Newspaper Page Text
From the National Intelligencer, Dec. 27.
Tbe Oregon Negotiation.
The following paragraph appears in the
ew York “Morning News” of Wednes-
,y last, which, with other New York pa
rs of the saute dale, reached us since our
jt publication: i<£
“A report was in general circulation yes-
ulay afternoon that a letter had been re
ived in the city from a member of the
nbinet at Washington; by the afternoon’s
il, to the effect that a settlement of the
Jrcgon boundary question bad been con-
luded in 'London between the Urilish
mtnent and Mr. McLanc on the basis
the 49th degree—the proposition hav-
come from the former. We have not
'cn the letter in question, but have reason
i regard the truth of this report as in the
ighest degree probable. We know the
‘ntish Government is anxious for the spee-
and amicable settlement of thequestton.
e know, tot*, that it was at a recent day
indy to offer the 49th degree, before al
lowing mat ters to go to extremities. Noth-
ng can be more likely than that, out of
his anxiety on their part, coupled with the-
[act of our Government having recently
Tered to accept the line of 49 degrees, has
wn a definite treaty betwween Lord
rdeen and Mr. McLane.”
Hod this paragraph originated ip almost
ny other paper, we should have passed it
»y as being a mere embodiment of. one of
he multitude of rumors from Washington
rhicli are constantly on the wing in the
real commercial emporium. Nor do we
iw give faith to the rumor said to have
, me to New York from this city of the nc-
ual “settlement of the Boundary Qucs-
ion” at London. But to the remarks of
lie “News” upon the rumor, we attach
nuch consequence, from the fact that the
"ditorof the “News,” J. L. O’Sullivan,
isq., has just returned in tho Acadia from
snort visit to Europe, 'during which he
ns doubtless had access, at London, to
[the best source of information. When he
says tbtil he has “reason to regard the truth
of'ihe report as in the highest degree prob
able,” and that he knows the disposition
and willingness of the British Government
to be such as he says, we feel bound to
sham the confidence'which he expresses of
a speedy and satisfactory adjustment of
this question on the principle above stated.
Such, our readers will recollect, has been
our hope, and, we may say, our prediction.
Annexation of Texas.
The following resolutions were passed
in the Representative blanch of Congress,
on the lfiih inst, by a vote of 141 yens, lo
5G nays. Tiic wifi of ihe people on this
subject, as expressed in the election of Iasi
year seems lo meet with little impcGiincni
m Congress.—Geo. Tel., Dee. 31).
Joint Resolutions Jor the admission of the
Slate of Texas into the Union.
Whereas, the Congress of the United
Stines, by u “joint resolution,” approved
March the 1st, 1844, did consent that the
territory properly included within anil right
fully belonging to the Republic of Texas
might be erected into a new State, to be
called the Slate of Texas, with a repubti
can form of government, to be adopted by
the people of said Republic by deputies in
convention assembled, with the consent of
the existing government, in order that the
same might be admitted as one of the States
of the Union : which consent of Congress
was given upon certain conditions specified
in the first and second sections of said joint
resolution; and whereas the people of the
said Republic of Texas, by deputies in con
vention assembled, with the consent of ihe
existing government, did adopt a Constitu
tions, ana erect a new State, Willi a rrpub-
.. . 1 0 i I ? err ®*?.», ! Bent* f° rm °f government, and in the name
ALBANY PATRIOT.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, t8«.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.
Washington, Dec. 25.
Tho despatches received by the govern
ment from Mexico, are deemed to be ol
such importance as to render necessary
soma immediate movements on the part
of Congress. , Measures will next be re
commended by the President, with a view
to the prosecution of our just claims upon
Mexico to a speedy issue.
Mr. Bancroft, the Secretary of the Navy,
is preparing a report ou tho subject of ilic
Navy,-which will be communicated to Con
gress by the President next week, and
which will recommend the immediate fin
ishing and equipment of war-stcamcrs.
The downtall of Herrera, which is now
City Election.
