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DELIVERED I IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY G, 1846. I WASHINGTON: BLAIR & RIVES, PRINTERS. 1846. ^UO p The Rrs AfTairs Britain tcrmin; abrogii considc Mr. F] lows: Mr. C sons who unci the ] by memb iiT>portan< The tn; tense inte sentiment The T( into this ] doubts of etep of th their fina Capitol, 1 the eajjcr hearts the its place i A zeal overwhcli forward, i and final! reckles.sly opinion, ' wave. THE OREGON QUESTION. The Rpsolution from the Committee on Foreign AlTiurs, requiring the Pn sident to notify Great Britain of the intention of the United Suites to terminate the joint orcupaiiry of Oregon, and to abrogate tiie convention of 18:27, being under considerution in Committee of the Whole — Mr. FICKLIN add'-cssed the committee as fol- lows: Mr. Chairman; The immense concourse of per- ' sons who have jiressed to the Capitol each day, jmd the profound and unusual attention bestowed ; by members on this floor, sufficiently indicate the importance of the subject under discusion. The masses everywhere are aroused, and the in- tense interest felt here is but an epitome of public sentiment in the States. The Texas resolutions, which were introduced into this House at the last session with more than doubts of their success, gained strength at every Btep of their onward progress; and on the night of their final passage through the other end of the Capitol, a dread and deathlike silence pervaded the eager throng, who watched with throbbing hearts the first gleams of the new star ascending to its place in our political firmament. A zeal no less burning — an excitement no less overwhelming— is destined to impel our citizens forward, until the Oregon question is satisfactorily I and finally adjusted; and those politicians who 1 recklessly attempt to breast the current of popular opinion, will aa certainly be swept away by its wave. ' ■ i-l '.' ■ '-' Our gcogmphic^-xl position, and the indomitable energy of our people, alike proclaim that this must become an ocean-bound republic; and the decree has gone forth, that we shall acquire territory on this continent whenever we may riglitfuliy do so, anil that we should not part with one foot of thut which legitimately belongs to us. \ "Texas and Oregon" were cradled together in the Baltimore convention, were inscribed on our banners, and were flung to the breeze in every por- tion of the Union. Tl;c annexation of the former was a bloodless achievement, and the occupation of the latter will be equally so, if we be firm and united. We should suffer no sectional jealousy, no touch of selfish or mercenary feeling, to warp our judgment on a question of this character. Nor should we stop to inquire whether the proposed ac- quisition of territory, ea.st or wc^st, north or south, gives the balance of power to this or that section of the Union; but, looking with an eye single to the aggrandizement of the nation as a whole, we should extend our limits when jver we can do so without invading the rights of others. On casting about, I am gratified to learn that most of the south- ern States, unbiassed by sectional jealousies, are with us on this question; and that a large majority of their members on this floor, animated by the tn* American feeling, are found in the front ranks doin" battle for Oregon. The parallel lietwccn Texas and Oregon is striking in this, that those of our friends who took the responsibility to vote against Texas fell under the reproaches, not to say denunciations of ihei- brethren, and endured all the horrors of the fii!r2;ot find slalc<^. Tlicy now, in turn, inJiiltjc tlip i ''irloii cijiirli'oii.s'' t()\viir*l>' those wlin (iiO'cr with UH us to OrcLjon. VVhilr ilic ni.ijorily ol' u.i niiist deeply n'i!;r(;l that iiiiy occusion tor vitiiuci-atioii : Hhiiiild Imve itriscii cither on the one ha'id or the | other, III! must lie ndinonisiied tliiit, on a (piestion | of rcannexalion or oceiipalion (»f territory, it is, to [ any th(! h;ast, |)eii|oiis tu l)e tender-fooled on any ■ part of llie i^rounil. i Tli()si> who HI) earnesily (aiiil 1 may iidd alilv) i oppose the '^iviii;:; tlie notice to ( ireal l>i ii nn, dilli r wit''- ns only as to the ni'ans of oijlainini; the end. ' 'I'iiey, with very lew exeeplioiis, are derideiHy ul' opinion that our tith- to the (In ;;on territory, up to 54^ 40', is clear and indisputable, and arc vvillinj; >o p;o with UN for all of those that I rcf^nrd an the I Htronj^ and warlike measures, whieli look to the takiiii^and holiiiiiL; |iiissession of that eonntry. j My piir|)iise, then, is not to iiphraid them for i this dilfereni'e. ot' opinion, l)u!, as far as I can, to 1 discuss the i]iiestioii with them; to ojipose ar'^u- nient to arijumcnt, and let mind ?^rapple with mind, j until tiic judgment is convinced, so far as that can i be done. i Tin's rrsolution is deliaied hy the opponents of tlie notice as a war nHvisiirc; and it is son;:ht to he '■ made the occa^■i(nl of prodiiciui'; a panic thi-oi!;;h- out the country; ami nroker.s and slock-johbers, to;:;etlier with that ]>ortion of the American jiress under their control, are nnilini^' their efforts in this general outcry ai^ainst a war. It is doubtless re- I inenibcred hy all, that these panic-malicrs have j been eiii^aged from time to time in alarming the j public mind tor the, purjinse of subserving their [ pecuniary interests. That Great I'ritain may make ! It the pretext of a v/ar, as she niiglit make the re- ' annexation ofl'exas, or any other exercise of our \ rights, the pretext for war if she cliose to do so, 1 is not denied; but that it furnishes no just ground i for an appeal to arms is, 1 think, plaiidy denionstra- 1 ble. I The distinguished member from South Carolina j [Mr. Riiett] seemed to I'ongraiulate liinis( If upon i the fact that he was pitrsuing a course on this ques- tion in opposition to the veneralile gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. Adams;] and that, therefore, i he must be right. Let him not, however, " lay the I flattering unction to his soul;' 'for, unless the signs j of the times greatly deceive us, ]\iassaehusctis and , South Carolina, that have indulged the most deadly : hate and bitter feuds towards each other in times i past, will be found side by side at the pre.-icnt mo- ment; and their sons, with a few exceptions, who have been for so long a time " looking dagger:*" at each other, will come up and vole together against Uie giving of this notice. It is contended by some gentlemen that negotia- tions should be again renewed; but I think very differently. The ministers of Groat Britain under- stand the arts of diplomacy better than ours. For more than a quarter of a century we have failed to settle this question by negotiation. Our ofler ofcompromi.se has been formally withdrawn, and I think that the matter should rest there; and that we should now stand upon all of our rights until that imperious nation shall make us a fair and just offer. Some, again, are proposing to arbitrate. This is wholly inadmi.