Evansville Journal, Volume 11, Number 50, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, 13 December 1845 — Page 1

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H BY W. H. CHANDLER."! THE UNION OF THE WHIGS FOR THE SAKE W THE UNION. v- . . .... ,. ,, 51 .. AT $2,00 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANC . ? - i f i ? tU . E VANS VI JLL.E, INDIANA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1845.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Fellow Citizens of the Senate - ' 1 csrf 2cueof R'prefnfatitei: It is to t;i8 a source of r.jCec".ed saiijdactioa to meet the itf-rsent itves of ihe United States and the people in Gongress assembled, as it ii! be to receive the did of their Co ubine J wisdom i a the administration of public aft'tirs.. lu perfuming, for tho first time, the. duty imposed on me by the - constitution, of giving to you information of the state of the Unio.i,. and lecomrnending to your consideration such treasures as .in my judgement are necessary and expedieut, I am hsppy that I can congratulate you on ths continued prosperity of our'counfy. Under"

the blessings ot" D.viae Providence and the uenign inn.ience oiournee insmmions, it ranos Detore me wouu n spectacle oi imtional nappuie83. . With our unexampled advancement in all the elements of National greatness, the affecion of the people is conririfjed for the Uuion of the Stales, and for the doctrines of popular liberty, which lie at the foundation of our .Government. . - " - It becomes us, in humility ;lo make our devout acknowledgnieiiis to the Supreme Ruler of the Univeise for the inestimable i blessings vil!i which ws ere favored. In catting the attention ot J'.wfcss relations with foreign powers, 1 am gist Ifieti to be H.jia li stS!t:iat, tiiooii Willi of them t'iPie hive existed ih.f.f vair I istscssi'iu seiious causBS of initu'.h-fi and nrs'iii'!'?; -'standing,' jol no arfu.'l hsiii.lies have taken place.. Adopting (ho ui.-'xirii in conduct oi our foteiy i afl'iirs, lo'Msi;. noiuin I .t is not riph an 1 S'.lh.'lTit t ) no ng .Hut WrOllJ, It liUa Ot?e i mV .liUif U?5 !(. preserve peace wuii oii -um: b ii. ;.i Same li ne, tu be p'tpivedao ts'i ag.j s;on, aud t sivj'.ii ii:) ail o:ir just rii'i'?. in turs!i;nice of iin r.iim Hsi'Tniion" ongiejis, "ior aune.viMg lc. i.s to t if ihiiied JSiales," toy p edecossos , v t!ic ti.iirl d iv of March, ISi.'i, c!?cied to s;ilnn-t 4iid h:v nd second sections of tlmt reo!titiHi vima Republic of Texts, as an"oeUu:" o.i'tii' part of the Uuited S.itsfor hrr aiim j'.on as a State into ' out ' Union. This p!ciiin i approved, uhd pcc udiiwlv (ho cliuge d;,f faires, of the United Hfjii's in TeXJSj und?r instructions of iho ot M .icli, IS-Ij. presented tiiesc .set tiims -iff for tlie accpta.ice f wV.t Ji fixecotiye Goyeuitiii?nir' t'o the people of Tex.is iu coi-t'e. cessivelr coTi)'iV4wir.i l ihr? resjjlut.ou "p it:! Ii. Tfip iion, h'ti'esjc-1 thf- io:ns ana ; condiiio'is of tnp teji'i'i'ixn; A Cills!ltution fur the g'jw.ijiniil, i.fi':eS .Texiis, f.irmed by n, cuhveatii v ot !r is herewith l iinbf;e Ccngve. It knov.T "ho lhat the