On Saturday last, the. following gentlemen were
elected to administer the city government during
the present year, viz: Mayor, R. P. Lrqz, Esq—
Couneilmcn, E. Richardson, Joseph Thom, W. W,
Maund, Asa Sjnquefieid, Reuben K. Hunt, and J. P
Nelson, Esqrs. 7 4 "
At a meeting of the citizens held on the 2d inst,
Hog. Lott Warren, Chairman, and John Bilbo, Esq.,
Secretary, tbe above ticket was nominated, and
resolutions were adopted expressive of the policy
which they would hold tbe ticket pledged to carry
out if elected. Tbe sum of tbe resolution* was aa
follows:
1st. That all past dues to tbe city should he
promptly collected and paid upon debts now due.
2d. That no officer shall receive a regular salary
or any other compensation than the fees or perquis
ites of offices, to be regulated and permanently fixed
by Council.
3d. That Patrol duty shall be regularly perform
ed by citizens.
4th. That the State Rood Laws shall be so tar
revived as to allow citizens tho option of work in
lien of road tax.
6th. That the taxes shall not exceed in amount,
one-fourth part of tbe State tax. .
In tho names of the gentlemen who have been
elected, we think our citizens have a guaranty that
their pledgee will be redeemed.
ty. A Justice of the Peace participated in the trial er in existence until they saw Capt Gray’, ^
and condemnation. Had he forgotten his oath to So much for tire discovery of the mouth of tUr^'
support the Constitution, and to faithfully administer lutnbia. Ib* next shows that Captain* Lewi,
the laws? Had the preachers forgotten that they Clark were sent in 1801, by our g - .
were tlie professed ministers of PeaceT Did those piorethe head branches of tho Columbia, and
persons who occupy high placoa In society, reflect ed tho river to where it empties into the Pacifi'
that the principle to which they wore then giving where they wintered, on the north aide of the riv*’
tbe sanction of their acts, would, if carried oot, an- In 1810, a settlement was made at the month of u.!
settle the very foundation of society, and subject Columbia river by John Jacob Astor and other chi!
themselves, and all that they bold dear or secred, to sens of New York, which was the first fc ;t!rc-'.
the capricious will of an excited multitude 7 j made by civilized man in this territory. Thi* *<!
Let every good citizen roraembae that if such law- tieasent,named Astoria,- after it* founder, was take,
lees violence is to be tolerated in oar country,the by tbe British in the war which followed in igh
blood-bought freedom of our fathers, tho protection and agreeable to the treaty of Ghent, was — twiJ
of our Constitution and laws, and the sacred rights to the Americans, on the 6th of October, I8u_
of individual liberty and property are all a mockery. These are the grounds upon which wa claim the^
We have just learned that Yoermans was hung at tire country drained by the Columbia river,as agai^
the time appointed. He confessed under the Gal- Great Britain. But to time ws have added then.
low* that he was both a Murderer and Robber.
The Prospect of War. .
If the British Government wu actuated by a
sincere desire tor peace, or by tho principles of jue- , , , , _ _ „
rice, which obtain between honorable men, and!“^betweenthatnverandti*RockyMountain,
which ought to be tho ruling principle of nation, to] ** **
their intercourse with each other, then we should ^7*^’ hh
unhesitatingly believe that tho blessing.of starting ^ *** ot
peace were still to be ours. But cireomstanees...... ® ’*“* betw< *°
tie* of France and Spain. From tbe former, by 4.
purchase of Louisiana, we obtain undisputed title to
ill of the country west of the Mississippi, to the
summit of the Rocky Mountains, and stretching
lifel
jtH
Ioobv
rlerbjj
1
The
fibs'
tries
lio.
I,list I
Iritis
Rauf
Could
{minis
Jing*
k-port
Ao
Ihe ri
negotiation with Mr. Slidell, qud his speedy
rolura to die United States mnv tic expect
ed. Gdncrnls Urrea and Paredes undoubt
edly have. With them the people and (lie
clergy, and their violent and impolite coun
sels will prevail,.at least until such time ns
we shall nc ready lo batter down the walls
of thetnslle of San Juan de Ulloa,or march
an army across the Rio del Norte, or tukc
possession of Monterey.