^sible, for in that fuljiidication wr should not be tried liy our pi ( rs. Crowned he,ad.H do not desiie to broaden oi- leni;then the territory of rejiiilplican i:o\( rnmeni'< ; but, on the contrary, they are stroiiiily interested in enlarging the dominions and estaldishiii;; the doctrin*' of " the divine rit^ht of kings." As well miulit the qui st ion of the divinity of the Mes.-iiiih be submitted to the decision of Ma- hommedans and .few s, asf'or this {|U(fiiion to lie re- ferred to the ailiiiraiiient oI'mouarcLs or of emper- ors. We know the decision in advance, .\o, sir; as mui'h as ! li)\e peace, (uid deiiire to avoid war, yet if there is no oiher allernali\e but to iirbiirate this ililliculty, 1 would say, unhe.sitatin::ly, let it be done at the cannon's mouth. Those of utir friends who si em mo.st alarmed at the pros|pect id" a war, and who havi; depicted its horrors so eloipienily and so vividly, were not, 1 l)( lieve, when Texas v. as the prize, afraid to meet .Mexico, (Jreat Ihiiain, and I''rance, combined, on the battle-field, and inu- navy and army were in no better slate of preparation thiii than they an- now. The Mexican .Mniister declared that nimexaiion would [iroduce war. lie. dcmandi d his passports, and returned home. The fin'.',ers of Great I'.ritain and !•' ranee were tiaci d in (he plot to prevent an- nexation, [t wi'.s iheii said we shoulil have war with the three Powers eombincd; iind all the ef- fort then to get up a war panic did not i heck the •• immoderate valor''of our friend.'', whusethoughi.M seem now so •'turned on peacp." It apl'ea)•^i to me that they have phiced themselves in a dileimina from wiiich ihev cainiot vi;ry well iscape, .South Carolina and Viri^inia, then so iiupi 'a;ous and eager for " benriliic^' the British lion," are imw the most elotjuent in depicting the horrois of war and the prowess (jf iJriiisli arms, Tlie.-e nieml'irs ad- mit that our title is clear, and yet they are luiwil- ling to i^ive the notice. This is a strange voice to come from these ancient Commonwealths; and did we not know better, it would be supposed to ema- nate tVom the |)eace i)arty of N(;w En2"land. Thedislinguislied memiierlVom the Harper's l-'er- ry district in Virginia [Mr. Ijldinoek] described, with captivating elorpience, a .-icene he witnessed at that peint. It was the American eagle, darting along the verge of a dark tiiid imrtentous cloudi charged with thunder and gli'aming wilh lightning, iuid percliiii;,'- himself upon one of iIk; lol'ii isf peaks of the nine llidge. Tliccloiul pa.-scd away, the sun again shone forth from a clear .sky, and he saw the eagle take his flight westward. 1 trust, sir, that his eagle has found a mouiUain as tall, a climate as ge- nial, and a sky as clear in Oregon as those he left; behind him. Viru'inia patrioti.^m ;;iid valor have been illustrated in many a fearful conflict; and .should war come upon us, I say, without heaita- tion, that all the eagles that have been driven from her mountains, either by thunder-clouds or panic speeches, will be won back by the deeds of noble daring of her sons upon the battle-field. So, sir, with South (Carolina, I know it is taunt- ingly said that her political leaders control the masses with absolute, not to say, de.v|)otic rule. It is believed by many that when her politicians take snuff, the common people involuntarily sneeze all over the State; and that you can ascertain the .state of public opinion in South Carolina with as much (licalion \vc wiK'il lii'.adH ' icnit')fy "if htrary, iln'y ' (liiiniiiiiiiiM vino ritjlu of i!i(; divinity .■sioii i)f Ma- idii to 1)C re- If (if riii|ior- .No, sir; a.H 'id war, yet rhiiriitc tlii.s y, Itl il he I alannrd nl dr]iict(d its wore not, 1 raid to luci't iiti!)in('d, on • \v«'rc ill no vy arc now. nnncxation s passporls, rcat IJritain prevent an- kl iiavc Win' I all tin- t.f- Jt ( heck the i.sethoiii;li!.-i H|»ppa|•^! to II a dileniima ipc. South K tr.ous aii (Vu' a moment to [M-ove our title, for the reason that lioth of tlicL'reat political paulies of this cunnlry cducede it to he '.•■'lod and valid. That would do. il' this country alone were concerned in the result. Ihit I a[>pre- hend, that if the whii; and tory parties in Kntrland should concede that we had no ju«t claim to Ore- gon, we would not hy any means reirard that as conclusive proof of the fact. if it can he estahlished tiiat we h:\ve a fjoorl and valid title to all or any ]>orlion of r)i-e;,'on, it ."settles the rjuestion as to our (Inty, and as to our course, to tin; extent of the territory to whii'h we are thus entitled, h'or if any of it is ours, we must hold it, or else yield it from fear of Great I'ritain. We cannot do the l.ilt(T; for the act — craven and dis- hoMora.hle in its(lf — would dissolve the charm and hrcak tlie sprin;^ of our success as a nati(m. .Much has l:(.'(:n well and justly said of the rafia- city, injustice, and i^raspin;; amhition of (Jreat Mritain. Thou'ih she may he rcrnrded hy other nations as the " heast with seven heads and ten horns," and thouLrh her iniquities toward them and u* m.ay, and indeed have, ju'cumula'cd with each suc'-eedini;- year: yet it all avails nothiir;- in this controversy, if the territory hely the Fl.>rida treaty of the 2'M of Fchrnary, 1^1'), W'c ohtained all the rights which Spain then had to that country north of 4"J'^, whether a<'cruinfr from discovery, exploratior or o'vupation; and tliey are as f illows; Froui the time oftlie discovery by ('cduinhus, in 14'h'2, the Spanish (.Tovernnient never rested till th"v had eyplore.l the whole }'a- eific coast, [n l.V^O, Fernando .MaL'cllan, in the servirc of Spain, discovered tuid sailed throu,'j:h the hi:.rhly important and far-fame;l Straits of Ma- gellan, which received and yet henr his name. In \i'yl>^, the eele!n-atc I C^irtes", who wTts appointed hy Charles V. as cnptain-i^eneral of New Strain, (now .Mi^vico,) fitted out a vessel under the com- mand of Mddonado, one of his officers, who was ahsetit for SIX months, cruisiiiirin the Pacific. In l,').'i'J, he despatched two vessels, one under the comoiand of Mendo/.a, and the other commanded hy Ma7.ueln, who sailed as far as the S7th de2;ree of north latitude; and the country thus visited was claimed hy Tories for Spain, and afterwards re eeived the name of California. 'I'lie northernmost point occupied in |. ■),'<(( on the Pacific hy any civili/ed nation, was "('uliacan, which was founded hy Nuiio de (iuztnnn, a Span- iard, at the entrance of' tlie ( Jnlf of ( 'ahl'ornia. "' 'I'he last expedition made hy order of <'orle.s was coininandcfl hy Francisco de I'lloa. who took his departure on the Sih of .July , j.'i.'flt, from Aca- piilco. He discovered iui i.-an at .'■)l'-^, were disco\ei- ed in JaO'J hy .Tuan de l''uca, under Spanish au- thority, wlio.-e name tin y now hear; he sailed ir» and remained there more than twenty days, tradiin;^ with the natives. In KidH Cape l!lan<'o. in lati- tude 4.'