Newspapers / The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, … / Dec. 10, 1845, edition 1 / Page 2
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' . '.r - J 5 v' - -t- - MESSAGE . or THE PRE8IDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Decejukk, 1845. Ftlhw C titrv ef Ihe Senate . tmJ JIuutt if ftepretentatires: It is lo ma a source of unaffected sa'is faciioo lo meet the Representatives of the States and therpeop e in Congress assem bled, M it will 1 lo receive the aid ol tbeii combined wisdom in th edrninislra lion of public affair. In perfoiming, for the first limp, the duly- imposed on me by . the constitution, of giving to you infor maiion of tlie state of the Union, and re commending lo jour consideration such measures as in my judgment are necessa ry and expedient,! m happy that 1 can cone ratulote vou on the continued pros ririy ofotir country. Under the blessings oi umne i-roviuence ana ine ocmgn in fluence of our Irce institutions, it stands before the world a spectacle of national happiness vViih our unexampled advancement in all the elements of national grea peso, the affection of the people is confirmed for the union of the Slates, and for the doctrine of popular liberty, which lie at the foun dation of our government. It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgment to the Supreme KuU-r of the Universe, for the inestimable eivil and religious blesings with which we are favored. In calling the attention of Congress to our rait t ions with foreign rowers, I am gratified to be able to sta'e, that, though with "some of them there have existed since our last session serious causes o - irritation and misunderstanding, yet 00 ac tual hostilities have taken place. Adopt- - mge-moxm m theVondu-of-eoT -for -sign affairs, to "ask nothing that ia not right, and submit to nothing that is wrong," It has been my anxious desire to preserve peace with all nations; bat, at the same time, 10 be prepared 10 resist aggression, nd to mniotain all our just rights. In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congiets, "for annexing Texas to the United States," my predecessor, on the third day of March, 1845. elected 10 sub mil the first and second sections of that resolution to the repub'ic of Texas, at an overture, on the part of the Uuiled States, for her admission as a State into our U ; 1 tiionV fiThur election " 1 approved; 'and "ac ' cordingly the charge d'affsirs of the Uni ted States in Texas, under instructions of - the tenia of March, 1845, presented these sections of the resolution lor the accep tance of that republic. The e xecui ive gov ernment the Congress, and the people of Texas in convention, nave successively complied with all the term and condi tions of the joint resolution. A constitu tion for the government of the State of Texas, formed by a convention -of depu ties, ia herewith laid before Congress. It is well known, also, ihst the people of Texas at the foils have accepted the terms of annexation, and ratified the constitution. I communicate to Congress the corres pondence between the Secretary of State and our chargt d'affaires in Texas; and also (he correspondence of the latter with the authorities of Texas; together with the official documents transmitted by him to his own government. The terms of annexation which were offered by the United Slates having been accepted by Texas, the public faith of both parties is solemnly pledged to the compact of&eir union.. Nothing remains to con summste the event, but the passage of an act by Congress to admit the State of Tex as into the Union upon an equal footing with the original Stales. Strong reasons exist why this should be done at an early period of the session. It will be observed that, by the constitution of Texas, the ex isting government is only continued tem porarily till Congress can net; and that the third Monday of the present month is the day appointed for holding the first general election. On that day a governor, a lieu tenant governor, and both branches of the legislature, will be chosen by the people. The President of Teias is required, im mediately after the receipt of official in, formatien lhat the. new Slate has been ad mitted into our Union by Congress, to convene the legislature; and, upon its meetinr, the existing government will be - superseded; and 4he State government -or gan tied, tluestioos deeply interesting lo Texas, in common with the other Stales; the extension of our revenue laws snd Ju dicial system over her people snd territo ry, as well as measurss el a local charac ter, will claim the early attention or Con gress; and, therefore, upon every princi ple of republican government, she ought to do represented in wm oouy wuboui un necessary delay. 