Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 2/Documentary
DOCUMENTARY.
The following excerpts comprise Oregon material taken from the New Orleans Picayune between the issues of January 3, 1843, and April 27, 1844, inclusive. The document published in the December Quarterly, Volume I., Number 4, also belongs to this series of excerpts:
[From the Picayune, Tuesday, January 3, 1843; Washington correspondence.]
Doctor Linn reported from his select committee a bill fo the occupation and settlement of the Oregon territory.
[From the Picayune, Saturday, January 7, 1843.]
SETTLEMENT OF OREGON.
Nothing marks the rapid and irresistible expansion of our population more than the movement we see now and then made in bringing our hitherto desolate western regions under civilized organization and rule of government.
We are glad to see that Mr. Linn's bill to authorize the adoption of measures for the occupation and settlement of the territory of Oregon, for extending certain portions of the laws of the United States over the same, and for other purposes, was, on the nineteenth ultimo, read twice in the senate and referred to a select committee to be appointed by the chair. The committee consists of Messrs. Walker, Linn, Sevier, Merrick. and Phelps.
[From the Picayune, January 11, 1843.]
[From the Picayune, January 13, 1843.]
[From the Picayune, Saturday, January 14.]
On Wednesday, the fourth instant, the senate passed Mr. Linn's bill for the occupation of the Oregon territory.
[From the Picayune, Saturday, January 21.]
The Oregon bill came up on its passage, having been read a third time last week it had been postponed at the request of Mr. Calhoun, who wished to compare its provisions with those of the treaty of Great Britain on the Northwest boundary. The bill was again postponed at Mr. Calhoun's request.
[From the Picayune of January 21, 1843.]
OREGON.
Doctor Linn's bill, now before the United States Senate, for the settlement of Oregon, provides that settlers shall be entitled to six hundred and forty acres of land, upon condition of five years' residence; and a chain of posts to be erected, extending from the Missouri or Arkansas River into the Oregon territory.
[From the Picayune of Sunday, February 19, 1843.]
[From the Picayune, February 19, 1843.]
OREGON.
A public meeting was called in Cincinnati for the evening of the thirteenth, to take into consideration the propriety of an immediate occupation of the Oregon territory.
[From the Picayune of Tuesday, March 16, 1843.]
The bill for the occupation and settlement of the Oregon Territory failed to pass the house on the third instant.
[From the Picayune of Saturday, June 3, 1843.]
THE OREGON CIRCULAR.
We have received from Cincinnati a circular in relation to the occupation of the Oregon territory, which we deem so important as being expressive of the views of the West on the subject that we give it entire:
CIRCULAR.
Dear Sir: It having been determined to hold a convention at this place on the third, fourth, and fifth days of July next, to urge upon congress the immediate occupation of the Oregon territory by the arms and laws of the Republic, and to adopt such measures as may seem most conducive to its immediate and effectual occupation, whether the government acts or not in the matter; we most respectfully request your attendance at the convention or such an expression of your views on the subject as you may deem most expedient.
It will be proposed to base the action of the convention on Mr. Monroe's declaration of 1823, "that the American continents are not to be considered subject to colonization by any European powers," and that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their systems to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.
Believing that such will be the surest course for the interest and honor of the Republic, and the greatness, peace, and safety of the West, we hope for your attendance or at least your concurrence in the objects of the convention, and the surest means for their attainment.
Very respectfully,
T. Worthington,
D. T. Disney,
W. B. Hubbard,
W. Parry,
E. D. Mansfield,
S. Medary,
P. H. Olmstead,
William Burke,
Thomas McGuire,
N. B. Kelly,
Jacob Flinn,
Joseph Leiby,
[From the Picayune of Wednesday, June 7, 1843; extract from a letter of M. C. F.]
