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Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplimentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ 'f • ^ SPEECH Olf R. COBB, OF GEORGIA, ON THE OREGON Q U ES T 10 N OISLlVgRRD in THE HOUSE OF RK PR BSE N T ATI V ES, JANUARY 8, IS46, WASHINGTON: iPRIXrniO AT THE UNION OFFICE. 1846. li Foieiirn Afla by the fact, tl that report.* this House ai have induced carried out, c — I will not 8 At this peri •onsidcr 1 m Neeeesary and attempt to sua sesses and ha tory—lo the w opinions mny cifilizcd worl( ed by tluit ir world, with w test on the qu fells apon the *.\Ir. CooB 1* g «ia ForeigB Afla ported. SPE ^.CH. On motion of Mr. Cobb, the House resolved itself into Committee of the ff^holt on the state of the Union, on the Oregon qneation. Mr. COBB (who held the right to the floor from yesterday) addressed the committee. It ia not my purpose, air, (said he,) to detain the committee with a lengtlicned argument upon the Oregon question. I feel, however, that, under the peculiar circumstan- eea by which this subject is surrounded, I owe it to myself, and to those whom 1 represent upon this floor, to submit to the House the reasons which ha^e induced me to that course, which I intend to pursue in reference to this questien. It is my min- fonune, perhaps, upon so grave and important a qiieetioi), involving so much for weal or for wo to our counlry, to differ wiih many of my political friends from the section of the country from which I come, and to differ with a distinguished southern statesman — a man whose voice is generally consid- ered expressive of the feelings of the southern por- tion of the country; and I may be permitted to re- mark of that individual — for his patriotism as a man, and his ability as a statesman— I have ever entertained, and slil! do entertain, the highest re- gard. But when considering a question of this •haractcr, 1 am compelled, by a sense of duty I owe to myself, and to my own constituents, to disregard every consideration, save that of the honor and the interest of the counlry, so far as they are involved in the issue. ( alone am responsible to thatconstitu- flMcy for the course I may pursue here. IfitdiiTers from that which others see fit to fake, they partake not of the responsibility. It falls alone upon my shoulders. I assume it, Mr. Chairman. The poli- cy I conceive it to bo the duty of this country to Cnrauc in reference to the subject brought forward y the resolution reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, is already indicated to the House by the fiict, that I have concurred in the propriety of that report.* And my purpose is now to submit to this House and to the counlry, the reasons which bave induced me to believe that that policy must be carried o\it, or ihe interest of the country weakened — I will not say destroyed. At this period of time, Mr. Chairman, I should consider 1 was inflicling upon the House an un- necessary and nn unpalatable argument, if I were to attempt lo sustain the titia by which this country pos- sesses and holds a just claim to the Oregon terri- tory — lo the whole of (he Oreson terrilory. Whatever Of>inions may be entertained in other portions of the civilized world; whatever opinions may bcentciiiiin- ed by that master.spirit of the nations of the other world, witti whom we are now thrown into a con- test on the question — in this country but one voice Mia npoa the ear — but one deep, well-founded opin- '.Mr. CoDB U a member of the nujority 6fth« Committee a/x ForeigB AAtin, trom whom ttrti rcMlHtlon wu re- ported. -9 r » "- .' \ ^ . to Ihe whole of the Oregon territory I propose not to discuss it; but I desire that' this proposition may be considered as idmitted ; that it shall go before the country in connexion with the argument I propose to make in favor of the policy suggested by the resolution on your table; that iC may go to the country as the admitted and^indispu- table opinion of American statesmen, with scarcely any — if, indeed, any — dissenting voice; that our title to the Oregon territory is thus considered, by us, clear and vnqueitionabU. There is another proposition, Mr. Chairman, which I will not stop to discuss; but I desire to place it, like the one to which I have just alluded, on the footing of an axiomatic fact, that the import- ance of this territory to our government and our people — whether it is considered in reference to ag- riculture, to manufactures, or to commerce — is no longer a debatable issue. Not that I consider il a subject commanding the clear approbation and the warm feelings of the West in its behalf, but I de- sire to raise it higher, and to place it on a loftier pia- nacle. It is a national question, aide by side with that important national question — the annexation of Texas — which has already received the sanction of this government. For myself, then, and my con- stituents, I entera sfilemn protest against the opinions which may have been advanced here or el: iwhere, that the question of Oregon ia a western question, or any other sectional question. It is one in whick the whole nation feels a deep and a lively interest, and one upon which the whole nation will, sooner or later, speak with