1 cannot too earnestly recommend prompt action on this impor tant subject. . As soon as the set to admit Texas as a Elate sbalj be passed, the union of the two - republic will be consummated by their own voluntary consent. This accession lo our territory ha been , I bloodless Achievement. No arm ol force -hat been raised to produce the result. The sword has had no part in the victory. We have not sought . lo extend our territorial possessions by conquest, or our republican institutions over a reluctant .people. It was the deliberate homage of each people to the great principle of our federative union, , . . If we consider the extent of territory in Volvsd in the annexation -its prospective Influence on America, tho means by which it baa been accomplished, springing pure y from (ho choice of the people themselves to share the blessings of our union, the history oiibe world may be challenged lo frrniio.at parnllad.i , . r , , Tho Jurisdiction of the United J5 tales, fyhick t the fornatioa of the federal con-sjimtjon-was founded fcjrsbe St, Mary's, on the AUapt ic, has passed the Capes of Florida, and been peacefully extended to the Del Norte. In contemplating the grandeur of ibis event, it is not lobe for gotten that the result was achieved in des pite of the diplomatic intrrlerence ofEu rjpeait monarchies. Even Frunce ihe country which bad been our ancient ally, ihe country .which has a common int'-rest u ilh us in inuintuiuiog the freedom of the seas, the couirry which, by the cession of Louisiana, first opened to us access to the Gulf of Mcxitto, the couuiry with which we have been every year drawing more and more closely the bonds of successful commerce, most unexpectedly, nud to our unfeigned regret, took port ia an effort to prevent atmextion and lo impose on Texu, as a condition of the recognition of her independence by Mexico, that she would never join herself lo the L'uited Stales. We may rejojeu lhat the tranquil ami pervading inllueiice of the Ainericnii principle of self government whs sufficient to defeat ihe purposes of British and French iiiteriervncc, and that the almost unani mous voice of the people of Texas has given to lhat interference a peaceful and effective rebuke. From this example. European governments may. learn, how vain diplomatic arts and intrigues muet ever prove upon this continent, against that system of self-government which seems natural to our toil, and which will ever resist foreign interference. Towards Texas, 1 do not doubt that a liberal and generous spirit will actuate Congress tn all that concerns her interests and prosperity, and" that she will never have cause to regret that she tins united her lone star" lo our gorious constel. Ltion. I regret to inform you that our relations with. Mexico, since your , Jat session,, have noi been of the-micable character which it is our desiie to cultivate with all foreign the Mexican envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United Stales made a formal protest, in the name of his government, ogainst the joint rr-jo lution passed by Congress, "for the an nexation of Texa to the United States," which he chose to regard as a violation of the rights of Mexico, and, in consequence of it, he demanded his passports. He was informed that the government of the United Slates did not consider this joint resolution as a violation of any of ihe lights of Mexico, or that it afforded any just cause 'of offence to his government; that the Republic of Texas ins n mdenerideiit Power, owning no allegiance to Mexico, and constituting no part of her territory or rightful sovereignty and jurisdiction He was also assured lhat; it was the sincere desire of this government lo maintain with that of Mexico relations of peace and good understanding. That functionary, howev er notwithstanding these representations snd assurances, abruprly terminated his mission, and shortly afterwards left the coumry. Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico was refused all official intercourse with that government, and, after remaining several months, 1y the permission of his own gov ernment, he returned to the United Slates. Thus, by the acts of Mexico, all diplomat ic intercourse between the two countries was suspended. Since that lime Mexico has, until re cently, occupied an altitude of hostility to waids tho Unitedted Suies, has been -marshalling and organizing armies, issuing proclamations, and avowing the intention to make war on the United States, either by an open declaration, or by invading Texas; Both the Congress, and Con ven tion of the people of Texas invited this Government lo send an army into that ter ritory, to protect and defend them against the menaced at'ack. The moment the terms of annexation, ofTered by the Uni ted States, were accepted by Texas, the latter became so far a part of our own cou' try, as to make it our duty to afford such protection and defence. I therefore deemed fir proper, as a precautionary measure, to order a strong squadron to the coasts of Mexico, and to eoncenirate an efficict military force on the western frontier of Texas. Our army was order ed lo take position in tho country between the Nueces and the Dei Norte, and to re pel any invasion of the Teian territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces. Our squadron in the gulf was or dered to co-operate with the army. But though our arinv and nary wero placed in a position lo defend our own, snd the rights of Texas, they were ordered to com' ruit no act of hostility against Mexico, un less she declared war, or was herself the aggressor by striking the first blow. The result has been, that Mexico has made ho aggressive movement, and our military snd naval commanders have executed their orders with such discretion, that the peace of the -two republics has not been distur bed. - Texas had declared her independence, and maintained it by her arms for more than nine years. She has had an organi sed government in successful operation during that period. Her separate exis tence, as an independent Stale, had been recognised by the United States and the principal Powers of Europe. Trestle's of commerce and navigation had been conclu ded with her by different nations, and it had become manifest to the whole world that any further attempt on ihe part of .Mexico lo conquer her, or overthrow her govermneut, would be vain. Even Mexi co herself had become satisfied of ibis lart; and whilst the question of annexation was pending before the people of Texas, dur ing the past summer, tba government of Mexico by a formal act, agreed lo recog nise the independence of Texas on condi lion that she would not. annex herself to any other Power. The agreement to ac knowledge the independence of Texas, whether with or without this condition, is conclusive sgainst Mexico. The indepen denee of Texas is fact conceded by Mex ajalSSjapgSBjBM IU 111... I - I M-P. - S , t 1- ico herself, and she had no right or author it y to prescribe restriction as to the fpim of jjovwMiroeot which Texas might after wants ehowttfTtf assnme. But though Mexico cannot complain of the United .States 011 account of the annex ation ofTexns, it is to be reorettrd that serious causes of misuoderiMamJiiig between he two countries continue lo exist, grow ing nut of unredressed injuries inflicted by the Mexican authorities and pen pie on the persons and property of citizens of the U nited Si .tes, through a long scries of years. Mexico h f admitted these injuries, but has neglected and tefnsed to repair them. Such u-as the character of the wrongs, and such the insults repeatedly offered to Amer ican citizens snd the American flag by Mexico, in palpable violation of the laws of nations snd the treaty between ihe two countries of ihe fifth of April, 1931, lhat they have been repeatedly brought to the notice of Congres by my predecessors. As earjy as-ibe eighth ef February, 1837, the President of the United-Slates declared, in a messaged Congress, lhat "the length of time sinee some of the injuries have been committed, the repeated and unavail ing applications for redress, the wanton haracter of some of the outrages upon the persons and properly of our citizens, upon the officers and flag of the United States, independent of recent insults to this tfovei nment and people by the late Extra ordinary Mexican minister, would justify 111 the eyes of all nations immediate war." He ditK, not,; ioweveiy recommend an immediate resort to tiis extreme for tsare, which, he declared, "should not be used by just and generous nations, confiding in their strength for injuries eommitcd, if il cau bo honorably avoided," but. in 4 spir it of forbearance, proposed thai another demand be made on Mexico for that redress which had been so long and unjustly with held. In these views, committees of the two Houses of Congress, in reports made to their respective bodies, concurred. Since these proceeding more than eight years hsve elapsed, during which, in addi tion to the wrongs then complained of, others of an aggravated character have been committed on the persons and property of our citizens. A special sgent was sent to Mexico in the summer of 1838, with full authority to make another and fins! demand lor redress. Ihe