c
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WU20N BTATlkUAN.
TUrtDAY, MARCH 15, 18139.
tratatastere la Oregea aad Waeataftea
TwriteriM era roseectfally roqasstsd te reeelv
aaa reeelp, far saonayi ea Mwut ef the
, IM to reant the
Tli Ust Mil brocrbt froai T7afclxtaa
IhoetJi of copies, (&resj ta ti aaad-
writinx of Mr. Uibbee.) of ft pafapalet
"tetter to tk people of Oregoa," attract
"jMefh Lane," aad deeljaed for ditpro
al oT tha MCMfttion that Geo. Laaa iu
taafal&afat at Iha last teasloa of CosgrtM,
la the BMttor ot the admiaaioa of tbe State.
Tfc teUsr, or addrcM, wu not written by
Ota. Laaa, a any nan acquaint with kit
atyla ef expressing hioMetf oa paper, or who
rer keard him talk, will readily discover.
CowiTtr, it wit written for him, by bit
direction, nod ander hit tuperrUion, signed
by him, aad is ia effect bis. As a "de
fease it dmes mot rwacA case mi mil, aad
tfetra te not aa impartial jary la Christen
dca who, after bearing tha proofi of non
trrfdnoanca of daty, aad then being inform
ed that the ease "rested with this defense,
would not End a verdict of "cailty, with
oat fearing their seats. And If tha proofs
conli co with Gen. Lane's pamphlet, not a
word need to be said. Besides barn deni
al, aelf approval, tha raising of one or two
tiXa trrsea for the pnrposo of beating them
tfaao, tl'liUon of virtnoaa indignation, and
czirU:3oa of injured Innocence, the ad
C. -.1 ctssUU of nothing bnt aa appeal for
ST" Te General doea not deign to
L '.X tiab-t, bat falls back npoa hia aa
asui fcc!l tpoa the people of Oregon.
Till b a f.Ul mistake Gen. Lana hat been
IcJ is to by bit poorly selected confidants in
Oregon. They hare ever adrbed him that
he was possessed of anbonnded strength and
popalarity with the people, and that he had
only togo through the ronnd of shaking hand,
ooft-awder,and the common arts of low ham
bag, tosilence all investigation and all opposi
tion. There has been a snrfeit of this thing,
aad the day is passed whea it will cover up
diScienciea and delinquencies. The address
says iu author will be hero ia a few weeks
"to take by the hand hia friends once more,"
aad all confidence is reposed ia that species
of "electioneering." The address says :
"I aught refer to the recent act ef year repre
sentative ia electing me to a seat ia the Senate,
as an approval of nty conduct on your part and
theirs ; and sach, indeed, I must be permitted to
regard
Just at tha time of Gen. Lane's election
to tha Senate letters warn received and pnb
llshed declaring that the State bill would
pan tha Howe, that we Were "all right,"
aad conveying the impression thai there
were an obstacles ia the way of its passage
there. Those letters were writtea for the
press, aad with a kaowledgn that- they
would be published in tbe5teefsam and
Times, jut on the ete of the election of
TJ. S. Senators. . Most persons think that
they were writtea for tha purpose of iofle-1
aacieg that election. After the election,
the fact was disclosed that we were orMatl
right," and evidence came to' light which
favored the opinion that Gen. Lane had not
done his dnty. Gen. Lana assumes too
much whea ha ander takes to coast rue that
lection as aa "approval of his conduct."
We know many members of the legislature
who voted in caucus for him last Jaly (and
noma of them-the firmest friends ha had)
who, from evidence since received, are con
vinced that he did not perform hi daty, aad
woald not now so vote for him.
Letters, too, were received aad published
Jast before the elcctioa of Senators, respect
ing our war debt, a subject upon which
great iaterest was felt ia Orejeeu Oa of
those letters pabiobal ia the Statesman
atid :
'"The Senate Committee ea Military Affairs wilt
et sawocmWy upon oar. war debt. Col. Jeff.
Davis ia decidedly for ns. mad within ta Uet fif
eaa eainnte Col. Fanlkwer. of the, Hom. v-
mittee, informed ate that the lions Committee
weald report favorably npoa sty war bill, filing
the nrst week in next December for its considera
tion.'"
, Another letter,
(June 4) cays :
dated tha wext day,
"The Senate Cemmittea have decided to have
their Chairman. Col. Davis, to offer my bin as aa
atmeodmeat toon of the appropriation bills now
vending tn the Senate ; be will do so, and make
aa able efxtrt in favor of paring the claim allow
d by the war commissioners. The Hon Com
aaitto have tbia morning directed Col. Fanlkner,
no prepare a report in fa tot ot paying the claim
allowed by the commissioners. We are endorsed
by both the Senate and Hoe Committee."
Simitar letters to the Timet were cooclod
ad with "Thank God, tha worst is over."
Neither committee reported at the last
aearion. The events of the present session
indicate most conclusively that CoL Fsnlk
oer was not prepared to report at the com
enencement thereof that be subjected the
claims to a -most searching scrutiny, nnd,
finally, on the 5th day of February, report
ad. recommending the payment of "near one
tnillioa and a half," and counselling the de
ferring of action upon that until next Con
feres. Col. Davis has not reported at all.
aad it does not appear that his committee
bare even considered the subject.
Gen. Lane says that he supported the bill
enabling Oregon to form a constitution.
which passed the House in the Spring of
1857, and dwells at length upon it, as evi
dence ia point of bis faithfulness in the mat
ter of admission. Ilere be raises a false
lune. His conduct in '51 upon the enabling
act, has never been alluded to. It was in
1858 that be failed to support the admission
bUl. He unquestionably did support the
- eaabliog act; and if we got into the Union
by virtue of it, he had no doubt of his elec
tion to the Senate. This is a false issue
which with soma readers may serve to cover
ap the real one.
Uen. lane also quotes aa extract from
the "Metropolis" letter, making that corres
, poadent say that he (Gen. Lane) "would
claim mileage aad pay both ia the capacity
ot Delegate aad Senator." The correspond
eat did not say be would "claim" it. That
be will be entitled to it, under the nsage, if
we are admitted, is true, and it will stand
to his credit, to be drawn, or not, as be or
his representatives may choose. But,
tssr fc!abxab r:J, t:J la ctia the
prise!; one of the airers cf ' J.t pages.