a voice approximating unanimi- ty, if we, sir, do our duty. I do not propose, Mr. Chairman, to detain yow, either, with a reciti.1 of the long-pending nego- tiation which has been carried on between the British government and our own, in reference to the adjustment of this perplexing and vexed Ciuestion. I desire, however, as preliminary to the first, and perhops the most important reason which I shall submit to you for my support of this measure, to refer very briefly to tne state of the negotiation as it now stands between this government and Great Britain. In 1818 our government and the British government entered into a convention, by which it was agreed that, for certain purposes, each of these governments should be entitled to equal privileges within this disputed territory; whether you term it a conven- tion for the purpose of joint occupation, or for the purpose of commerce, navigation, and settlement, (aa that is the language of the convention,) ia im- material to my purpose. Subseqaeotly to this con- vention of 1818, whieh wm 'o e\pire by its own NmiuiUon in ten jetun, the convention wu r«nawel!el of 49 degrees until you reach a certain point on the Columbia river, and thei. she travels down the mnin stream of that river to the point where it enters the ocean. When the propo- sition was last submitted by the government of the United States, (and submitted, sir, as I believe, and as the country bKlieveg, in the utmost good faith, and with a sincere desire on the part of (lur govern- ment to settle and adjust the difficulty,) when that proposition was submitted to the British minister, jt was not by him referred to his government, but ihe reply was made that the British government will wait for a more liberal proposition to proceed from the American government. And here wo have reached the crisis, as I conceive it, in the ndjustment of this Orrt^on question. We have here presented before us the grounds on which England has pro- posed to settle the Oregon difficulty; we have before UB the proposition on which our government kas heretofore agreed to adjust this difficulty. The jvfusal, and ide manner of the refusal, on the port •f the British government, will Icnvo no doi:bt, as it seems to rac, on the mind of any of us, that our proposition, which, to say the least of it, is theu/(t- atottim, beyond ;ill dispute, of the American govern- ment, will never receive the sanction of the British {{cvemment. It has so been declared to the British government by the Executive of this government, that this is the uUimatwn beyond which we cannot go- Now, if you refuse to c^rry out the recommenda- tion of the President, to give notice to Great Britain to bring to a close this Joint occupancy of the Ore- eon territory, I desire to call the attention of the House to the inference and conclusion which must inevitably be drawn by the Britiish government Your President hna declared that the vUimalum has "been reached; in the same communicatior. in \A\ich lie transmits this information to Congress, he in- forms you that from his knowledge of thin ncotia- tion, from the view which he has been enabled to take of all the matters in connexion with the contro- , versy, it is his deliberate conviction that no propo- ■itioo will ever be made by the British government 9i» which this eonntry can accede, and preserve ita national honor and its national fiuth. In cMinez- loa with hie message he recommends to you to give the notice: you refuae to do it. Mr. Chairmaa, will any friend, or rather will any opponent of Uiia measure, answer me this question: let him place him- self, in imagination, in the British Parliament; carry the information to that Parliament which the Exe- cutive has communicated to Congress; let that he followed by a vote on the part of Congress, empowered^ th requires proir port of our gc mended in the templaied by tl But there Ronnexion wii I desire to si gress should ai refusing t carry out the recommendation of the the termination President in giring the notice, and will he notlnther inferenrr say that British statesmen will bo fully authorized tinctly drawn b to draw the inference thot the Congress of the Uni- [Jreat Britain, ted States is not prepared to go with the Presides iemsnives and ill his declaration that the proposition submitted, re- American gove jectcd, and now withdrawn, is the Mltiuxalum of \iie hese two depai American Qovemment? It does strike my miud, >futive and the Mr. Chairman, if I occupied the position which I ion of the gov have supposed British statesmen to occupy, that my ind ability ? 