The Albany patriot. (Albany, Ga.) 1845-1866, January 07, 1846, Image 2

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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