprtiiin dial his i.iiterii.:; the
mouth of the river is not better thiui Heceta'n discovery in 17"."). Tliinl. Hi-iiUi went hy 'j;ov-
crinnent authority, and cluinied the whole const for his tjovcriiinciit, but it is douijtful liow far
sucli a claim was of use without .sul)sc(|ueiit sctllcnicni. Fouilh. The cllect of Lewis and
Clarke's exploration without snilemem is of doul)tt"iil import. I"if:h. Tlit scitleiu'.'iit of Astoria
and its subsif|ucnt abandonment, what is this to avail' Dxxbitatur. Sixth. The Spanisli tstab-
hslimeiit at Noolka, of what ftl'cct was that- It is not ai^reed. Then it earinul be determined
whicii IS untiuestioiiably the ln'iier title, the Aiucrieaii or the Spani.^h. The .Spanish title seems
to be preferred by our American diplomatists, not that tliey \va\v the choice: the En;rlish,
thoiijrh, arc certainly at lilirrty to arsjiie that this is our belter till'-; and, if the point is really a
doubtt'iil one, we cannot arbitrarily a»sume it to he either the one way tu' the other.

"Take it, tlien, that the S| aiilsh is our better title, (and liiii^hind has a ri^'ht so to ar2;ue, for
It is, I say, a debatiible matter,) then our title hy our own discoveries is troiie; for Eng'and has
an interest in per)>etuo derived under this .Spanish title by convention, and we caiinoi repudiate
it; or, if wc do, Enijland may set it up as outstanding, and assert licr rights derived under it and
the conventiuii with .Spain."

These doubts, taken in connection with the positive assertion of the gen-
tleman from South Carolina, (Mr. Holmes,) that —

"Sir, I deny in Mn iuiy riijht. any claim to that territory, or to any part or parcel thereof,
that does not tippertain with equtd lorco and etficieiiey to the power of Great Britain."

will, I hope, be a sufficient excuse, upon my part, for an examination of
otu' rights in Oregon.

I was surprised, Mr, Chairman, to hetir my collt^-igue, (Mr. EwtNt;,)
make the admission contained ii» the following language:

"The result, then, with me, of the examination of our title to the Oregon territory is, that it
IS not ''clear and uinincstionable." I have not examined, nor <lo 1 iitend to examine, how
much belter it maybe to the 49th parallel than to the iiarallc 1 of j4° 40', thousli I do ihiiik
it belter to the former than the latter; and, inilced, if the line of \\P was really marked by the
treaty of Utrecht, of which, however, I have no sutiii'ient evidence, wc ini;,'hl claim With i-crtain-
ty to 49°, and could not ^o beyond it. The questionin; our title to any part of this territory \3
certainly no pleasino' uusk to 'ne, uiiwilliii:^ as I am to yield any nurtioii of the territory, and de-
terinineil as 1 ain never, nt any hazard, to yield anytiiiiio' below tiio 49th degree of north lati-
<iide."

He thinks our title is not "clear and unquestionable to the Oregon" ter-
ritory. The gentleman .says he has not examined, nor does he intend to
€.\amine, how much belter it is to the 49ih parallel than to 54^ 40'. Tt
occurs to me, sir, that as the genlloman has so many doubts in his own
mind as to our title, atid is so scrnpidous about taking that which does not
belong to us, he shoultl be well satisfied of oin- rights before he iisserts a de-
termination not to yield the territory. He does stale, that he thinks our
title better to 49*^ than to 51° 40 , although he lias not exantined, nor does
he intend to examine, how iniicli better; and yet he concludes, ''determined
as I am never, at any hazard, to yield anything below the 4yth degree of
noith latitude."

It cannot be, that my colleague is resolved to difler, right or wrong, with
the executive, as to our title to Oregon; and yet I rnnnoi reconcile his con-
clusions. Wliy this resohuion expressed, not to yield anything below the
49th degree of north latitude, at the sonic time that he declares our title to
Oregon is hot "clear and unquestionable?" If we have no right to the
territory he ought not to claim it; on the contrary, if we have tights there
they should be enforced. If we have a tide to die 4'.Uh, and no further,
there should he go and stop. If our title is good to 54° 40', every principle
of honor and duty prompts us to enforce it.

I will first, Mr. Chairman, briefly allude to our title by our own discove-
riss, explorations, and ^etUements. In May, 1792, Capt. Gray, in the
ship Columbia, from Boston , entered the mouth of the Columbia river,
sailed up die river for several miles, and gave it the name which it hau
since borne. It is true that the British commissioners, in 1826, in thestate-
ment annexed lo the protocol of the sixth conference, held at London, as-
sert that "Mr. Meaics, a lieutenant of the royal navy, in 17S8,had actually
entered the bay of the Columbia, to the northern headland of which he
gfive llie name of Cape Disappointment, a name which it bears to Uiis day."
If this assertion of the British commissioners was sustiiined l)y iUc facts, the
English could not reap the beuelils of his discoveries, as will appear from
the following extract from Greenhow's history of Oregon, page 172:

"For the exnedilioii in question, two vcsstls were fitted out at the Portuguese port of Ma-
CAo, near Cnnion, in China, from wliieli, as already mentioned, several voyiiges had been pre-
viously made to the nortliwest coas'ts of America, in senn^li of furs. They were both placed
under the direction of .lohn Meares, a lieulennnt in the Uritish navy, on hulf pay, who sailed
in the ship Felice, as supercari;o; (he other vessel, the hriir Ipliigeiiin, also carried a British sub-
ject, William Doui;la:is, in the same capacity; both vessels were, however, commanded, osten-
sibly, at least, by Portuiinese captains; they were both furnished with passports, and other pa-
pers, in the Portuguese lunjiuage, fjranted by the Porluguese authoritieB of Macao, and show-
ine them to be the property of Juan Cavallo, a Portuguese merchant of that jilace. The instruc-
tions tor the conduct of the voyasje were wrillcn only in the Portuguese languaire, and <'(mtained
nothitig whatsoever eulculated lo afford the slightest grounds for suspiciini that other than Por-
tuguese subjccls were interested in the enterprise. I-'iniilly, the vessels sailed from MaCAo on
the 1st of January, 1786, under the Portugutse flag, and there is no sulficienl proof that luiy
Other was displayed by them during the expedition.''