'I rnind would be drawn very clearly to the conclusion >olicy evidencir thut the American Congress are not prepared to lepartmentof tl concur in the opinion expressed by the Executive of i> assert and mi the United States; and tnat, refusing to give tiiC no- Congress falters tice for the termination of the joint occupancy, the iistly infers thi American Congress has brought itself to one of l much from is prepared, by his course of conduct, to justify, on overnment will the part of Great Britain, an inference so clearly do- ot tlmt in my ducible from the course of conduct which we aw undiict would tn called upon to pursue by those who oppose the giv- irencn strength ing this notice, and which is so manifestly opposed dcIi con.sideratit to the known sentiments and opinions of the Ameir- Durse of condur ican people? If we are determined, then, Mr. Chair- isiify an inferci mnii, not to sacrifice this teiritury, and not to sub- onciits in this mitto the British government a more liberal propo- 'ithout glvini; I sition than the one which has been rejected, is it not mnei.ted with due to the American government — is it not due to le recomivie.Mdn her national character, to her national feelings, that ve — and tlmt she should no longer permit another power, howev- nd will not bot er great, however haughty, howet'cr domineering, orld who feci to enjoy in common with her rights to which sM r.iw this infon has no clear title, or to which she has no title what- id "uiiquLstion ever? 'lo't of Oregon, Mr. Chairman; Has Great Britain ever made a nvo attempitd proposition to the United States — have her statesmes ventyfive itar, ever suggested a proposition of compromise upoi !gotiiiiion,\vh( this Oregon question which would meet the response ire tlicni the of an isolated voice in the American Congress.' Dorm the other i gentlemen anticipate a more favorable proposition ; given wii) m than the one which the British government has sub ;reed upon, wl mittedtousf If so, I desire to be furnished witli lecutivo depart the reasons for that opinion. Here is her tiUimatum. iiida this niMtic IIS her whole course of policy has evidenced. Then •opositionwiil is the uUimatiim — perhaps, sir, beyond the ultimatum- accept — when of the American people, which has been submitte( iclare first voi by our government. We are divided by u golf; wi ;ht, und then r« will not cross it; and we have no reason to belie«< tasures for the that the British government is prepared to meet m t in the eves onourside. Our title is clear; our rights are un tgon, and thrt questionable; her'e are the reverse. Unless, thes er that which you intend to hold out inducements to Uie Brttid sar, to our c government to anticipate a falling back, a surrendei ench guvcmn< a still further surrender on the part of the Amerieiii to any oUier govemment, it strikes my mind that the que«tioi| Congress, t. In e«fiD«3!- ds to jou to 4r. Chairmaa, ponent of Uoi lim place kim- liamenf, carry hich the Exe- let that of CongreM requires prompt, energ;etie, decisive action on the part of our governmetit — such action as is rooom- mendod in the Prrsident's message; sueh as is eon- templnted by the resolution on your table. But there is another view, Mr. Chairman, in nonnexion with the state of the negotiation which I desire to submit to this House. If this Con- fess should adjourn without haying authorized and empowered the Executive to give this notice for adation of the ibe termination nf thin joint occupancy, there is nn- l will he not [)iher inference which may be very clearly and dis- illy authorised inctly drawn by the people and the government of ess ofthe Uni- 3reat Britain. Will they not be prepared to say to the Preside B ^emsnlves and to the world, that there Rxist« in the submilt^dj re- American c^oTernment a division of opinion between Uxfnatum ot\ht bese two (Tepariments of that government — the ex- rike my mfod, ttutive and the legislative — which weatens the ac- isilion which I ion of the government, and enervates her energy ccupy, that my ind ability ? Tl>e Executive marks out n courae of I the conclusioa Kilicy evidencing a dispositio.i on the part of ihHl lot prepared lo leportment of ilio government firmly, enfirgeiinally le Executive of o assert and maintain the fi;his ofthe government; to give tli« »o- Congress falters, falls back; Great Britain infers, and occuiMincy, the nail y infers, that there exists on the part of our if to one of t'votovernmeni such a diversity of sentiment between e on which thslhe two diflcrcnt departments of the government, 01 clear to th«|hat it is impo-ssible for that energetic action which 3ongic98 of tho lie occasion requires to be carried out, and those t the Executive loar rights of our government properly to be muin- le suggestion of aincd. Are gentlemen prepared by their policy and 8 lust communi- ourse of conduct, to aulhoritc an inference of this )n to the British haractor on the pnrt of the British government? It to the Ameri- am not indulging in our course of reflection fit, whether b»o much from the apprehension that the British it, to justify, on Dverninent will make these interences; if it were ce so clearly de- ot tliat in my huinlilc judgment this course of ; which we *»• onduct would authorize them to infer, and give the in- oppoao the giv- tzencn strength and importance, 1 would ilisrcgnrd nifestly opposed iicli considerations. But I cimnot say that sucii a ns ofthe Amei^ ^urse of conduct on our part would not authoti/.s and hen, Mr. Chair- istify an inference of this sort on the part of our op- and not to sub- oncnts in this contest. Let Congress adjourn •e liberal propo- iihout givini: the notice under this state of facts ejected, is it not jnnetled with tlie negotiation — under the fact that -IB it not due to lo recommendaiion has been mnde by I'.io Exccu- lal feelings, thrt ve — and liiat Conaress has failed to r^rry it