<", and the river Finpqna, in latitude 44^^, were discover<(l hy Fiisiirn Martin do Aquilar, who was actiinj under the S|iauisli authority. .An expedition was fitted out in l'(74. hy order of the Spanish ( Jovernment, under the command of iMisiirn Juan Perez, accom|ianied hy Fstavan Martinez as his pilot, wi'.ii directions to sail as far north as CAP, and to survey the coa.st from thenco southward to Monterey, and for them to take pos- session in the name of the KiuL"' of Spain. On the IHtli of .Fuly, 1771, Perez, reached as far north as ihe .')4tli parallel of latitude, and discover- ed 1 Hid to the east, to which he gave the name of ca|ie Santa Mari^arila. He made land on the Oih oC Amnist in the same year, under the parallel of 49° '.W , anchored in a deep hay, and traded freely with the Indians, and called the place Port San Lorenzo; and it is un- diHihtedly the same whi(di four years afterwanla received froni Captain f'o(d< the iijipellntum of l\itu' (icorire's sound, hut now known as iVootka sound — the name L'ivcn it hy the natives. On the l.'ith of Auq-nst. 177"), Heceta discovered the hay at the mouth of Coliimhia river, in lati- tude 46'-' 17', hut was prevented hy the force of the current from enterin;r the month of the river. I'odeca and Maiirell prnceeded in Anixust, 177.5, as f,u' north as the ."iStli parallel of latitude, and took possession of the country in the name oftlie Spanish Fvins-. St. Salvador Dieiro, in the fall of 17!)0, explored the Riissian jiossessions. These, tot^etlicr with many other v it liy llic nalivii.s, and it liaH ever Mince liDi'MC lliat nana', llv di.scovci'i >] many ulrn- f.;is of iron and lirass, and al.so two silvi'r kiidohh, of .Spanisli nianiilactun;, in tlic posscs^sion of tlic natives — sliDwin;; ( liarly tliat ilicy liad befijre Lt(;n visiti'd l)y the Siianianla. (Jajitain (Utuk, c.oiitinnini; lii.s voya;;;f! norlli, t^nw iVioniil San .iac.intu, winch iiad [h\a\ named four yearH liefoie l)y lJud('i;a; saw iMount St. Eii- fts, anil, pu.siiinf:; hi.s V(>ya;,'c iiortli, pa.s.scd into the Arctic occum. lie afterwards vi.sited Owyliee, wlu're, on tiie Kjlh of i'tbruary, he fell a victim to llie natives. It is elaimed hy thr; I'ritish minister, Mr. Pak- cnham, that ( 'ajiiain Uirln ley, a IJriliah suliject, iti ft vessel nndt.'r Austrian co.ois, discovered the Straits of l''uca in 17M7, when it will he remem- bered that Ji'an de l''ui'a made the same discov(;ry in 15'.(:;i — liems^ I"-' years [irevious; and that Cap- tain Dinii'ai, in the year 17fi7, (~iilen:d the straits iind trad«:i with the naiivts at the vUla^o of ('las- net; luid also that John INleares visited IS'(a)tka unund in 17H.H, four y( ars al'ier it iiad been visit- ed and taken possession of by I'crez. John Meares wa;i a beiUenaiit in the British navy (jn ludf pay. The l^'elicc, of which he was su)iei- rarf^o.and the Iphii^enia, of which William Dou;;- las.s was snpcrcarp), were litled out at the l'oi-tu- guese port of Macao. Uotli were I'ortuiruese ves- sels, ami ()stensil)ly commanded by Portuf^iiese captains, sailed under the I'ortufjucse flap;, and had passpcn-is and other papii's showing; that the ves- sels were the property of Juan Cuvallo, a Poitu- guese merchant of JMai'ao. If there had been any virtue in the di.scovery of Berkeley, it would have belouijed to Austria, in whose service he was; or if there liad been any merit in the discoveries of Mean's, they would have eimrcd to the beiiefil of l'ortuj,Ml. If Meares had attempted to navii;atc the North Pacific ocean «a a IJrilish oliicer, his vessel would have been subject to seizure, and his otficers and crew to pun- isiiment, as they had no license from the South fciia or East India companies. Whether lie be re- garded , therefore, as a British subject, sailiiif^ un- der false colors, or as in the employment of (*a- vallo,the Portu:;iiese merchant, ho could not claim any protection from the British Government, or confer upon her any rights resulting from liis dis- coveries, Diirimr ail this period of time, it will be seen by refereiu^e to history that Great Britain had made no settlement whatever on the northwest coast of America; that she discovered no portion of the coast which ha 1 not been previously discov- ered by .Si)ain; and that Spain held the undisputed title to it up to 171)0, when John Meares called on the British Government to aid him. Had Great Britain possessed the same title that Spain did, can tliere be a doubt that she would have claimed and held the whole i'acific coast from Panama to Beh- rinji;'s straits? It will be remembered, that when Great Britain planted her colonics on the Atlantic, she claimed, oa the ground of continuity and contiguity of ter- I riiory, liial her ii;{lit of soil cMrnded from the At- lantic to the I'acitic. ocum. The I-'reiicli Ciovern- nieiit discovered and explored the Mihsissijijii and other iiibiitary sin anis, anti made siMtli iiients aloiifr their valleys. A dispute arose betweiii I'!iif;land and France in rej,'ard to their lerritcn'ial ri^ht.>*,and they went to war. The treaty of Parix, concluded on the lOih of I''ebriiaiy, i7(IU, settled the bouiidary betv.cen tho.se t\Mi iiaiioiis; and so much of the 7th ejection as relates th(;relo is in these words: " In onhr to le-i sialdish peace on solid aiui dnra- ' ble foundations, and to remove l'or(;ver all .-u'.jeela ' of dispute with regard to the limits of the Brui.sh ' and h'tench lerrit(Mi(N on the contiia lit of Anicri- ' ea, it is ai;i' i d that foi' the future the coi/fuies Le- ' tween the dominions of his llritaiinic Maj( sly and ' those of his mn.st (,'hiisliaii Maj(siy, in that part ' of the world, shall be fixed irrevocably by a line ' drawn alonj; the middle of the riv( r Missi.sippi, ' from its source to the rive r llarville, and thence, ' by a line draw n aionj; the middle of this river, and ' the lakes Maurepas and Poiitchai train, to the * sea. " By this ireaiy (ireat Brilain obtained tin.' Cana- das, I'loi ida, and a |i(ntioii oI'Louisiaiia; she parted with all her claims west of the Mis.-issij)|ii. received the full la iielit (if ihe doctrine of ciMitiiaiiiy, and is therefore estop|ied now from d( nyin^ the princiiile. L'v the treaty of Louisiana, dated on the .'{(Jin of April, ISuy, we succt (;de.d to all the ri;;hts which l''rance acipiiK d under the tnatyof 17(j.'!,and have the full beiiefu of the doctrine of coniinuiiy, as l!n;;lai!d once had to any country lyin^ we.>t ol'the Mississijipi, to w lii<'li she had claims. IS'ow 1 w ill examine very brielly the title which we have to that territory in our own projier ri;;ht, <;rowini;oul of discoveries and settlements by this Goveri.na.'nt and its citizens. In June, 17!nl), Captain Robert Gray, of Boston, explored the easiein coast of Clueen Charlotte's island. In the sunnner of 171)1, he visited the coast of the north Pacific, between .')4" and Gt)° of iiortli latitude. Ill May, 17'J~, he discovered Bnlfnieh's harbor; and on the 11th of that month lie enteicd the mouth of llic Columbia river, which Heceta could not do when he made the ;ittempt in 1775; ;iiid both Meares and Vancouver, after examina- tion, denied the existence of sucli a river. The tributaries of tliis river drain the territory of Ore- ^'on as far north a.s the ,'J3d parallel of latitude. In 1804-5, an exjjedition was made under our CJov- ernment by Lewis and Clarke, who visited and minutely exjilored that country. In ISll, settle- ments were miuh; by the American Company at Astoria, near the mouth of the Columbia river, at Okcntj;aii, six hundred mili:s above, anil at Spo- kan,some lifty miles further up. Tlu'y were cap- tured by Great Britain during the wtn'of lbl2, and were restored under the treaty of Ghent, the fiih day of October, IttlS. It cannot be successfully contended that the surrender did not n'store to ua all the country of which we were divested by the capture, for the latter was comniensurnte witli tiie former act. We, therelore, iuc entitled to the Co- lumbia river and the country drained by it, because we were the fust to discover, explore, and settle it. Uniting as we do the title of Spain, wlio, Jjy dia- frcMu llic Al- ■Ilill CJostiii- t-sihsijijii iiiid ( lIKIll.S llloilf^ II II l'!ii;;liiiid ill ri-liih, and Ilic 10:li of aiy l,«av.