Peopl- t.f 'IV x is Hie rt polls have accepted the trims ot fttlj liMt'n ncfpn'oil lto I:i7ic tit rin . r v ii-ti and ratiflod tne loiiiiiUiticu. . - -I communicate t .Coitg'.esS .t!;f cinres pandence betwcR.i tim .H'.tftniy of StaV and our cli.'irgo d'AiViiics iii TV'ir'; 'mid'i.Ito the i-oiiespoudence of. the -A'ei 'ivith the authoiiiies. of Texas; togf-t'ifi: wlt'.r the tifficial d ic;i.nc;i!s HansinllWd iiy ii'ui to his own giivernrnvnt. The tev.ns ot anne'xafion '.vi.'u'i v:c?3 offered .by the Utii'.ed .;;i;es hii:g accepted by Texis, ih pub'Tc f tdi of Tiorh parties is soleiiitdv jU:dpd fr t!i?. ronpact of their union. N itii.ng' icm 'ms 10 -iMiiuni-mate ti e even!, L it.. -I'-e p . s gp fr ;i'n'nv t by Congress to ad u;U ti.f S :v .!' Trxas' into 'the Uiiton want rtii'eiiii 'r t T v. tho 6r:g;n.ti Stale?, birypg' why this sltould be con 2 at a ., Ji n; r!-.: ot" tie session, it' Wui oe f . T I cLjeijcd .fjat, i'V- ti constitution of T"xin enfis on! y ;"c o ; ; ' ": . : i lii'i ex " : 'jr 'lpwrriiS it ;. )',: '.'y : l! t'uiigress siuliaOi; ah j li.ai I ti. the present montii is i! U.sv bol-J irg the fust g.-?r:.l f-i day a Govern'ii,; ; a. Lie Holland both bran I.rs of :!. I, be chosen, bv tha .pr.i.i, rl M"tid,y of ;,- i ii -.! for t. i. On m C;oPU",OI. :-"'.iiilie will Ti'rt, Piesident ol Texas is- ieruue!, Unairi.'. :sy after the receip:.Oi".'.l:j ul ui.'.iiai ition, that the new State has been iiii.t'ed iulu 'our Union by congvess, to convtim; the Leg'.alature, and, ujxvu iisnn-et nj, the existing government will be suppiscde;;, aid tha State Government .organ z.d. . Q i--st:oiis deeply interesting 'I'ex '.s, ny ctiitiuum with ihe other States; ihe exin s on of our revenue laws end judicial syft:pi ,rcr hrr people ani territory, as well as tucastpij jf icl character, will claim i!ie eaih' 'trnti'iu of Con gress; and, therefore, opi-n efirf ptim iple of xteprjiican oovernmeut, sue ought lo be llepjesentad in thai body" wjdioot unnecessary delay. I cannot too eatnestly tecomiiiend prompt action on this-Tmportaat subject.. ' As soon as the act to ad'nit Texas as a , State shall be passed, the miion of the two llepublics; will be coniurnited by their own voluntary consent. 1 This accession to our Te;r!tary has been a bloodless achievement... No arm of force has been raised to produce 'the lesult. The sword has had no part in -the victory-.: We have not sougln to extend bupteniion-sl possession by conq icst, or our lepubl.cau insiitutieus over a leluctant people. It was the deliberate homage of. each ppo;!e to. the gteat principles of our Fedci.il Union. -If we consider the cxietit of tenitory itivovled in the.annexafion its pioppucuye influence ou America ihe means Lyvhich it has been accotnt. shed spu.'giiig purely from the choice' of the people themselves to share the blessings of our Union the history of the world may be challenged to fuinish a parallel. - -: The Jurisdiction of t!ic Ua;!ed States, which at the fui'mation of the 'Federal constitution was bounded by the St. M.ityV, on the Atlantic, has Dassed il.e caoes-of Floriday, and been peacefully extended to the

