Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/307



imrlics; aihl mitit'c oL' tlir aluoji'Mt inn of the (•(iinciuidii of 1S27. liail not liceii given liy <'itlici- party, when our last, iui'ormatiou lel'l llic Uuilud States. And We lind that aflrr all the negotiations that have been carried on, between the United States and (J real Britain rehitive to settling their claims to this country from October, 1818, up to May, 1844, a period of nearly twenty -six years, the ques- tion n-niains in the following unsettled position, viz.: Neither of the parties in (|uestiou claim exclusive right to the country lying west of the Rocky moun- tains between the parallels of 42 degrees, and 54 tlegrees, 4U minutes north latitude, and bordering on the Pacific ocean. But one claims as much right as the other, and both claim the right of joint occupancy of the w'hole, without prejudice to the claims of any other state or power to any part of said country.

We have submitted to yon this information, gentlemen of tl;e assembly, for two i)articular reasons :

1st. To correct an error that occurred in our last communication to this body, relative to the claims of the United States and Great Britain to this country.

2nd. That you may bear in mind, while legislating for the people of Ore- gon the position in which this country stands, with regard to those claims.

We would advise that provision be made by this body, for the framing and adoption of a constitution for Oregon, previous to the next annual election, which may serve as a more thorough guide to her officers, and a more firm basis of her laws. It should be constructed in such a manner as would best suit the local situation of the country, and promote the general interests of the citi- zens, withovit interfering with the real or pretended rights of the United States or Great Britain; except when the protection of life and property ac- tually require it.

We would suggest, for your information, that this government has now in possession notes given by different individuals residing in the country, amount- ing to .'f;3, 734.26, most of which are already due. These notes are a balance in favor of the estate of Ewing Young, of Oregon, deceased, intestate, A. D. 1841, after all legal dues, debts and damages are paid, that have come to the knowledge of the administrator, or probate courts of Oregon up to this date. We would therefore advise that those demands should be collected, and appro- priated to the benefit of the country; the government being at all times re- sponsible for the payment of them, to those who may hereafter appear to have a legal right to the same.

W(- would again call your attention to a measure recommended in our last communication, to-wit: The expediency of making provision for the erec- tion of a public jail in this country. Although the community has suifered very little as yet, for the want of such a building, and perhaps another year might pass without its being occupied, wdiich it is hoped might be the case; yet we ai-e assured that it is better policy to have the building standing without a tenant, than a tenant without the building. And, in order to promote industry, and the peace and welfare of the citizens of Oregon, this government must be pre- pared to discontinue indolence and check vice in the bud.

We recommend to your consideration the propriety of making pi-ovision for filling public offices which are now, or may become vacant, by resignation or otherwise, previous to the next annual election.