(:(li t Till ist'Ctidll lid mid (lura- r III! Mi'.jt'cis )!' ili(! Ilnii.sli III (if Aimni- I'diifuu's !,(■- Miijrsiy luid , ill tliid |iai't My liy ii liiiu Mi^^.sl. siji|pi, iiiid tli( lilt', li.s ii\< r, mill haiii, to llic d llu.' CiJiia- la; slie |iarled iji|ii.nji't;iV(;(l i,iii(y, iii.d i.s till' priiicijilc. il till' .'iOili of ii;;lit.s uliiili (J!), and liave iiitimiiiy, us •j; \v(.>t of the 10 liilc uliich |irnj„ 1- ri-ht, nciiLs by tliiti y,of Bostoi), 11 riiarlolic's iii'd tlif coast WP of uoitli I'd nuifiidi't* li lie ('iiliacd .liii'li lleccta 'iiijit in ['i~i[}; \cv (;\uiuiim- river. The •itory of Orc- of latitude, dcr our Ciov- ) visiiL'd and rSJl, srltlu- CoiHjiaiiy ul iibia rivtr, ul , and at S})o- cy were cap- of lb 12, and lent, llif fiih .successfully restore; to us cstcd by iho rate with the A to the Co- ly it, because and settle it. who, by dis- rovrr\'nn(lr\-plnrnfinn,V(\s>)ct\vrpn two nnti ihrro rrntiirif'M in ikIviuhp of any other nation on the niM'lhwi st r'oii!-t of America, ihe title of France, tn- •jitliir \v itli llic title iiciinircd in onr own riirht liy discovery, exploration, anil settlement, which iM eertuinlv tr"<' ?,1ormon testament and of Adam's will, a-id il' the Hritish title to ()re;;;on is not rec(ird((l in one of those time-honored in- struments, It may be fairly presumed that it does not exist anywhere. I will next proceed to examine the Nnotka treaty, si<;nc(l at the Escurial, October 2H, 1700, between (ireat nriliiin and Spain. In order to a ftill understandin,':; of the spirit and meaniii'.:; of that convention, and tr) the position assumed by (ireat flritain at the lime, it is important that we examine the circumstances which f^ave rise to it. The celcbnited .Tolin Mearers, who, as stated here- tofore, was merely snpercari^o of a Portuguese vessel, sailinri; under the Portuguese fla^r, was the prime mover, the .Mjiha and Ome^a of the cause of (lilllculty between Spain and Great I'ritain, of which this treaty was the offsprini^. Lieuteiiaiil Atetu'cs, with the two Portuc^uese vessels, visiieil Nootka sound, where they vvi re captured in 17^0, by Marline'/., on behalf of the Spanish Government. Spain havinir discovered and established a fort at Nootlca sound, re'i-irf'ed Meares as an a^rirres- sor, and treated him jus such. Meares, it w ill be observed, was a mere adventurer, trading with tlie natives, not cfmnected in any way with the Gov- ernnienl of Portugal, under whose flag he sailed, or with (irc'.t I'rilain, imder whose flag he did not sail. Portugal toolc no notice of the coniplaiiils of Meares; not so with (xreat llritaiiiifiir shr, ))roba- b!y at tliat time desirini;- a controversy with Spain, made it the occasion ol" a most rancorous quarrel with that Cjovcrnment. Meares presented a me- raorial, setting forth his grievances, containing- mnny incon.?i.'..tcnces and jmlpable falsehoods. 1 will here nuotc a few passages, to show tlio fertilt! imagination of the notorious .Tohii Meares, who possessed the power to amplify facts in a mc't eminent degree. At page 111 of lii.-i voyage, on the r>.')ih May, 1788, he says : " Ma(|uil!a had not only most readily eon'ented ' to grant us a spot of ground in his territory, ' whereon a hou.se might be built for the accom- ' modation of the people we intendi'd to leave ' there, but had promised us also his assistance it; ' forwarding our works, and his jirotcetion of the ' party who were destined to remain at Nootka ' during our absence. In return for this kindness, * the chief was presented with a pair of pistols. « wliieh he had regarded with nn ryo of Bolieitudo * ever since ]i]iiirtiiiiity to iii.iki' S|iiiii yield to Ills dici;itinii or tiviTlliiow lirr ciiiipirc; liciii'r Iw (Ii'iiiiiiid:ioii; Inn till- iiiov('iu(iit:i of (lie I''r( Mill (i.u( iiiiiK 111 ill ordi r- iiii; I'lriy-l'iM' sail of ilic line, and a pnniui-iionalr niiinlirr ol* lVi,:,'atr.i, tlic troaiy of pcarc i-onclndt d lii:t\v'<'('n Sv. ('(Icii and Russia Aic^nst .'<, 17!II),no as to Icavi' lIic laltiTiii a iiowcrful condilioii to prosc- ciiic licr di';:i.riiH iijion Turki'v, lo'^cihi r witli tlir (lintK'ial rniidilioii o|' (irrat fjiii.iiii, iiidii'i'd Mr. I'ilt to rliaii'^i" liis \i('\vs, and to >«,](, ilinniji ilic inicrvcniion of ilic National A>:Jinilily of l^'rancc, coMiliictrd ill II spent and I'onfidciiiia! luaiiin'r, ii treaty of pcai-i! and alii.imi: wiili Spain; and tlie Nooika iMiivcniion wmm (lie result of that neijoiia- tioii. Tliis, it iiinst lu; lionic in mind, was ihe aenoiid yrar of llie l'\'cn.'li ]'evoliiti(ui, mid diirin;i; th(! spread of rejudire'aii priiii'iples. These fans may fiiniisli sonii' elur to the reason wliy the Nooilci ti-ialy is one for the lienefit of trader.-, liiintcrs, and trappers merely, and d.ies not in any way whatever aj!'ni or wealcni the title of Spain to the Hoil, The hut of the fislieriiian and tlu^ eahiii iif the hunter and trapper alone were looked to and provided for. tireat nritaiii .-ofiem d down in her demands and exactions, lest, pereliaiiee, Russia, Sweden, and (■''riuice iniy;!it make eomnioK cause will) Spain a:,'aiiist her, and f.r fear that the revo- lutionary sjiirit of Frane(! uii;;ht seize the siibj''cts nf (Jreat llritaiii. Hut for this Spain would lia\e had to truc'lde to ihc blusierini^ of Great llriiain, and to have given licr part, or i)crhai).s all, of that territory. In this position I am fortified l>y the eolehrali'd Preii'-li lii.'(oi-ian, Seniir, whose work' hears dale in 1801. In speakiie^ iif iliis transaction, he says that Enjjhind, " under the flimsy pretiincc of redaimiii;; ' Roiuc e.onlrahand sliij)s taken hy the .Spaiiiard.s on ' the we.-^t coast of North America, threatened and ' dccl.ircd wari\.;ainst Spain." ('id vol., paj^u 1(!.T, Sni^nr'.s History.) Further on, at pai^e 171, same volume, ho says that " I'rance, after a short hesi- ' tulion, notwiihstaniling the disorder of her (inan- ' ces, detennined lo supjiort Spain against he, Imi:^- « liali." # * * * * '' * » "« " And the cahiiict of London, intimidatrd hy this ' cnnrc;olic and unexpected resolution, postponed its ' aml)itious projects; contented it.self with the resii- ' tution of tlio iMijlish ve.ssel.-j tliat had Leen cap- ' turrd, and agreed with the court of ^Madrid mutu- * ally to disarm." Tlie r)tli article of the Nootka treaty, which is the only important one bearing on this point, is in the words following: "Art. 5. As well in tlie planes which are to he ' restored to tlir; British subjecl.s by virtuo of the ' first article, a.