considerable talent in this committee, and it was to be expected that this paper would be better in many respects than those usually issuing from backwoods legislation. And such was the case. The document, so different in matter, tone, and expression even from those which had preceded it during the reign of missionary influence, though crude, was the
United States. Your memorialists would further inform your honorable body that while the subjects of Great Britain, through the agency of the Hudson's Bay Company, are amply provided with all the munitions of war, and can afford by means of their numerous fortifications ample protection for themselves and their property, the citizens of the United States are scattered over a wide extent of territory, without a single place of refuge, and within themselves almost entirely destitute of every means of defence. Your memorialists would further crave your indulgence to remark that Great Britain has, by extending her criminal code to this country, guaranteed every British subject, claiming his birthright, a legitimate trial by the laws of his country. We, as citizens of the United States, having neither the military protection of our government, nor the extension to us of the civil laws of our country, are forced to the enactment and execution of laws not authorized, and, for what we know, never will be sanctioned, by our government. Your memorialists would further call the attention of your honorable body to the fact that, as citizens of the United States, we labor under "the greatest commercial disadvantages. We have neither ships of war nor of commerce, nor any navigation of the rivers of the interior, and for want of adequate protection, no private capitalist among us can establish a successful competition with a wealthy and powerful monopoly, possessing all the appliances of commerce, and all the influence over the natives by an early establishment among them. We are, therefore, dependent for a market for a large and increasing surplus, and for nearly all our supplies, upon a single company, which holds the market under its control. 'Your memorialists, with a view to remedy the grievances under which they labor, pray the national congress to establish a distinct territorial government, to embrace Oregon and its adjacent sea-coasts. We pray for adequate means of protection from the numerous Indian tribes which surround us; for the purchase of territories which they are willing to sell; and for agents with authority to regulate intercourse between whites and Indians, and between Indian tribes. That donations of lands may be made according to the inducements held out to us by the passage of a bill through the United States senate, at the second session of the 27th congress, entitled "A bill to authorize the adoption of measures for the occupation and settlement of the territory of Oregon, for extending certain portions of the laws of the United St; over the same, and for other purposes." That navy-yards and marine depots may be established on the River Columbia and upon Puget's Sound, and a naval force adequate to our protection be kept permanently in the adjacent seas. We pray for the establishment of such commercial regulations as may enable us to trade in our own territory, at least on an equality with nonresident foreigners. We pray that adequate military protection be given to emigrants coming to us, either by the establishment of posts upon the route or by military escort. And we pray that in the event you deem it inexpedient in a measure, or contrary to the spirit of existing treaties, to establish a territorial government in Oregon, that you extend to us adequate military and naval protection, so as to place us at least upon a par with other occupants of the country. That a public mail be established to arrive and depart monthiy from Oregon City and Independence (Mo.), and such other local