Del Norte. In contemplating the grandeur

of this event, it is not to be forgotten that the result was achieved in dispite of the diplo matic interference ot European monarchies Even Frauce the couutry which has been our ancient ally the country which has common interest witL us in maintaining the freedom of the seas the country which, by the cession of Louisiana, first opened to us access to the Gulf of Mexico -fhe country with which we have been every year draw ing more and more closely the bonds of sue cessful commerce most unexpectedly, and to our unfeigned regret, took part in an effort to prevent annexation, and to impose on Texas, as a condition of the recognition of her independence by Mexico, that she would nut join herself to the United States. We - f may rejoice lhat the tran quij and preVading s,,....!... ,:;t. r ir i iiiuviv uvv j xuiGiiL.aii i j l in ij in c ti nm government wassumcient to deteat tne pur poses of British and French interference, and that the almost unanimous voice of the people of Texas has "given to that interference a peaceful and effective rebuke. From this example European Governments may learn now vain diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever prove upon this continent against , that system of. self-government which seems lutuiai 10 - our sou, ana wnjcu will ever resist foreign interference. - TowaidsTexas, I do not doubt that a lib eral.and generous, spirit will actuate Con gress in ait that concerns her interests .and piosperity,and that she will never have cause to regret that she has united her "lone sjar to our glorious constellation. " . . I regret to inform you that our relations with Mexico, since your last session, have not been of the amrcable character which it is our desire to cultivate with all foreign nations. On "the sixth da v of March last, the , .Mexican envoy extraordinary and minister j nifliiipoientiary to the United States made a ' ! f: ma I protest, in the name of his govern- (. Mnent. afzaiiiftthe ioint rcssolntion nassfid hv ' r -j (.-ingress, "for the annexation- of Texas to lie Uo'ted States," which he chose-16 regird as a violation of the rights of Mexico, .iil,, in consequence of it, he demanded his p isspoi is. lie was informed tliat the Gov-fl'-nhBit of ihe United States did not consid er this" joint resolution as a violation of any ot.ihe.iighlj of Mexico, or that it afforded my jui cause of offence to his Government; that the Republic of Texas was an independent power,-owing no allegiance to Mexico, ..nd constituting no part ot. her territory of igbtuul sovereignty and jurisdiction. ' He ua.i also assured that it was the sincere de--.119 of this Government to maintain with ( J,i;rrt. - rru r.nA.nn.., t i tiestirance, ubnioily terminated his mission ii:io saoitly afierwards left the country. Our envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary m iNiPxico waa refused all official interci'iipf? with that Government, and after remaining several months by the permission of his own Go'ycrnmenthe returned to the United Stales. -Thus by acts of Mexico, all diplomatic ihtercource between the two countries va5 suspended. . " ' . " . Since that time Mexico has, until recently, occupied an attitude of hostility towards the Un ted States; has been marshalling and organizing armies,sis,suing proclamatio-ns.and and avowing the intention to make war on ' ihe United Slates, either by an open declamion or" invading Texas. Both the congress and convention ofhe people of Texas invited this government to send an army into that territoryto' protect and defend them against the menaced attack. The moment the terms of annexation offered by the United States, were accepted by Texas, the Jatter, became so far a part of our own country as to make it our duty to afford such protec tion ana dstence. l therefore deemed it proper, as a precautionary measure, to order a strong smiardron to the coast of Mexico. land to concentrate an efficient military force on tne western frontier ot 1 exas. Our army was ordered to take position in the country between the Nueces and the Del Norte, and to repel any invasion of the Texan territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces. Our squadron in the Gulf was ordered to co-operate with the army. But though our army and navy were placed in a position to detend our own, and the rights of" Texas, they were ordered to commit no act of 'hostility against Mexico unless she declared war or was herself the. aggressor by striking the first blow. The result has been, that Mexico hasmade.no aggressive movement," and our military and navy "commanders have executed their orders , with such discretion that the peace of the two republics has not been disturbed. ' : "1 eas had declared her independence, & maintained it by her arms for more than nine years she has been an organized Government in successful operation during that period. Iter seperate existence as an independent state had been recognised by the U. States and the principal powers of .Europe. Treaties of commerce and navigation had been concluded with her by different nations, and it had become manifest to the whole world that any further attempt on the part of Mexico to conquer her or overthrow her Govern ment would be vain- Even Mexico herself had become satisfied "of this fact; and whilst the question of annexation was. pending before the people of Texas, during the past summer, tho - Government of Mexico, by a formal act, agreed to recognize the independence of Texason condition -that she would not annex herself to any other power, i he agreement to acknowledge the ind ependence of Texas, whether wiih or without this condition, is conclusive against Mexico. The independence ol Texas is a a fact conced by Mexico herself, and she had 'no tight or authority to prescribe reslric-

