The North Carolinian

A convention of delegates from States in the valley of the Mississippi was held in Cincinnati on the 3d, 4th, and 5th insts. to take into consideration the propriety, &c. of immediately settling the territory, with other matters which might come before it, in relation to that interesting section of our republic. The following resolutions and declaration comprehend the matured deliberations and final action of the convention. They are most important documents put forth. Col. R. M. Johnson was president of the convention.

Resolved, That the right of the U. States to the Oregon Territory, from 45 deg. to 54 deg. 40 min. north latitude, is unquestionable, and that it is the imperative duty of the General Government, forthwith, to extend the laws of the U. States over said territory.

Resolved further, That to encourage migration to, and the permanent and secure settlement of said territory, the Congress of the U. States ought to establish a line of forts from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean—and provide also an efficient navy force for the protection of the territory and its citizens.

Resolved, That for the purpose of making known the causes and principles of our action, the following declaration is unanimously adopted and now signed by the members of this convention, with instructions to the officers thereof to transmit a copy to the President of the U. States, and to each member of Congress—and also to the Executives of the several States, with a request to present the same to their respective legislatures:—

A Declaration of the citizens of the Mississippi Valley, assembled in Convention at Cincinnati, July 5th, 1843, for the purpose of adopting such measures as may induce the immediate occupation of the Oregon Territory, by the Arms and Laws of the U. States of North America—

We, the undersigned, citizens of the Mississippi valley, do hereby declare to our fellow-citizens of the whole Republic, that in urging forward measures for the immediate occupation of the Oregon Territory and the north-west coast of the Pacific ocean, from 42 deg. to 54 deg. 40 min. north latitude—we are but performing a duty we owe to ourselves—to the Republic—to the commercial nations of the world—to posterity, and to the people of Great Britain and Ireland, not as enemies, but as friends, benefited by the further extension of our laws, as they are with injury or diminution, should the north-east coasts of the Pacific ocean pass into the hands of a great naval power.

That as an independent member of the great family of nations, it is due from us to the whole commercial world, that the ports on both coasts of this continent should be held by a liberal government, able and willing to extend and facilitate that social and commercial intercourse which an all wise Providence has made necessary for the intellectual improvement, the social happiness and moral culture of the human race.

That we owe the entire and absolute occupation of the Oregon to that posterity which without such occupation—by the citizens, laws and free institutions of our great Republic, could not profit or make available to themselves or to the world the important considerations above set forth.

That however indignant at the avarice, pride, and ambition of Great Britain, so frequently, lawlessly, and lately evinced, we yet believe that it is for the benefit of all civilized nations that she should fulfil a legitimate destiny; but, that she should be checked in her career of aggression with impunity, and dominion without right.

That for the independence and neutrality of the western coasts of the American continents, and the Islands of the Pacific ocean, it is important that she should be restrained in the further extension of her power on these coasts, and in the middle of the eastern portion of that ocean.

That so far as regards our rights to the territory in question, we are assured of their perfect integrity—based as they are on discovery and exploration by our own citizens and Government, and on purchase and cession from those powers having the pretence or the reality of any right to the same.

That beyond these rights, so perfectly established, we would feel compelled to retain the whole territory—in accordance with Mr. Monroe's universally approved declaration of 1823: THAT THE AMERICAN CONTINENTS WERE NOT THENCEFORTH TO BE CONSIDERED SUBJECTS FOR FUTURE COLONIZATION BY ANY FOREIGN POWER.

Influenced by these reasons and considerations so important to the West and the whole Republic—to liberty—to justice and free governments we do subscribe our names to this declaration with the firm, just and matured determination never to cease our exertions till its intentions and principles are perfected, and the North American Republic, whose citizens we are, shall have established its laws, its arms and its free institutions from the shores of the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains, throughout the territories above specified, and we do hereby protest as we shall continue to protest against any act or negotiation, past, in process, or hereafter to be perfected which shall give possession of any portion of the same to any foreign power, and above all do we remonstrate against the possession of any part of the North-east coast of the Pacific Ocean by the power of Great Britain.

Signed by Col. R. M. Johnson, President, and ninety citizens of the six States in the Mississippi Valley.