ompany,
when the whole to the south of the 49th degree, is to- belong to America, with the exceptions mentioned.'
Should this information prove correct, we may shortly expect officers from the United States government, to take formal possession of Oregon, and extend over us the protection we have longed and anxiously looked for.
The notice that the joint occupancy of Oregon would cease, after twelve months, was given, by the president of the United States, to the government of Great Britain.
The president in his message of 1845, before the notice was given, speaking of Oregon, says :
As yet, we have not been made acquainted with any action of congress, that would extend the jurisdiction of the United States over us, but from the feeling which prevailed in congress, with regard to this country, and the sentiments set forth by the president, previous to the notice being given, there can be no doubt that, now the notice being given, the boundary line is, in all probability, finally settled.
We shall, in a few months at the farthest, be again living under, and enjoying the protection of, the stars and stripes of our loved country, and, ere long, we may reasonably hope, be added to the brilliant constellation of states.
The law establishing the postoffice department needs altering, very materially. It was found, after being in operation but a very short time, that the rates of postage were altogether too high, amounting to a prohibition. Very few letters passed through the office ; the revenue arose almost entirely from the postage on newspapers, but fell so far short of the expenses, that the postmaster general, at the close of the third quarter, stopped sending the mails. I would recommend that the rates of postage be reduced to five cents on each single letter, double letters and packages in proportion, and one cent on each newspaper. A mail route should be kept up between the principal sections of the territory ; and I have no doubt, if the postage is reduced, the revenue, arising from the receipts of the office, will nearly or quite pay the expenses.
The act passed at the last session of the legislature, entitled "An act to prevent the introduction, sale, and distillation of ardent spirits in Oregon," is one I should recommend for revision ; there are several points that are thought to be defective. The organic law provided that the legislature shall have power to pass laws to regulate the introduction, manufacture, or sale of ardent spirits. It is held that the power to prohibit the introduction, manufacture, or sale is not granted by the organic law. Another objection is that the fines collected under the act shall go, one half to the informant and witnesses, and the other half to the officers engaged in arresting and trying; in fact, making the witnesses and judges interested in the case. The 4th section makes it the duty of any officer, or any private citizen to act whenever it shall come to their knowledge, that any kind of spirituous liquors, are being distilled, or manufactured, in Oregon. It would be much better if it were made the duty of the sheriff of each county to act, whenever he should be informed that any liquor was being made or sold in his county, and authorize him to raise a sufficient posse to aid and assist him in enforcing the law. We have, as a community, taken a high stand in the cause of temperance ; among our earliest efforts may be found the abolishing of ardent spirits from our land, and to this, in a great measure, may be attributed our peace and prosperity. No new country can be pointed out where so much harmony prevailed in its first settlement as in this — laws, we had none, yet all things went on quietly and prosperously. I have no doubt if ardent spirits are kept within their proper bounds, we shall continue prosperous.
It is said by some, we have no right to say what a man shall make, or what he shall not make ; yet, we find in all large cities, certain manufactories are forbidden to be carried on within the limits of the city, because they annoy the inhabitants, and hence are declared to be public nuisances, and by law are compelled to be removed ; and, if the city increase and extend to the place where