Commodore Stockton will reach the
coast of California just in time to carry pul
tbe views of the United States, in ense of
war with Mexico. That lie will have or
ders to take possession of certain ports in
the Cttlifomios, There is no doubt. The
next question will be whether Great Brit
ain will tamely submit to it. It is con
jectured that Admiral Sir George Seymour
has orders in regard to that matter, and will
not be slow to cxcutc them.'
Affairs with Euglnud.
Wo arc pleased to learn, os we do by
private advice* froiii Washington, Hint the
S iinion of the lending statesmen in that
ace is that there is little or no danger of
n war-.with England., It is thought that
every day brings .us nigher 10 more modifi
ed and indulgent views, m both countries,
ijt'relation to tbe subjects of difference lie
ily, did ordain and declare that-they assen
ted to and accepted the proposals, condi
tion and guaranties contained in said 1st
and 2d sections of said resolution: and
whereas the said constitution, with the
proper evidence of its adoption by the peo
ple of the Republic of Texas, has been
transmitted to the President of the United
Slates, and laid before Cougress, in con-
fotmity to the provisions of said joint reso
lution : Therefore,
Be il resolved by the Senate and Ilonsc
of Representatives of the United Stntes of
America in Congress assembled, That the
Stale of Texas shall be one, and is hereby
declared to be one, of the United Stntes of
America, and admitted into the Union on
an equal footing with tho original Stales,
in nil respect whatever.
Be it furl her . resolved, That until the
representatives in Congress shall be appor
tioned according to an actual enumeration
of the inhabitants of the United States, the
State of Texas shall be entitled ID choose
two representatives.
(he preferable line of’ teunbary between
the two countries. Time alone » wanted
—a Brief delay—to bring about a perfect
reconciliation, and dispose of the whole
question of boundary. Wc have reason
lo believe that this is the opinion—among
tnimy others—of Mr. Calhoun himself.
* Great fitrcu,—In Scotland it is customa
ry wtlQb oridwith occurs in a family,' (o
icnd.foaU(lie neighbors an invitation to
nttcrid thj; funeral. “A guid auld wife”
was passedoy in-one of these dispensations,
I with hefheart.full of tndignnnl' grief
Accident to the IT. 8.Stc:
ton.
We have mentioned in another place
the arrival of this vessel at Boston from
Norfolk. Soon after coming to anchor in
Boston harbor, it was discovered that she
was on fire in the ceiling below Iter boilers.
The powder on boara was immediately
passed out and water applied by the crew;
but the fire was not extinguished until sev
eral engines wer brought alongside from
tiic Charlestown Navy Yard. It. is well
that this accident did not occur nt sea be
fore the Princeton reached Boston, as in
that case no one can tell what might have
been the result. This occurrence has de
veloped unpardonable culpability some
where, either in tho construction of the
vessel or in heir management. If it had
its origin in neglect of duty on board, an
investigation should be made at once. If,
however, in the construction of the steamer
Terrible Retribution—mob Law-
Trial, Condemnation and Execu
tion of Stephen I*- Yoermans.
Daring tbe last Indian war in Florida, an exten
sive bind of land pittites fanned a secret organiza
tion far tbe purpose of robbing and plundering tbe
people of that put of, tbe country. They commit
ted crimes which weW charged upon the Indians,
and tended much tb prolong and embitter the bloody
strife. Since tbe wartbey bare mode themselves
the scourge and terror of the northern part of Flori
da and some ol the southern comities of Georgia, by
negro stealing, robbing, and other Crimes.
A large number of citizens residing near tbe line
of Georgia and Florida, met in November last, and
organized an association for the purpose of detect
ing and punishing these men. Having ascertained
that Stethen P. Yoebxaks was one of tbe princi
pal members of this piratical gang, they offered a
reward of $500, through the columns of the Floridi
an of the 20th of November, for his apprehension
and delivery to the Sheriff of Jefferson county, Fla.