tions as to the, form of Government which

Texas might afterwards choose to assume But althoueh Mexico cannot complain of 0 - . the United States, on account of the annex lion of the Republic of Texas, it is to be re gretted that serious causes of misunderstand ing between the two countries continue to exist: prowins out of undressed iniuries indieted by the Mexican authorities and people on the persons and property of the' citizens of the 'U. States, through a long series of years.. Mexico has admitted these injuries, but neglected, and refused to repair them. Such was the character of the wrongs, and such the insults repeatedly offered to American citizens and the American flag by Mexico, in palpable violation of the laws of nations andjthe treatyjbetween the two countries of theSth of April 1831, that they have been repeatedly brought to the' notice of Congress by my predecessors As early as the 8th of February, 1837 the President of the United States declared in a message to Congress, that "die 'length 'of time since some of these injuries have been committed the repeated and unavailing applications for redress, the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the persons and property of our citizens, upon the ofEcers and flag ot the United States, independent or Tecent insults to thi Government and people by the late Extraordinary Mexican Minister, would iustify in the eyes of all nations immediate war." lie did not, however, recommeud an im mediate resort to the extreme measure,wbich he declared ''should not be urged by just and generous nations, confiding iu their strength for injuriesjeommitted, it it can be-lonorably avoided;1? but, iB a spiritof forbearance, proposed that another demand be made on Mexico for that redress which has'beeh so long unjustly withheld. Jh these views, committees of the two Houses tof Congress, in reports mads'tO their respective' bodies, con curred. Since these proceedings, more than 8 years have elapsed, during which, inaddi? 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 agent was sent to Mexico in the summer 1838, with lull au thority to "make another and fin al demand for redress. The demand-was made the Mexican government promised to repair the wrongs of which we complained; and after much "delay, a treaty of indemnity with that view was concluded betwee the two countries on the J 1th April, 1839, and was duly ratified by both governments,. By this treaty a joint commission was created to adjudicate'and decide on the claims of American crrraens" on me government vt mexicor x ne commission was organized at Washington on the 25th day of August, 1810. . Their time wbs limited to eighteen months; at the expiration of which, they had adjusted and decided claims amounting to 2,026,130 68 in favor of the U. States, against the Mexi can government, leaving a large amount of claim undecided. - .Of the Utter,-the American commissioner, had decided in favor of our citiiens, claims, as mounting to nine hundred and twenty eight thousand. six hundred and twenty seven dollars and eighty eight cents, which were left unac ted on oy the umpire authorised by the treaty. Still further claims, amounting to between three and four millions et dollars, were left undisposed of. The sum of 52,026,130 68, divided by the board, was a liquidation and ascertained debt due by Mexico to the claimants, and there was no justifiable reason for delaying its payment according to the terms of the treaty. It was not, however, paid. Mexico applied for further indulgence and the request was granted, and on the 30th January 1843, a new treaty was concluded . By this treaty it was provided that the interest due on the awards in favor of claimants under the convention of the 11th April '3D, should be paid on the 30th April '43, and that "the principal of the said awards and the interterest arising thereon, ahall.be paid in five years in equal instalments, every three months, the said term of five years to commence on the 30th April 1843,and the three first of the twenty instalments have been paid. Seventeen. of these instalmeata remain unpaid, Beven of which are now due. ; , ,. . .The claims'which wero left undecided bv the joint commission,amounting to more than 3,000,vuu oi oonare, together with other claims for spoliations on the property of our citizens, were subsequently presented to the Mexican Government lor payment, end were so far rocognised, that a treaty, providing for their examination and settlement by a joint commissons, was con eluded and signed at Mexico on the 20th day of November, 1843. This treaty was ratified by the United States with certain amendments, to which no just exception could have beti taken; but it has not yet received the ratification of the Mexican Government. In the meantime our citizens who suffered great losses, aud some of whom have been reduced from affluence to bankruptcy, are without remedy, unless their rights be enforced by their Government. Such aeonlinued and unprovoked series of wrongs could never have been tolerated by the U. S. had they been committed by one of the principle nations of Europe. Mexico was, however, a neighboringsister Rcpublic,which,following our;example had achieved her independence, and for whose success and prosperity all our sympathies were cuitjr eiuisieu. vve nave, therefore, borne the repeated wrongs she has committed .with great patience,in the hope that a returning sense of justice would ultimately guide her councils, and that we might, if possible, honorably avoid any hostile collision with her. Without the previous authority of Congress, the Executive possessed no power to adopt or enforce adequate remedies for the injuries we had suffered, or to do more than be prepared to repel the threatened, aggression on the part of Mexico. After our army and navy had remained on the frontier and coasts of Mexico for many weeks, without any hostile movement on her partr tho1 her menaces were continued, I deemed it important to put an end, if possible, to this state of things. With this view, I caused steps to be taken in the month of September last to ascertain distinctly, and in an authentic form, what the designs of the Mexican Government were; whether it was their intention to declare war, or invade Texas, or whether they were disposed to adjust and settle in an amicable manner, the

