WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1846
463
of safety, surrounded by Indians under British control? It has been said that we have induced them to go there. If so, should not their situation claim our peculiar regard? An honorable sen- ator has said, he would be in favor of giving protection to our settlers, but he is undecided as to the manner in which that protection should be given. He says it should be done with great caution, and accomplished gradually. He is in favor of protecting their personal rights, but he doubts the policy of extending our political jurisdiction over the territory. For my part, I cannot conceive how the United States could extend to them personal protection, and, at the same time, withhold political protection; for without political, personal protection cannot be extended to them. As matters now stand, they cannot settle north of the Columbia river. If they attempt it, they are seduced by bribery or driven by menaces to remove south of that river. England, if need be, will strengthen herself in Oregon. She has troops there, armed and disciplined, if she has not an agricultural population such as ours. In the mean time, what course has been recommended to us by the distinguished senator? To encourage our people to go into the territory until by-and-by the whole country shall fall into our possession. And this is an exemplification of the policy of inactivity. If their's [that is, if the territory belongs to England], would it not be filching their territory? Would it not be obtaining by indirection that which we dare not claim as a just right? Why, sir, if we have no right to it now, we would have no right to it then. If it is their's by occupation or discovery, it would still be their's by the same right. If we have rights at all to the territory, they are substantive, and do not depend upon anything short of a just assumption of them. Sir, we would act with such policy as to enable us to secure our rights in question as occasion may requii-e, and to that end I would recommend a fair and just, but at the same time a firm and deciaed course. I trust in my opinions upon this subject, I am actuated by no unworthy prejudices against England, or in favor of our own country. To Great Britain I do not intend the slightest reproach or disrespect. On the contrary, in many respects I much admire the glory of her character. I approve many of her in:-titutions. I admire the character of the English people, for they are generous, and magnanimous. I admire their loyalty to their government, and I admire the gentlemanly bearing of their
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