Part 14 (1/2)
(Signed) ONE WHO INTENDS TO EMIGRATE.
N. B.--Newspapers who are friendly to the enterprise are requested to give the above an insertion.
The same issue of the _Statesman_ still further quotes from the _Gazette_ as follows:
OREGON.
The Oregon fever is raging in almost every part of the Union. Companies are forming in the East, and in several parts of Ohio, which, added to those of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, will make a pretty formidable army. The larger portion of those will probably join the companies of Fort Independence, Missouri, and proceed together across the mountains. It would be reasonable to suppose that there will be at least five thousand Americans west of the Rocky Mountains by next autumn. This, if nothing else, will compel Congress to act upon the matter. We have reason to suppose, however, that we shall have a congress which will a.s.sume the responsibility even without any inducement other than the protection of American honor and American rights.
From the _National Intelligencer_ (Was.h.i.+ngton), June 7, 1843.
EMIGRANTS FOR OREGON.
The _Liberty Banner_, published in Clay County, Missouri, says: We are informed that the expedition to Oregon, now rendezvoused at Westport in Jackson County, will take up its line of march on the 20th of [May] this month. The company consists of some four or five hundred emigrants, some with their families. They will probably have out one hundred and fifty wagons, drawn by oxen, together with horses for nearly every individual, and some milch cows. They will, we suppose, take as much provision with them as they can conveniently carry, together with a few of the necessary implements of husbandry. There are in the expedition a number of citizens of inestimable value to any community, men of fine intelligence and intrepid character, admirably calculated to lay the firm foundations of a future empire.
From the _Ohio Statesman_, May 3, 1843.
We attach the suggestions in the report of General Worthington, adopted in this city on Sat.u.r.day evening, in advance of the publication of the report:
”The committee, then, do most respectfully recommend that a convention of the western and southwestern states and territories be immediately called, to urge upon the General Government immediate occupation of the Oregon country by a military force, and to adopt such measures as may seem most conducive to its immediate and effectual occupation, _whether the government acts or not in the matter_.
”That it be declared to the world, that the Californias never should pa.s.s into the hands of England for any purpose whatever; and that if they go out of the possession of Mexico, they should at once be attached to the _future_ North American Republic of the Pacific Ocean.
”That all rumored negotiations of the surrender of any part of the Pacific border for an equivalent in the Californias, should be denounced as fraught with danger to the peace and honor and liberty of the American continents, and as a _repudiation_ of Mr. Monroe's triumphantly sustained declaration of 1823, _that these continents are not to be considered subjects of colonization by any European power_.
”That it be declared that Great Britain should be excluded from the whole of the Northwest coast, between our boundaries with Mexico and Russia; and, that, to give her any part, will be a virtual loss of the whole, as it will cripple, or entirely prevent any important commercial operations by American citizens on our Pacific coast.
”That we recommend the Oregon Convention to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the third, fourth, and fifth days of July, 1843.
”That measures be immediately taken for the appointment of committees at the capitals of all the states and territories west and southwest of the Alleghanies, to urge such action upon their several legislatures as will induce Congress to immediate occupation of Oregon country by the arms, the laws, and the citizens of the United States.
”That an address be published to the people of the West, and the Union generally, setting forth, and urging the adoption of the principles and opinions above proclaimed.”
[The meeting to appoint the delegates to this Oregon Convention was called to meet in Columbus on the last Sat.u.r.day in June.]
EXPERIENCES OF THE EMIGRATION OF 1843.
From the _New York Tribune_ (weekly), August 5, 1843.
We find the following letter from the Oregon Emigration in the _Iowa Gazette_ of the 8th instant (July):
OREGON EMIGRATING COMPANY.
KANSAS RIVER, June 3, 1843.
* * There are over 3,000 and perhaps 5,000 head of cattle, mules, and horses attached to the company. Captain Applegate has over 200 head, and others over 100 head. This has been a bone of contention with some of the emigrants and very nearly divided the company. Indeed, I am not certain but it will be the means of a split yet, as there are a number without cattle who refuse to a.s.sist in guarding them. The dissatisfaction is not quite so violent now, as the cattle owners have agreed to furnish the company with beef, (in case of scarcity of buffalo meat,) work cattle and milch cows, the former at a price to be fixed by the committee, and the cows and oxen without charge. The company have agreed to this proposition, and the former law, limiting each individual to three head of loose cattle, is thereby repealed. The number of cattle is quite too large. It is impossible to guard them at night, and the Indians at this place have already commenced stealing horses and killing cattle. The company which leaves next spring for Oregon should keep strict guard on their cattle and horses at the crossing of this river, as some eight or ten horses and mules have been stolen in one night from our company. Doctor Whitman from Walla Walla, who is in our company, advises that the company divide into three or four parties, for speed and convenience, as there will be no danger from the Indians.
[The name of the writer of the above letter is not given.
The letter, however, indicates that he came to the emigration from Burlington, Iowa, and evidently lived there, as his letter was printed first in a Burlington paper. He was chosen a member of the ”cabinet advisers” of the captain--nine persons. Probably these points will serve to identify him. Was he M. M. McCarver?]