If any nation is entitled to the benefit of his discoveries, it is certainly
Portugal.

Lieutenant Meares, it is true, sought for the mouth of the Columbia in
the latitude where tradition had located it, but he states in his journal that
"he can now safely assert that there is no such river as that of St. Roc ex-
isting, as laid down in the Spanish charts." As evidence of the sincerity of
this assertion, he gave the name of Cap'' Disappointment to the promon-
tory, and the bay obtained the name of Dixcption Bay.

The next question is, whether we followed up our discovery soon enough ,
by exploration and settlement, to perfect our title. Coming to a conclusion
upon this subject, we nmst lake into consideration the vast distance to that
country, and the difriculties which nature has thrown in our way. There
is a material diirerence between perfecting a title under such circumstances,
and where no such obstacles prevail. Reason and common sense would
lead us readily lo the conclusion that, in the exploration and setUement of
Oregon, it w^as done in a reasonable iitiie from the discovery of the mouth
of the St. Roc by Capt. Gray.

In May, 1804, Lewis and Clarke, commissioned by the Government of

the United
November,
dence to th(
to the territt
by John Jai

The nexi
at the treat)

Mr. Pacil
In his con
discoveries
cated, it wi
important , ]
of the disco

1.592, Ju

1774, Ju
and discovc

1775, Hi
of his lieut
examined i

The Spa
latitude 6P
the followii
the Secreta
tiary, in an
of America
plele as nc
They had 1
since the di
by all Eurt
minister. '
Spimish elf
by the pow
comes our
convention

The foil

"An. 3. Ill

harmony and
spectivc si'bje
fisherieii in tin
places not alrt
ilic country, r
specified in th

It is con
right of nii!
be seen thi

" Art. 4. t

navigation an
made a pretc?
expressly Rti|
seas, within t
"Art. .-S. A
the first artici
i stands ad Jact
whtrcvcr the

oiig , with
e his con-
)elow the
iir title to
jht to the
jhls there

further,
' principle

II diacove-
y, ill the
iliiu river,
ch it hM

1 thestate-
jiidoii , as-
d actually

which he
this day."
/f/c/.v, the
)pear from
T2:

port of Ma-
md l)C<'ii prc-
j botti plnced
Y, who sailed
I Ui'itiali sub-
uiideil, oslcn-
ind otlicr pa-
I, and show-
Tlie iiislruc-
iiid contained
i(:r tliiin Por-
ini MiiCAo on
roof that any

certainly

unibia in
)urnal that
t. Roc ex-
incerity of
e promon-

in enough ,
conclusion
nee to that
There
.nnstances,
use would
itlenient of
the mouth

eminent of

the United Statcg, began the ascent of the Missouri, and on the 15th of
November, 1805, arrived at the mouth of the Columbia. This was evi-
dence to the nations of the earth that our Government had asserted her title
to the territory. In March, 1611 , Astoria was settled by a colony sent out
by John Jacob Astor, from New York.

The next subject of in(|uiry is, what were the rights of Spain in Oregon,
at the treaty of 1S19.

Mr. Packenham does not date the English discoveries earlier than 1788.
In his comnumication of July 29, 1845, he says; "Rejecting previous
discoveries north of the 43d parallel of latitude as not siifficicntly authenti-
cated, it will be seen, on the side of Great Britain," A-c. It will now be
important, Mr. Chairman, to a.scertain what were the extent and importance
of the discoveries made by Spain, ^/•eyioi/s to 1788.

1592, Juan de Fuca discovered the straits bearing his name.

1774, Juan Perez explored the coast, from 54^ north latitude to 49J°,
and discovered Nootka sound .

1775, Heceta sailed along the shore, from 50° north latitude to 41°; one
of his lieutenants explored the coast , from 58° to 54° north latitude, and
examined it carefully fron» 45° to 42°.

The Spaniards always claimed the country north to mount St. Elias, in
latitude 61°. As condus'we evidence of this fact, I lel'er the committee to
the following admissions made by Mr. Packenham, in his ronnnunication to
the Secietaiy of State, July, 1845: "Hut, says the American plenipoten-
tiary, in another part of his statement, the rights of Spain to the west coast
of America, as far north as the sixty-first ilegiec of latitude, were so com-
plete as never to have been seriously questioned by any European nation.
They had been maintained by Spain with the most vigilant jealousy ever
since the discovery of the American continent, and had been acquiesced in
by all European powers." This position is not controverted by the British
minister. Then , Mr. Chairniau , we must consider it clearly settled, that the
Sptmish claim to the territory of Oregon, north to Gl°, was acquiesced in
by the powers of Europe, down to the Nootka convention, in 1790. It be-
comes our duty, therefore, to inquire what was the force and effect of that
convention.

The following is the 3d article of that convention:

" Art. 3. In order to strengthen the bonds of tViendship, iind to preserve in future a perfect
iiarniony and a,<Vid understanding between the two conirai'.ting parties, it is agreed that their re-
Kl)ectivc sHbjects slmil not l)e disturl)e.d or inolcNled, either in navi^'ating or earrying on their
fisiicrieii in the Pacific oeean, or in the South seas, or in huuiing on tiie coasts of tliose seas in
places not already ooi'.upied, for the purpose of carrying on then- eoinnicrce wilii the natives of
the country, or of making settlements there; the whole subject, nevertheless, to the restrictiona
specified in the tliree following wticles.''