out; power, howe*- iid will not both Grtiit Britain and the liviiixeii or Joinineerirjg, orld who feel any interest in it, bo authorized ta ta to which sail raw thin infereneo, that the "clear," in(lis[iutahle, as no title what- id "uiique.stiona'nle" title of our government to tho hole of Oregon, is not so strong and forcible us we ain sver made alivo attempttd to make it? But why, sir, after ivo her atatesmei venty-fivc years, or more than twenty-five years of ;)mpromise upoi ;gotiation, when tho American Congress have be- neetthe response re them the proposition which has been made Congress.' Ds non the other side, and no substantial reason can able proposition! given wlij any other proposition will be finally rnmcnl has sub ;reed upon, when you have been informed by llie ) fornished willl cccutivo department of the government — to whose is her uiiimalum itids this matter is specially committed — that no videnced. Then 'oposition will be made which this j^ovurnmentouglit d the ultimatum'- accept — v/hen, under all these circumstances, you N been submittee iciurc first your clear and indiHputable title and led by u gulf; Wi ,'ht, and then retuso to assert that right, or to adopt reason to believ tasures fur the preservation of that right, will it jpared to meet « It in the eyes of the world weaken onr title to ur riKhts are un cgon, and throw a veil — I care not how thin — e. Unless, then er that which we now consider so bright and ts to tlie BritisI tar, to our conception at least' Go td the ack, a surrender ench government, to the British government, ; ofthe AiaerieiM to any other government, and, after the action that the queSttOlf Congress, refusing to give this notice— re- ftising to take pomewrion of what we dedare and believe to be ours, and then tell me whether Ottr rights are not weakened in the estimation of thoae governments; tell me whether our hand is not leas ■trong than when we first entered into the con> test? The world will so consider it, and wiD say there are shrinkings back, and misgiTingV among us; and we ourselves will look iNick t^ the crisis, which I consider the present moment to be, with regret that we allowed it to pass by with- out doing justice to eurselves, and without doinf justice to the honor nf our own nation. It is with me, Mr. Chairman, a question invol* '..g our rights, and our final — I will nut say acqui- sition — but our final, complete possession of the whole of this our own territory. There is another view in reference to the nep>- tiation, which I propose to submit to you, Mr. Chairman, and to this House. If gentlemen will put themselves to the trouble to investigate the nfl^ gotiation lietween this government and the eo?er«« nient of Great Britain, on the sulyect of Oregon, commencing with its earliest inception, and coming down to the present lime, they will find that the same reasons which control the conduct of an in- dividual in the management of his private oflfairs, ought sometimes to be applied to a nation in con- ducting affairs of national importance; and the very reasons which arc now ur^ed for the further post- ponement of action, edirient action on the part of our government, will be found to have exercised an undue influence in times gone by. I do not say, nor do I wish to be understood, as intimating that there ever has been a period, in the history of this negotiation, when sction of this character has been so imperatively 'required on the part of ourgovernment as ot the present government; but I do believe that the settlement of this Oregon controversy could have been made with less excitement, with lesB trouble, with le.ss difficulty in past periods of otir history, than it can be made at the present time. Mr. Chairman, there is no greater error in the conduct of government, or in the conduct of private all'airs, than giving way to the disposilion of our nature, to postpone "the evil day," aa it is 8ora&- times t'jrmed. You will find tliat the po.'dponemcnt of tho Oregon controreniy, instead of opening the door for its amicable mljustment, on terms more satisfactory, and Ibhs cjilculaled to create cxf.iicmcnt, has, in each step of its progress, accumulated new and more insurmauntable difii- eulties; and, todoy. we are perhaps further from an amicable adjustment nf it ihan we have been in any past period of our history, unlesi derided, energetic action is talcen to bring it about. What are the reasons mged tor the postponement of action? •'"hy, the precedent that it was post- poned in 1S18 and 18127, wlien this convention was mat'ennd renewed. WeUi will any gentleman answer me vhnt has the government made by the contin- ued postponement of the settlement' Since the ac- quisi.iou of our title from Spain, at every moment tiie diMicultics have increased; they have never been lightened, and they never will be. If gentlemen will submit .'0 my mind a course of reasoning which will show that at any future period this question can be better nettled upon principles satisfactory to our country, then, perhaps, I might be prepared to go with them. But I look upon it that delay now, like delay m past times, will but increase the difficulty, heighten the excitement, and further and further prolong the period before a