Wo have befbreetU that we d not believe
tha mileage and ftj retention was the
one Which ln2)t:i:;- Zir Delegate's non ac
tion. 7c believe t Consideration was
this: TUt U la tc'.d with the belief that
fun hat m f roepc;t (and km thinks a good
foae) of. a nomination for Presldeut, end
that to be left out of Congress woojd de-
Ltroy his prtstigt,' and bis chsnces for the
aTosiaency, ns it wouia, w aa any. jus
advisers here mistaklngly informed bint that
La strong effort was being made to defeat
hia for the Senate, and that it might prove
successful. It is npon this mmt natural
hypothesis that wn account for Qen. Lane's
non support of the Oregon bill. In corrob
oration of this hypothesis, Is the following
letter, written to as on the 6th of August
last, by as (thea and now) Warm n support
er as Gen. Lane bus in the Territory, as is
also Dr. Evens. It Is a private letter, and
wa cannot pablish the name of tbe author :
HDr. Erane. tha famona reoloa-iral man. I am
informed, is authority for tbe following bit of pri
vate political history connected with our admis
sion bill. lion. lano ia in the eye of Oeorgia
and Carolina politicians for tha Presidential can
didateev in 1&9. Until, therefore, the decision
ef the Senatorial question in Oregon. (Lane
f man's being involved,) it was doomed by Sto-
pssna ana mners, aananoio to postpone me ad
mission.' Evans professes to get bis information
from Bingham, the mover of toe substitute. Aa
Nnghamis ia the opposition, what ean it be more
than a shrewd suspicion? Is It nlansible, how.
ever, sine it was in the power of the Home of
Representatives at any time to take np the Sen
ate biU t I am disposed to think so."
Gen. Lane says:
"Before I saw the article In the Stmtttmmm, 1 had
already notified tbe 8ergeant-at-arm of tho Stmntt
taat I wonld tako but one mileage."
In a letter to the Jacksonville Sentinel,
nnder date of Dee. 2d, be says:
WI notified the Sergeant-at-arms of the Stnatf
that I abonld not tako mileage, and that in mak
ing bis requisition far money to pay mileage of
Senators, be should not include me, that 1 would
not take n dime."
If he so notified the Sergeant al arms,
that officer most have smiled. Qen. Lone
had no seat in the Senate, nnd until be did
have, the Sergeant-at-arms had no business
to make a requisition for mileage for him :
and if he bad, it would not have been hon
ored. There were but sixty-four Senators,
and he could not have drawn mileage for
sixty-five if he had tried. But, there seem
to be a little, conflict on this point. Qen.
Lane says he "notified tbe Sergeant at arms
of the Senate, &c In the Tmts, tinier At
lantic advices of September 20, (after he
had seen the said letter In the Statesman,)
he is made to say:
"Gen. Lane will persist in his determination,
expressed to a correspondent here some months
since, to refrain from tho occupier of hi seat ms
JMarat at this session. He will not.
ander any ciiVaatafanrir, take his seat, or claim any
ef the privileges, immunities or benefit of hi
petition as fMtnfe."
It is unnecessary to say that he did take
his neat a Deles-ate. with ail the "benefits."
Tbia address makes what purports to be an
extract from the "Metropolis" letter, (en
closing it in quotatiou marks, indicating that
it was literal,) ns follows:
To fix on me the charge contained in his next
paragraph, tis: "Ibatl designed by delay iug
the admission of Oregon, to draw milcaee both as
Senator and Delegate."
What will the reader say. when he is told
that the '."Metropolis" letter contained no
nth paragraph! We are unwilling to be-
teva Uen. Liana would thus tnisouote. or
that be would interpolate the word "claim "
uut me writer of bis letter certainly did do it.
Although few, if any.' persons will believe
the mileage and pay question bad any in-
Buence with our Delegate, although we ex
pressly declare our belief that it did not
have, wa submit that he seizes upon that.
and makes decidedly too much of it rings
the changes upon it too often, and at too
great length. There bavn been men who
carets' aot for property, who msei and needed
a great deal.
The address says: "So argument or nor-
tension could aver induce me to put my hand
ta the treasury and take money for any ton-
stnutice service." Gen. Lane does not seem
to understand the meaning of the word "con
structive." Its most usual application at
Washington is to milesge drswn for called
sessions of the Senate after Presidential in
augurations. Dot the term means mileage
for travel never performed. Gen. Lane lias
drawn over $20,000 mileage for travel, the
first mile of which he did not travel. He
"claimed" over 95,000 each of tbe years of
I8iZ, 1854. 1856. aad 1858 (last maimer
ior travel construed to have been performed
between Oregon and Washington. In none
of those years did he perform said travel.
As we save before said, be did what most
other mea would have done, and what no
body censures him for. Bat it does not look
well to make merit of abstaining from nn
act, which be every other year regularly
performs.
Uen. Lane says the rules of the House
are different from those of the Senate. That
Oa Mondays, it ia in order to suspend rules.
which can be dune ouly by a two-tUirds vote. On
any other day of the week business can be taken
nn out of its order by unanimous consent nt.
On man objecting can prevent the taking up of
any bilL"
On none of those "Moods vs" did Gen.
Lane make a motion to take np the Oregon
bill, although his letters written at that
time and all tbe information we have, tends
to tbe conclusion that not one-third of the
members of the llonse were then opposed
to it.
"On the 5th day of June last. Mr. Stephens, of
Georgia, the Chairman ot the committee on 1 er
ritories. succeeded in taking onr admission bill
from to hies and had it referred to his commit
That was tbe ArU attempt made to take
it from the files, although many days bad
claused after its passage in the benate
There is every reason to suppose that such
motion would have "succeeded" at any otn-
er time.
Gen. Lane further says :
Yon will also bear in mind, that a member has
no newer orer a bill that has been referred to a
committee; nor has tbe House any power over
it while in tbe bands of the committee.
A. member has "power." at any time, to
move to instruct a commtiiee to report n
bill, and the House has "power" to order
their committee to report. Our Delegate
made no such motion, bnt suffered the ses
sion to expire, leaving tbe bill sleeping in
the hands of the committee. lie also had
"power" not to be privy to tbe move of Mr,
btepbens, to reier to the uommittee on
Territories, at an hour when be knew it
could not come back. He bad "power" to
resist tbe motion to refer, and if be bad
resisted it. it would not have been pressed.
