Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/314



"The notice that the joint occupancy of Oregon would cease, after twelve months, was given, by the president of the United States, to the government of Great Britain.

"The president in his message of 1845, before the notice was given, speak- ing of Oregon, says:

" 'As yet, we have not been made acquainted with any action of congress, that would extend the jurisdiction of the United States over us, but from the feeling which prevailed in congress, with regard to this country, and the senti- ments set forth by the president, previous to the notice being given, there can be no doubt that now the notice being given, the boundary line is, in all probability, finally settled.

"We shall, in a few months at the farthest, be again living under, and en- joying the protection of, the Stars and Stripes of our loved country, and, ere long, we maj^ reasonably hope, be added to the brilliant constellation of states.

"The law establishing the postoffice department needs altering, very ma- terially. It was found, after being in operation but a very short time, that the rates of postage were altogether too high, amounting to a prohibition. Very few letters passed through the office; the revenue arose almost entirely from the postage on the newspapers, but fell so far short of the expenses, that the postmaster-general, at the close of the third quarter, stopped sending the mails. I would recommend that the rates of postage be reduced to five cents on each single letter, double letters and packages in proportion, and one cent on each newspaper. A mail route should be kept up between the principal sections of the territory; and I have no doubt, if the postage is reduced, the revenue,, aris- ing from the receipts of the office, will nearly or quite pay the expenses.

"There will be several proposals laid before you in regard to locating the seat of government, but under the present aspect of affairs I think it best to post- pone the subject for the present.

"A subject of great importance to us, as a people, presents itself in our com- mercial regulations. That this will be a commercial nation there can be no doubt in the mind of anj' person acquainted with our location ; it therefore is our duty to commence preparing the way for shipping to enter our harbors.

"The first requisite for the mouth of the Columbia river is a good pilot or pilots. Many ships employed in the whale fishery would, no doubt, enter our river and remain mth us during the winter if they were sure of obtaining a good pilot to bring them safely over the bar and conduct them out when ready for sea. Vessels can, without doubt, enter and depart from the mouth of the Columbia river with as much safety as they can the majority of the seaports in the United States ; and it needs only a careful pilot well acquainted with the currents, landmarks and shoals to make it perfectly safe for vessels to enter our port. I, therefore, recommend that a branch be established at the mouth of the Columbia river, and that a board of commissioners be appointed, whose duty it shall be to examine all persons applying for a license to act as pilots, as to their capability so to act.

"Connected with this is the means to prevent seamen from deserting. If seamen are at liberty to leave their vessels and secrete themselves among the in- habitants, or be provided for and be protected by them until their vessels leave, we can never hope to see vessels frequent our ports for the purpose of refitting

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