Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 9.djvu/422

 surrendered a part of its domain from fear of war. That was a question of limits; this also is a question of limits. We have sur- rendered a part of the State of Maine; shall we also surrender a part of the Oregon?

It was after the treaty of 1842 that we of the West began to have doubts as to the propriety of treating on his subject. It was after this that we began to doubt the efficacy of negotiations to maintain our rights; and for this reason we have passed the strong resolutions which have been passed in the West, expressing a deter- mination not to abide by any treaty that shall surrender any part of the Oregon. Our people will go there, and they will not submit to British domination. If the Government here will not protect them, they will protect themselves; and all the power of England will never be able to dislodge from the mountain fastness of the Columbia river, the hardy Western riflemen, who will in a few years occupy that delightful country.

I will not, Mr. President, add anything more to what I have said; I am not certain that there will be any serious opposition to the adoption of the resolution. I hope most sincerely that there may be none. I believe that a similar resolution will be adopted in the House of Representatives. The President cannot disregard these expressions of the will of the Nation. The notice will be given; in twelve months we will be free from any treaty stipula- tions ; we can then extend our laws and Government over our people who have gone and will go there; and, in a few years, you will see what is now a wilderness, the most delightful residence of man.

In pursuance of a public notice previously given, a meeting of the citizens of Alton was held at the Court Room, on Tuesday evening, Novem- ber 8, 1842, for the purpose of taking the occupation of the Oreg-on Terri- tory into consideration. Colonel N. Buckmaster was called to the chair, and J. E. Starr was chosen Secretary.

General J. Semple made a motion to appoint a committee to draft res- olutions expressive of the sense of this meeting, which motion was ap- proved ; and said committee was ordered to consist of General J. Semple, Mr. Jesse Beeder, Mr. S. W. RobMns, and Mr. S. /S. Brooks. The committee having retired, returned and presented the following : Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the occupation of the Oregon Territory is of vast importance to the whole Union, but more espe- cially to the Western States.

Resolved, That we will, by every means in our power, encourage emi- gration to that country, and use our influence with our Delegation in Congress to have it occupied by the Government of the United States.