And if it bad not been referred, there would
not have been -the delay there was at this
session, in getting it reported from the com
mittee.
But, Gen. Lane does not fully state tbe
rulea of the House. Wa bavn them in
tee Globe, from which we extract the fol
lowing :
137. Except during the last ten days of the ses
sion, us opcucr snau am cuujruun a motion
to suspend tbe rules of tbe House at any time,
aaoept ea Monday of every week : prorided noth
Ing herein contained shall he construed to alter
so nint h of the liltith rule as provided as follows t
" Tliellunne may at any time, by a voto of a
majority of the members present, suspend the
rules and order for the purpose of going into Ike
Committee of tha V bole House on the state of
the I'ninnt and also for providing for the dis
charge of the committee from tba further consid
eration of any bill referred to it, after acting with
out debate on all amendments pendlug, and that
may be offered."
Thus it will be seen that at any lime du
ring the last ten days of the session Gen.
Lane could liuvo ' luoved to suspend the
rules, to take up the Oregon bill, or to per
mit the committee to report it to tbe llonse,
and unanimous consent was not reqnircd.
At any time during the session, Qen. Lane,
liy the latter part of the above quoted rule,
could have moved to go into committee of
the whole on the State of the Union, and a
majority role only was needed to carry that
motion. When there the bill to admit Ore
gon into the Union could have been most
properly debated, and .by a majority role
reported to the llouse. In that way ot
least the Oregon bill might have been con
sidered, if it t-outd not hare been passed.
Uen. Lane seYki to confound tho jircornt
session with the prior one. That will not
do. At this srssioq there is an organized
opposition to our admission, on account or
tho rejection of Kansas. Jsisl session there
was iio such opposition, by his own thomng,
and by the showing of nil tho testimony.
Uut, it is idle for Uen. Lane to interpose
these technicalities between himself and the
performance of his duties. If proof was
needed to snpport the charge of ueglccted
duty. Lis prior letters and this address fur
nish it. We exHctel that, with the means
at command at Washington, a more pliiusl
ble (a more pathrttc one, it would be hard
to write) defense would be made for him.
It will not escttpe notice that this address
wholly fails to account for Qen. Lane's utter
sileuce respecting our admission bill at the
last session ; for tbe total non notion, or
attempted action, of that body. It docs not
attempt to explain bow he could hare been
so mistaken, when he informed the people
aud legislature of Oregon that we were
certain to go in lust session, mentioning no
obstacles, nnd leaving it to bo iuferred that
there were none. It does not attempt to
reconcile or explain his former differing and
conflicting explanations and defenses. In
deed, the only pretcuco. of defense iu this
addiess, U a flat contrsdictioti of former
letters of uen. Lane. He uow assumes
that it was impossible to get up the bill.
When he allied for an election to the Sen
ate, he wrote, that it was certain to pass,
and he mentioned no difficulties in the way.
He was then ns well acquainted with the
"tules" as now, and if it was likely to tail,
he ceitainly knew something about it.
Iu shuit, Uen. Laue's famed address,
with which he has flooded Oregon, (four
bttshefs trere sent ta the Salem "Jice ahne) un
der his frank, ultei ty fails to make out a- tie
fense or hit non action respecting the bill for
the admission rf Oregon, or advance a tingle
reason in excuse of U. It is merely a
denial of tbe accusation ; denials are very
cheap, and the common resort iu the ab
sence of materials for defense.
The War Claims.
lielow we collate all we Gud in the Atlan
tic papers upon tbe subject of the Oregon
war claims. Mr. Smith expresses the opin
ion that a bill appropriating some turn, will
pass this session. Uut we see nothing upon
which to round such a conclusion, and think
he is mistaken in his judgment. Indeed, the
correspondent of the San Francisco Vulletin
states that the whole matter had been for
mally deferred to tbe next Congress. And
the X. O. Delta states that on the 5lh, the
committee did report, cutting down the claim
of the two Territories ($0,000,000) to about
$1,500,000, and recommending that consid
eration be deferred to uext Congress. The
next session will be the one preceding a
Presidential election, the Republicans have
the House, and we regard the prospect for
favorable actiou at that session as gloomy
indeed.
Mr. O rover wiites, under date of Febru
ary 3d, as follows :
We have lm.l a touch time with tbe committee
on Military Affairs to get our war bill through.
It is rery uncertain what kind of a report we can
eel from them. J do not think tber intend we
shall have any appropriation this session."
THE OIU;.ON W AR ItF.BT.
n'ntkington, Jan. , lc?5i). Tbo committee on
Military All'nirg, of the llonse, have before tUein
the whole suhicct of the exDCiiditurs nn thn fmn.
tiers in tho suppression of Indian hostilities, and
will, no doubt, be euabled to dense ways by
which sach expenditures w ill be properly regula
ted and much reduced. When "the Oregon war
debt was first brought to the notice of that Com
mittee at the last session, it was accompanied
Willi a rccouiiiiciia.it ion irom tuo War Uonart-
nicnt that tho debt, as reported to be duo by Gov
ernment sp ins, ue paiu. jur. Jraulkncr. the
Chairman ol the Committee, caused action on the
uhject to bo deferred, in order that the anliicet be
fully invemipnted. By this delay nnd examina
tion, Mr. Faulkner has saved to the Treasury the
r rttf '
large sum oi loururnve millions ot uouars.
1 how hole ot the debt, a reported br the Uni
ted Mates agents, was some t,(MX),lKMi, of w hich
tho Committee of Military Ailairs will not allow
more than about 1.U0O,innj to be justly due. Tbo
rharg-es by which the $0,0IO,0l)O aro inado np are
such as were never before hrard of. 1'ixtoU are
charged to tlio L'nitoJ Slates at $t-V each ; mus
kets at f 1-J5 ; oats at $5 a buolicl ; hay at J l .'O a
tun, and every tiling else in proportion. A report
from the United Mates Auditor, exhibiting in
detail the matter connected with tho Oregon and
asiiintrton war debt, was, a lew day aco, or
dered to lid printed, and will throw much liirht
on tho subject. I'orrtsjwmilriiee cf the Ilallimore
Hun.