We have had a whole week of storms since pitching our tents at this encampment and some of them of really terrific violence. The other night a man was killed by lightning in an encampment of Oregon settlers only a few miles from here. From the towns of Independence and Westport caravans are moving every day for that vast and beautiful region of our continent that is yet to be peopled and but a few years will carry the sound of the "Holy bell," even to meet the distant muttering of Pacific's surge.
[From the Picayune, Friday, July 14, 1843.]
LATER FROM THE FAR WEST.
The editor of the Western Missourian has been furnished with information (copied into the Saint Louis papers,) from Fort Platte, that a party of Sioux, consisting of about three hundred warriors under the two chiefs, Bull-Tail and Iron-Shell, had already left to fight the Pawnees, and another war party, to the number of fifteen hundred to two thousand Sioux, were soon to proceed against the Crow and Snakes.
A war party of Kansas Indians had attacked a party of Pawnees and killed three of their number. Three Pawnees had escaped to Sir William Drummond Stewart's party, and were protected by them from their pursuers. The informant met Sir William's party on the Big Sandy and the Oregon company near the waters of the Big Blue, two hundred and fifty miles above Independence. They were all well and getting along smoothly, having experienced no difficulty, except in crossing the Kansas River, where the Oregon company sunk their boats and came near drowning several children. The latter company, by a census, was found to contain two hundred sixty males over the age of sixteen years, one hundred and thirty females over the age of sixteen years, two hundred and ninety males under the age of sixteen years, three hundred and twelve females under the age of sixteen years, nine hundred and ninety being the whole number of persons. They had one hundred and twenty-one wagons, six hundred and ninetyeight oxen, two hundred and ninety-six horses, nine hundred and seventy-three loose cattle, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven being the total amount of stock.
[From the Picayune, August 16, 1843.]
THE OREGON EMIGRATING COMPANY.
"The following letter," says the Iowa Territorial Gazette, "was received by a gentlemen in this place a few days since, and knowing the deep interest felt my many of our citizens in everything relating to Oregon, we have obtained permission to publish it:"
OREGON EMIGRATING COMPANY, JUNE 10, 1843.
"The return of a company of mountain traders to the settlements presents an opportunity for writing which I feel much inclined to embrace. We are now some two or three hundred miles west of Independence, on the Blue rivers, tributaries of the Kansas, in good health and spirits. I regret to say that a division has taken place in the company in consequence of the number of cattle driven by some, those having no cattle refusing to stand guard at night over stock belonging to others. The result of all this was, that Captain Burnett resigned the command of the company, and the committee, in accordance with our regulations, ordered a new election and so altered the by-laws that the commander should be called colonel, and also ordered the election of four captains and four orderly sergeants. The cattle party selected myself as their candidate, and those opposed selected Mr. William Martin, an experienced mountaineer. There being a majority opposed to the cattle party, Mr. Martin was elected, and a division of the company ensued. About fifty wagons, with those who had large droves of loose cattle, now left, with a general request that all in favor of traveling with them should fall back. I was particularly solicited to leave Martin's company, but as it would travel very much the fastest, and Colonel Martin was a very clever fellow, I declined. The new company, it is expected, will be commanded by Captain Applegate.
"Our roads, since leaving the settlements, have been very fine, except within the last three days, during which last period they have been almost impassable in consequence of tremendous rains; but they are again improving. We have had no trouble with the Indians, with the exception of horse and cattle stealing, and this business they have carried on pretty lively. I had a very fine mule stolen from me on the Kansas River, and we lost sight, in all, eight or ten head of horses and mules.
"I believe there is not a case of sickness in the camp, though old Mr. Stout from Iowa has a violent swelling in his eyes. Tell the boys from Iowa to come on with all the cattle and sheep they can get, and a company sufficiently large to drive them.
"P. S.—My friend, Mr. Henry Lee, from Iowa, has just been elected captain of one of the divisions. While writing, news has been brought in of the discovery of a dead Indian about a mile from this place, freshly scalped, and nearly all the company has gone to see him. He was shot with arrows, and is supposed to be a Pawnee, killed by a war party of the Kansas Indians, which we met the other day, consisting of two hundred, with fresh scalps and fingers, which they said they had taken the day before."
