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About Oregon spectator. (Oregon City, O.T. [i.e. Or.]) 1846-1855 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 1846)
DESERTION OP SEAMEN. For the Oregon Hjifcliilof. Mr. Kditor: In tho iiumlior of tho .Spectator, datJ thn flth of August, you liavo called llio attention of your readers to tho Mulijoct f deserting wjumen. In your ro marks iiori this mntter, you havo suggested tho propriety of passing ti law " preventing deserters from holding land cluiitis or voting at elections, arid considering them in every sense outlaws." I agree with you, Mr. Kilitor, that thin subject n our of groat im iiortanre to tho people of Oregon, and one vitally atii'Oting mcir irauo aim (Misnit-ia s;tiif rally ; hut while I agree with you us I in the importance of some ejlicieiit law to j uruvuiit seamen from deserting their viihsoIs, I cannot agree that tho measures you rccom-' iiilmiiI should heroine tin: law of Oregon. A ' short examination will show that such men. . -ures cannot ho panned hy our legislature, while our prencnt Organic Law cxiMs. That fundamental law gives the right of citizen ship to "every In-c uial" descendant of a , white man who has n sided in the territory i mouths." The law ih also a part of the Orirauic Imw, and that eaimot he altered by our legislature -mi as to exclude any pervii , ly that law entitled to huhl a elaun. The only right or power tin- legislature has to deprive a citizen of his citizenship, is incase if crime, and it is only i r the commission of rent crimes that a punishment so severe i ould he indicted ; for our ( Irgnrw Law de. i lares that "no cruel or unusual punish, incuts. shall he indicted." Besides, it would ' -ecin that such a puni'-.hmen' for the men violation (if :i unf fim'nul, in ilr-. Iiuin.ui .ui'l enlightened age, would he too severe, I and wotild defeat itself, hy enlist wj puM.e ' vrfip.tli in hehalf nl the sutler' i. Ii I tin not mistaken, there is a statute of Ore- m, pi"N iilint.' for 'he pp mpt arrest nl all "c-crtiug seamen : -wh", upon examination, it found to he desi rters, are to he promptly ' lelivi Pil to the m.isier of the -sel. 1 dm not remeuihi r all the '.he provisions of the .et and a I crnnot at thin tine i fer to it, I inii-v only state its sub-taut c I helirve hat it-, provisions ;:re a-, severe and prompt. ! ii tho--of any r i'iizeil M ite in ll'ir poor mi-rica. Hut if the law can he made m ire efficient hy ainc'idm"it, I am well satis- , lie I that the next legislature will he prompt J in its action in regard to this matter. I, for ! me, am -.'lad that vnu Inyvi c.il'ed puhlie at. tention to this siihjeet, and agree with you, that something ought 1 1 he done. It occurs ' tome, that the first tlpm; to ! don , is to in form the ('(immunity of th" real nature of, the case, that puhlie opinion may he pnier-1 v directed. ( Mir people are "ciicrally i.om the western "talcs, fur from the sen-hoard, . and are not aware of the grent iuiHirtanoe , nf seamen doing their ilutv ; hut thev onlv need to he properly enlightened, to apply the proper remedy. I do not feel myself very upahlu of doing justice to this subject ; hut I will made a few suggestions, which I hope will he of use. The importance of coin inercc is so evident, that no one can he igno rant of it. The contract hetwocn tho mas ter of a vessel and a seaman is onlv a civil contract ; hut its violation on the part of the seaman, is l very grave importance, much more so, than the violation of ordinary civil contracts; and the reason is ohvious, upon a little rellection. The art of seamanship, is one of great difficulty, not to ho acquired hut hy long practice ; consequently, new hands cannot ho employed upon any occa sion. If tho seamen desert a vessel in a country like this, with u few inhabitants,, it may ho impossihlo for the vessel to employ others well qualified, and the consequences limy he ruinous. Long experience has taught tho mercantile community to insure their goods. This is generally done too, hy ship owners. Tho contract of insurance always requires tho ship to he well manned with good and skillful seamen ; and tho ship is hound to proceed on her voyage witjnul delay, unless that delay is occasioned Miy .some unavoidable uct ; such as contrary winds, and other like acts of God. italic ship should not have n sufficient mimborNif good'seamen, on hoard, in proportion to hor size, and any accident or delay should hap pen, tho merchant, as well as the ship owner, would loso his" -Ifisuranco ; and tho chief owner, in such case, would ho liable for tho wholo cargo, for tho law makes it hU duty to keep his vessel well manned. Tho vessel must first bo sea-worthy; well manned, and well managed, hefore tho insurance offico Oregon Spectator. WrMward thn Star of Empire take iU way Vol. I. Oregon City, (Oregon Ter.) Thursday, September 3, 1846. No. 16. can lie made responsible for any low that may happen. The desertion of ono seaman might therefore, (wcusion the loss of a ves sel and cargo, worth many thousands of dol lars. And oven in case of no actual loss to any very great amount, a vessel may lie de tained fyr mouths in consequence of the de sertion of Hcumcn. In all countries, where much commerce, is curried on, the violation of his engagement hy a seaman, is considered an uct highly immoral and unjustifiable ; uud it is still worse, where the desertion tukes place far from home, where the vessel lias no xwcr or opKirtunity to employ other good liundh. 