Tho Honso Committee on Military AlTair. after
a laborious session, February 4:li, art tied all the
i rincipk'S applicable to tho payment of the Ore
gon aud Wasltiiicton war debt. The accounting
otUccrs of tbo treasury will be required to adjust
tho claims on principles which must reduce tbe
demand on tho treasury some threo millions of
dollar at lcnt. 1 he expenses on the part of Ore
gon have been stated at about four millions and
a half, or $11 '-il fur each day's military service
rendered by Orcpon. The pro amount of claims,
as reported by tho samo Committee is nearly a
million and a "half. General Telegraphic Disptttck.
The llouse Milittry Committee at Washington,
are ferreting out extensive frauds connected with
the Oregon War Debt. Of the whole debt, which
is said to amount to six millions, not more than
one million, it is alleged, is justly due. Sumo of
the items Drcsent s.stoundinir ditVerenees between
the prices charged for an article, and its market
value. Thus, pistol are charged at f 55 each ;
muskets at $!&; oats at $5 per bushel ; hay at
$fJOO per ton; aim otner iniugs in prupuruou,
Mr. Faulkner, the Chairman of tho Committee,
is, it -is said, prepared to do his whole duty in this
matter, and will oppose the payment of the
claims until every charge is reduced to its proper
dimensions. As the charges now stand, they
make an average claim of 11 21 per day for
each man's military service. Yesterday, tho Com
mittee referred tho claims to the Auditor of the
Treasury for revision, to report to tbe next Con
gress. nashingion ear. s. r. auuuim.
The following from the N. O. Delta, of
tbe 12th Feb., is tbe latest we nave,, ana
later than Messrs. U rover and Smith's let
ters :
In the llonse, on the 5th, the Committee on
Military Aflhirs offered their report upon the sub
ject of the Indian war in Oregon and Washing
ton Territories. The report states that tbe ex
penses of the war amount to nearly a million and
a half of dollars. They recommend tbe reference
of tbe snbjoci to the consideration of tbe next
congress.
Execution. The execution of Koe has been
ordered between the hours of 11 and 2, April 2d
Washington, Feb, 1,1809.
DEAR Bin t In hi letters to you and to the
people as yon are awnre-Oen. Lane took the
f round that the admtxsion of Oregon as a State
nto the Union would be more readily secured by
the perfection vf our State orjrnnlalfon the put
ting that organisation into full and complete op
peratiou, and tho superseding of the Territorial
fovernmpiit. With tin position you iook issue,
thnuirht vou aubstautiullr riirut. Justioo to
Uen. Lane and regard for truth now prompt mo
to say. that what 1 hare seen and nearu aiueo my
arrival iu Wanhlnftoii, ha fully attMuei me mat
the Uoneral wa right. Col. Humphrey Marshall
and a half doten other member of Congress,
who rank aimutfrMt Ilia best Ian vers and must en
lightened statesmen of the country, declare tl at
wo committed a great error in neglecting to fol
low the advice of Gun. Lane l tbat they would
have voted for onr admission bad we entirely su-
Iieneded our Territorial povernment, as did
Minnesota, bnt having failed to do so, they could
not vote for us. They oppose our admission fur
various reaaon t one because of the alleged
want rit noniilatiun s another because alien are
allowed to vole, aud atitl othera berauso of the
free negro section i bnt they say that notwith
standing these objections, they would vote for
onr admission if we had put onr Slate govern
ment in complete operation. Having failed to do
so we wiltsunVr the loss of at least tweuty or
twenty-flvo vote. Il ia clear, therefore, that
Uen. Lane wns correct in his recommendations.
ltis to be reirretted thsttlio Lecis! stive Assembly
and people of Oregon did not follow his advice.
s have wtltten the lorefroinp tunpiy oecaune i
am fully imired with the- truth of what 1 have
stated. Very reupcctfiill v, yours, Ac.
UKL.AZON SMITH.
A. Btail, r.so.., 6-item, Oregon.
It is true, Mr. Smith tent decidedly of the
opiuiou that it was an act of folly to attempt
to set in motion a "State" government, and
supersede tbe Territorial government. And,
we are satisfied that Gve miuutes reflection
will conviuce him that his ' reasons for a
change of that opinion are groundless, and
more strongly confirm him in his flrst opin
ion. That the setting in motion the Stato gov
ernment would have been bitwise, on accouut
uf attendant expense, embarrassing conflicts,
ic, is a matter of judgmcut, which admits
of a difference of opinion; we are unquali
fiedly of the Qiolou that the act would have
been unwise in tho extreme, nnd we think
that is the settled judgment of the people
of Oregon. Uut, above and beyond lids is
a fact which does not admit of two opinions
and that is that if would hnre been impos
sible to hare done it. The Territorial govern
ment cannot be superseded nntil the act es
tablishing it ceases to exist. And, until it
is superseded, there can be no other exer
cising its powers. It is as much a moral
mpossibility for two governments exercising
the same powers to exist at the shiiiq time,
as it is a physical impossibility for two
bodies to occupy the same space. The Ter
ritorial judges were and are unanimous iu
the opinion that tho Territorial government
must be maintained nntil the State is admit
ted. This proposition is so manifest, that
we doubt if there is a respectable lawyer in
Oregon, or elsewhere, who will attempt to
controvert it. To set up a government in
hostility to the Territorial government,
would unquestionably havo beeu declared
rebellion by the general government. Such
an attempt in Kansas was so declared and
treated, and if there is auy consistency iu
the government, it would have been so de
clared aud treated iu Oregon. The "State''
udges with but one, il ajy, exception, were
aud are of the same opinion as the Territo
rial judges two of them are the same per
sons. ow. with these obstacles, will Air.