[From the Picayune of Saturday, September 16, 1843.]
THE OREGON EXPEDITION.
The Western Expositor, published at Independence, in its date of the second instant, says: "We, this week, received a letter from our esteemed friend, William Gilpin, who started for the Oregon territory this season, in company with Lieutenant Fremont's exploring expedition. The letter is dated 'South Fork of Platte, July 26, 1843,' addressed to the editor of this paper, and is as follows:
"I drop you a line by a couple of Shawnee Indians, who are going to return to Missouri from this place. We are about halfway to Fort Hall, here, and I expect to reach the mouth of the Columbia by the first of October. The emigrants are all ahead of us, and have, by this time, reached the South Pass through the mountains.
"This is the latest information received from the Oregon emigrants, and from this it is clear that they will make the trip with ease before the bad weather commences."
[ From the Picayune, January 2, 1844, Correspondence of the Picayune.]
In the senate to-day, after a few private petitions were presented, Mr. Atcheson, on leave, introduced a bill for the settlement of the territory of Oregon, which was read twice and referred to a select committee of five, viz.: Atcheson, Walker, Sevier, Merrick, and Phelps.
[From the Picayune, Tursday, January 4, 1844.]
OREGON.
The following extraordinary piece of information now going- the rounds, looks very much like a misapprehension or a mistake. A postscript to a letter from a gentleman in the Indian country, dated the nineteenth of October, received by a gentleman in Saint Louis, says:
"Fort Hall, on the Oregon, has been delivered up to Lieutenant Fremont, and it is believed that Fort Vancouver soon will be."
Now it is a fact that Lieutenant Fremont is out in the Oregon country under government order, but his business relates only to an extended survey of the region, and there is not a shade of likelihood that he had either authority or force for such a critical operation as the taking of Fort Hall. The item can not be entitled to credit.
[From, the Picayune, Saturday, January 6, 1844.]
PRAIRIE AND MOUNTAIN LIFE.
By far the most promising region, in an agricultural point of view, that we passed over in our whole route, was that along the banks and in the vicinity of the Kansas River. We saw no other land as good during our further progress west, but, on the contrary, traveled over soil in every way inferior and lacking advantages necessary for the farmer. The Willamette or Wallamette Valley, in Oregon, is the first favorable locality for farming purposes that is met with, after leaving the Kansas, until the traveler has fairly crossed the prairies and the mountains and descended among the Pacific tributaries. But this valley is admitted, quite generally, by enemies as well as friends of the Oregon enterprise, to be a really romantic and attractive section. Mills, cooper shops, mission houses, and other buildings have arisen already by the active enterprise of those who have settled there, and the large company that went out last summer is, no doubt, about this date busily [engaged] in operations for the general improvement of the place.
We found the region fertile and well timbered in all the valleys until we left the Blue, and then the illimitable grassy waste spread away before us, with not another stick or shrub to meet our eyes for days together. The prevailing timber upon the Kansas and other streams we found to be sycamore, elm, bur oak, black walnut, box elder, the linden tree, coffee bean, honey locust, white and red ash, cottonwood, and sumach, besides groves of the American plum that appeared here and there. The river banks were garnished with grapevines, and upon the bluffs that were not barren, we noticed groves of black-jack and thickets of dwarf chestnut oak. Of the grasses and flora of the prairie we shall speak in another place, but we wish to mention the presence here of the Missouri wheat (the Triticum Missouricum of Sprengel), which we first saw at Grasshopper Creek, but which disappeared as we progressed and then spread before us again, forming the general carpet of grass to the exclusion of almost every other kind. This Missouri wheat is a famous grass for fodder, but having the same creeping root as the common quick-grass, it is so far unfit for cultivation, as it could certainly not be extirpated again. It has a bluish shade, varying its native green slightly; begins to grow when the snow melts in the spring, and is remarked for growing slower than almost anj r other species of grass, until the season of snow returning again. This growth prevails for leagues along the broad valley of the Platte.