It is contended that, by the provisions of this article, the English had the
right of making permanent selllemeiils u])on (lie northwest coast; but it will
be seen this right was restricted by the following articles:

" Art. 4. His Britannic Majesty engages to take the most eifcctual measures to j>revent the
navigation and the fishing of his subjects in tlic I'aciti" oceuu, or in the South seas, from being
made a pretext for illicit trade with the Spanish sci(lcment-s ; and with this view, it is moreover
expressly stipulated, that British subjerts shall not navigate or carry mi their fishery in the said
seas, within the space often sea leasrues tVom any part coast ah-iady occupied by St)ain."

"Art. 5. As well in the places wlmh arc to ic restored to the Foil ish sulijects, by virtue of
the lirst article, as in all other [>arts of the northwestern coasts of .\i>rtli America, or of the
islands adjacent, situate to the north of the piu'ts of the said cqast ainady occupied by Spain,
whircver the :?'.ibjcct;i of cither I'f the two pcwtrL' shall have niaii" ^'.tilcmcnts since tile month

of April, 1789, or »ihall her<'ftft<!r mako any, the sulyecta of the other shall liavc free accew, and
ahall carry un their traile without uiiy diaturbance or niolcalation."

At the time lliis iroaJy was made between England and Spain, tlie former
power was only anxious to enable her subiecls to trade with the Indians,
and engage in the fisheries; there is not the slighleat evidence, to be gathered
from the terms of the convention, that she was anxious to secure for her
subjects the ^^7vnrtw//< nossejjsion of the country. This is apparent from
the fa^;, that the principle object of the convention apjiears to be, lo place
restrictions upon tlie right of trade mid Jishiiiff, so that the subjects of the
two nations might not interfere with each oilier, and the limits of these
rights were defined l)y the setllemeiUs of the two powers. T/iis convention
contained no provision impairing the sovcrn.igntij of Spain. If I can.
Mr. Chairman, establish this projMJsition , the claim of England to soil upon
the northwest coast is wholly unsustained. 1 shall rely ujmju the admissions
and acts of England to pio e my position.

First. When the negotiations m 181S were in progress between this
country and England, no claim was urged by the latter power tq the terri-
tory of Oregon, under the Nootka convention. As eoger a.s the Englisb ; : "
to seize upon every pretext to extend their lenitorial right.«i, it is not to be
supposed that they would suller any opportunity to pass without unjiressing
upon the nalion.s of the earth the rights they possess.

Second. Astoria was surrendered under the first article of the treaty of
Ghent. The act of delivery is in the following language:

" In obedience to the rommnnds of liis Royal Hijjhnfss, the Prince Rci^pnt, .si'jjnificd in a
dispatch from the rislil homirnble tlie liarl Bu'thurst, uddrisscd to the partners or ugents of the
Nordiwcst Ciiinpnny, bcnrinj; duic the •21i\i of .Iiuuuiry, 181S, nnd in oijcdience to u subsequent
order, dated the iJ6th of July, i'vnw W. A. Sherifl", esc]., captain of IiIh Majesty's ship Andro-
mache, we, the undcr.sigiied, di>, in conforniity lo the first article of the treaty of Ghent, restore
to the Government of the United .States, through its agent, J. B. I'revost, esq., the settlement
of Fort Gcortfe, on the Coliiniljia river.

" Given under our hands, in triplicate, at Fort George, (Columbia river,) this 6th day of
October, \^\H.

Signed, " F. HK'KEY, ('apt. of hisMajrsUfs ship Blossom.

" J. KEITH, 0/ till- AbrtAiOMt Vmitpany."

The act of acceptance, on the part of the American Commissioner, is in
these words:

" I dc hereby acknowledge to have this day received, in l)ehalf of the Government of the
United States, the iiossession of the settlement designated above, in conformity to the first arti-
cle of the treaty ot Ghent. •

"Given under my hand, in triplicate, at Fort George, (Columbia river,) this 6th Novem-
ber, 1818.

Signed, "J. B. PREVOST, JJgent for the United Stales:''

Third. In 1819, we acquired all the rights of Spain to the northwest
coast, north of the 42d degree of north latitude, and again England stood
silent. l"he boundary between the United States and Spain was settled as
follows:

" The two high contracting portics agree to code and renounce oil their rights, claims, and pre-
tensions to the territories described by the said line: ihat is to say, the United States hereby
cede to his Catholic Majesty, and renounce forever, all their rights, claims, and pretensions to
the territory lying west aim south of the above described line, (42^;) and in like manner his
Catholic Majesty cedes to the United States all his rights, claims, and [ji-clensidns to any terri-
tory east and north of the .said line, and for himself, his heirs, and successors, renounces all claim
to the said territories forever."

Spain, at that time, claimed the sovereign^' ?^ the soil between 42° and
61° north latitude.

Fhurth.
1824, the b
We tluifl ce
of three hu
would she
by one pow
between th

" It ,M, mor
ted Slates, c
riiast of Anie
minutes of nn
jccis, or uiide:

Bfth

tween the
consequent
from Spaii
ing tite pi
tained fron
length, wl
pover holi
(iovernme
the commi
and (ireal

" Ahtici.k

ties u])on the
in the inonnc
of Wales' is'
and 133d (hi.
north along t
strikes the 5(
tion shall fol
intersection (
the said poii
far us the F
c,oiitii;ent of

Sixth.
with the 1
the Stony

1818:

"It isagr
America, w^
and the nav
from the da
the two Po\
judice of ail
"the said con
part of the s
to ^irevcnt i

The c(
conventic
the right
tice.