On Saturday night, the 27th alb, Yoermans was
arrested a few miles below this place, obtained a
release under a writ of Habeas corpus, waa re-ar
rested, and finally delivered np on Thnrsday last,
to the association of citizens whoofiered the reward
in November last.
The scene which followed, we give from tbe
mouth of an eye-witness. The citizens composing
tho association, to the number of aboat one hundred
and seventy-five, organized at the line of Geor
gia aud Florida, on Thnrsday morning at 10 o'clock.
A committee of twelve men, representing a jury,
were appointed and sworn to try Yoermans for the
offences with which he was charged. Witnesses
were sworn, and his own confessions taken, all which
went to prove that he had been engaged far several
years past, with a number of others, wham he
ed, in stealing negroes, both slaves and free, and
selling them in other States, and committing other
depredations upon property. The trial lasted until
nearly night The evidence havingcloeed, the com
mittee, representing a jury, returned a verdict of
Gviltt. This was 00 the Georgia side of the line
between the two'States. The Sheriff of Gadsden
county, Fht, was present on the Florida side of tbe
lino daring the early port of the day, bat left before
the trial dosed. A motion was now pot to deliver
the prisoner into the hands of the constituted author
ities of Florida. This Was decided in the negative
by an almost nnanimons vote. A vote was then ta
ken** to what punishment should be inflicted.—
This was decided to be Death ! by a vote of abpnt
six to one, and tbe time of execution fixed at 12 o’
clock on the following day. The assemblage now
crossed the line into Florida, where the presiding
officer pronounced the solemn sentence of death
Yoermans fell, when beheard the sentence, os though
he had been shot, hut jftoon recovered, and asked the
presiding officer to pray for him. He called npon a
preacher of tho Gospel, three or four of whom wore
present participating in the proceedings, to pray for
the prisoner y and strange to say, every man pres
ent knelt upon the ground, and joined in a most sol-
continue to imprest ns with the probability that
war against the United States has long been deter
mined opon in the councils of the British Govern
ment, and that Oregon is bat tho pretext for curry
ing oat that determination.
Tbe reasons which influence our ancient enemy
in this coarse, are—Tbe acquisition of territory, tho
more permanent establishment and enlargement of
her authority in America, the crashing of a
mercial rival, the maintains nee of her waning su
premacy upon tbe ocean, and bitter hostility to Re
publicanism.
In the United States, she sees the maturing ele-
ents of her future humiliation, and the chief bar
rier to her ambitions schemes. The relative
strength of the United States is daily increasing—
the influence of her institutions is pervading every
part of the earth, and ihe must bo crashed now if
ever. The power of Great Britain wae never be
fore so great or available far offensive operations, or
her influence so potent with tho Monarchies of the
old world. There are some of tbe reasoos which
we think it is probable may bare determined the
British Government to plnnge tbe two nations in
war. Let oar government prepare for war by the
increase of our navy—the completion of onr coast
fortifications, and by an efficient equipment and or
ganization of tbe Malitia.
It is not attempted to be eoneoaled that the im-
menee preparation which England is making for
war, is intended to maintain her claim to Oregon.
Though peace is upon her lips, war is in tier acts,
and it would bo a violation of tho common rules of
pAulence, self-protection and sound State Policy
under the circumstances not to prepare vigorously
and efficiently to repel aggression and maintain onr
rights.
The negociations and correspondence between
the United States and the British Government,
which‘has lately been abruptly, not to say insulting-,
ly, closed by the British Plenipotentiary, Mr. Pack-
enham, shows that onr title to the whole of Oregon
is superior to that of any other nation—indeed tee
think that any nnprejndiced mind would decide that
oar title is dear and unquestionable. Notwith
standing this bet, Mr. Polk has in a spirit of peace
ful compromise and indeflerence to tbe previous ac
tion of oar government upon this subject, offered to
fix the boundary line by the 49th parallel of north
latitude, which gives to Great Britain more tb»n
one-half of the whole Oregon Territory, both in ex
tent and valoe! The preposition is rejected and
abont two-thirds of tbe territory demanded as the
price of Peace. Let them come and take it—if
they can.