[From the Picayune, Monday, January 7, 1844.]
THE OREGON EMIGRATION.
Major Harris, the same "Black Harris," who has been mentioned among our mountain sketches, and a famous old traveler, is now at Independence, preparing for a great expedition to Oregon next spring. He is connected with Major Adams, who gives some excellent advice to emigrants wishing to join them. Major Adams says that notwithstanding "large bodies move slow," he can easily move his expedition even to the shores of the Pacific, in four months. The distances are nearly as subjoined:
750 miles.
550 miles.
450 miles.
350 miles.
Every man should be provided at least with a good rifle, six pounds of powder and twelve pounds of lead. The best size bore for a rifle is forty to the pound. This size will easily kill buffalo, but a smaller calibre will be better suited for the game west of the mountains. Each person should have at least one hundred and forty pounds bacon, one hundred and fifty pounds flour, ten pounds salt, twenty pounds coffee, twenty pounds sugar. It would do well for several persons to constitute a mess, each mess to be provided with a small tent and cooking utensils. Mules are much better to endure this trip than horses, though a horse is very useful in running buffalo. A horse, to be of use in hunting, might be kept for that express purpose.
[From the Picayune, Sunday, January 7, 1844.]
CONGRESSIONAL.
[From the Picayune, January 11, 1844.]
OREGON.
The object of Mr. Atcheson's bill, as we find it succintly stated in the Baltimore American, is to take possession at once of the Oregon territory, including the whole country west of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and between the parallels of 42° and 54° 40' N. latitude. It authorizes the President to have erected a line of stockades and blockhouse forts, five in number, extending from some point on the Missouri, to the best pass for entering the valley of the Oregon. Provision is also made by the bill for granting six hundred and forty acres of land to every white male inhabitant of Oregon, of the age of eighteen years and upwards, who shall cultivate and use the same for five consecutive years. The grant is upon this condition secured to him and his heirs. Every married man thus settling in the territory, is to receive an additional grant of one hundred and sixty acres for his wife, and a like quanttiy for every child under eighteen.
The bill has been referred to a select committee, composed of Messrs. Atcheson. Walker, Sevier, Merrick, and Phelps. It is altogether likely that a favorable report will come from this committee.
[From the Picayune, January 11, 1844.]
FROM OREGON.
Mr. Lee, one of the eleven men who returned from Lieutenant Fremont's expedition, leaving that adventurous young explorer still in the mountains, has arrived in this city, and his statements fully confirm the representations that have already been made public in regard to Fremont and his party. Captain Fitzpatrick, with a division of seventeen of Fremont's men, arrived first at Fort Hall in September, the Oregon company arrived the next day, and Fremont himself the day after. There was a great distress for provisions both among the Oregonians and Fremont's party. Some of the former remained at the Fort, while others continued on their journey. All Fremont's horses were driven off in a stampede by the Osages during his outward progress, but were subsequently recovered. Fremont went on to the valley of the Wohlhamette, thirty miles or more the other side of Vancouver.
[From the Picayune, January 18, 1844.]
OREGON EMIGRATION.
Major Adams, now in Independence, is, it seems, constantly receiving communications, relative to emigrating to the Oregon territory, from all parts of the Union. Judging from the letters received, and the deep interest manifested by the authors of them, there will be a very large and determined band of emigrants next spring to the shores of the Pacific.
[From the Picayune, February 2, 1844.]
THE OREGON REGION.
About one of the most interesting subjects now engaging universal attention is the question about the Oregon country. The following chapter from the New York Evening Post we think worthy to place before the eye of our readers:
"The Committee of Ways and Means, in the House of Representatives, have charge of the resolution offered by Mr. Owen, requiring the President to give notice to Great Britain, in pursuance of the convention of 1827, that in twelve months from the date of the notice, her occupation of the Oregon territory, jointly with that of our government, must cease.