1 (lo hoie and trust that our people will do all in their power to arrest tho evil. 1 am satisfied they will. 1 am con. vinced that the great muss of our people are honest and intelligent, and we all know that it is our luuliril mtcrcil, that ships may visit our parts with safely. I. Washington, Friday, Jan. 10. Ilnuxr of Representatives. The House then resolved itself into committee of the wholo on the state of the Union, Mr. TiltX natts in the cuair, aun resumed inc consider ation of the joint resolution heretofore re jxirleil by Mr. Charles J. Ingersoll, from the committee on Foreign A Hairs, providing for the twelve mouths' notice to Great Britain of the termination of the convention between that government and the United States, re njmetine, the Oregon territory ; and of the amendments thereto pending. Mr. Rockwell, uPConnccticut, being enti tled to the door, roe and mode a speech uguiustv war und wur measures. lie read a memorial from the people of his state, sta ting the amount of business they havo con cerned in the commerce of the country, and the ii.sk they would thus run in case of war. Vi t if war was to come, no matter whut their risk or losses, they would lie found on the side of tho country. Ho offered an amend ment, to defer notico till Congre'ss adjourns. The amendment was declared not to he now in order. Mr. Pollock, of Pennsylvania, next took the door, in favor of tho notice, and for claim ing all Oregon. lie maintains that this is no party, hut un American question. Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20. In Senate. Mr. Sturgeon, of-Pa. present ed a memorial from citizens of Pennsylvania, against any compromise of the Oregon line claiming' the wholo territory up to 54 de grees '10 minutes. Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22. .In Senate. Mr. Allen called attention to statements attributed to him, in tho report of tho Union of lost night, in Mr. Calhoun's re marks, in which Mr. C. is reported to have suid " I was happy to hoar from tho chairman of the committee that u " masterly inactivity" would not lead to war, but that the courso lie (Mr. Allen) recommended tvould lead to war." Mr. Allen denied that ho (Mr. A.) had ad mitted that thn notice would lead to war. Ho did not beliovo it would. Mr. Calhoun explained what ho said yes terday, and was happy to hear Mr. A. say now that ho did not beliovo tho notice, if givon would lead to war. House of Representatives. The Houso had up this morning a resolution to distribute Fremont's report, which caused a short de bate, and much ill feeling was manifested hy some of the members. . Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27. In Senate. Mr. Webster's resolution call ing on the President for all information rela tive to tho Oregon negotiation, was laid over until Thursday. Mr. Benton, speaking on tho bill fo construct sixteen war stoamers, believed thero.waB no necessity foe aoDre heusions or"n$f, and moved to postpone tht bill until the 1st of May. Mr. Dickinson of New York, believed war wan unavoidable. Mr. Hannegan and Mr. Fairfield followed. House of Representatives. A bill for the relief of tho heirs of Robert Fulton, and one to continue naval pensions, were read twice. A debate then followed on the Oregon no tice. 7 Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 28. House of Representatives. Mr. C. J. In gcrsoll made a proposition to end the Oregon debate on Thursday of next week, which was lost. Tho Oregon question was next taken up. Mr. Owen "spoke his hour in pointing out our claim to the territory, and in favor of giving the tvvelvorJionths' notice. Mr. Thurrnun followed, and stated the claims of each country. He remarked that the treaty provided for the notice. The question now is, shall said notice be given by direction of Congress. He defined elabo rately the three great powers of govern ment, and goes decidedly for giving the no tice. P. S. The Senate adjourned for the day, after speeches from Messrs. Fairfield, Bag. by, Miller, Cass, Speight, Hannegan, &c, on the bill to build steamers. The 'House also consumed the day in debate on Orogon. Messrs. Owen, Thurman, and Thompson, all supported our claim to tho territory, and ad vocated the giving of the notice. Washington, Wednesday," Jan. 29. . ,n Senate. Mr. Webster's resolution call ing on the President for late correspondence on the Oregon question, was adopted. House of Representatives. Mr. Ingor soli's resolution to stop further dsbato on the Oregon question on Thursday, was laid on tho table bv a vote of 84 yeas and 52 noes. Mr. Holmes spoke against the giving of tho notice and against war. Mr. H. Erving spoke in a very earnest manner against the notice being given and against war. In Senate. Tho Senate adjourned for the day, without taking the question on " the bill to "appropriate fourteen millions of dollars for a steam Navy." ' Washington, Monday, Feb. 2. House of Representatives. Mr. Dargin, of Ala., offered a resolution to settle the Ore gon question by tho 49th deg. of parallel, and civiti" Vancouver's Island to Great Britain. Mr. Tibbatts, of Kentucky, submitted a proposition on the same subject, that the Pre sident give notico forthwith of the abroga tion of tho joint occupancy, and to accom