Smith, with the new Pght imparted to him
by (Jen. Lane, tell us how a "State'' gov
ernment was to be put iu operation 1
But, let us, for the sake of argument,
suppose the "State' judges were all different
persons, aud of the opiuiou that the "Stato"
government could bo set in motion; what
ihcu? Would it be practicable to set it iu
luotioii? Xot at nil; the first step could
not be taken. If the "State" legislature
had passed laws, the Territorial courts wo'd
have declared them inoperative. If a "Statu"
court had rendered a judgment, and proper
ty should have been attached by virtue oi
it, a Territorial court would have released
tbe property, and entertained an action of
trespass against tho person attaching. If a
"Slate" court had sentenced a man to pris-
ou, or to death, a writ of habeas corpus
would have taken him before a Territorial
court, where tho proceedings would have
been declared uulawful, tho prisoner set at
liberty, nnd the persons detaining him been
liable for faU'c imprisonment. And so on,
to the end. Tbo result would have been
conflict, confusion and anarchy. To have
put tbe "State" government into operation
was an impossibility, leaving out of question
its declared folly.
That Humphrey Marshall (knownothing)
would vote for Oregon's admission if we had
forty governments, we do not believe, lie,
wc understand to havo been the author of
the bill disorganizing our courts, uud doc
trines utterly subvefsivo of popular rights
in the Territories are attributed to him.
That Mr. Smith thought that kuownoth-
ings, opposing our alien suffrage clause, nnd
black republicans, opposing our free negro
disabilities, would, nevertheless be willing to
vote for admission, if our "State" Govern
ment was in operation, we do not doubt.
Dut, that such wns the fact, we have not the
slightest idea. That those men should be
opposed to our admission on grounds involv
ing principle, with them, and npon such
grounds be now resolved to vote r.ny, but
willing to forego that principle and the ob
jection npon which it was based, and vote
for the bill if we had set np a "State" gov
ernment, (a matter which they could have
cared uothing about,) is extremely improba
ble aud absurd.
We have a "State" government ready to
go into operatiou whenever the act ot ad
mission shall give it vitality, and we are of
the opinion that the admission bill, if voted
on, did not get one vote more or less iu the
House than it wonld if there bad been here
an iusane and futilo (for futile it would un
avoidably have been) attempt to put in ope
ration a "State" government. Miuuesota
had an enabling act. yet we do not under
stand that the course pursued in Minnesota
was essentially different from that pursued
in Oregon. Ou the contrary, we understand
tbat the Territorial officers there continued
in the exercise of their functions until legal
Iv relieved. " - -
We are a little surprised that Qen. Lane
should have solicited Mr. Smith to write the
above for publication; for we presume no
one will doubt that It was written at hia so
licitation aud with his knowledge. It be
trays, on the part of our Delegate, a dispo
sition to adhere to an unconsidered opinion,
we did not expect to witness. We at the
time said that we did not think Qen. Lane
had sufficiently considered his recommenda
tion to proceed with the "estate" govern
ment, or calculated the effect. We are folly
convinced that lie had done neither, and bad
little ideit of the difficulties in which it wo'd
involve us. Dut, having said "the horse is
fifteen feet high," it seems be is resolved to
maintain that it is.
Every day strengthens our opinion "that
Qen. Lane was incorrect iu bis recommenda
tion, and that it is not to be regretted that
the Legislative Assembly and people of Ore
gon did not follow his advice."
e hove not beard, or any letter or tne
above character from Mr. Grover. Why
lins he not changed his opinion? Has he
not "seeu and heard as moch as Mr. Smith?
We aak whether it is the desire of the Slatttman
that this Territory should be admitted iuto the
confederacy of States I Times. ;
As the Statesman has steadily supported,
and its editors voted for ."Convention" a
it warmly supported, and its editors voted
"for tbe Constitution," and as it has never
faltered in support of the proposition to
form a State government, in ? iew of our im
portant interests, as it is the only paper in
Oregon which has, during the last six
mouths, repelled assaults upon our constitu
tion and contradicted assertions tbat the
people did not now desire a State, this
question is decidedly cool, from the pen of a
recent comer from California, who never
voted for either, aud who, not unlikely, (as
is the custom of California,) six mouths ago
ridiculed Oregon's pretensions to become a
State. With what influence it does not be
come us to say, the Statesman has earnestly
advocated the formation of a State govern
ment, as the only means of obtaining the
payment of our war claims, aud as the surest
means of sccuriug Oregou's just influence in
Congress. We were never more firmly con
vinced of the weight of these reasons than
we are now.
The democratic party, as well as the people of
this Territory, have expressed their desire that
we should be admitted, and nnder that eprr.ion
it becomes the boundeii duty of an editor repre
sentitifr lli party and the people, to do everything
that could be honorably done by him, to assist in
tbe consummation of their desires.
The Democratic party ha never declared
State government a party issne leading
democrats have ever protested that it was not,
and some sound democrats have ever opposed
it, as earnestly and as houestly as we have
supported it. If our judgment had been
sgaiiibt the measure, instead of advocating
a State government wc should have oppos
ed it, uolwitbstauding our new friend's ideas
of "bouuden duty." His notions of tbe ser
vility of the press must have been learned
in the illiberal atmosphere of a knownothing
wigwam, where men swore awsy their indi
viduality and their independence, to a degree
which membership iu no other organization
we ever heard of demanded. We subscribe
to no such doctrine.
Tho editor well knew that a weighty reason that
operated upon the minds of some of the members
ol Congress to our disadvantage, was their belief
of the iusuflicienry ef our population to entitle ns
to what we asked at their hands. This wa one
of the objection w hit-h was to be overcome by
our representatives. This is no new fact, un
known before to the editor, aud but just discover
ed, but known at a time when it could have been
stated by him, and the influence bad its effect in
supporting the assertions of our representatives.
Why did ho fail in giving them tbat aid when so
much required f His silence bad a contrary effect.
The Statesman published the official re
turn of population, as soon as the census
was completed. Is that tho "silence" the
Times refers to ? If the Times means that
we ought to havo asserted that there were
93,000 and upwards, population, we have
to say that the census return exhibited less
thau 50,000 ; every well informed Orcgo
uian kuows there arc not more than 50,000,
and filially, that the Statesman did not be
lieve there was 93,000, and consequently
would not "snpport" any 6uch assertion.
And let us here say, that we believe the
ouly effect of exaggerated statements of our
population is to prejudice Oregon iutcrests
in Congress, and destroy confidence io the
representations of him who resorts to them.
For members of Congress understand our
true population, and canuot be deceived
upon that point. They know we have not
the requisite population to entitle us to a
member of Congress, and they generally
agreed that we should not be required to
have it, as a condition precedent to admis
sion.