pending differences between the two countries. On the ninth of November an official answer was received, that the Mexican Government consented to -renew the diplomatic relations which had been suspended tit i - :. i -

in luarcn last ; and lor that purpose were willing to accredit a minister from the U. S. With a sincere desire to preserve . peace, and restore relations of gpod understanding between the, two Republics, I waived all cererftony as .to the manner of renewing dip lomatic" -intercourse between them; and assuming the initiative on the tenth of No vember a distinguished citizen of Louisiana was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, clothed with full powers to adjust and definitively settle all pending differences between the -two countries, including those of boundary between Mexieo and the State of Texasl The minister, appointed has set out on his mis sion, and is probably by this time near the Mexican capital. He has been instructed to bring the .negotiation' with which he is charged to a conclusion at the earliest prac ticable period; which, it is expected, will be in time - to enable me to communicate the result to Congress during the1 present session. ? Until lhat result is known, I forbear" to recommend to Congress such ulterior measures of redress for the wrongs and injuries we have ' so long borne, as it-would have been proper to make had no such negotiation been instituted.- . Congress appropriated, at the last session, the sum of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars ,for ' the payment ot the April and July instalments of -the Mexican indemnities for the year -1844. "Provided it shall be ascertained to the -satisfaction of the American Government that said instal ments have been paid by the M. Gov. to the agent apj)ointed by the United -Stales to re ceive the same,- in such manner as - to dis charge alii claims on the Mexican Govern ment, aud said agent to be delinquent in re mitting the money to the United States. The unsettled state of our relations with Mexico has involved this subject in much mystery. The first information, in an au thentic form, from the agent of the United Slates, appointed under the administration of my predecessor, was received at last. This is contained in a letter dated the seventeenth of October, addressed by him to one of our citizens then in Mexico, with the view of having it communicated to that department. From this it appears lhat the agenton the twentieth of September, 1844, gave a receipt to the Treasury of Mexico for tho arno int of the April and July instalmwnisuruiB inaemnny. ' In the same communication, however, he asserts that he had not received a single dollar in cash; but that he holds such securities as warranted - him at the time in giving the receipts, and en tertains no doubt but that he will eventually obtain the money. ' A3 these instalments appear never to have been paid by the government of Mexico to tne agent, and as that government has not therefore been released so as to dis charge the claim, I do not feel myself war ranted in directing payment to be made to the claimants out of the Treasury, without further legislation. Their case is, undoubtedly, one of much hardsphip;and, it remains for Congress to decide whether any, and what, relief ought to bd granted to ihem. Our minister to Mexico has been instructed to ascertain the facts of the case from the Mexican government, in an authentic and official form, and report the reiult with as little delay as possible. My attention was early directed to the negotiation, which, on the fourth of March last, I found pending at Washington between the United States and Great Britain, on the sub ject of the Oregon Territory. Three sev eral attempts had been previously made to settle the questions in dispute between the two countries, by negotiation, upon the principle of compromise; but each had proved unsuccessful. - - These negotiations took place at London in the year 1818, 24 & '2(5; the two first under the Administration of Mr. Monroe, and the last under that of Mr. Adams. The negotiation of 1818 having failed to accomplish its object, resulted in the convention of the 20th of Octobe of that year. By the third article vof that conventional was"agreed that any country that may be claimed by either, parly on the northwest coast of America, westward of tho Stony mountains shall, together with its harbors, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all rivers with in the same', be free and open for the term of ten years, from the .dale of the signature of the present convention, to the vessels, citizens, &, subjects of the two Powers; it be ing well understood that this agreement is not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim which either of the two high contract ing parlies may have to any part of the said country, or shall it be taken to affect the claimsof any other Power or State to any part of said country, the only object of the high contracting parties in that respect being to prevent disputes and differences among themselves.", , The negotiation of 1S24 was productive of no result, and the convention of 1818 was left unchanged. .The negotiation of 1826, having also failed to effect an adjustment by compromise, resulted in the convention of August the 6th. 1827, by which it was agreed to continue in force, for an indefinite period, the provisions of the third article of the convention of the 20th of Oct., 1818; audit was further provided, that "it shall be competent, however, to either of the contracting parties, in case either should think fit, at any time after the 30th of Oct. 1S28, on giving due notice of t welve months to the other contracting party, to annul and abro-