Tbe Oregon Correspondence.
Tbe correspondence -between Mr. Packeuham,
tho British Embassador, and Mr. Calhoun and Mr.
Buchanan, on the Oregon controversy, is too long
for ns to give it entire In our columns. We have
however, given the claims as set forth by both par
ties, and the grounds on which those claims are
founded, in a condensed form, for the benefit of such
of onr readers as have not read tbe whole correspon
dence.
On tho 2Gth of August, 1844, Mr. Packenham
proposes to Mr. Calhoun that tbe line should be
drawn from the Rocky Mountains west, along the
49th parallel of latitude to tho northeasternmost
branch of the Colombia river, and down the middle
the 42d degree of north latitude on the south, and
the Russian territory on the north. By the purchase
of Louisiana, we acquired from France tho claim v-
contiguity ofterritoiy; by the Florida treaty, re
acquired from Spain her title to the whole country
north of tbe 42d degree of north latitude, which tie
claimed as the first discoverer. Mr. Cslhondsisu
that onr citizens discovered tbe country previous to
the British, but proves also, that the Spaniard, d*
covered it before either, and lure transferred their
title to the United States. On the 13th Septem
ber, 1844, Mr. Packenham writes to Mr. Calhoun
and acknowledges that Spain has ceded to the Uni
ted States all her title to the territory wcat of the
Rocky Mountains, and north of the 43d degree«
north latitude, but contends that by a treaty, unde
the 98th of October, 1790, called the Nootka Sound
Treaty, Spain acknowledged in Great Britain cer
tain rights to those parts of the western coast of
America, not already occupied. Mr. Packcnhan
then endeavors to show that the two claims to the
territory advanced by Mr. Calhoun conflict, and con
sequently destroy each other. This we consider tie
weakest point in Mr. Packenham’s defence, and one
which savors much more of sophistry than argu
ment Ho also denies the strength of oor claim,
founded on contiguity of territory. On the 20th of
Sept, 1844, Hr. Calhonn answers Mr. Packenham.
in which he sums np his former arguments, and
states that contiguity of territory is tho only title by
which Great Britain has extended her claim west of
Hudson's Bay to the Pacific ocean, and it ir nmv too
late for her to deny the validity of such a title. Ho
denjes that by tbe treaty, for tiio joint occupation of •
the territory, that the United States lost the right of
possession which she bad before, that being provided
for by the terms of the treaty, and he claims the right
of being reinstated, and of being the party in posses
sion. On the 15tb of January, 1845, Mr. Packen
ham saya he has communicated what had passed to
the British government, and proposes an arbitration
to settle the controversy. On the 21st of January,
1845, Mr. Calhoun answers, and declines tbe ofler
of arbitration, but hopes the question may be settled
by negotiation. On the 12th of July, 1842, Mr. Bu
chanan writes to Mr. Packenham, and first states
onr title to the territory in dispute, and then, on the
part of the President, proposes terms on which, in
his opinion, the controversy can be settled. He then
goes on to show bow the United Elates acquired the
title to the whole of Oregon by treaty, from Spain,
who waa entitled to it as tbe first discoverer. He
contends that the treaty of Nootka Sound, between
Spain and Britain, did not convey to Britain any
right to the territory, bnt only the right of trading
with the Indians, and in proof of which he asserts
tint Spain continued in possession of Nootka Sound
until 1795, when she voluntarily abandoned it Ho
brings forward several parts of the treaty,and many
circumstances, to prove that the provisions of this
treaty were one only temporary and for commercial
purposcs^nd never intended to convoy to Great Brit
ain any part of the territory. He next encounters
rl»t part of Mr. Packenham'* argument in which be
contends that, because the Spanish and American
title conflicted, neither of them could be good, and
(hows most conclusively, that both of them are goc J
against Great Britain; and that if the American ti*
tie alone was good against Great Britain, it esauot
be weakened by having tbe Spanish title added to iti
Ho then goes on to state, that, as some of his pvede 1
had offered to divide tbe territory by the (3$
iron*
1 lid I
icap«
[tain ■
A
■red
iuwj
Let*
Jt is
sou*
bpS!