demsnd wss made; the Mexican government promised to repair the wrongs of which we complained; and after much delay, a treaty of indemnity with ttist view was conciuoeU oelWeen .Uie two Powers on the eleventh of April, 1839, and was duly ratified by both governments. By ibis treaty a joint commission was cre ated to adjudicate and decide on the: claims of American citizen on the government of Mexico. The oommission wasorganized at Washington on the twenty-fifth day of Au gust, 1H40. Their time was limited to eighteen months; at the expiration of which, they had adjudicated and decided claims i amounting to two millions twenty-six thou sand one nunureu ana tniity nine dollars and sixty-eight tents in favor of citizens of the United States against the Mexican gov ernment, -leaving a large amount of claims undecided. Of the latter, the American commissioners had decided in favor of our citizens, claims amounting to nine hundred and twenty-eight thousand six hundied and twenty -seven dollars snd eighty-eight cents, which were left enacted on by the umpire authorized by the treaty Still further claims, amounting to between three and four millions of dollars were submitted to the board loo late lo be considered, and were left undisposed of. The sum of two millions twenty-six thousand one hundred and iliirlvnine dollars and sixtv-eiVhl cents. decided by the board, was a liquidated and ascertained debt due by Mexico to the claim ants, and there was no justifiable reason for delaying its payment according to the terms, of the lieaty. It was not, however, paid. Mexico applied for further indulgence; and, in that spirit of liberality and forbearance which has ever marked the policy of the United States towards that tepubVic, the request was granted; and, on the thirtieth of January, 10-43, a new treaty was con eluded. By this tresiy il was provided, lhat the interests due on the awards in fa vor of claimants under the convention of the eleventh of April, 1830. should be paid on the thirtieth ef April, 1843, and that "the principal of the said awards, snd the inter est aiising thereon, shalj be paid in five years, in equal instalments every three months; the said term of five years to coin menceon the thiilieih, day of April, 1843, ss aforesaid." The interests due on the thiilieih day of April, 1843, and the three first of the twenty instalments, hsve been paid. Seventeen ot these instalments re main unpaid, seven of which are now due. The claims which were left undecided by the joint commission, amounting to more than three millions of dollars, together with other claims for spoliations on the property of our eiliaens, were subsequently present ed to the Mexican government for payment, and were so far recognised, lhat a treaty, providing for their examination and settle menl by a joint commission, was concluded and signed at Mexico on the twentieth day of November, 1843. This treaty wss rati fied by the United States, withcertaiit mendments, to which no jut exception could have been taken; but it has not yet received the ratification of the Mexican gov eminent. In the meantime, our citizens who suffered great losses, and some of whom have been reduced from affluence to bankruptcy, are 'without remedy, unless their rights be enforced by their government. Such a continued and unprovoked aeries of wrongs could never have been tolerated by the United Slates, had they been committed by one of the principal nations of Europe. Mexico was, however a neighboring sister republic, which, following our example, had achieved her independence, and for whose success and prosperity all our sympathies were early enlisted. The United States were the first 10 recognise her indepen. denee, ana to receive her into the family or nations, and have ever been desiious of cul- tivating with her a, good understanding. We hn ve, t hcrefot cy borne ihe" repealed wrongs she has committed, with great pa tience. in the hope that s returning sense of justice would tiliimaiely guide her coun. sils, and thai we might, if possib'e, honor ably avoid any hostile collision wilh'her. Willi ui ihe pievious authority i.f Con gress, the Execute po!Mceril 10 power to adopt or enforce adequate remedies for the injuies we had suflVred. or to do more than he prepared to repel the threatened aggie.iion on the part of Mexf o. Aftt-r our army soil nay had remained on the fron ier snd c t of Mexico for many weeks wiihout any hos tie movement on her par', though her menace were coutin ued, I deemed it important to put an end, if possible, t thi si.ite of tilings. With 1I1U viw, 1 raued steps lo be taken, in the mondiiif September last, to ascertain diktincilr, and