"It is understood that negotiations are now pending, relative to the great question of title to the region of Oregon, between our government and that of Great Britain. To what conclusion these negotiations are tending, or whether to any, or at what time a conclusion will be reached, are questions which it is not easy to answer; but this at least is clear, that Britain is not dissatisfied with the present condition of that question. It is her interest to keep things in their present state. Why should she desire a change? Her Hudson's Bay Company is the mistress of that mighty region that lies between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, the wild tribes which inhabit it are her friends and allies, and the furs gathered on that vast hunting ground form a lucrative branch of her commerce. The American adventurers, such, at least, is the boast of the Canada newspapers,—who engage in this trade as the rivals of that powerful association, perish, no man knows how or where, leaving their bones to be picked by birds of prey in the wilderness. The matter stands very well, therefore, for Great Britain, and doubtless she has no desire to disturb it. We must expect no alacrity on her part in closing the negotiations. We may expect, on the contrary, that they will be protracted, if possible, from year to year, by the ingenious delays of diplomacy, until some crisis arises which will make a final settlement necessary.
"Our interests, however, and the interest of the people, who are beginning to turn their attention to that settlement, requires that the disputes in regard to that territory should be adjusted, or, at least, we should assert and firmly maintain our just jurisdiction over it. Already—even while the Edinborough Review was uttering its predictions that no migration would ever take place from the United States to the country of the Oregon,—companies of men and women are crossing the Rocky Mountains, and new expeditions are preparing 1 for another season. The time for extending- the absolute occupation and jurisdiction of our government over that country has arrived.
"It will greatly assist the British policy of delay if congress, under the idea that the question is in a fair train of negotiation, should neglect to put an end to the convention of 1827, which has already endured too long. In making bargains by diplomacy, the recent history of our country has proved that we are not a match for our British rival. To put an end to the convention and assert our title at once in its full extent is the most effectual method, we are convinced, of procuring its early acknowledgment by Great Britain. If we leave the matter to mere negotiation we may see ourselves manoeuvred out of the northern portion of a territory to the whole of which we have the fairest title in the world."
[From the Picayune, February 2, 1844.]
CONGRESSIONAL—OREGON TERRITORY.
Mr. Hughes offered the following resolution (January twentieth): " Resolved, That the Committee on the Territories inquire into the expediency at as early a day as practicable of reporting a joint resolution requesting the President of the United States to give notice, of twelve months, to the government of Great Britain that after the expiration of said term, the government of the United States will annul and abrogate the convention of the sixth of September, 1827, continuing in force the provisions of the third article of the convention of the twentieth of October, 1818."
Objections were made to the reception of the resolution.
Mr. Hughes moved a suspension of the rules to enable him to offer it.
The motion was negatived.
The house brought the debate on referring that portion of the President's message relative to the "Western Waters" to a close by referring the subject to the Committee on Commerce.
[From the Picayune, February 7, 1844.]
ROUTE TO OREGON.
[From the Picayune, March 1, 1844.]
In the senate there was a smart brush between the uJtras on the extreme right and extreme left of the chamber touching the Oregon territory.
Mr. Archer, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, introduced a bill to purchase fifteen hundred copies, at $2.00 each, of Greenhowe's History of the Oregon, California, etc. (a new work, yet in the press. ) Colonel Benton took the bull by the horns and rushed upon it in two-handed style, introducing the new negotiation and all sorts of things to make thunder. Archer parried off, and withdrew an obnoxious clause of the bill, which proposed distributing a copy of the book to each member of congress. This did not pacify the colonel, who declared "war to the knife" against the new negotiation (Mr. Pakenham's), and gave notice in advance that not an inch of the territory should be given up. The subject was at last superseded by the tariff debate being called for.
[From the Picayune, March 6, 1844.]