Theso men who sneak and write, havo the inti
mate acquaintance acquired by many years resi
dence in tbe Territory, and as extensive know
ledge of tbo inhabitants it contains aa any one
cau.
The Times editor knows very little of
what he writes. Since 1850, our Delegate
in Congress has bad very little practical res
idence in Oregon, and knows comparatively
little of Oregon. He has been a candidate
at everv ireneral election held in the Terri
tory since that time until lost year, and yet,
as has been seen, he was of the opinion that
Oregon had cast at one of those elections
18,000 votes, whereas bnt about 10,000 bad
ever been cast. The debate in tbe Senate
on the Oregon bill indicated that Douglas,
and other Senators, were better, and more
correctly posted in regard to Oregon than
was our Delegate.
A Warranted Conclusion. The oppo
sition paper which tbe Times embraces,
claims that said embrace places the Times
in the "national" list, and adds : "Will na
tionals notice this and take encouragement."
Tbat conclusion cannot be escaped. The
Times says the new paper is a democratic
journal ; the said new paper repudiates the
regular democratic organization, and main
tains its "national" opposition character,
and hence very naturally and properly con
eludes that the Times is likewise "national."
Has the Times, nuder its new editorship,
turned "national?" - Slater claims that it
has. :, - - ' -
JBSy Levinson, expressman, informs us
that he saw a letter from Senator Seward,
stating that the J3regon admission bill
would pass that many Republicans would
vote for it. He also reports that seventeen
Republicans supported the bill in committee
Of the whole. We do not find this latter
item- in the papers.
f3T An Oregonian, and entenive scrip holder,
who was in Washington a portion of the past
winter, writes to his correspondent here, as fol
low, respecting our war debt i.
"I did have strong hope at one time that it
would be paid this Congress, and 1 believe it
would, if there bad been any one to push it.
I think O rover ha done all ho eotttd ior it, and
had Lane done a much, I think there might have
something bn done. From all I can learn, I
think the volunteer service will be eat down to
fit! per month."
We have no doubt Gen. Lane was anxious to
aid tbe payment of the war debt, had it been in
Ids power i but he knows very litlle'about it. and
nothing at all of the character of information
desired by tbe committee and Congress. They
want dry details figuree and faets, respecting
tha expenditures, Ac. Few person in Oregon
will pretend that Uen. Lana is possessed of this
class of information, aud few will be disposed to
blame him for whatever be may have failed to
accomplish in that behnlf. -
W The ex Ox at Corvallis has changed
hands, after a brief career of one month.
J. II. Slater has bought the hat full of
traps, and threatens to change the name to
"Oregon Onion." Slater was formerly a
whig, is uow "uutional," and an opposition
member of tbe legislature. Iu the State
legislature he nomiuated David Lngan for
TJ. S. Senator, aud voted for him. We
judge from the first issue that the Onion
will not "gin in," like the Standard, but
will hold out on the opposition track, until
it changes hands again, which may not be
for a month, or nntil its datli, which is
probubly not much further off. -
Creoit VThbhb Creoit is Due. In t self
glorifying paragraph, over what he baa done,
our Delegate's addre says : "I might mention
the appropriation for tbe expense of the Cayuse
and liogue Itiver wars." Mr. Thurston obtained
thn appropriation for the Cayuse war. And jus
tice to Capt. Alden, of the U. S. A., would compel
onr Delegate to yield that flicer fTreateredit for
bis aid in getting through the Kogne Hirer war
bill. Some of the contracts be himself made, and
pledged his personal efforts to get them paid ; he
went to Washington shot to pieces, bearing upon
hi person the best evidence in tbe world of Ind
ian hostilities, and bis influence undoubtedly
went far towarda the passage of the bill paying
the claim.
Admission. The only ileui in regard to
our admission will be fouud in oar news
summary that tbe bill was nnder discus
sion iu the House on the 10th of February.
The fate of the bill was certainly doubtful,
but we still iucline to tho opinion that it
passed. Mr. drover's letters received by
this mail are not without hopes of admis
sion, but do not express as much confidence
as those by the previous mail
rF It is said the black republieans of Portland
formally organixed last week, and adopted resolu
tions endorsing tha Kebrmtka-Kmusus met. - The
next time they meet Ibey will probably endorse
the Lecomptou constitution. We understand tbe
meeting was Tery "heavy" on tbe "Salem clique."
As the Boston Pott would say, in the category of
alleged offenses there seems to be omitted only
murder, horse-stealing, burglary, drunkenness,
"disorderly conduct," and a few general misde
meanors.
ty Gen. Lane' circular ia full of the custom
ary "I love tbe people of Oregon," "I love Ore
gon," ic. A man tbat did not "love" a people
that kept him in Congress continually wonld be
very ungrateful ; and, desiring to remain, if he
did not give expression to that lovea" be would
be less artful than is our delegate. However,
we apprehend he don't "love" the people of Ore
gon quae ardently enough to tctlimglg leave Wash
ington to remain among them.
Letter from Nr. Smith.
Wasihsgto. Feb 2d. IST9.
Frif.sd lU'SU : We will be admitted w beli
ever we can get tbe question before tbe House.
We have not reached the call of the Committee
on Territories in its regular oider, and we have
twice failed, by a few votes, to suspend the rules,
so as to enable the committee to report tbe Ore
gon bill. Of course ne cannot obtain unanimous
consent. We have, I think, a majority of from
30 to CO in favor i f the passage of the bill. Any
attempt to tail ou Kansas would be ruled ont of
order, and in thus ruhng the Speaker would be
sustaiucd. We will be admitted some time be
tween this and tbe adjournment of Congress.
Farrar has reined aud we have had Thayer
appointed.
Governors Steven and McMnllen, together
with the Orecon delelation, are a unit in favor of
the proclamation of Gen. Harney's, opening tho
country cast ot tne Cascade aiouutaius tor settle
ment. &c. They are unit in favor of separa
ting tho Oregon from the Washington Territory
Indian buperiutcnuency.
t pon our recoinnientlation, the Committee on
Military Affairs in tbe llouse will report in favor
of paying the Methodist Church twenty thousand
dollars for their Dalles mission lands.
There will bo a largo overland emigration to
Oregon in the Spring.