in an authentic form, wlwit the designs of the Mexican overmuch' were j whether it was their tnteiition to de ilaie war, or invade Texas, or whedier they were disposed to,.. adjust and se tie, in an amicable manner, ihe "pending differ ences between the two countries. On the ninth of November an official answer was received, that .the Mexican govern men! cunsmted to renew the diplomatic relation which hid been suspended in March last, and for thai purpose were willing to accredit a minister from the U- nited States. With a sincere t'.esire to preserve peace, and restore relations of good understanding between- the . two re publics, I waived ail cutmouy ss to the manner ol renewing diplomatic intercourse between them; and, assuming Ihe initia tive, on the tenth ot November a distinguish ed citizen of Louisiana was appointed En vy Extraordinary and Minister l'lenipo ten ti ry - to - Mex ico-- clot lied ' wh- toll powers to adjust snd definitively settle, all pending dtttereucu-s between the- Iwu countries, including those ot boundary between Mexico snd the State of Texas. The minister appointed has set out on his misnion, and ia probably by this time near the Mexican capital, lie has been instruc ted tobring the negotiation with which he is charged to a conclusion at the earliett practicable period; which, it is expected, ill he in tune to eaable me to cummuni cste the result to Congress during the pres ent session. Until that result is known, 1 forbear to lecommcnd to Congress sech ulterior measures of redress for the wrong and. injuries we have so long borne? as it would nave Been proper 10 ma ice naa no such negotiation been instituted. Congress appropriated, at Ibe last session, lbs sum ol two hundred snd seventy fivs thousand dollars tor lbs payment of lbs April and July instilments or ilia Mexican indemnities lor ine year 1844: " Provided it shall be ascertained lo Ihe satisfaction of lite American Government thai said instalments bavs been paid by lha Mexican irovernmenr to lha agent appointed by the United Stales to receive the same. In sueh manner as to discharge all claim on the Mexican fjornoieot, and said agent lo be delinquent in i he unsettled state ol our millions with Mex ico has involved this subject in much mystery. rbe first information, in an aulhentio form, from the agent of the Unrtsd States, appointed under the administration of my predecessor, wss re ceived st the Slate Department on the ninth of November last. I his Is contained in a letter, dated the seventeenth of October, addressed by bnu to one of our ciltiens uen in Mexico, with the view of having it communicatad to that de partment. . t torn this it appears that the agent, on Ihe twentieth of September, 1841, gave a receipt to the Treasury of Mexico for ihe amount of the April and Jnly Inatalmerls of the indem nity. In the same communication, however, he asserts that ha had not received a single dollar in cash; but that he holds saeh securities ss warranted bin st th lime in giving Ihe receipt, and entertains ao doubt but that he will evsnto all V obtain the money. .As these instalments appear never to have been actually paid' by the f JMK.nmAm ftf ilo.tnn in ihm nrr.nl .ml a ti 1 1 government lus not therefore btien released so as to discharge ihe claim, I do not feel myself wsrranted ia directing payment to be mads lo the claimants out ol the treasury, without fur ther legislation. Their case U undoubtedly one of much hardship, and it remains for Congrats 10 deci'le whether any, and what, relief ought to be gran'ed to them. Oar minister to Mexico has been instructed to ascertain facts of ihe ease fioin the Mexican government, in an an thentic and official form, and .report lbs rssult with as litda delay as possible. My attention was early directed to Ihe nejro lion, which, on the 4th of March last. I found pending at Washington between the U tiled .State and Great Britain, on the subject of the Oregon territory. Three sever! attempts had been previously made to settle the questions in dispute between the two countries, by negotia lion, upon the principle of compromise, bat ejeh had proved unsaocessfol.' The'e negotiations took place at London, in the yaar 1818, 18S4, and 189C; the two fiitt under the administration of Mr. Monroe, and Iks last under that of Mr, Adams. The negoi stion of 1818 having failed to accomplith its object, resulted in the convention of the 0h of October of that year. By the third article of that convention, it was ' agreed that any oonntry that may be claimed by either party en the aorth west coast of America, westward of the Stony mosmains, shall, together. . with ita harbors, bays and ereeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be free and opea for the term of ten years from lha date of the signs ture of the present convention, to the vessels, eiliaens and subjects of the two powers; it be ing well understood that this agreement Is not to he eomrtfee -torpjndlce'of aflyral whieh either of lha two hifh contracting parlies may have to any part of tha said country, nor shall itbs taken to affect tbs claims of any 6th tr powei or State to any part of the said coun try; tbs only object of lbs high contracting par lies in that respect being, to prevent disputes and dilTereneos among themselves." Tha negotiation of 1824 was productive pf no result, and the eonventionof 1818 was left on changed. The negotiation of 1820, having also failed to effect an adjustment by compro mise, resulted in the convention of August the sixth, 1827, by whieh it was agreed to continue in force, for an indefinite period, the provisions of lite third article of the convention of the' twentieth oC October, 1818; and it was further provided, that "it halt be competent, however, to either of the contracting parties, incase either should think El, at any time after (he twentieth of October. 1828, on giving due notice of iwerva months to the other wmtraclmf prt-,,,ril niet feduinrc1 ty, to annul and ablegate this convention; ( sndlt'slial,, in such ease, te accortni.giy Antirol r nnnnllxil and nlirni i..l.-d .fier . v....v b-.. ... .... pirauuu 01 oi fbiii irrni "i huihc. m Jiese atteiuoU to aditist the conlroverrv. the parallel ol the lorty-nimH degree ol north latitude had been offered by the U- nited States to (ir-at Brt am. anil in those - ' . . .. :. oflS.18 aud 1820. with a further conce- sion of ti4re ta.igtHm4UC4uiva-. river south ol 1 rial latitude. e. 1 lie parallel , from the Rocky of the forty-nin'h degree, mountains to its intersection ith the north easternmost branch of the Columbia, and thence down the channel of lhat river to the sea, had been offered by (J real Biitaiii, with an addition of a small detached terri tory north of the Columbia. Each of these propositions had been rejected by the parlies lespeciively. In October, 1643. ihe Envoy Extraordin ary and Minister Flentpoientiaiy of the U 11 lie J Slates in fjoiidon was authorized to make a similar offer to those made in 18 1 8 and 1826. That stood the qnestion, when the negotiation was shortly afterwards transferred to Washington- and, "on the twenty-third of August, 1844, was formal ly Opened, Under the direction of my im mediate predecessor. Like all the pre vious negotiations, it wss based upon prin ciples of "compromise;' . and the avowed purpose of the parties was, "to treat of the respective claims of the two countries to the Oregon territory with the view .to es labl.8h a permanent boundary hetween ihem westward of t e ftocky mountains to the Pacific ocean." Accordingly, on the twenty-six of August, 1844, Ihe British ple nipotentiary offered to. divide the Oregon territory by ihe foity -ninth parallel of north latitude, from the Hocky mountains to the point Of lis ' inlcisecubri wtili the: norllieas tetnmost branch of the Colin. bia river, and thence- tlown-tnat-river4--the seer'leavtng the free navigation of the river to be enjoy ed in common by both parties the coun try south of this line to belong to the Uni ted States, and that north of it to Great Britain. At the same time, he proposed, in addition, to yield to the United States a detached territory, north of the Columbia extending along the Pacific and the Straits of Fuca, from liulfinch's harbor inclusive, to Hood's canal, and to make free to the United States any port or ports south of latitude forty. nine degrees, which they might desire, cither on the main land, or ottjLJadra and, Vancouver1 landg:, ith the exception of the free ports, this was the same offer which had been made by the British and rejected by the American gov ernment in the negotiation of 1826. This proposition was properly rejee'ed by the A merican plenipotentiary on - the day il was submitted - This was the only propo- . . . m . t . L - l union vi GOfopromiae micrcu vj mo urmsn plenipotentiary. The proposition en the part of Great Britain having been rejected, the British plenipotentiary requested that a proposal ' should be made by -the United States for an equitable adjustment of the question." When I came into office, I foond this to be the 'state of the negotiation. Though entertaining the settled conviction, that the British pretensions of title could not be maintained to any portion of ibe Oregon territory upon any principle of pubic law recognised by nations, yet, in deference to