Wliat
ticularlv

CO acceM, and

tlie former
i« Indians,
l)e gntliered
ure for her
parent from
be, (o pinre
eels of the
its of these
convention
If I can.
lo soil upon
admissions

etween ihis
tq tlje lerri-
Mnfjiisli ;,;"
is not to he
impressing

!ic treaty of

siicnificd in a
r ugeniM of the
o u .subfcqiicnl
'm tiliip Amlro-
Cilu'iil, restore

the settlement

lis 6th day of
Mp Blossom.

sioner, is in

rnment of th>>
9 the first arti-

1 6th Novem-

ited States.''

northwest
jland stood
s settled as

inis, and pre-
3tates hereby
retcnsions to
I manner his
I to any terri-
nces all claim

n 42° and

Fhurth. By the convention between the United States and Russia, in
1824, the boundary between the two powers was f'xed in latitude, 54'' 40'.
We thus cede toRussia C^ and 20', or an extent of country alon<^ the coast
of three hundred and sixty miles. If Knijland had possessed tide to this soil,
would she have calndy and quietly looked on, suH'oring it to 'je traded off
by one power to another? The following is the mlicle setting the boundary
between the United States and Russia:

" It .s, moreover, n;;reed, t' ,it, hereafter, llierc shall not Im formed, l)y the e.itizcnn of the Uni-
ted Slaten, o iiidcr iho authority of the IJiiiled States, any irslublishinenl upon the rjorthwflsl
roast of Aniiriea, nor in any of iIir i.slands adjacent /o Me nnrth of fifiy-fniir deifree.i and 40
niHiutcs of north latitude ; and, in the same manner, there »ludl l>c none mniicd by Russian sub-
jects, or under the authority of Russia, sotW/i of the same jiarallel."

Pifth. So far from objectinij to the Coi.i: li!»hiiient of the boundary be-
tween the United States and Russia ujion li .. parallel of .54° 40', and a
consequent conveyance to Rusf^iaof 6 de^-fcc. of territory which we obtained
from Spain, Hnglaiid, in 1S25, eslab!i::lied A'?' boundary with Russia, mak-
ing the parallel of 54° 40' the bat..s. By that convention England ob-
tained from Russia an extent of country three hundred anil sixty miles in
length, which the Ri'ssians (terired froiii the United States — the fatter
pover holding iinder Spain. And yet, 8ir, at I his late day, the English
(iovernment dispute the validity of our Spanish tide. I call the attention of
the commiltei.' to the following article of the convention between Russia
and (iieat Britain;

" Artici.k 3. The line of demarkation between the possessions of the high contracting par-
tics upon the eoast of the eontiiient, and the islands of America to the norlhweot, shall be drawn
in the manner following : Comme neins from the northernmost jioiiit of the island called Prince
of Wides' island, \vlii<-li point lies in the jmralli. of^Y^ W' ittn-th latitude, and between the 131st
and 133d deiTeeof west longitude, (meridian of tireenwich.) The said line siiall ascend to the
north along tin; channel called Portland chatuifl, as far BH the point of the continent where it
.strikes the 56lh deprec of north latitude. From this last mentioned point the line of demarka-
tion shall follow the .-nmmit of the mountains situate paralkl to the eon.'jt a.s far as the point of
intersection of the 141st degree of west lon^itudi', (of the same meridian.) And, finally, from
the said point ot >nter.section, the said meridian line of the 14l3t desree, in its prolongation as
far as the Frozen ocean, shall form the limit l)ctwecn llussian and <3ritish possessions on the
eontiiient of America to the northwest."

Sixth. By the convejition of ISIS, England had a joint right of trade
with the United States in the territories pos.-:essed In' both powers west of

the Stony mountains
1818:

The following is the 3d article of the convention of

"It is agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on llic northwest coast of
America, westward of the Stony mountains, shall, to;,'cther witn its harbors, bays, and creeks,
and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be free and open for the term of ten years,
from the date of the signature of the present convention, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of
the two Powers, ii beiiis; well imderstood that this agreement is not to be construed to the pre-
judice of any claim which either of the two liif;!i contracting parties may have to any part of
the said country ; nor shall it be taken to atlVct the claims of any other Power or State to any
part of the said country ; the only oliject of ihc high contracting parties, on that subject, being
to.j)revent disputes and ditl'erences among themselves."

The convention of 1827 indefinitely extended and continued in force the
convention of 1818, givinsr, however, to either of the contracting parties,
the right to abrogate it upon giving to the other jxirty twelve months' no-
tice.

What I wish, Mr. Chairman, to call the attention of the committee par-
ticularly to, is the fact that England, under the convention of 1818, had a

right to trade between the 42d and the 6l8t deffrees of north latitude, as our
title embraced the territory between these parallels. But between the con-
ventions of 1618 and 1827, the convention of 1824 was adopted between
Russia and the United States, by which we transferred our soil north of 54°
40' to Russia, and consequently, when the convention of 1827 was adopted,
England had not the right of trade even north of 54° 40' . It is not to be
supposed , sir , that England , if she had rights in Oregon at that time , would
have suffered them to be so grossly infringed upon.

I think, Mr. Chairman, 1 have now established my position, that the
Noolka convention contained no provision impairing the sovereignty of
Spain to the territory upon the northwest coast.