In the United States Senate,
The Oregon resolution, giving notice of an intention to annul the article relating to the joint occupation by the people of this government and that of England of that territory, came up as the special order of the day. Mr. Dayton of New Jersey, made a long and eloquent speech against the resolution. He defended, with great force, the character of the citizens of New England from some insinuations against their courage, which fell from the senator from Missouri, Mr. Benton. The following is an extract from Mr. Dayton's speech:
"New England had been taunted as ready to sacrifice herself to her fears. Did the senator forget her history? Had he thought so much about Black Hawk as to forget King Philip? Could he have forgotten that the first, the freest, blood of the Revolution had flowed from the hearts of men of New England. That it was a sailor of Nantucket who had written on the walls of Tripoli these immortal words: 'Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute.' Or that, later still, it was the same people who had manned those fleets which upheld the freedom of the seas.
"The sun never shone upon a people less likely to take counsel from their fears. They were ready, ever ready, by land or by sea; all they asked was a cause in which they might safely invoke the blessing of Heaven. Is this a people derelict to honor, surrendering their interests to their fears? Who would listen to the tale? But, more; who was it that must fight that battle for Oregon, which gentlemen were so eager to provoke? That self-same people. That battle was to be fought upon the open sea. The fisheries upon the banks of Newfoundland, the whaleries of the Pacific,—these it was that must yield the men whose valor and whose blood must win that victory.
"Ah, but the gentlemen said that they, too, were to furnish their quota. Why, where did they suppose that this war was to be fought? Did they imagine that, at this day, a war with Great Britain would be such a contest as our last struggle with her, when our lands were without roads, and without fortifications, and without munitions, and without all we should have had, save the native bravery of our people, when Great Britain could pour in her regiments on our defenceless frontiers? Far, far different would a war be now. No, it was a war upon the ocean; it was the cities of New England that were to be battered; the commerce of New England that was to be made a prey."
The Globe sums up the argument of Mr. Dayton by saying: "We strongly urge the importance of settling the question by negotiation that hasty action would be productive of loss instead of gain to the country. He adverted to the danger of submitting the question to the hazards of war, and enumerated the naral forces of Great Britain ready at a moment's notice to bear against us in that region; the facility with which she could transport her immense land forces from China to that territory; and maintain that it was almost impossible to convey from the United States over such an immense tract of prairie and mountains, a heavy armament, capable of successfully contending against such a force. He argued that there was no principle of honor involved in the contest for the Oregon; and thought it was best for us to count the odds before precipitating the country into a war for it, which, when obtained, would be found to be worthless."
The subject was then laid aside to next day, when Mr. Breese will address the senate.
[From the Picayune, March 7, 1844.]
United States Senate,
The discussion on a resolution of Mr. Semple, instructing the President of the United States to give notice to the British Government of the termination of such provisions of the treaty with that power as allows her to occupy, jointly, with the United States, the Oregon territory, was resumed by Mr. Breese, in favor of the resolution. In the course of his speech he alluded to the fact that no longer ago than 1816 an equivalent was proposed, and that in the Executive journals of 1828 a key would be found to that equivalent, and read a resolution submitted by a senator from Rhode Island, proposing to request the then President of the United States to open a negotiation for exchanging the territory west of the Rocky Mountains for upper Canada, including the district of Montreal. He reviewed the question in its war aspect; and while he deprecated such a calamity, yet he preferred war to having" the country dishonored in the settlement of this question, by yielding- to the unjust demands of England. He maintained that that power dare not go before the civilized world in a war against us, for asserting- our rights to that territory to the 49th degree of latitude. He argued that it was not her interest to go to war without us, even if she had to yield all her pretentions.
[From the Picayune, March 13, 1844.]