what had been done by my predecessors, and especially in consideration that propo. sitions of compromise hsa been thrice made by two preceding administrations, to adjust the question on the parallel of forty-nine degress, and in two of them yielding to Great Britain the free navigation of the Columbia, and that the pending -negotiation had been commenced on the basis of com promise, I deemed it lo be ray duty not abruptly to break it off. In consideration, too, that nnder the conventions of 1818 and 1827, the citiEens and subjects of the two Powers held a joint occupancy of the conn try, I was induced to make another effort to settle this long-pending controversy in the spirit of moderation which had given birth to the renewed discussion. A propo sition was accordingly made, which was rejected by the British plenipotentiary, who, wiihout submitting any other propo siiion suffered the negotiation- on his part to drop, expressing his trust that ihe United Stales would offer what he saw fit to Call "sojne further proposal (or the settlement of the Oregon question, more consistent with fairness and equity, and with the rea sonable expectations of the British government-" The proposition thus Offered and rejected repeated the offer of the parallel of forty-nine degrees ol north latitude which had been made by two preceding adminis trations, but without proposing to surrender to Great Britain, as they had .done, the free navigation of the ( olumbia river. The right of any foreign Power to the free nav igation of any of our rivers, through the heart of our country, was one which 1 was unwilling to concede. It also embraced a provision to make free to Oieat Britain any port or ports on the rap of Quadra and Vancouver's island, south -ol this parallel. Had this been a new question, coming un der discussion for the first lime, this pro position would not hsve bet" made, The extraordinary and wholly inodmissible de mands of the British government, and the rejection of the proposition made in defer ence alone to what had been done by my predecessors, and the Implied obligation which their acts seemed to impose, afford satisfactory evidence that no compromise which the United Mates ought to accept, can pro pi made subseq the Whole Oregon tenitory asserted, and, 5 as is believed, maintained by irretrsgnbie lacis Mru arguments. ' . The civilized . world nroee. dines a anirit of Will see in these liberal CQoeession op ine. part ei ine uniieu ciaiesr. anu ship government will oe relieved from all res possibility which may follow the failure to seule die controversy. beenecied. w ith this eo0vi.onvtn. . J ihe e:nvernment Ath' Pi irsuion ol pomprom'se whien naa ncen . , i That h and rejected, wai by my direction, - "V- - U uenUv withdrawn, and our' Uilt to :V"!-V . l7 r'. flfrnrMkla at. a lul ., U i-Y""! for the ieenrity -,d t,rnt.r-mVr : - . '..7"" I """""1"1' cm-em. f ..... . ..... r.mn or cor riiL biung. or who .uiu Jimo . and for the lut-iutrm lh st territory, fri jj,, lvn3 ,,w inuapm,, initabll lregon, J"" w inm irmtOTV. In U: measures for this pnroose, ear- .1 lAen iimt n-ihmg be done t-. , j r aiim.lai.oiia of il.. it which is still in force The faith J ' tiesriirWmTellertn.t spTriTrT.-asW . ,ml, 1 lrU8lf wU, tr V scrupidooJ. , fCrvcd by ihe United Slates. UndTr iut Convention, a year s notice is be given by either party to the otbetfc,. lequircj t, 1 '"e jwm occupancy -'shall lentd, 1 ana before either can rightfully osit, ' iVMrititfu ... I . . ! ' 1 ' DOrUOIl tkl 4llA torriloru - Tl... f iUisui i HIV II , -'raj s wou d, ityny judgnieiii,( be p.oper i0i,r, nulisM - 'Kcvoiiiieiiu mat pioviKion so bs nnJt v) w ior giving 11 accordingly, and tersn- uwwg,, m una manner i eohveniitiai,! mcauin 01 August, 1827. - . It will become proper for Congress In! determine what legislation they can, in ifoi iuie, aiiojit witiiout vioiutmg tliii sua vention. Beyond all question, the protee 11011 ot our laws snd our juriadictioa,civil' HucriuiiHsi. ougiii lobe immediately Kiiueu over our citizens in Oregon ; X),,- have had 11141 nn,. tn nn.j..:.. ..1 -.. - j ..vwp.ii our itMir i sequence, been compelled, for their swq security and protection, " lo esublish ( pm. visional government for ihemslffosArwr in their allegiance and ardent in their it tachmeht to the United States, they have been thus cast upon their own resources, i hej are anxious that imr laws should be extended over them, and I recommend ihit this be done by Congress with as liuleileUy as.Ppasibej ,Ja, jbe full extent to which TJ British Partrament have proceeded in h gard to Britteh ahbiecn.in ihat territory-, their act ol July ihe second, 1821, "for re garding