tbir and final settlement uu be effected. Will jsentle- jiicfl liatcn to me when I allude to a diseuasion fa- miliar, very familiar, to the older heuda in this House, and a disuueaion not very unfamiliar to thoee who, in common with myself, took their (tenta two years ago in this Ilouae ? At tlinl time the Or egon question attracted discussion not only here but in the other branch of Congresa Do you recollect the reasons then urged for the further postponement of energetic action on the part of our government? It wa.4 but a lepetition of the argument made years before, AS the history of the debates will show. You were told tlmt negotiation wAs pending; that it would be improper for the legislative department of the Xovernment to interfere when the matter was in the hands of that branch of the government, which aught properly to consider it; and that when it was ascertained tlmt negotiation could nut be effected, 'then, and not till then, would be the time for the Congress of the United Slates to act. 1 recolleci,, while liHiening to remarks of this character, that fell from the lipiofa distinguished senator — one whose voice nlways is listened to with attention and re- spect— that he told us (and otherH cjncurrcd with him) tliut the British government had reasons why the Oregon question should go on and be postponed to a later duy, and that the British government never inuked forward to the setilcmcnt of the Oregon territory as an agricultural territory, or with n view to muniifacturcs, or to make it a pcrmnnent settlement; thiit they only wanted the right to the fur trade; that it wus being exhaust- ed and passing by; that at prcsicnl it wiiulil brar but a bn all comparison to whiit it hud been in former years; nnd that ns soon as this iuterest on the part of the British government had ceased, we would d the restilt « in proportion to what it was a few yean back; other ouartei ana that, drawing the fair inference from tiie post, e end than w we may conclude that, for the future, Ihifl tide oT Out St is said emigration will continue (o roll into the Oregon ter- i thaJl have ; ritory until we shall have taken possession of it by :tion of our o our own people being permanently located in that otection of th country. If I mistake not the feeling and the spirit ay go to that which has induced emigration to Oregon, it may becirattenlion,! fairly attributable to the implied promise which the issogo of such action of this government heretofore has held out laeire to see tl to this people, tnat this joint occupancy would, he- over the Orej fore this time, have ceased, and their title to home- nsistently wii steads have been made secure and certain. Go ^aly stipulatio to those people who have emigrated to Oregon and] things remo nsk them if they believed at the time that thejjtcndiug her ji abandoned their names in our western States and nut your law: emigrated to the Oregon territory that this join re is n tcrritc occupancy wus to continue from year to year fna of govcrnn from time to time, and that they were to be lef lier na the r there without the protection of the laws of theircoun inciplen of A try; that they would be left there with the title to ever] 3ng by the ntl foot of land on which they have so located them' ire are the citis selves uncertain and insufHcient? They settle then ing with nurp not temporarily, bat they build up for themselves i e laws of tin home in that territory , which we say is ours, but whiol ent, under v we fear to declare in such terms os shall authorizi em different s; that emigrant people, whf n they plant themselve untries, like ti on any portion of the Oregon territory, to feel con ingle one with fidence that they are on ground consecrated I id pleasant ha; American freedom, and which shall never cease t it be perpetual be made prosperous and happy by the prevalence o Jm this simult republican principles. I ask you, if thJN is not th stems of lowe feeling under which this emigr.ition is curried on t ings may cont Uicgon.' Let this Congress adjourn without gii hich your noti ing the notice — instead of it, proclaim by n joit rerting our rig reaolution that it is the opinion of Congrei ive settlrd in have no difficulty in asserting the wholeof ourrights j tliat this joint occupancy shall continue froinceofthe rea to Oregiiii. Well, sir, this argument is now at an end. Vou will not interfere with the executive de- partment in determining in favor of this notice, be- cause you will but carry out its recommendations ; and I truMt that American statesmen will no longer ask that this important result be postponed on the ground that the British government, when it has ex- iausted its interest in the fur trade, will voluntarily render and yield us up our own. No, Mr. Chair- man; our right to Oregon — to the wholeof i 'regoii — le clear and unquestionable ; and 1 desire to see it ■naintaiiu'd to the letter and the spirit by the ener- getic, cfticient action of this House and of the other House of" Congress. We are tild, that there are not inducements sufKcitnt to carry our government rashly into a contest for this territory. I go not rashly. Sir, twenty-five years ami more of negotiation, of reflection, of standing still, (if I may munu- acture the