eate this convention: and it shall in such

case, be accordingly entirely annulled and abrogated after the expiration of the said term of notice." In these attempts to ad just the controversy, the parallel of the forty-ninth des. of north lat. had been offered by the ; United States to Great Britain, and in those of 1818 and 2G, with a fuither concession of the free navigation of the Columbia river south of that, latitude.- The parallel of the 4Dlh degree,v from the Rocky mountains to its intersection with the northeasternmost branch of the Columbia, and thence down the channel of that river to the sea, had been offered by Great Britain; with an - addition of a small detached territory north of the Columbia., Each of ihese propositions had been rejected by the, parties respectively. In Oct.1843, the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the U. b. in London was authorized to make a similar offer to those made in 1S18 and '20. Thus stood the question when the negotiation was shortly afterwards transferred to Washington; and, on the 23d of August, 1844, was formally opened under the directiom of my immediate, predecessor. Like all the previous negotiations, it was based upon, principles of "compromise,1' and the avowed purpose of the parties was to treat of the respective claims of the jwo .partries to the Oregon territory, with the view to establish a permanent boundary between them westward of the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean. ; Accordingly,' on the 26th. of Aug., 1844 the British plenipotentiary offered to divide the Oregon territory by. the 4'Jth. parallel of north latitude, from the Rocky mountains to the point of its in tersection, with ihe northernmost, branch of the. Columbia river, .and thence down that river to the sea; leaving the free navigation of the river to be enjoyed in common by both parlies the country south of thisline to belong to the U. S.j and that -"nor lb" of it to Great Bretain. .'..; . r .; . , ' At the same time, he proposed, io addition, to yield, to the U. S, a detacbed territory, north of the Columbia, extending

along the Pacific and the - Straits of Fuca, dicton within certain parti of North ' AmesJfrom Bulfinch's harbor inclusive, to Hood's ica.11 By this act Great .Eritain extended

canal, and to make tree to th U. o. any port or ports south of latitude 49 deg. which they might desire, either on the main land, or on Quandra and Vancouer's island. With the exception of the free ports, this, was the same offer which had been made by the Brit ish and rejected by the American Govern ment in the nogetiation of 182G. . This proposition was properly rejected by the American plenipotentiary on the day it was suuuiincu. j. 1113 ia? tnnj-pnij'oiiiihn, of compromise offered by the British pleni potentiary: I he proposition ou the part of Great Britain having been rejected, the British plenipotentiary requested that & pro posal should be made by the -United States for "an equitable adjustment of the question." When I came into onice, 1 found this to be the state of the negotiation. 'Though entertaining the settled conviction that the British pretensions of the title could not be maintained to any portion of the Oregon territory upon any principle ot public law re cognized by nations, yet, in deference to what has been done by -my predecessors, aud especially in consideration that propositions of compromise had been thrice made by two preceeding Administrations; to adjust the question on the parallel of 49 deg. -and in two of them yielding to Great Britain the free navigation' of the Columbia, and that the pending negotiation had beencomrhenced on the basis of compromise, Tdeemed it to be myduty not abruptly to break it off. In consideration, too," that under the con ventions of 1818 and 27, the citizens and subjects of the two Powers held a joint oc cupancy 4isw -country, I was induced to make another effort to settle this long-pend ing controversy in the spirit of moderation which had given birth to the renewed dis cussion. A proposition was , accordingly made, which was rrejected by the British plenipotentiary, who, without submitting any other proposition suffered the negotia tion on his part to drop, expressing bis trust that the U. S. would otter what he saw ht to call "some further proposal for the settlement of the Oregon question more consistent with fairness and equity, and the reasonable expectations of the British Government." The proposition' thus offered and rejected, repeated the offer of the parallel of 49 deg. of north, latitude, which, had been made by two proceeding Administrations, but without proposing to surrender to Great Britain, as they had done, the free navigation of the Columbia river. - The right of any foreign power to the- free navigation of of any of our rivers, through the heart of our country, was onejvhich I, was "unwilling to concede. It . also embraced a provision to make free to Great Britain any port or ports on the cape of Quadra and . Vancouver's island, south of. this parallel.' Had .this' been a new questiou, coming under discus-! sion for the first time, this proposition would not have been- made. The extraordina and wholly inadmissible demands of. " . British Government, and the rejectic the proposition made in deference al what had been done by my predeces the implied obligation which seemed to impose, afford satis1" " ,, dence that no compromise, whi ought to accept, can be efthis conviction the propositio cfOPte which had been made and. my direction, subsequen title to the whole Oregon lieved, maintained by arguments. The civilized w - ceedings a spirit part of the U. T be relieve'. -tt: ""I5SA r;i i Morale lhese on r