-' in all other parts of the nortliwest- * crn coasts of North America or of the islands ad • 'jaccnt, situate to the north of the parts of the said •coast already occu])icd by SiKiin, wherever the * sul)jccts of either of the two j)ower.s shall liavo ' made settlements since the moiith of April, 1789, ' or shall herrafter makrnny, the Rubjerts of the • oilier shall have iVeu access, and shill carry on ' thi'ir trade without any dislurbancu or iiudcila- ' lion." I will now giv(! a few instaiu e.i of tlic coimlru'".- tion put upon this treaty by i5ritish rtaleancn, se- lictin:; as Well those who .Mij>poiiid ihi' ministry, as ihoNC who opposed it. Tlie |)ulu of Mniarose, who moved an address of lllallk^. lo ihe king for having iiiaih; the treaty, used i\i\h language; "We are not mily rL.-tored it) Nootka, but, by 'an expH'ss sli|)ulation, wu may participate in a I ' more northern f';clllLiiienl,if we should find at any I ' time that a more northern i ituaiion would bu I ' i>n ffiabh; for the carrying mi of the trade." I Air. Diuidas said: I "At .\ooika wc have obtained a specific riglilto I 'trade and fish." I Of the ojiposilion, ]\Ir. pox said: j "Our rii;lit bi fore was to .settle in a;iy part of i ' South alt; in a !il fuKi at any in wiiiiKl be l.ailc!." cciflc riglit to nny part of ■tiCn (I ii'^iiinHt 1 art! now rr- )•, ami nmici" an adnii.S'ii'M ml even that, as tin' Siuui- iflimit.s/' III ((js.sary to I'lini'alioii of liiaii sras as lliu liiiiin of lost niirtlii I n .;r.sl)HI),!)!)(j, .slniwn lluit nis south of vity wan ono i;:,aliiiii, and I it (liii.'.s nut y, i.s fuilhrr ldin;;ton in 1S;2(;, uliile ijiMi. Tlu y e sovcrei;;n"- on the Pa- lUla of lati- i:i t to any a lii'ht of iir Status, n in nbcy- niLTC niain- to llie (;x- tlie United aiii )uv, rc- of 179(), to navi^^atfi n and ovi;r 10 inhaliit- s aduiittcJ rii^lit; but u iirat Drit- tlic wlti- ri'isi'd fur olo Pacific 1 latitude. J rent Drii- nor is ex- ny poi'.'u.' of Iho Hoil. Tin; ri;,'lil of fi.shiti!;, Innitin;;, trap- pin;;, ami trndin;; with the iiativiM, and tnntiiij; hUili K nipui.iiy liuildin;;;iaM ini^lit be niee.sMaiy fur I' * should think fii, at any limr nfic r ihe 'JOili of Oc- • tolter, lH'>8,on •ivinj^'ilue nuiiccof l\V( Ive nionlhs iinli K nipui.iiy huiKIin;;;i lui ini^rhl be m.ee.sMary fur I ' to the other nniirai'ini;; parly, tunnnnl and uliro- hat MjiirirH u| r.iinnnerie, is i 'I llmt was ;;rant('d | * ;.^ile this eonvenlion; and it >hall in .surli rase ho liy liiat ti'i aiy, iH ail that ii> lan:Mn;;r iiiiPoilM, or that IJiiti.sh MaiiKinen I'lainn'd for it. itnl tliis trinity, uhali'vir it may have Irin oiT,'inally, was whuily abro^aii i| in J7'.)(I hy the war liilwicn (iiiat Drilain und .'•^pain. Siieii is tiie setiied law M.' of nations, as n ('(innisi'd over and over u'^ain liy tireat Hritaiii. tn ISl.'i, Lord Ilathnr.-.l, in ne;;oli- ulin'; with Mr. Adams, says: "'I'hat (iriai lirit- *iiin knows of no e\eeptiun lu the rule that all ' treaties are put an end to by liuLiHeijiunit war be- ' tv,i en ihe .-ami; p.iilies." Priur to thi; lali.' war, the Pnited Slates cnioyi d the ri:;hl upon ihe lanks of Xewfunndland of land- in'; and dryin;;their fi.sh. Pending' the ni ;;utiations of Ghent I'ur funeliulini^a treaty uf pi aee Iji Uvien lireat Hrilain and ihc United S ites, the IJrilish pli'iiipoleiitiaries reallirmed the fureijiiiii'j; prim iple as to the di.vf.ulvin^' of treaties. In Vcilnme !), iia;;e .'!']|, of the Anieriran Shile IVijurf:, it will be seen that our ministers, in a eonuniniiealion to the then Secretary of Stale, say that the I'rilish ministers Hinted tu them "that before they de.-;in d any answi r ' from us, they felt it ineinnljeiit upmi ilu ni to de- ' elare that the Hriii.-li CIovfTnmeiit did nut deny ' the ri;^ht of the Amerieans to the fishi lies ;;ene- ' ndly, or in the o- i i, seas; but that the privileijes ' formerly ijranted l,y treaty to the UiiituI States, ' uf fishin; within the limits of the IJriti-;h jm-is- ' dietion, and of landini; and dryiiu; fish on the ' shores of the nritisli territories, wunid nut be ro ' newed without an etpiivalenl." Hence it will be seen that, by theirovvn rule, the war between Great I'ritain and Sjiain, in lIDtJ, totally annulled this ticaly. "J'he next treaty havini; rcfiTeiice to tiiis .subject which 1 will notice, is the. une between Great liri- tain and the Uniii d States, bcariiifi; 'hite i2(;'lh Octo- her, 1818. The third section, which is the only one iKjccssary here to be quoted, is as follows: " It isa;;reeil that any euimtry tlii'.l nu'y he claim- ' id by either parly on the nurthwest eoast of ' America westward of the Stuny mountains shtdl, ' together w itii its harhm-s, hays, and eret ks, and ' the navi;;ation of all rivers within the same, be ' iVee und open lor the term of ten years from the ' (lute of tin; signature of the pre.sent convention, • to the vessels, citizens, and subject of the two • powers; it being well umhiv.tuud that this agree- ' mem is not to lie constnud to the prejudice of any • claim which either of the two high cuntraiHing ' parlies may have to any part of the said country, • mn- shall it be taken to allect the claims of un'y • other power or .stale to any part of the said coun- • try; the only ol jcrt of the high contracting par- • ties in that respect being to prevent disputes and ' dilferiMices among themselves." The treaty I'etwccn the same parties of Augu.st G, IHtiT, which is a mere iirulongatiun of that of 18 IH, provides by its fu'st section for the indefinile continuance of the privileges of fvcv navigation, •lunting and fishing; and the second .section thereof is in the following word.s: " Art. 2. It shall he competent, however, to • cither of the conlractin^ parlies, in cat;c cither ^nfc" i.Mi>i » >»ii»« tti*w|i, t^iMi IV I'liiiii III .>»n II ' tin*: i/*- ' accordingly t iiliri ly imnulh d and alirogaled after ' the expir.itiun of the s.iid term uf nutiee." It will l)e si'iii by examining ihe pruvi.-iuns of all tin se treaties, ihat the right of i imnent domain is nowhere graniid or ili' :|iosed of; anl the press, lliiil (.irent I'liiain \\i\.i for years ]ia.'-.' Seen regardful of the righi.i of other Government.;. If IS not my ; uiposo to deal in hi-'h-sounding epithetd of di.'iiunci.ition against Great I'rilam, for they can ''u uo good to the cause; but I desire here lu brill',' forwaiil a l' vv i.'curreiices in illustration of her imperiuus dispo.siiiun inwards other Powers. Take, for iinlanep, the IS'ouika iilVair. Here were Portu-ui .-e vcsst Is with a Portuguese owner, sailing under the Portugiu :e (la^'', and landing in till! Spanish dominions. 'I'hey are cajUiired by the Si.ani.-.li iiuihorities. The I. ivish Government, in the priih, ami I may say insolence of her power, assumed the ai't and ^leld Spain ri spuiisilile; and why f Uecausc > pain was tuo ^veak,single-halld(d, to resist her coiiitrary exactions. Take the rase of her whipping the Chinese until .she compelled them to buy her opium, and then made them pay the exi'ciises of the war! Take the ea.se of the Caroline, nn Amrrienn ves^-el,ancliuied to the American shore, at Sclilos- aer, and boarded by P)ritish suljecfs at midnight, fii't on fue, and sent headlong over the fulls of xNi- ugara ! Our Government demandi (1 satisfaction for tlin invasion of our tcrrit(n-y,and outrage on the rights of our citizens; but the I'rilish (Government a.s- sumed the act, and no indemnity was given to the ovviu^rs of the <'aruliiie, and no aiunement made fur the iniirdc r of Durfee. Sir Allan AfeNab was knighted, ami a dinner was given to him, and a pensiiiii to (V.