But there is another treaty which precludes Great Britain from setting up
a claim to territory west of the Mississippi river. The seventh article of the
treaty between Olreat Britain and France, in 17t)3, is in the following
words: "The confines between the dominions of His Britannic Majesty
in that part of the world (die continent of America) shall be fixed irrevoca-
bly by a line drawn along the middle of the river Mississippi, from its source
to the river Iberville; and, from thence, by a line drawn along liie middle
of this river and the lakes Maurepas and Ponchurtrain, to the sea." The
boundary having hccn fixed irrevocably upon a particular line, by England^
she cannot go beyond it. In 1603 France conveyed to the United Slates
whatever rights she acquired to territory by the treaty of 1763.

I think, Mr. Chairman, I have estabhshed that our title is "clear and
nnqueslionable" to the whole of the Oregon territory between the 42d and
54° 40^ of north latitude.

I will next proceed, sir, to assign reasons, which appear conclusive to my
mind, that this notice should be given now, and the convention abrogated,
that we may assert our title to the whole territory.

The gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. Yancey,) asked if England has act-
ed with bad faith, tiiat gentlemen should be so anxious to abrogate this con-
vention? I unhesitatingly reply, that she lias acted with bad faith; that
she has violated the spirit of the conventions of 181.S and 1827. By the
terms of these conventions, the citizens and subjects of the two powers had
a right of trade in the countries claimed by either parly on the northwest
coast of America, westward of the Stony Moimtains, with the express reser-
vation, however, " that this agreement is not to be construed to the preju-
dice of any claim which either of the two high contracting partits may have
to any part of the said country," «fcc.

Now, sir, there is manifested upon the part of Great Britain a determina-
tion to hold permanent possession of a part of tluit countrJ^ They havr
twenty-two forts upon our soil, certainly not to protect themselves against,
the Indians, because they are generally the allies of the savages, and there
is certaiidy a good unilerstanding l)etwcen them now. No other power save
the United States claims the soil. Tlien why the erection of lorts ? Why
this state of preparation ? Sir, in my judgment, it would l>e right for this
Government to break otl" negotiations with any power making active prei>a-
rations for war, while atteiuptiiig to seUle a difficulty amicably. As soon
would I pjvrley with a man who was sharpening his knife to take my heart's
blood. But I have other evidence of her (leterniiiiation. In 1837, the
Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company wrote us follows to the Britisli
Secretary Ibr the colonies: ■ '

" Wxlh, cart Bt
M betn, »o muck
'ritish interest a
oast of the Pucy

Sir, mark
care and pro
country,"
as paramour

On the Is
jpany in Am

"TlieposscB
itnpoi(«ii<'f, (ind
csiiililislimcnt
culuirisls."

Not satisf
of iSlSnnc
the purpose
i«^'- the nuc

Mr. Cliai

Oregon, to

" Whcrtvcr
tilfairfd ill inu
berot hunurs
: wore ofVered U
of the Unitcil
10 rt tire fri'iii t

Ag-iin:

"As ili<^ fui
becan to nirn
mills for L'rind
near Bulfiiu'ii'

The poli

settled dete

]'ermanent

lation upon

citizens inc

already tin

company,

itjcted. B

a conclusit

country.

rally the r

people is r

But, Ml

Slates ten^

that, alllii

the Unite(

lie liound

bad been

was declii

poi^iiitiii tl

rcl'iise an

atrree tha

ude , as our
en the con-
id between
ortl) of 54°
as adopted,
s not to be
iiue, would

that the
ereignty of

setting up
tide of the

following
lie Majesty
d irrevoca-
n its source
liie middle
a. I' The
1;' England;,
ited Stales

'dear and
le iM und

isive to my
abrogated,

nd has act-
[e this con-
faith; that
^ By the
)owers had
nortiiwest
press reser-
the preju-
nrny have

leterniina-
riiey havr
-'es against
and there
•ower save
.s? Why
iit for this
ive prepa-
As soon
nv heart's
1^37,, the
he UritisJi

' With cart and protection, tkt British dmninion may not otily bt presfrved in thii country, which it
has been >o much the wish of Rustia and .liinrica to occupy to the exclusion of British subjects, but
British interest and British injlutnce may be maintained oi paramount on this interesting part of tht
\coast of the Pacific."

Sir, mark the pointed and significant language of the Governor: " With
care and protection, the British dominion may not only be preserved in this
country," " but British interests and British inlhience may be maintained
as parainount on this interesting part of the coast of the Pacific."

On the 1st of February, 1837, (ieorge Simpson, esq., agent of the com-
pany in America, writes to Governor Pelby on the same subject. He says:

"Thfi possession of that country ("Oregon) to Great Britain may become an object of very great
importance, and ice art strengthenini; their claim to it h'j forming the nucleus of a colony, through tlie
(Ntiiliiishnient of farms and the .settlpineiit of some of our retirinij officers and servants as agri-
culturists."

Not satisfied with complying with the words and spirit of the conventions
of 1S18 and 1827, which authorized them to trade upon our soil, and for
ilie purpose of strengthening the claim of Great Britain, they were "fortn-
iu<f the nucleus of a colony.''^

Mr. Chairman, I take the following extracts from Greenhow's History of
Oregon, to show the committee the aspect of aflairs upon our own soil:

" Wherever an Anicrii'nn trading; post las been established, or an American party lias beer»
enjraircd in trade on the I'olu.ubia, there a|i])(arcd a Hudson's Ray agent, at the head of a num-
ber of hunters, or with a lanrc stock of merchandise, or a large amount of specie in hand, which
were offered for skins on terms more favoralije to the Iiidinus than those possessed by citi/.ens
iif i!ic United Stiitcs ; and the latter, in consequence, finding their labors vain, were soon obliged
10 It tire from the field."