may follow the failure to settle the controveisy.. ' '"'"'.' '. ''""'-.'"'. .' All attempts af compromise having failed it bemomes the duty of Congress to consider' what- measures it may be proper to adopt for the security and protections of our citizens now inhabiting or who may hereafter inhabit Oregon, and for the maintenance of our just title to that territory. In adopting measures for this purpose, are should bo taken that nothing be done to violate tha

stipulations" of the convention cf-1827, . which is still in force. The faith of treaties ' in the letter and spirit, has ever been and I trust will ever be, scrupulously observed by the United States. Under that convention a yeas notice is required to be given by either parly to : the other before the joint occupancy shall terminate, and before either can rightfully assert or exercise exclusive ' jurisdiction over any portion of the territory. ihis no.ice it would, in rny judgment, be . proper to give, and I recommend that provisions be made by law for giving it accordingly, and terminating in thi3 manner the convention of the Gtb of Aug. 1827. ' It will become proper for Congress to determine ' What . legislation they can, in the -meantime," adopt without violating this convention Beyond all question, the. protection of our laws and our jurisdiction, civil and criminal, ought to be immediately extended over our citizens jn Oregon. -They have had just cause to complain of our longneglect iii this particular, and have in consequence, been compelled for their own security' and protection to establish a provisional government for " themselves. , Strong in theirtallegiance and ardent in thair.altachment. to U.S.j they" have been thus cast upon their own resources. They are anxious that our tews should be extended over them, and I recommend lhat this be dona ' ' by'Congress with as little delay as possible, " in the full extent to whih the British Parliament have proceeded ia legard to British subjects . in "that territory, by their act of July 2d, 1821," "for regulating the fur trade : and eslablishing a criminal and civil jurisher laws and jurisdiction, civil and criminal, over her. subjects engaged m the fur trade in that territory. By it ihe courts of the province of Upper Canada were empowered to lake cognizance of causes' civil and criminal. Justices of the Peace and other judii cial officers were authorized to be appointed in Oregon, .with power , to execute all process issuing from the courts of lhat province, and to "sit and hold courts of record for the ll-Codr.il-atxITp.Iira and miollomoninra not made the .subject of capital punishment and also of civil cases, where the cause of -action shall not "exceed in ?a!ue the am- , ount or sum of two hundred pounds." - Subsequent to the date of this act of Parliament, a grant was made from the "Brit ish crown" to the Hudson Bay Company of the exclusive trade with the Indian tribes in the Oregon territory.subject toa reservation lhat it shall not operate to the exclusion "of the subjects of any', foreign States who, under or by force of any convention for the time being between us and such foreign States respectively, may be entitled to, and shall be engaged in, the said trade." It is much to be regretted that while under this act British subjects have enjoyed the protection of British laws and British judicial tribunals throughout the whole of Oregon. American citizens, in the sme Territory, have enjoyed no such protection from their Government. TAt the same time the result illustrates the character of our peoplo. and their institutions. In spue of this ne glect, they have multiplied and their r.unber is rapidly increasing in that Territory.. They have made no appeal to arms, but have peacefully fortified themselves in their new homes, by the adoption of republican insti tions for themselves; furnishing another ex ample of the truth, that self-governrr inherent in the'Amencan people ar . - prevail. It is due to them that thr be embraced and protected by ou v It is deemed important that gulating trade, and intercourse1 , ,- "',, ., dian tribes east of the .Roc -, , should be extended to sue' ' . beyond them. . ' The increasing em-...... and the care and - pr from the Goveraraer : distant region, mak . , interest, to cuitivp " the Indian tribe . , purpose I re made ; for eand such f .,

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