|ii;;in Drew, for the jiurl they bon; in this disgracet\il transaction. If there! is one sin in the conduct of this Gov- ernment deeper than all oIIk rs, it is their permit- ting thi.s indignity and insult on the part of Great Pritain to pa.-s vviih impunity, llow dill'erent i.s it from the exanijdc given to the world in the iXodtka ca.c. Great Pritiiin has a .sliding scale not only in re- gard to her cum laws, but she has one also in re- gard to ihe faith which she kecjis with other na- tions. She feels the pulse of a nation with whom .she has or expects to have a controversy, in order to ascertain how lai'-'e u do^x■ of her compound of 10 nrropiince ncd cxtiction tlic patinU will stand, and she deals out the noslnini nccordinjrly. We arc asked iiow Clrrat I?ritain can nvnid {^^in;^ to war will) us if our citizens siftiic norili of the Columbia river, or venture on any nart of the ter- ritory wiiieii she rjainis? M^ •eply is this: that when she, by liluster and bravado, phircs iurscif in a false position in rei^faid to aiiollier nation, and finds tliat her demands will not be submitted to, and that she can expe<'t no benefit from a war, she will have sufficient address to bow herself out of it with a tolerable gi'ace. Such is her position now. She elaims that which is ours; if we submit, she will lake it, and Iowa and Wisconsin into the bar- gain. If we do not sidnnii, she, seeini^ that war would be more perilous to her than to us, will re- examine her title-paptrs, aiul find and liriiij; to li;j:ht some inayi with red lines traced upon it, lliat will let her out of the difTiculty, and cover her re- treat. The war-eiy that has been raised here and throughout the country, in the discussion of this question, I regard as one of the greatest humiuigs of the age. It is a tempest in a teapot , which, lilce the innumerable bank panics and war [lanics gotten up for the occasion within tlie last fifteen years, will have its day, and pass ofl", leaving those who are alarmed by it to wonder why they were so need- lessly excited. Let the war prophets avoid the error into which Miller fell in foretelling the destruction of the earth, and not set the day for the fulfilment of the prophe- cy too near at hand. Great Britain does not desire a M'ar with us, and we do not desire a war with her. She wants our bread rather than our blood. The mutual iiUeresIs of the two nations are bonds bctv/een them to keep the peace. She must obtain from us our cottim and provisions in exchange for her niiuiufacturc.^. To talk about Great Britain conrpiering us iswholh' preposterous. Our territory extending from ocean to ocean — our pojiulation, numbering twenty mil- lions of souls, nerved by the conviction that ours is the best and the only jiopular government on earth, we are impregnable to the attacks of any and all foreign powers. The inevitable result of a war would be the loss to Great Britain of the Can- adas. She lias done much more by her course in regard to the Oregon territory to provoke us to a war than all of our proposed measures can do to embroil her in a war with us. In iiddition to the other acts of aggression upon our territory, we find the reasons avowed for reiuM.ing the charter to the Hudson Bay Company' in the following extract: ««0n the 10th of February, 1S.S7, the Hudson ' Bay Company apjilied to the British GoveinineiU 'for a new lease of tlicir charter for Iwenly-one ' years. The ajiplication was made in a letter of • that date, from J. Pelly, Esq., Governor of the • Company, to Lord Glenelg, then S( cretary of • Suae for the Colmiics. This letter sets forth the ' grounds of the application. It states all that the • company have done to carry out the purposes of ' the British Government. It tells how they have « driven the Americans out of tlie fur trade, and got ' it all for themselves — how they occuj)y the whole • countryby twenty -two permanent estadlishmeiits, « (this was in 1837,) and many distinct hunting ' parlie."^ — how they keep six armed vessels, one of ' them a steamer, off the coast — how they have in ' one place begun fanning, and mean to export iig- ' ricullural products — how the country is as fine * fiu'ming ground as any in Ann rica — and, finally, ' how they <;oiifidently hope thai, ' with care and ' protection, the British domini'in may not only be ' prfservid in this country, which il has been so ' much the wish of Russia and America to oecu])y, ' to the exclusion of British subjects, but British ' iiiK'rest iind British intluence may be maintained ' as jiarainount on this interesting |iart of the coast 'of the Pacific' Thus fiir — and it is very far — ' Governor Felly, sjieaking to the Government of ' the comi>any's purj^ise and policy. " But this is noi all. On the 1st of February, ' 18.'J7, George Simpson, l''s(p, agent of the com- ' paiiy in America, writes to Governor Pelly on ' the same subject. He says, ' the po.ssessicm of ' that country (Oregon) to Great Britain may be- ' come an ol)ject of very great importance, and we ' are strengthening their claim to it iiy forming the ' nucleus of a colony, through the establishment of ' farms luid the settlement of f-'ome of our retiring ' oflicers and servants as agriculturists.' This Ino ' went to the Government with ihe application for ' aiu w lease. Ofcouwee the company gottheirlease. 'To the British Cruvernment such arguments were ' altogether irresistible. But, be it observed, into ' the new lease thus granted in 1838, the Govern- ' ment introduced a wholly new condition. Lord ' Glenelg tells them in his rej)ly, that they may 'have their trade monopoly as before, ' but,' he ' adds, ' it will be indispensable to introduce into ' the new charter such conditions as may enable ' her Majesty to grant, for the purjiose of scttle- ' ment and col(niizalion,any of the landr^ comprised ' in it.' And accordingly in the charier \vi\s inserted ' a proviso reserving to the crown, in the largest ' terms, a full right to 'establish colonies, 'and 'gov- ' ern' them, and 'annex them to other colonics be- ' longing to the crown' — and thisinany of the 'lands ' granted. ' What were these lands so granted ? The ' northwest of America not ' under any civil gov- ' erninentof the UnitedStates.' Thiit is, every inch ' (if Oregon, down to latitude 4^? degrees." Thus it will be seen that the Hudson Bay Com- pany, under the authority of the Britisli Govern- ment, is not only .settling her retired servants in that country, but is also preparing prospectively f(M' establishing colonies there; and still wcha\c made no \\ar upon that power for her encroach- ments. Yet the distempered fancy of some gentle- men Ik'.s not only enabled them to see the "air- drawn dauger," but also to fancy they see Great