pany the notico with tho expression of an earnest desiro to continue tho pt aceful rela tion between tho two countries. Mr. Brown, of Va., and Mr. Petitt, of la., offered propositions on the same subject. ''The several propositions were referred to the committee of tho whole, which has the subject under consideration. BRITISH VIEWS. From the London Time, Jan. 2. Oregon, should the American population ever attain a substantial preponderance, would not long remain a British colony ; but occupancy, though an irresistablo power, is not u right, and depends on numborsnot arms. Tho terms of tho message imply, then, tho alternative of war, or conclusive nego tiation. War is too monstrous to bo thought of for a moment, except after every effort at a compromiso has been exhausted. Britain and Amorica must bo too sensible of their mutual benefits, mutual dependence, and mutual respect, to peril the substantial bles sings they now enjoyj and are daily multi plying in tho relations of peace, for tho bloody and precarious'glories of war. Ah ! John, iny undo has been in New York, and your's hasn't. Well, what of that? My uncle has been in prison and yourn hasn't. Pramta New YmkfaJtn. 8. to Ofg . New Project. Members of Coagress r debating the Oregon question, andreifttting the surest and beat mods of settling the title to that territory. A railroad ought and must bo built to the South Pass, and tpe sooner it is cpRimeocad tho better fir the country and its interests. A correspondent suggests that tho governawnt take the jobitselfT Thou sands of mechanics and laborers would go on with 'the diftrent branches of the (work, under the protection of the govenuaent, and they could be paid in land" and thus there would be a eontimul settlement along the whole line of the ro4 sufficient to protect it, and instead of making one man independent ten times over, thousands would be placed beyond want and made happy. Five hun- dred thousand people emigrate from the east and north, to the west or south, every year, and our territories are now ready to become states, with the single exception of Oregon. It is therefore the policy and duty ofthe government to guide this 'emigration in the most advantageous direction, and no time should be lost in pushing on a work upon which we hope to carry to our Atlantic cities, the valuable productions of the Asiatic world. From the New York Sbb, Jan. 24. Another Project. Preliminary negotiations are on foot for the purpose of constructing a great central line of railway to connect thf cities of Halifax and Quebec, in British North America, with the view to ite ultimate extension, in the laps of years, to the mouth of the Columbia, in the, Oregon territory, and the following specific bonuses or advan tages, in addition to the usual general privi leges of a chartered or incorporated company are included the heads of a draft, act or charter of incorporation by the respective legislatures of Nova Scotia, New Bruns wick, and Canada. The following plan is in imitation of the one proposed by Mr. Whitney for a railroad from the Atlantic states to the same point. "1st. A free grant for ever of .all the unlocated Crown landsin the several Prov inces over which tha railway shall pass, to getlier with permission to .use such timber and other materials, along the course of the railway as shall be required forthe construc tion of the works. 2d. A pre-emptive right to the promo ters ami shareholders to become the purcha sers, at each station on the line, of blocks of land of not less in extent that 20,000 acres each, at a minimun price per acre, the pur chase money to be paid in ten equal yearly instalments ; of which the first shall become payable at the end of six months from the opening of such several portions of the rail way as shall be connected with the stations to which the said blocks are attached. 3d. A pledge from the Provincial Gov emments that, in the event of the returns on the-cfipital invested in the construction of the works, in the operations of the Compa ny, during the first five years from the open ing of the entire line, not realizing to the shareholders 5 per cent, on their money, the said Provincial Governments collectively shall, for five years', make up such deficien cy, so as that an annual dividend of 5 per cent., during the period specified, may be se cured by all holding stock in the Company." From the U. 8. JeonaL BAIL ROAD TO O1B0ON. 1st. It will bring two oceans within two weeks of each other. 2d. It will open the interior of our coun try to settlement, and make two great roar kets, embracing the world for its products. 3d. It will be the channel of trade between Europe and the East Indies, with all inter mediate and neighboring islands, countries, &o., and as such will be a bond of peace between those nations and the U. States. 4th. It will increase the eastern, and cre ate a western commerce for our country al most too vast to be conceived of. 6th. It will enable the United States to do fend its shores with greater facility. 6th. It will encourage emigration, and diffuse a hardy race of people over the whole west. "' ' 7th. It will ameliorate the condition of .the east, and cause emigration from Japan and other eastern powers, who will .reach vtns new world without sailinfc xound it. . . 8th. It will enable ina United States to. collect a revenue for the jnippart.of fWl 'S