Ag.iin:

"As the fur trade in the countries of the Columbia decreased, the Hudson's Bay Company
becan to turn its attention to other objects. Farms were laid out on an extensive scale, and
mills for grindiiiiT grain and sawing wii,d were erected near the lower part of the great river,
near Bulfiiich's Harbor, near I'uget's Sound, and in other places.''

The policy of the Engli.^h Government, for several years past, evinres-a
settled determination, by '■• formiiii^ the nucleus of a colony,'''' to retain
permanent possession of the country. Peihaj)« they have based their calcu-
lation upon a continuance of tluit line of jiolicy which withholds from our
citizens inducements to settle the Oregon territory, and leaves our people,
already there, to struggle with the concentrated power of an incorporated
company, without any certainty that their rights will ultimately be pro-
tticted. But, Mr. Chairman, if t' '•'iiiglish (iovcrnment has come to such
a conclusion, they have again misittken the character of the musses in this
country. Although our iiflVclions cling around our family altars, and we
rally the more readily to their defence, yet the patriotism of the American
people is as broad as the land we inhabit.

But, .Mr. Cliairman, it is uigetl that the present Executive of the United
Slates tendered to England the 4^^^^ of north latitude as the boundary, and
iliai. altiiough it was rejected by England, and subsequently wididrawu by
tin; United Slates, yet, if it was now tendered by Great Britain, we should
be l)ound to accept it. To this conclusion I cannot agree. If the tender
had been accepted, we certainly should have been bound by it; but, as it
was declined, and then willRliawn , the two Governments occupy the same
positiuu they did before it was made. The argument is, that we could not
rct'use an oiler which we had boeii liberal enougii to make ourselves. All
agree th.it the President could not have made a more liberal oiler, consistent

with the honor of our country; and yet, sir, in 181S and 1826, we tendered
to Great Britain the 49° of north latitude, together ivith the fiec naviga-
tion of the Columbia river south of that latitude. Now, sir, if we are
bound, as gentlemen insist, to accept as liberal an offer from Great Britain
as we liave tendered, we should be compelled to accept the parallel of 49°,
if oflered, giving to that Power tlie free navigation of the Columbia river,
south of that parallel. No member upon this lloor will, I tiust, so far for-
get the interests of his country as to surrender the free navigation of a river
which flows through our territory. 1 regret, Mr. Chairman, thatgendenien,
in their anxiety to compromise upon 49°, should have placed themselves in
so false a position .

Sir, I have no hesitation in saying, that it is my deliberate opinion, after
the most mature reflection, that, if England fenders the 49° degree of north
latitude as the boundary between the two countries, or any other parallel
south of 54° 40', it should be promptly and unhcsilatingiy rejected, "and
our title to the whole Oregon territory asserted." I beg leave, Mr. Chair-
man, in this connexion, to state that England never will, in my opinion,
compromise at 49°. The harbors and territory which she desires to possess
are between the 49° and the mouth of the Columbia, and we shall be com-
pelled to present to tlie world the humiliating spectacle of purciiasing a
peace by ofl'ering to surrender still more of our soil.

It may be well to recollect, Mr. Chairman, that the amount of territory
gentlemen propose to surrender between 49° and o4° 40', north latitude, is
about 100,600,000 acres, and that the people may regard peace purchased
at such a price rather too dear.

The Executive, in his message, asserts the ///r/, that our title to the
whole Oregon territory has been ' >naintaiued by irrefragable facts and ar-
ffutnetits."

In his message, the President sta' ■ the following jon'«''7j/e;

" Near a quarter of a rentury Rj;n, the prinoi] was distiiirtly annouiKcd to the world, in the
-annu.il messiis^c of one of my predeccsRors, thiit the Anierieaii coniin';i.i.->, by the iivf and inde-
pendent condition which they had assumed ami maintained, are hencet'urthjnot to l)e considered aa
subjects for future colonization by any Euro])ean power.' This principle will ap|)ly with j^reat-
ly increased force, should any Luropean power attcmjit to establish any new colony in >forth
America. In the existing circumstances of the world, the present is deemed a pro))er occasion
to reiterate and reaffirm the principle avowed by Mr. iVIonroe, and to slate my cordial concur-
rence in its wisdom and sound polity."

Now, sir, if it is the settled policy of this country that the American con-
tinents are not to be considered as sulijects for future colonization by iiny
European power, it applies to territory to which we have no claim, as well
as to that which belongs to us; and, if we cannot suffer the powers of Eu-
rope to colonize parts of the American continent over which we have no
claim, how can we surrender territory to which our title is ''clear and un-
questionable," upon whicli a foreign power can form the ''nucleus of a co-
lony?" I am decidedly of opinion, Mr. Chairman, that the joint right of
trade in Oregon should terminate as soon as possible. The English are
erecting forts, and forming the "nucleus of a colony," north of the Colum-
bia. Our citizens arc selUing south of that streau). If this is su fie ret I to
continue, the Columbia river will become the boundary between the two
countries. To extend our laws over the territory, and build forts, will be
proper, as long as our citizens and the subjects of England occupy different

portions of

forts, where

contact witl

can rifle gli

blasts of th(

English infi

sir, let this

would be si

I am in i

zens in Or(

only means

lion of our

A disting

STEH,) I h

should be 1

establish ai

be allowed

ator, I can

induced th

grounded 1

si ana were

soluble bo!

means of j

ous foes.