A communication has appeared in a paper published in Independence, Missouri, from Moses Harris, contradicting certain statements made by the traveler Farnham in relation to Oregon and the road to that important and, at this crisis, very interesting region. Farnham had promulgated some just and very valuable information in regard to the extreme West, but as far as his representations refer to the nature of the roads from the States, and in some other particulars, he has most assuredly fallen into error, and Mr. Harris has seized upon just the point, with which he is himself thoroughly acquainted by long years of experience, to set the public right. He has traveled the route over and over again, and knows every tree, creek, spring, hill and hollow that lies in the way of the traveler. The statements of Farnham are well calculated to fling a discouraging influence over the adventurous throngs of emigrants now preparing to start for that country in the spring; and, though we by no means wish either to encourage or discourage these people, yet, knowing the contradiction of Mr. Harris to be correct, we are bound to second him in advancing the truth. Farnham declares that there were distances of many daystravel where no wood can be obtained and where travelers are sure to suffer. Now, it is only along the South Fork of the Platte, and even there for not more than two or three encampments, that wood can not be obtained. Besides, except in rainy weather, the bois de vache supplies every use for which wood is needed. In short, with an experienced mountaineer to direct, no party need fear ever being out of wood, for on entering an untimbered district they can pause and tie all the fuel they want upon their wagons. Let the emigrants secure a good guide and they are safe enough.
[From the Picayune, March 17, 1844.]
From Washington correspondence, dated March 7, 1844:
Mr. Semple's resolution to give notice to the British Government of discontinuing the convention for the joint occupancy of Oregon was taken up in the general orders. Mr. Miller of New Jersey spoke against it for two hours, after which the senate adjourned. [From the Picayune, March 24, 1844.]
Washington correspondence, dated March 11, 1844:
In the house, Mr. A. V. Brown, chairman for the Committee on Territories, reported a bill extending the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the courts of the Territory of Iowa south and west of said territory to the Pacific, which was referred to the committee of the whole on the state of the Union, and, together with the report, ordered to be printed. This bill extends said jurisdiction west of the Rocky Mountains, from latitude 42 S. to 54 4(X N. latitude. It gives liberal largesses in the shape of land to all citizens who may emigrate to that country. The sum of $100,000 is appropriated to build forts on the main pass to Oregon and within it, and to carry into effect the other provisions of the bill.
[From the Picayune, March 28, 1844.]
Washington correspondence, March 18, 1844:
Both houses of congress were employed the whole of this day's session in discussing the Oregon question. The senate, on Mr. Semple's resolution, to give notice of terminating the existing convention of joint occupation in opposition to which Messrs. Archer and Rives of Virginia spoke with much eloquence and effect; and in the house on a similar resolution, discussed at great length in committee of the whole on the state of the Union. The question in both houses remains in statu quo.
The orders of the day brought up the Oregon subject in the senate. Mr. Choate of Massachusetts made a brilliant speech in opposition to the resolution for giving notice to Great Britain of discontinuing the joint occupation convention. Mr. Buchanan obtained the floor in reply, but the hour being late, the senate adjourned.
[From the Picayune, April 4, 1844.]
LATER FROM ENGLAND.
Her Majesty's Government has issued orders for the immediate employment of an additional force of noncommissioned officers and men belonging to the Royal Sappers and Miners, under the Boundary Commissioner, Colonel Estercourt. This detachment, which has been selected from the companies of that corps employed on similar service in England, on account of their experience and knowledge of the peculiar duties required of them, arrived at Woolwich from different places in England, on the first instant, and are now in hourly expectation of proceeding to Liverpool, where they are to embark for America, and on landing there will be sent to the Oregon territory to join those already employed in that service. This looks warlike.
[From the Picayune, April 4; from Washington News, of March 25.]
In the House of Representatives, Mr. Hughes' resolution to take possession of Oregon, which Mr. Black moved to amend by adding Texas, was laid on the table by a large majority.
[From the Picayune, April 5, 1844.]
OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.