Gov. Mevens. Gen. I-ane, Air. urover ami my
self were bofore tho committee on Military Affairs
until a late hour last msht. h.ach one of us ad
dressed the Committee iu speeches of considera
ble length upon the war claims. I he committee
will soon report a bill. The Committee did not
very clearly indicate the character or provisions
of tbo bill they would report. But it is evident
that they will cut down, to somo extent, tne
amount awarded by the commissioners. Both
Gov. Stevens and the Oregon delegation pro
posed to the Committee to take the amount paid
by the officers of the regular army in the same
country during the same period, for subsistence,
horses, &c, &c.,' adding tbe interest from the
date of purchase. This would bring it np to
nearly or quite the amount reportel to be due by
the commissioners ; and wouid, at any rate, be an
amount of money greater than we would other
wise be likely to gvt. It is certain tbat we snau
have a report ou our war claims before tbe ad
journment of Congress, and probably, final ac
tion. 1 am exceeding anxious :o get my seat in
the Senate before the bill goes to that body. I
do not think tbo Committee will disturb the
amount already allowed the soldiers for their own
and tho services of their horses. - I perceive with
much satisfaction a -disposition on the part of the
Committee to make prompt provision for tbe pay
ment of tho men engaged in the service, l have
now great encouragement to believe tbat provis
ion will be made, before the adjournment of Con
irress to pay our people tbeir just dues. If we
are to surfer any deduction from tbe original
amounts allowed, and tor w inch vouchers were
issued, it is better for the claimants to suffer that
rednctioM uow than to be kept out of their pay
for an indefinite period, and continue to suffer ait
the inconveniences of uncertainty and delay. Of
course we shall protest earnestly against any
very material deduction from the amount already
allowed by the commissioners.
Since writing the foregoing I havo conferred
with both Geu. Lane and Mr. Grover and they
express the confident opinion that the Committee
will not recommend anv very material reduction
from tbe amount reported to be due by the com
mission and recommended to be paid by the Sec
retary of War. They are also sanguine that
Congress will appropriate the money ior the pay
ment of our war debt this session. God grant
that this may be so. I am sore that notRin? that
we can do to secure so desirable a result will be
left undone.
I fondly trust tbat by the out-going of tbe next
.Pacific mail, 1 sball Da able to lutorui you ot the
admission of Oregon and tbe favorable progress
of our war debt.
My health is now good, never better. The
weather here in Washington has been unusually
warm and pleasant this winter, though'tt is repor
ted to have been very cold in most parts of the
States.
I expect to spend a month after the adjourn
ment of Congress, in visiting friends in the Wes
tern States. I am strongly tempted to cross tbe
plains in company with this year's emigrants to
Oregon. But my anxiety to see my tanuly will
probably prompt me to return by sea, leaving in
tne steamer ot tne otn ot Apru.
Very respectfully, yours, &e.,
DELAZOX SMITH
- Ornerat Summary f States Mews.
Tlio Committee on Territories reported adverse-
IVt Feb. Klili, on tho application of Mer. O'-
Iteilly, Sliced and others, fur an appropriation to
lay a telegraph lo the Pacific.
The Senate bill for the admission of Oregon
was debated in tbe llouse, Feb. 10th. So voto
was taken.
The report of the CommiMe in favor of Sir;
Chapman, a delegate from Nebraska, was laid
OU tbe table by a majority of six.
Ilia cuna loan lull (?:o,iho,ooo) win to coma
np lor consideration feb. juth. the Senate by
a majority fixed that day.
7 he llouse oi Keprem-ntntives on Feb. Uih pas
sed the General Appropriation bill, after striking
out an appropriation of $-.00,000 for mileage, an
item of lO.UUUttir furniture, repair and packing
boxes, and an appropriation of $73,000 for tho
C'ongretnionnl (Unite reporting. The llouse also
deducted fjV-23,000 from the appropriation for tho
New York Assay tlfltce, struck out the appropnai
lion of aMI.OOO for the workmen f fha Han
Francisco Mint, deducted ft-J5,000 from the ap
propriation fur the purchase of property in New
York city leased for the V. S. Courts, and reduc
ed the appropriation for the workmen at lb New
Urlcan Mmt to ifl.lXl". An appropriation or
$175,000 was added to thn appropriation bill
to supply the deliriency for tho Congressional
printing of lust mmioii.
-Mr. Branch reported back the bill appropriating
$30,000,000 for the purpose of enabling the Pres
ident to settle the diiiicultie wi:b Spain, and to
negotiate for the purchase of Cuba. ,
A i'atis letter received in New Or!ens, ar
the True Villa, from a reliable source, Kay it i
not probable that our newly appoioted luinistt-r-to
f-pain, Mrj ireston, wili bss received by llo
Spanish Government. If he should be receive,
the writer is confident that the first intimation he.
makes in regsrd to the purchase of Cuba, will be
deemed suilicieut grounds for tendering hint his
passports.
It is said that the British Government liire re
solved to take ellicii-nt measure to protect thO(
interests of Ktirlisb subjects in Mexico, and wilt
probably soon augment their West India fleet to'
a considerable extent.
It is reported and generally br-lived, that
Jndge ItooseveSt. of New York, will receive th
appointment of Minister to England, to succeed
Mr. Dallas.
liev. Theodore Parker, tbe Boston reformer,
bas been obliged to quit preaching, aud i about
going to St. Thomas for hi health.
A despatch from Washington, dated Febraar
9th, say :
'the Navy Department ba received official In
formation that tbe American brig Knfiis Sonle,
Capt. Anderson, from MatSnza, wns visited and
searched by the officers of the British cruiser Vi
per, near llunJ.-i. on the coast of Africa. Tho
brig was afterwards burned by order of the Brit
ish otlietrs, as being engaged in the slave trade.
The Committee ou the I'osicQiee of the Senate
will consider the ocean mail service to Kurope.
I he bill reported by the llouse Committee for a
line of steamers from half a Aoz&u ports in the
United States meets with no favor in tbe Senate
Committee. It is regarded as a mere log rolling
speculation.
A weekly line to f.ngland and franco iron
New York will orobablr be recommended. Tbo
California serviee will he fixed at so much per
mile, and given to tbe shortest aud most expedi-
ih'US ronte. i tie consideration of otner routes
will not come np at the next meeting, thon-ih an
enlightened aud liberal feeling exists in the com
mittee on tbo w hole subject.