fraternal l(

us that it 1

when inte

of the pec

ments wh

The ob

the policy

tended , b;

ment, au(

ble , or in

land may

The ht

lights of 1

has sprea(

Mississipi

equality (

the Pacif

Sir, 1

might dv

from the

pheres, '

other. I

it will af

and live

his flock

ve tendered
/ ce naviga-
if we are
real Britain
iIlelof49°,
inl)ia river,
, so far for-
m of a river
gentlemen,
eniseives in

linion , after
ree of north
ler parallel
clod, "and
Mr. Cliair-
ny opinion,
s to possess
all be I'oni-
urcliasing a

of territory

latitude, is

3 purchased

title to the
lets and ar-

e world, in the
fret and indc-
? I'Diisidered as
ily witli grciit-
I'liiy in North
ro|)('r occasion
:ordial concur-

lerican con-
ion by any
ini, as well
ers of Eu-
■e have no
ar and nn-
us of a co-
inl right of
'Inglish are
he Colinii-
suHereii to
n the two
tS; will be
y different

portions of the territory. But, once let our people pass the river, and erect
ibrts, where the crocs of St. George, floating upon the breeze, conies irk
contact with the stars and stripes — let the English bayonet and the Ameri-
can rifle glitter upon opposite hills — while upon the same plains, to the
blasts of the bugle dash the American cavalry, and the serried ranks of the
English infantry move to the notes of th^ tife and tlie rolling of the drum —
sir, let this state of affairs exist for two weeks, and insults will pass, blood
would be shed, and the English or American flag would trail in the dust.

I am in favor of erecting forts and extending our laws to protect our citi-
zens in Oregon . But with it I think we should now give the notice , as the
only means to prevent a rupture with England, or the si<rrender of a por-
tion of our territory.

A distinguished Senator, in the oilier end of the Capitol, (Mr. Web-
STEii,) I believe, has expressed the opinion, that the people in Oregon
should be left to select their own government, and if they think proper, to
establish an independent republic, west of the Rocky mountains, they should
be allowed to do so. Notwithstanding the ability of that distinguised Sen-
ator, I cannot bring myself to agree to his conclusions. The policy which
induced the union of these States was no doubt partially based upon well
grounded fears of their becoming rival republics. The Floriias and Loui-
siana were purchased, and Texas was annexed , to attach to us, by the indis-
soluble bonds of " the Union ," territories that might have possessed the
means of annoyance, if not the inducement, of becoming open and danger-
ous foes. The germ of s'rife and bloodshed have thus been converted into
fraternal love. The history of all republics, Mr. Chairman, should learn
us that it IS far belter for contigut us territory to be under one government,
when interests are merged , and the welfare of all become the end and aim
of the people, than to run the hazard of a collision, by creating the ele-
ments which will produce it.

The objections of that distinguished Senator may perhaps be founded in
the policy of the Federal party, that our territorial limits should not be ex-
tended , based upon a disbelief in the capacity of the people for self govern-
ment, and therefore a determination to confide the right to as few as possi-
ble, or in opposition to the acquisition of more territory, that the price of
land may increase.

The hopes of ihe advocates for free government have been realized. The
tights of man have been secured. The spirit of our Constitution and la'vs
lias spread from the Atlantic shores, fiir west throughout the valley of the
Mississippi; the Rocky mountains have been surmounted, and liberty and
equality cover, as with a shield, the American citizen upon the shores of
the Pacific.

Sir, I might allude to the value of that country to the United States. I
might dwell upon its excellent harbors, where oiu- shipping can rest secure
from the attacks of our enemies, in its passage between the two hemis-
pheres, while exchanging the necessaries of one for the luxuries of the
other. I could bring to the attention of the committee, the facilities which
it will afford us for shipbuilding— the vast amoiuit of fir, white oak, pine,
and live oak which cover the land. Upon her hills, the shepherd an tend
his flocksj upon the plains, rich and fertile farms, covered with waving grain,,

will reward the labor. of the husbandman; her valleys, teeming with
manufactories, will diifuse comforts throughout the territory; her lovely
glens and beautiful cascades will be the admiration of travellers, while the
soft breezes from the Pacific will waft to her lap all that can contribute to
the health or happiness of her citizens. But all this affords me no greater
inducement to assert our right to territory which unquestionably belongs
to us.

But, it is said, Mr. Chairman, that there is no necessity for urging this
question now. Tl)is has been the argument of England; for years she has
oojected to (he adjustment of this question. Twenty-eight years, Mr.
Chairman, is long enough to be discussing a question of territorial right.
We have never gained much by negotiating with our ancient foe . Her
statesmen are cautious and far-seeing. They are well aware of the twie to
press an unfounded claim, and can well judge of how many difficulties to
adjust at once. When the treaty was formed ceding away the mountain
boundary of Maine, as an equivalent for that unwarrantable cession, Great
Britain ought to have had the magnanimity to relinquish an unfounded
claim to any portion of Oregon territory, even if the American negotiator
had not the spirit to ask it. Sir, we may sec the artfid policy by which
EngUsh diplomatists are governed, b}^ reading the following extract from
the communication of Lord Aberdeen, in October, 1842, to Mr. Fox, the
British minister at Washington:

"You are aware that Lord Asliburton \va.s furnished with specific and detailed instructions,
■witli respect to the treatment of this point of differcn''e between the two Governments, in the
general negotiations with which he was entrusted, and which he ha.3 brought to a satisfactory
issue.

"For reasons which it is not necessary here to state at length, that point, after having been
made the subject of conference with the American Secretary of Staic, was not further pressed.
The main ground alleged by his lordship for abstaining from proposing to carry on the discus-
sion, with respect to tlie question of the noitliwest boundary, was, the iipprehcusion, Ust, by so
doing, the seltkment of the far more important matter of the northeustern boundary should he impeded,
or exjwsed to the hazard of a failure.'"

A bold, prompt, and determined assertion of our rights should at all times
be adopted by this country, but more especially at so critical a period in our
history as the present.