Lit i
End
lin<
Ivflc
1
l\(li
> 1
bf f
IR** river to the.Pacific Ocean, giving to Groat.
emn and impressive prayer to God, that He would Britoin Ml north, and to tho United State, all route ofiatitnde, tho Present, indefierertcto
grant the wretched criminal that mercy which they of line, excepting some detached territory on tho their sets, and m his great desire to mzmtain htr-
themselves were in the act of refusing him! , Pacific, from Bultoch Harbor to Hood’s canal, and ®*! between the two eoontnes, had instructed
A guard of twenty-five armed men were placed in tl* 010 tnake freo any port which tho United States fake the same ofler, and also to makefrte
charge of the prisoner, and tee ——-r-r-g- tto™ 1 °dght desire, either on the mainland or Vancouver's! te Grort Britain any porter ports on Vancouver*
dispersed to meet again eo the following day and of the 49th degree of latitude. This Island, which the British government might derirt.
enact the last scene of this sad tragedy. Ourinfor- Potion Mr. Calhoun decline* because it gives °” the 29th of July, 1845, Mr Packenham write,
munt left on Friday morning, and met a lame num-! to Gn * t Bril » in • ««ent of territory which he toMr.Bnehannan,in which be repeats his former
berof nonons wLwere ™in^„ thinks United State* Mr. arguments, and endeavor, to play off the American
c^i^Tu^^rC*77* 7 P™ ^ ^ United State, and Spanish title against each other, and conpudea
cution, watch undoubtedly took place according to j have a perfect nght to the territory country drained by refusing to accept the 49te parallel as thedivi-
tbe sentence. I by the Colombia river. Onr claims to this teiritay drug fine, and hopes tbe Atnericqn government will
Thus we have given a plain statement of facts, | 410 two-fold; those we have in our own proper right, bo ready to offer tome other proposal more ewais-
whieh it is painful to record. and those we derived from Francs and Bpaio by tent with tho reasonable expectations of the British
fm’c a
'Lome
however worthy of death, the deliberate refusal to pjored, and settled the country, before any of tee ert- shows that either the Spanish or American tide te
give him a trial in the regularly constituted court, izens of Great Britain. In proof of this, be states the territory is good against Great -Britain, and by
before an impartial judge and jnryof bis country, I tR»t Captain Gray, a citizen of the United States, being both combined in the United States, made theit
when the laws were capable of reachin" and pun- *»d sailing under our flag, on tho 11th of May, 179-\ title perfect Hethen states thatheis instructed
_ sailed up the Columbia river some tenor fifteen by the President to withdraw tho offer which bad,
es,was a fearful stab attbo Constt- mneS| Rni j namcJ it aftcr that neither been made, but that tho,]
toorpoo!. our lain.In OUT ain boon those who have placed in peril the lives of .tutionandUws pf the country, which are the only Mearcs nor Vancoaver, upon whoseAiscoYcries the controversy niaf be settiod^withoutdisturbing tbs,
day!—See then tvlta’ll be invited ! ;S0 many of their fellows.—Jfalt. ,9m.. guaranty efe&a *fcr and individual securi,, British kst their data, knew there was eu?h a riy-, reaco of th? two nation?.
ihe wntche the fuftCfnl gathering' nrotinrlcl measures were not taken to secure her
Yftciglibor’i} dooi'./It Was finally too mtich i gainst injury from fire, to whirl* she must
her, and she exclaimed inm tone of fore-! at all times’lie more or less exposed, the “7
, resignation V: .“Aweel 1 aweel l we’ll severest punishment should be visited upon i lsll J n S ,us crimes,
i*/« ft Ahrna mir ‘rttn tn aiip nin linnet* ihncA U'lm hnrn nlfirnfl in noril flm IStmn nf' tlltinn 911({ lilti’e nf