term) cannot be considered rash or heedless. There ia a duly which we owe not only to our government, as a government, but a 'duty which we owe to the people who have emigrated to the Oregon territory. Pardon me for a very few remarks on this branch cf the .subject. We are told if you postpone giving the noti -e-— if you allow this joint occupa- tion to continue, our people will be emigrating to Oregon, that we will be building up our defence in tlie hardy sons of the West who shall have gone there for the purpose of finding a permanent home; that we will be adding barriers and defences to our pqawssion of the Oregon territory; and we are told .M Bubstantiatioo of this, that within the last two years the Miligrati«n tt^ther has greatly increased time to time — that we are not prepared to niaintai i protected, I and assert our unquestionable rights, but that w e force of re j propose to do it at some future period — then, if me. It is ii 1 mistake not the spirit of the West, that emigratio n continue I ! i.s at an end. Can you induce a western man, wh< ngth of time. we have so much public lond, when there aityofthis go' so many inducements held out to him to emigro regon is ours, where his settlement will be perfectly secure, ai in it; that it ii where the government will guorantee to them the I ace the peopi tie to the land, to abandon oil this to go tojction, the sole country whieh we have asserted, by a meredeclat ates, Mr. Chairmai le perhaps rel tory resolution, to be ours, but our rij;hl8 to whi( we are not yet prepared to maintain and defend? But suppose that I am not well founded in t her — one to i view which I have taken of the s|)iritand motiv r the moat of which hove operated upon the minds of our peoj ct on the othei in causing this late increase of emigration to Orego dding the givi und you take it for granted that the emigration w ill go there, i continue, and that, us time passes by, under this a y will be taker other causes of a similar cnoracter, we should I settled; and come greatly strengthened in our Oregon possi ndition to def sions: we now avow such to be our po. ;y, a fhts. I will a notify our opponent of the fact. Think you tl imment be rea the sagacity of Great Britain is less astute now th epared to mai formerly ? Will she slamber over her pretenc rritory.' Will { rights ? Will she sit quietly by and allow I ite, be so gooi United States to adopt a policy and push that pol TJod of time vigorously forward to the manifest destruction nitcd Slates wl her claims and interest, without resorting on ir national rigk part to some counteracting policy ? Let us not e difficalty? '% ceive ourselves as to the chitracter of those w e Ore^n territ whom we are dealing. Rest assured that if we itawingtollK sort to the course suggested, we shall be met at e ivyf Kohtam step in our progress by similar measures — if noi )d priaeifjle ^ kind, certainly m effect — by the British govemmi becir the iflsago out los' be- OA home- nsiKtei Go 'My juid thi they tend anil isrt join ri! year ms lefl un erj mg them re n ing ' e ei rizKMK) ihcmselve untrirs, few years back; I trom tlie past, iture, thiii tide oT lo the Oregon ter Msesaion of it ' ly located in ing and the spirii Oregon, it may ' iromiHe which fare has held paney would, be- leir title to ' and certain led to Oregon and le lime that ' ;8lern States y that this j m yeur to j f were to be lows of their coun ihtlic title to ev ; ao located They settle the ) for theinscWes Ms<>'irs,bulwhic IS shall autho plant riiory, to feel con id consecrated hall never cease f the prcvnletice , if this is not I on is curried on ourn williout g roclaiui by n joi lion of Congre; .11 continue fro epared to niuintai ghts, but that w period — then, if Bt, that emig western niiui, w , when there him to emig srfcctly secure, itec to them the II this to go to by a mere jr rights to whi( in and defend? loll founded in spirit and molit r linds of our peo ligrutiiin to Or the emigr:\tion 1 by, under this er, we should ur Oregon be our po ;y Think you ss astute now )ver her pi by and allow id push thai , fest destruction It resorting on y ? Let us not cter of those isured that if wo shall be met at ei neasures — if no British govemm d the reiult would be, that after the expiration of w e jratio II oth«r ounrter of a century we would be no nearer e end tnan we now are. Dut it is said we shall have gone far enough when g shall have passed our laws extending the juris- by ;tion of our courts over the Oregon territory, for the lhat|otection of the citizens of the United States who go to that country. I desire gentlemen to direct attention, for n single moment, to theelfKCtof the ^'0 of such laws. For one, I am in favor of it. ire to see the laws of the United States extend- over the Oregon territory, so far ns we can do it ntly with our rights, consistently with our stipulations. But how long can su-'h a state things remain? Great ftrituin paises her laws, ing her jurisdiction over this territory; you your laws extending your jurisdiction; and is n territory under the operation of two sys- of government, as widely separated from ear.h ler as the north and south pole. Here are the inciples of American freedom, carried and borne by the