Kentucky Memorial.
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time to take up the line of march. We shall pass through Mt. Pleasant, and to the agency, and thence the best route to Council Bluff.
Mr. Edwards moved that the report be adopted and printed, which was agreed to, when, on motion of General Hight, the meeting adjourned to meet on Saturday, April 8th, at 2 o'clock p. m.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.
BY CITIZENS OF KENTUCKY, JANUARY 13, 1840.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled:
Your petitioners respectfully suggest: That the Government of the United States ought to plant a colony in the Oregon Territory, and give it such nurture in its infancy as to enable it to get a hold sufficiently permanent for it, by industry, to make the many natural advantages of that vast region contribute to the wealth and prosperity of our nation. To crown this enterprise with success, they believe it to be expedient to have a road cut from some of the towns on the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains to Astoria, at the mouth of the Oregon River. As soon as this passage can be opened, a colony of farmers and mechanics should be conducted across the mountains and settled, with a military power, stationed strong enough to protect the colony. Donations of land should be made to those who would become actual settlers, sufficiently large to induce emigration. At a convenient distance across the mountains small garrisons should be placed, to protect travelers from the hostilities of the Indians. Under these arrangements, with such additions as you in your wisdom may make, a settlement in that territory can be made, which will doubtless redound to the advantage of this country. Your petitioners believe there are but few sections of country in North America embracing more advantages than that region. Its climate is said to be more temperate than the climate of any other country situated in a similar latitude. Its soil is fertile and well adapted to the growth of all kinds of agricultural products. Its valuable fisheries would be a splendid accession of wealth to the United States; its peltries, for a time, would be immensely profitable. A settlement in that country would afford more extended range to the pursuit of agriculture, into which it is our nation's interest to induce as many as possible; when markets shall be opened for the products of this country, its rivers will afford advantageous facilities of navigation. The commercial position of this country must not be overlooked. The East India trade, which enriched the Phoenicians, the Jews, and all succeeding nations, which have been so fortunate as to enjoy its trade, is more convenient to this quarter of the country than any commercial point in the United States or Europe. The estuary of the Oregon River is said to afford a safe, easy, and