In the Saint Louis New Era of the twenty-fifth ultimo, we find a most interesting letter in regard to Oregon and Upper California. The writer appears to be a man of intelligence, and that he had abundant opportunity for observation his letter would afford ample evidence had we room for the whole of it. The writer was one of the party which left the United States for Oregon in 1842, and he has but recently returned to this country by way of the Californias, Mexico, and Vera Cruz. In regard to Oregon his remarks are very brief, as he conceives that public attention has already been sufficiently directed to that territory. He states one fact, however, of which we were entirely unaware before, as to the organization of the American emigrant under a definite form of civil government. We give the writer's own words:
"I arrived in Oregon on the fifth day of October, 1842, with a party of one hundred and sixty [sixteen?] persons. I spent the winter principally at the falls of the Willamette. During the winter the question with reference to an organization was fully discussed. Many were in favor of an independent government, but the majority were favorable to a government dependent upon and subject to the control of the United States for a limited time five years, perhaps when, if the United States had not extended her jurisdiction to that country, they were favorable to declaring themselves independent, not only of the United States, but of all the powers of the world. This discussion resulted in a determination to organize a government subject to the control of the United States, and in the spring following, in accordance with that determination, an organization took place. The various officers were elected a supreme judge, members of the legislature, sheriff, justices of the peace, constables, and the different secretaries and protonotaries. They elected no executive, consequently their government must be very inefficacious. Their legislature was convened in the spring of 1843, and when I left they had a government in full operation."
[From the Picayune, April 14, 1844.]
OREGON.
We alluded the other day to a letter written by an Oregon settler to the editor of the Platte Eagle. The writer had been one year in the territory. He dates from the Falls of the Wallamatte, October 24, 1843. We find room for a short extract: "When I started for this country I did not intend to stay; but then I knew nothing of Oregon. But now I tell you, friend McLane, that nothing could induce me to leave this country and return, for here we have health and everything else that can render a reasonable man happy. When I first looked upon the falls here I said to myself, ' This is the place for me. ' There were then but four houses. A company of settlers were building 1 a sawmill on one side of the rock islands in the river. They have since built a large flouring-mill. Doctor McLoughlin has also built since a sawmill and a very large flouring-mill, and in place of four houses, we have now fifty, and before the first of May next there will be one hundred. This may seem strange, but it is true. Lots that I was offered for $5.00 can not now be bought for $1,000. The country improves in like manner, for every man in the colony works hard. There is no new country in the world that is in such a state of prosperity as Oregon. The main reason is, we have no fire-water here. Every man pays his debts, and all are friendly. I have been here one summer and have had an opportunity of seeing the harvest, which was the best I ever saw. I do wish I could send you a sample of the large, pretty, white wheat of this country; but, in fact, everything put in the grouud grows in like manner. There is no country like this for a farmer, nor no place where a man can live so easy. We had a meeting on the fourth of July to organize and form a code of laws, which was done, and the Iowa laws adopted. All civil officers and members of the legislature, nine in number, were elected. So if Uncle Sam don't watch over us, we will do it ourselves."
[From the Picayune, April 26, 1844.]
THE OREGON NEGOTIATION.
From various sources we learn that the negotiation of Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Pakenham in regard to Oregon have been suspended for the present. In the words of the Charleston Courier correspondent: "The British minister, it seems, had not the power to treat upon the basis proposed by Mr. Calhoun. The most open candor and energy, the first so rare with diplomacy, and both strikingly characteristic of Mr. Calhoun, have been brought to the subject. This ultimatum is said to be the parallel of 49 as the northern boundary of our territory. Instructions received by Mr. Pakenham would not permit him to accept it."
[From the Picayune, April 27, 1844.]
Washington correspondence, April 18, 1844:
In the senate to-day, Mr. Archer called up the bill authorizing the purchase of fifteen hundred copies of Mr. Greenhowe's "History of Oregon," at $2.00 per copy. The object of the bill is to compensate in some measure Mr. Greenhowe for the labor and expense of compiling a work that places the title of the United States to the whole territory of Oregon beyond dispute; the purchase by the government of $3,000 worth of the books insures the author a fair profit from the whole edition printed.