officers of the American government; are the citizens of the British government, min- with our people, who have extended over them laws of tJieir monarchical or despotic govern- ent, under which they seek protection. Can dift'ercnt systems — can these laws of different ike the citizens of those countries, com- ingle one with the other, all going on in sweet ti id pleasant harmony? Cau it be so? Must there t It be perpetual collisions and difficulties resulting im this simultaneous operation of two different th 'Stems of laws? It may be that such n state of t ings may continue during the twelve months for 1 hieh your notice is given; but to say that this is r rerting our rights, and doing justice to those who ef^ve setUrd in the Oregon territory, in the indul- nceofthe reasonable expectation that they shall protecte endant on a standing army for the protection of the rights of the people. You can never induce, and I trust you will never de- sire to induce, this government to create a largo standing army in time of peaeo as preparatory to some future emergency which may require it. The bulwark of the defence of our country lies in tho heart!) and the spirit of the American people. It is to the citizen soldier, and not the mercenary hireling, that the American people look for the defence of their rights in an emergency of this kind. Is your navy nut prepared? Mr. Chairman, I um not fur- nished with tlie necessary informntinn, nor should I detain you if I was, to go into u discussion of the condition and character of our navy. But tell me, when we will be better prepared than we are now? Will it he at some fiitm-o period? Are you prepared at once to make a heavy ap- propriation for the increase of your navy? Will this government ever be prep.ired, in a time of peace, to pursue a policy of this kind? If so, ic will differ widely from the history of the past or of Congresses preceding. And those who are most anxious now for the settlement of the Oregon ({ucstion; and those who are in favor of postponing it to a future period — many of them will be found on common ground in warfare upon our little na- vy — that gallant navy which needs no praise from my hands; it ia written in the history of the coun- try. [Mr. C. here paused for a moment to inquire how much of his hour was still unexhausted; and hav- ing ascertained that he had but about ten minutes more, proceeded ns follows:] Mr. Chairman, I have exhausted more time upon the discussion of these one or two points thrfU 1 nad intended, and I fear I must pass by some others to which I had intended to refer. There was, howev- er, one prominently brought forward in this discus- sion upon which I must bestow at lea.st a passing thought. It is said by those who advocate it, thaC this is a peace measure, and by those who op- pose it, that it is a war measure. I am not prepared to go the full extent with some who de- clare that the inevitable result of the passage ef this notice will be to involve this country in a bloody and destructive war. Nor am I prepared, on thie other hand, to go with those who fearlessly assert that there is no danger to result from our action is reference to Oregon. I plant myself on this groun^, that the course which I propose to pursue is the one called for by the national faith and honor of my country; and I am in the prosecution of what I co«- ceive to be the just righta of my government, and am endeavoring to carry out the policy beet calco- lated to secure this end. If neaee be the result, I shall gladly welcome it. Ir war be the ooim»- quenee, we must meet it. It is a crisis not to be avoided, not to be evaded, bot to be met with bold- neos, firmness, and dedsion. When we have dj»- charged oor duties, then, sir, it will be for anotker defiartment of our government, and for the goveni^ mem with whem we are ia collision upon this •«b' jeet, to do what they may conoeive to be tiMir duly. If the reault shall be ioatupieioas — if it ■hall involve us in a war — I will have the coi^ soling redeetioa left that I have pursued s coune tfi policy dietaled by the best iiit»r«t> of uy country,, as iar OS I have been enabled to appr«ajate tboaa k^ tereata. That we ehotiid su^er rrora a war. oot-pietend to deny; thoTwe ohuH lose the 8 tMTttory by rciortin|; to a war. I utterty but rr«pMt- fully rapuninte the ideu. WiMnever (hit) govern* ment bIiuII be engaged in > conflict ofthiakind uiih tlie Uritiith government, or with any other KOTcrnment on earth, peuee will never be declared upon terma leaving one Toot of territory which bna ever been conaecrated to American free- dom auiH American prineiplea, afterwards to be pro- fimed by nionareliical or deapotic principles, No; Canada may be acquired; I ao not diB])uto that pu option of gentlemen who have argued ihia propoai tion before the Houae; but that Oregon will ever be abandoned |>«acefully, or in the struggle of war, my mind huR never yet baen brought to that con- cKiaion, nor will it be. Sir, upon thia day, this memorable, glori6ua 8th of January, let it not bo •aid by American atatcjmen, in nn American Con- greaB,'thnt this government can be weakened in, or deprived of, her juat and unquestionable lights by a conflict with Great Britam, or with any other