Britain shaking her " gory locks" at u.s for our supposed violation of her rights. The war-spirit is already sufliciently ardent throughout the coun- try, and does not require to be fiunied into a flame. Some of those on the. other side, in marshalling the strength of Great Britain, have referred to her seventy odd colonies, scattered over every portion of the globe, as giving her military power; out the reverse is the fact. Her colonics, exclusive of the (.'anadas, nurnber, at a low estimate, one hundred and twenty millirms of souls; of ihis number there is not one million of the white European race; consequently, in any emergency, that immense 1 11 :sscls, one of they have in In rxport ac;- ry is as fine -and, fiiu'lly, illi care and y not only l.o lias been so Ml to orcn))y, i, hut r.ritish c niainiaincd I of the roust is very far — Dvernmciit of of February, of the coni- nor Pelly on possession of tain may hc- anec, and wo y funning; the ahlishinent of f our retiring s.' This too pplication for ;ottheirlease. i^unicnts were iViserved, into , the Govern - lit ion. Lord hat tliey may ore, ' Init,' he ntroduee into s may enable lo.se of scttle- ulsco.iiprised r was inserted in the largest es,'and 'gov- cfilonicH be- of the 'lands ranted? The ny civil jrov- s, every inch Kcs." n Bay Com- itish Govern- scrvnnts in irospectivcly ^till we ha\c ler e nc roach - 'some gcntle- =cc the "air- y see Great it us for our lie war-spirit out the coun- into a flame, vnarshallinj; •ferred to her !very portion ower; l)ut tlie ■lusive of the one hundred lumber there iropcan race; lat immense mass of human beinp;.irit again.sl England, and she would apply the torch on the first fitting occasion. The aggressions of Great Britain ujion Amei-ican rights — her bribing the mercenary Indians in limes ))asl to the murder of helpless women ruul children, iiave fixed a diep-rooted prtjudice in llie minds of our i)eo]ile, and ihey are at all times eager for a war with her when occasion shall require it; and if Great Britain shall make war upon us because of the assertion and maintenance of our rights, upon her head nuisl rest the consecpKiiices. Before the conflict is ended, her foundations may be sapped — her days may be numbered — and some modern Daniel may be called u})on to read and to interpret the liandvv riting on the wall. The tcrrit(My of Oregon is bounded on the north by the parallel of FA'^ 40', on the east by the Rocky mountains, south by the 42d parallel, and west by the Pacific. Jt is about (!5l) miles in leiigih and ^y'A) in br( adih.and contains .. out .'!GO,OUO.s([uaremil(.;; is greater in extent ihiM the Atlantii-. jiortion ofllie thirteen colonies — stretch ing from tin I'rozen regions of the north to those of pierjietual verdure of the south; the climate is more soft and i)alniy, the soil is more lively and fertile. Its rivers rising in diil'erent jioriions of the territory, flow to,",etlKr, find }ui.';siiig throui'li the gorges of th.e mountain, constitute the Columbia, and have a single outlet to the sea. Its coast, with a few exceptions, is what sailors term iron boiiiid, and would reiiuire but few fortifications to make it iinpiTgnable to the attack of eiuniies. Thus situateil, this terri- tory in the hands of Americans is eminently fitted for strength, union, and wealth; it cannot le divi- d(!d without mutilating its fair proportions; it must belong to one nation, and that should be the United Slates. It is ours, and no ft ar of .sacrifice, either of blood or treasure, should induce ii.s to yield one foot of tl^e territory; it is too intimately connected with American power and greatness to suffer it to be sacrificed on any terms. Although for a maii'ier of years past lait few of our eiii>.ens, except Mapiurs and liuiUt rs, have gone.' to Oregon yet v.ithin the last three or four years the tidi- of emigration to that country has rapidly iinMeasi d. Di;;t;;nce seems to be overlook- ed Ijy them. iS'oihing can be more interesting than the narratives given of the travels, from day to day, of the thousands who are marching over bar- ren plains and sandy deserts to Oregon. In It 13, among othei emigrants, there passed through my Bectiou of country an eldeily gentleman, with his wife, his (hiidnii, and his craiidchildren, number- ing betvvieii thirty and forty. They had their flocks ur.d their lierd.s with tlu in, and, cam|>iiig for a few days in one of our prairies, they purchased Borne cuttle to add to their stock, Th'; old man had a bright eye, n firm step, and a heart that quailed not in contemplating dangers and dilTiculties. He was going to get land for his children and grand- children — to occupy the American soil; and 1 could not but think how greatly our people were in ad- vance of the Government. These accounts constantly remind via of the trav- els of the piU.riarchs of old; iind looking back through the dim vista of time to the days of primi- tive simplicity, we .see Abraham and Lot pilching their tents in the land of Canaan and the plains of Jordan, separating to ihi; right iiand and to the It-ft, to prevent strife between their herdsmen, as the whole land was before them; when Jacol), with his lujuschold and hi.^ cattle that were ring-streaked and sjieckl( (1, (le|)arii d from Padan Aram, the home of Labaii, bis fatlp -in-law, and returning to visit his lather in the hiiiil of Canaan, met anil ex- I handed fraternal salutations with his brother E;arallel e;ease's, for the American flag has not been furnished to our people, and th.e American law.s have liot be:e'n ex- tended o\er them, to guide them to, and shield them in, the '■ land of promise" lieyond the moun- tain.s; yet they jness onward with an ardor and an energy whie:li t'atiguc e:annot e.xhaust or subdue', ciicouiitering at every stej) the untutored savai;e, and eiuluring toils and privations kiie)wu only to the' hardy pioneer. "We can have but a faint cimjecture of the tumult of delight and the wild and rapturous joy which lieavcs the bosom of those enterprising spirits, when from the crest eif the lloe'ky mouniains they fust gaze uj)on the hills and valleys, mountains and rivers beyond — when they stanel ujuin the IjIuITs, and w iih bi wildering eleliglit hear the roar of the niighi.y Pae ifie-,. These men have gone fe)rlh le> I'ound an e'm]>ire, animated Ijy the same noble' and generous im]>ulses which be)rc the jiilgrim fathers acrf)ss the deep to the re)ck of Plyme)uth, and which lempieel Boone in his ventures across the (.'umberlaiid mouniains, and tlirough the fei tile; and beautiful vales of Kenlueky to tl.c banks of the miijestic Ohio. "NVho of m in those day.s could .sie even dim- ly in the fumre the new State.'; wl,if jieril and of danger, from which the tame and timorous would shrink with horror; it expands the heart, and unfettei'3 its je)ys, its hopes, its aspirations; it Iciid.s a new charm to 12 life, a new sprinp; to human cnrrirics and fIcRiros, and wakens in the brciist a Icindrcd f(;(-lins; willi that which animiUed our first parents in the garden of Eden. I would say to all who desire to go to Oregon, that it holds out to the emigrant induec- ments of the most tempting and prrmanent char- neter. Go and select