the fur trade, and establishing a. criminal and ei il jurisdiction wiihln Cer. tain parts of North America."T By'ihL act Great Britain extended her laws poif jurisdiction, civil and criminal, " ow her subjects, engaged in ihe Yur-trode' is that territory. By it, the courts of ilia province of Upper Canada were empow ered to lake cognizance of causes civil snd criminal. Justices of the peace and oilier of record for the trial of criminal ofleoeM and misdemeanors," not made the subject of capital punishment, and also of aw cases, where the eause of - action shall aot , "exceed in value the amount or sum sf two hundred pounds." . .7 . I Sirbsequtiit to the dj'te of ihTs act MParTi ment, a grant was mads from the' "Brit ik crown," to ihe Hodaon's Bay Company, 0 tkt exclusive trade with the Indian tribes ia lbs Ot- j gon teuttory , subject to a reservation tliatit shall not operate lo lha .excluaitia. f is sub jects of any foreign Stales who, a nder tr oy ; force of any convention lor the lime being, be tween us and such foreign Slates respectively, may be entitled to, sai shall be engijed in, the said trade." It is much lo be regretted, that, while soder this set Briiiah subjects have enjoyed the pte-j lection ol tfritish laws snd Hiiuah judicial to. bunals throughout the whole ot Oregon. Anuxv caa citizens, in the same territory, have f njoyed nosucb protection from their government.' li the same time, ihe result illustrates lha chanv Iat of oar people and their institutions. . In Spite of this neglect, tbey have multiplied, ml their number is rapidly increasing in lhat M ritory. They have made no appeal lo arms, to have peacefully fortified themselves la tbrir new homes, by the adoption of repoblicis b wtiuiions for tfcemnelves; famishing SMolhern ample 01 tHe truth -that seltf overameat Isia heient in the American breast, and sostss vsil. Il is due to them thai they should bsta- bracefl and protected by onr laws. It is deemed important that our laws ling trads and intercourse with the Indian tribn east of the Kaeky mountains, ahoeld beexks dsd to such tribes ss dwell beyond them, us The increasing emigration lo Oregon, sel the care and protection which is dus fremlai government to its citizens in that distant regies- m nV. 1, All. fl nf . . . 1 1 i a na. . inlara.1 In .lllli. vale amicable relations with the Inoiao iriMt ef lhat territory. For this purpose, I reeomine4l lhat provision be made for establishing Ui M dtan agency, and such Sdbgencis as salt K deemed necessary, beyond iba Uoeky ssvea. lainS. , - , ' t- j For the protection of emigrants whilst en ihtir way to Oregon, against the attacks of lbs Indian tribes occuovimr ihe country jhrouga which rhy pass, I recommend that a satiable somber of stockades and block-house foils bs erected along the usual route between sr fros tier Settlements on the Missouri sua IBS noej mountains; sod that an adequate fores ef bjoss ted riflemen be rsised to . guard sod protocl them on their jouraey. The immediate adop tion of these recommendations by Congress will not violate the provisions of th existing trea ty. It will bs doing nothing more for Amen eaa clliiena than British laws have long sines one lot urilish subjects In me ,nM"r'" , It requires several months to lrformwl voyage by sea from the Atlantic Slates ts Oiv-f gonj sndalthoagh wo- have a large eunber U whale abipk in the Pacific, but few of ihrta l ford an -opportonlty of inierchang ig i",j''' gence, wiihout great delay, between "'. tlements in that distant region ana ids v ki.,.. . A. mfIiI nail, la - believed entirely praetieablet and the import nee of s tabliahing snch a mail, at leaai ones a moathF" iubtaiUed to the iavotable eoosideratiee f (-, gws. r-f J1 crrV .It is submitted to the viailom sfr a-res lo determine whether, at 'their.ptf rht session, atjd until after the eipirtf0 r .t. . w....:. .it... tti.iiarrt B f msy1 he adopted. ioiiMslentl; w'ih M 1 rranfa of land to the DSinou who. smidst privalicoa anddan',i4 neers. I lead Ihe way through savage tribe Wf I betwff n our ironuw aememeois "gon, and who cultivate, aod art a?'' ""j j to defrnd the soil, I am . fully , To dh whether they, will ,.obUia f grants as 1000 as Uie coniwwn An judicial officers were authorized 'to be ip. I pointed in Oregon, with power to exrrats I all procrsi issuing from ihe courts J oJ4ti provincef 's ' convention of IHIT. for the rcnniTi 1 im. a ea psinra nm innn in in wwww w 1 ll hi Ol T v o C n s c C f. r i1 C a t ' a c 11 b o ' c S I V ft , q .11 i t t "it c a "i !l - r t 1 ,1
The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 10, 1845, edition 1
2
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