A bill reported from the House Committee ea
post routes, provides :
1st. Contracts to be made witi parties giving
good security, for a weekly mail from New York
rut Panama, to San Francisco and Astoria, ene
half of which service may be transferred to tbe
Nicaragua route, when tbat is open, but with bo
increase of expense. Also a weekly service rut
Tebuantepec, from New Orleans to Acapulco.
Contract with tbe New Turk line wast provide
for taking these mail from Acapulco.
id. The pay for the New York and San Fran
cisco lines must not exceed uoO.OOO per annum
or 91 M per mile, incinaing laud ami water
transportation. The present average is 9 ' 6 per
mile. -
3d. The pay for tbe New Orleans and Tebuan
tepec line i limited to $H),0O0.
The bill reduces the aggregate expense $ 100,
000. In the House, February 3d, on motion of Mr.
Eeagan, of Texas, it was resolved that the Com
mittee on tbe Judiciary be instructed to inquire
into the expediency of reporting a bill to define
and provide for the pnnishment of polygamy ia
the Territories of the United States, and restrain
tbe people aud authorities thereiu from interfe-
rei ej wuh tbe Federal judiciary.
I hey were occupied tne same day in voting on
tbe President's recommendation of military posts
in Sunora and Chihuahua. Several ainendmenui
were offered to Mr. Fau..iit r's bill, which was
but an embodiment of the President's views, and
the amendments rejected, and the subject finally
disposed of by tho committee declining to make
any recommendation in response to the tnesa?e.
Mr. I'biiip 1. Colby has been appointed Iviiited.
States Marshal for Kansas -
Wilson McL'andless has been nominated by tbe
President fur the vacant Judgeship iu Pennsylva
nia, and Judge Sauiu"l W. Black, of Nebraska,
for Governor of tbat Territory. Tbe report that
the nominations have been confirmed, is confirm
ed by way of New Orleans.
Iu tbe Senate, Feb. 4th, Mr. Green, from tbo
Committee on Territories reported a bi.l to organ
ize the present Territories, of Oacotab au j Arizo
na, which was ordered to be priuted. -
Also a bill, which was passed, repaying to Gov.
Douglas, of Vancouver, seven thousand dollars,
nhiclt was loaned by him to tbe Governor of
Washington Territory.
Mr. Yulce, the chairman of tbe Senate Corrj
mitteo on Post Office aud Post Koads, is prepar
ing a bill fur postal reform, which will add to tho
revenue of the 1'ost othce IXpartmect. The prop
osition of a uuifurni increase of the postage to
live cents has not been agreed to, a desire being
expressed to have two rates three cents nnder
three huudred miles, and five cents over, if H will
not cut otf too much of the revenue, l'bera is
litt.e doubt bat that the Overland Mail root
to California will be discontinued, as too expen
sive for tbe advantages derived. When a rail
road, or even a wagou road is constructed, it will
be ti.ne enough for a mail route across tha Plains.
It will cost Jess than the present price, sixty dol
lars a letter. It is not beaeved taa franking priv
ilege will be abolished this Cougress.
Tbe Senate Military Committee hrre nnder
consideration the subject of tbo loss of the sop-
ply trains of Kasseil He. Co, wlitcn were oestroy-
ed last October by Mormons. They claim dama
ires from the Government. Tbe committee ara
averse to the claim, and will report against it.
Congress. ibe senate voted down all tbo
Pacific Railroad bills, and adopted a provision
directing tbe Secretary of the interior to adver
tise tn two papers ia each State and Territory, for
proposals tor tne several routes, and appropriating
3UUOO to pay for the advertisements. Mr. Uwia '
was very angry, oeciarea it to be "tho creates.
farce of the session," and remarked, bitterly 1
Little as this gives, it is all I ever expoeted t
get from tbe Congress of the United State. Th
uext day be apologised to the Senate.
A correspondence aas taken place between .
Douglas aud Fitcb, in which Douglas exp'ains.
aud Pitch retracts. Pryor, of tbe mates newspa
per, a noted duelist, was Douglas friend, and
Senator Benjamin, of La., Fitch's.
-Mr. Hughes, of lnuiana,insolted Speaker Orr, by
telling him tuat he -could not find ears tor him.'"
Orr said if tbe gentleman from Indiana wanted. a,
was no place for it. A member remarked that
tiugnes 114. ears long enougn to supply taev
Speaker. Mr Hughes apologised at tbe next sit
ting. Mr. liice introduced a resolution, directing tho
Secretary of War to lay before the Senate the re
port ot CoL Wright's campaign against the. Ind
ians of Oregon. -
Air. .Buchanan has determined to remove Judtra
-: 1-:- . c I -. u 1 ! 1 1 . j , P
charged the Grand Jury that the Mormons were
liable to indictment tor otteuses covered by tbe
President's proclamation.
Ihe Washington btates, administration and
Douglas organ, ueclare that there is no Wgcr a
Democratic party, and cites, in proof of its asser
tion, the dissension between President Buchanan
and Secretary Cass on tbe question of squatter
Kjicragmr i oeiweeu xiutn&nan and 1 lujj oa
iue quesuuu oi tne faciuc laiiroad ; and between
Buchanan, aud Cobb on the Tariff question. It
says tbat n no single issue is there concord in
uio party.
Haitfotd,Tcb. 3. There was a lively time in
the Democratic State Convention this evening.
The Douglas Democrats carried various measures
by a -vote of five to one, and strong resolutions
were'adopted nominating Mr. Douglas as a candi
date for the Presidency. Mr. Juuus S. Strong,
one of the delegates, bitterly denounced the policy
of the Administration.'
Colonel Benton's furniture at Washington is to
be sold at auction, His property is estimated to
be insufficient to pay bis debts. -.
The patent for McCormick's reaping machine
expired on Monday, and, as tbe application fer
the renewal of the patent was refused, h inven
tion is now public property.-
, Mrs. Emuy P. L,esUeruier, theiu:!ic reader,
who once gave readings in Oregon, has suffered a
severe family affiiction in the death ef twin sons,
aged nineteen, who hare been r some time il!