your farm and your home, while you have the whole country to choose ftvmi; plant yourselves upon the virgin s<;il, and our pon- ulatioti stretching m dense masses to the west, will soon embrace you within its circle. For myself, I look f(jr\vard with a lively hope to tlic period when I shidl climb the mountains, traverse the val- leys, iuid cross the rivers of Oregon; i\nd standing upon the bardvs of tiie Columbia, listen with wild delight to the roar of its waters as llvy rush into tlie Pacific. About the parallel of 48°, there are some excel- lent harbors; but south of that there arc none, ex- cept Dulfinch's harbor atid the mouth of the Co- lumbia — ncitlicr of them very dcsiral.le. As the most authentic source whence informa- tion can be derived on this subject, I will give a few extracts from the narrative of Captain Wilkes touching the harbors and the mouth of the Colum- bia river. Speaking of the latter he says: " Mere description can give little idea of the tcr- 'rorsofthe bar of the Ciilunibia; all who have • seen it have spoken of the wildiiess of the scene, • the incessant roar of the waters, representing it • as one of tlie most fearful sights that can meet the ' eye of a sailor."— Ko/. 4, ;). -US. On the subject of the parts south of Fuca's straits he says: "The coast of Oregon, to the south of Cape ' Flattery, (the southern cape on the Straits of Fu- ' ca,) is rocky, much broken, and affords tio har- ' bors, except for very small vessels." — To/. 4, p. 296. Again , speaking of the coast south of the Colum- bia river, he says: "No ports exist along any part of the coast of • Oregon, south of the ColumljJa river, that are ac- ' cessible to any class of vessels, even those of but • very small draught of water." — Vol. 5, p. 148. Further on he speaks in raptures of the safety and caj)acity of the harljor at Pugct Sound. Any number of the largest lineof-ljattle-ships that this ration would need or could command, might lide there in the utmost safety. This is his description of it: " Nothing can exceed the beauty of ilicse waters • nor their safety; not a shoal exists within the ' Straits of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Paget ' Sound, or Hood's canal, that can, in any way, 'interru[)t the navigation of a sevciUy-four-gun ' ship. I venture nothing in .saying, tlicre is no • country in the world that possesses waters equal • to these."— To/. 4, p. 30.'j. Hence it will be seen that the recent proposition on the part of Great Pritain to divide the territoiy, was to give her the lioi;'s share — to yield to her the maritime supremacy of the Pacific. The Pres- ident was therefore right in promptly rejecting it, and no party or individual in this country can be Bustnincd who would advise its acceptance. The country abounds in mountains and valleys, rivers and plains, woodlands and prairies, and from its climate and soil it is destinea to be one of the finest grazing countries on the continent. Captain Spalding, in his letter, says: "The colony from the United States is situated ' in the Willamette, (a branch of the Columbia,) ' about ninety miles from the mouth of the river, ' which is undoubtedly the finest grazing and wheal ' coinitry in Oregon. "The extent of the country comprising the Wil- ' lamcttc valley, is about 3U0 miles long and 200 ' broad, inlcrs])c.sed with wood, generally of sutfi- ' cient quantities for f\icl and fencing. The land, ' in its iiiUural stale, is usually ready for the jilough, ' and is very fertile, jiroducing from 2.'> to 40 bush- ' els of wheat to the acre; and the ciimale is so ' mild, that the eallle .subsist in the fields without ' fodder or shelter of any kind being prepared or ' provided for them throuirh the winter. Probably ' no jilace in the world aflbrds greater inducements ' for enn'grants." "One farmer in 18;]7 raised 4,.'i00 bushels of ' wheal, 4,000 bushels peas, 1,700 bushels barley, ' aiul 1 ,;')00 bushels oats. " Figs, citrons, oranges, lemons, and most of the ' fruits common to the United Slates, grow there. " Farmers can raise any immber of cattle, horses ' and hogs — sometimes five or six hundred head of ' each kind of animals. " Wheat is nomin.ally worth $1 per l)us!'cl; beef, * G cents jier povuid; pork, 10 cents; cows, $50 eacli; ' oxen, ^GO; horses, ^^•'Ji potatoes bring about 2.1 ' cents per bushel; and laoor is wortii about ^t*];") ' per month — the laborer being foiuid by liis cm- ' ployer." From this oiulinc it will be perceived that Oregon is as favorably endowed by nature with all the ele- ments of wealth and greatness as any section of the Union, anil all that is required tor the develop- ment of its resources is the hand of industry and labor. Not less gifted is it by nature tor commerce; and in this point of view it occupies tlie most com- manding position. Its geographical iulvaiUages of situation enables it, under the control of an active and energetic Amcn-ican population, to innicirate every path and island of lite Indian ocean, wluuher in pursuit of the v\hale, or in the rich products of the tropics — consisting of cotton, indigo, tea, cof- fee, sugar, spices, and all the luxuries which can minister to the wants of man. Being opposite and near to Asia, it can, by means of commerce, enter largely into the East Indian and C>hina trade, and draw from the mines of eastern wealth and magnifi- cence countless millions, and jilant upon her sea- board, cities destined to rival in grandeur ancient Cartilage, Tyre, and Venice. " The American continent, washed in its entire I * length by the two great highways of nations, pre- I ' sents extraordinary advantages to its population ' ' tor commercial inlercomvse. Its [msition is one of 1 ' nature's nionoridlies." « * * * » I " Seatthe United Slates firmly in Oregon, and the ! ' corninerciil enterprise and wealth nf the world will j ' centralize within our limits. 'J'he trade of the Tn- ' ' dian ocean has enriched every nation in succession tliat hi llaliai ' of we; owt s faciun pates posse': Its bel varied ' .Soutlit ' ocean. ' situate as v.il Sueh prove tions an nation it is not roads w nect wit of conn cities, d a trade v lieretofo Thus Pacific its canv! clime til 13 ins and viilleys, (1 prairies, and tien to be one of continent. i;iy.s : kiitcs is situated the Coli'mbia,) til of the river, iizingand wlioat priHin<; thcWil- s lon^ and 20U :ncraliy of sutTi- nj;. The huid, ^ for (lie plough, \ 25 to 40 bush- le Climate is so c fields without :intri]ics to be dimmed, or the territory which is rightfully ours to be wrested from us, we .'ihould unliesitutingly make this last appeal of na- tions without counting cost or consequences. While we would not invade tlu; rights of the weakest, we should not, witli i;npunity, submit to wrongs from the most powerful and haughty imlion on the globe. " Be just and fear not;" and if in the dispensa- tion of event."? war should come upon us, 1 cannot doubt but that at its close, asat its commencement, the American eagle would hover over us with liia eye unquencheJ and his spirit unterriiied. cd in its entire f iK'tions, prc- i's population >sitioii IS one of « * * )icgon,and the fthe world will trade of the Tn- n in succession