Ko^wmenl. If war come, I ven- ters the prudi'.lion that when it terminates, we vill have the core views he presented to the House I listened with deep interest, and witli the course of whose areument 1 wtis gratified and instructed. I am not wiOing, however, to abandon the proposition rec- oounended by the Committee on Foreign AflTairfl, and to subslitute in lieu of it the one submitted by the horKirablr; gentleman from Alabama; and 1 v/ill, witb the utmost deference to that gentleman, give «B« or two reasons why I think that, with the vifiws he hae expressed— so Dobly and so eloquently «gcpr«sM<)^ — he ought to be willing to ^vo the gu-by to his atnendmentj end to stand with us in sup- port of the origuial resolutions. Let lu, who tfgn* Of» Mb MH^jsct. meet on tomvar , nonod in itipport of the resolittion reported from th Committee on Foreign Affairs. What is the dll ference in these propositions.' The resolution the Committee on Foreign Affaira recommends tha the President forthwith ^ive the notice. The gen tieman proposes, in lieu of that, to asseit that th * President be empowered to give tha notice, when ever the public interesls, in his judgment, n quire it. I consider that this proposition is evi sive; and I aver that it must ba so considere by thia country, and by the British government Why do you wish to empower the Exucutive give the nntien when tha public interest require ii if, at the same time, we are not prepared to exprea the opinion that tne public interest now require it? Sir, the President of the United States has aul roitted all the information, in connexion with thi sobjeci, which may properly be submitted, an which, in his opinion, may have any infli ence upon Congress. With this, he gives yo his o]>ini(>n that the notice ought to be give at once, that this joint occupancy shall fort with ceiiso. The gRnileman from Alabama pn poses now, thai, instead of taking upon oui selves the re-'ponsibility of met'tiiis the questioi and declaring that wo agrc with the President, an give it to him us ou- o> n ')n that the notice ougl to lie given, and cull upon him to do it under on instruciionr. that we merely say to him that he hi the power lo uo it, nnd we shall leave to him to d< cido it. Is it the object of the gentleman from All baina to place upon the Executive the responsibilil of {giving the nolic« when the public interest r< quires it.' If ho, the Executive has already take that responsibility, ho far as it can be |iluced upo the uhoiilders of any man, by the rccoinmendatio which ha has submitted in his message. If yn desire, then, not to relieve yourselves (rom the n sponsibility — and I call the attention of the friends ( this iniasure to the distinction which I draw — Conm-Ks is willing to assume the rcHponsibility, you Mclieve the time has arrived when this notic should be given, when this joint ocoupnncy shnul ccuNC, when the rii^hts of thegoverninent sh..i;!d b declared, and maintained, cost what i' may, the meet it boldly; como up to the question, as pn sented by the report of the commiltee, and sa to the Presldont, cause the notice to bu given. Bi do not avoid the responsibility; do not wtep gentl behind the screen, nnd say to the President, "w decline giving un opinion ourselves as to the prop( policy to be pursued at this time; but w« will gi« you the power, (whicJi perhaps he may alread possess,) if, in your judgment, tho interest of th country require it, to prr, the notice hereafter." suy lei us have no cvrding of this question; if w bJieve the notice ought to be given, let us so de dure by our action. Such then, sir, are the considerations which huv brought ray mind to the conclusion that the tin has arrived when the government uf the Unite iSiates should assert and maintain her just and in disputable rights to the Oregon territory; and th« the policy inclirated by the resolutioa upon you table is the proper initiatory step to the efficiei and successful accomplishment of that object, present ihem to the coosiderntioa ofthLs House, oo of my constitMCBta, confidently anticipating froi them a response as creditable to theit UBBrt« mi viU b« gratefttl ta aa^ awn fosNogs. th >orted from /hat w the le reaolution eeommonds tha otico. The gen lo Bsseit that th h« notice, whf r judgment, r •position ia #v A so conaidere sh (government lie Exucutire itereat require ii pared to expre* !8t now require I States h|M mi nexion with thi Bubinittcd, an iHvc nny inflv ia, he gives yo ;ht to be give ncy ohall fort 1 Alabama pre king upon oui iii^ the quustioi he President, nn the notice ougl do it tinder oi him that he ha ive to him to d( tieman from Alt he I'CfiponKibilit iblic interest n as 111 ready take 1 be f)laced upo rccoinmendatio nessage. If yo 'Ives from the n of the friends ( 'hich I draw- responsibility, when this notic icQupancy shoul rnment eh..u!d I hut i' may, the question, as pn uniuee, and sa to be ^iven. Bl o not Htep genti 9 President, "w as to the prop< but Wrt will gi» he may airead le interest of th ice hereafter." a question; if w ren, let us so de itioua which hav un that the tin rit uf the Unite her jusi and In erritory; and tha utioH upon you p to the efficien if that object, if this House, ao ftnticipating froi their liearii) «