34 Fred Wilbur Powell, A. M.
Oregon country does not appear in any of Kelley's writings that have been preserved. For a long time his plans were con- tingent upon the action of congress. Had success followed the presentation of his memorial to congress in 1828, it is likely that he would have lost no time in declaring himself. This much is certain; two land expeditions were originally con- templated, one of men only and a later one to be made up of families. The time of departure of the first expedition was finally set for January 1, 1832.^*
Kelley's plans were formally presented in the Manual Of The Oregon Expedition, or General Circular,*' which begins with the announcement "OREGON SETTLEMENT, to be com- menced in the Spring of 1832, on the delightful and fertile banks of the Columbia River" In this pamphlet he again con- sidered the Indian title, and declared that since the British claim to jurisdiction over the territory south of the forty-ninth parallel was without foundation, and in view of the failure of congress to take positive action, there was no justly constituted jurisdiction in that country. Therefore, he argued, the emi- grants would violate no law or right of the United States by settling there. He laid particular emphasis upon the economic superiority of the Columbia valley over the Middle West.
"The natural advantages of the country, for trade and com- merce, foreign, internal and coastwise, are paramount to tlK>se fotmd in other parts of America. The confluence of the many navigable rivers, opening into, and beautifying every section of the country, forms the g^nd river Columbia, whose waters may be traversed by large vessels, two hundred miles from the sea; whose either bank affords inlets safe and commodious for harbors. Nature furnishes many clear indications that the mouth of this far spreading and noble river is soon to become the commercial port of that hemisphere, the great business
14 Young, Correspondence and Journals of Nathaniel J, Wyeth, 4^; McMaster, United States, VI, no, citing Boston Patriot, May a8, 1831, and United States GoMette, October 2a, 183 1.
1 5 Kelley, Manual of the Oregon Expedition. A general circular to all persona of good character, who wish to emigrate to the Oregon territory, embracing tome account of the character and advantages of the country; the right and the meana and operations bv which it is to be settled, and all neceasary directions for becoming an emigrant. Cnarlestown, 1831. a8 pp.