I have been much surprised, Mr. Chairman, to hoar sentlpnien upon
this floor, in glowing language, talk al)out the power of EngUniu and the
weakness of our own country, as if t/iat was to be taken into consideration
by members representing portions of this powerful confederacy, when S'.t-
ding a question of territorial right. Why, sir, do they forget that we are
six times stronger than when the stars and stripes waved in triumph over the
flag of England in the first struggle; and that we have grown in strength
since American valor proved victorious at the point of the bayonet, and
broke the charm of British invincibility upon the sea? Why, Mr. Chair-
man, gentlemen might take courage from the spirited language of a young
lady, who, from her position upon the northern border, is in as much dan-
ger as these geiUlemen or their constituents. In a letter to me she remarks:
*■' I cannot say that I wish for war; but still I do not vish one foot of land
to be given up that belongs to vs; and if it cannot be done any other way ,
keep it at the vioitth of your cannon ^

During
the assistai
experience
sterner sex
A natior
respect of t
her influer
her from t
One of
same time
Frederick
France, ar
odds were
the war cl
when wai
The Ga
the (/apito
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moment C
selves lUK
Mr. Ch
buy a pea
and patrio
A propc
give the n
gentlemer
from the (
sibilily of
the odiun
notice; ai
upon the
of the del
I do no: 1
dined to
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I am f
merged ii
fearfid a
of duty,
of wire-'
territory
order thn
forward
alone nv
My pt
no rcaso
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If w«

craing with
her lovely
■3, while the
ontribute to
e no greater
ibly belongs

urging this
ears she has

years, Mr.
itorial right,
t foe . Her

the time to
ifliciilties to
e mountain
ssion , Great

unfountled
1 negotiator
y by which
xtrac( from
r. Fox, the

instructions,
nineiits, in the
I a satisfactory

r Iiaving been
irtluT pressed,
on the discus-
sion, Irst, b<j so
uld be impeded,

at all times
!riod in our

n)en upon
lu and the
n-sideration
, when S'.t-
)at we are
ah over the
in strength
Vonet , and
Ir. Chair-
f a young
nuch dan-
e remarks:
>o/ of land
it/ier way ,

During that period of our country's history "which tried men's souls,"
the assistance and advice of the ladies was received and appreciated , and
experience has proved, that in times of peril they are pftener rigtit than the
sterner sex.

A nation which hesitates to defend her rights soon ceai^es to prwaess the
respect of the powers of the earth; one encroachment after another narrows
her influence and contracts her territory, until ambition or avarice strikes
her from the list of nations.

One of the most brilliant passages in the history of the world , and , at the
same time, one of the most instructing, was the glorious stand taken by
Frederick the Great, of Prussia, against the combined powera of Ru.ssia,
France, and Austria, when they sought to carve up his dominion:). The
odds were fearful, but he did not hesitate to defend hii> rights, and before
the war closed, he taught his enemies how terrible is the shock of battle
when wairiors are defending their homes.

The Gauls once proving victorious over the anns of Rome, laid siege to
the (/'apitol. Struck, with terror at the "j9o?rer" of the Gauls, and their
''dfifettcf'kss^^ condition, they sought to "binjapeacc/^ While the Romans
were weighing the gold, the leader of the Gauls caj^t his »word into the
scale, declaring that the fate of the conquered was submL%?ion. At this
moment Caniillus appeared before the gates, and the Romans placing them-
selves mider his command, gained a complete victory over the Gauls.

Mr. Cliairman, when the American people suffer their representatives to
binj a peace, it will be when the deeds of our sires are forgotten, and valor
and patriotism cease to meet the approving smiles of American Ujauly.

A proposition is gravely urged, to extend to the President the power to
give the notice whenever, in his discretion, he may think proj>er. Would
gentlemen throw all the responsibility upon the Executive? If we shrink
from the discharge of a duty, will he feel authorized to at&^'uiiie the respon-
sibility of giving the notice? He stands alone, without any one to divide
the odium with him, if a disastrous war should be the result of giving the
notice; and although I do not distrust his firmness, yet when a JK»ld ?tand
upon the part ot this House is so tnuch to be desired, as evidence to England
of the determination of the people, it is strange that gentlemen will .«hrink.
I do no' know what will be the result of giving notice, but 1 am much in-
clined to believe, that it will produce a satisfactory and speedy adjustment
of the question.

I am fearful, Mr. Chairman, that the wishes of the people are sometimes
merged in a desire for president-making. They will certainly be held to a
fearful accountability by their constituents, if there is faltering in the path
of duty. The citizens of this country will promptly condemn any system
of wire-working and double-dealing, any nice calculations of how much
territory may be surrendered , or how far our rights nmsl Ik; extended, in
order that any aspirant may be foisted into the presidential cfiair. A .straight-
forward determination to assert the rights and honor of the country will
alone njeet the approbation of the American people.

My position was taken upon this question before my constituents. I see
no reason, sir, for changing the opinions I avowed before my election. I
am willing to be as explicit here as I was then.

If we can obtain the whole territory by negotiation, and that speedily, I,

as one individual, am willing that negotiations should be opened again for
that purpose. I am opposed to arbitration or compromise. I would vote
for a declaration of war sooner than surrender any portion of the Oregon
territory. •

Mr. Chairman, much has been said about the bravery of their constitu-
ents, by representatives upon this floor. Tennessee requires no eulogium
from me. Her deeds are written upon many a page which adorns our
country's history. Although my constituents prefer the quiet happiness
"Which peace confers , yet when a haughty power demands a surrender of
our soil, or requires us to purchase a peace, I feel authorized to say for
them, that their share of the tribute shall not be. paid in gold, but in glit'
tering steel and balls of iron.

3d again for
would vote
the Oregon

eir constitu-

eulogium
adorns our

t happiness
urrender of

1 to say for
but in glit-