336 RECOMMENDATIONS OP GENERAL JESUP. [1823. 



which — however just and politic might have been the principle 

 announced — was unquestionably imprudent, or at least premature, 

 the British and the Russian governments severally protested ; and 

 as there were many other points on which it was not probable that 

 the three powers could agree, it was determined that the negotia- 

 tions should be continued, as they had been commenced, separately 

 at London and at St. Petersburg. 



Another publication, equally impolitic on the part of the Ameri- 

 can government, soon after contributed to render more difficult the 

 settlement of the question of boundaries on the Pacific between the 

 United States and Great Britain. 



A select committee, appointed by the House of Representatives 

 of the United States, in December, 1823, with instructions to inquire 

 into the expediency of occupying the mouth of the Columbia, 

 requested General Thomas S. Jesup, the quartermaster-general of the 

 army, to communicate his opinions respecting the propriety of the 

 measure proposed, as well as its practicability and the best method 

 of executing it; in answer to which that officer sent, on the 16th 

 of February, 1824, a letter containing an exposition of his views of 

 the true policy of the United States with regard to the north-west 

 coasts and territories of America, and of the means by which they 

 might be carried into effect. Leaving aside the question as to the 

 rights of the United States, he considered the possession and military 

 command of the Columbia and of the Upper Missouri necessary for 

 the protection, not only of the fur trade, but also of the whole 

 western frontier of the republic, which is every where in contact 

 with numerous, powerful, and warlike tribes of savages : and, for 

 this purpose, he recommended the immediate despatch of two 

 hundred men across the continent to the mouth of the Columbia, 

 while two merchant vessels should transport thither the cannon, 

 ammunition, materials, and stores, requisite for the first establish- 

 ment ; after which, four or five intermediate posts should be formed 

 at points between Council Bluffs, on the Missouri, (the most western 

 spot then occupied by American troops,) and the Pacific. By such 

 means, says the letter, " present protection would be afforded to 

 our traders, and, on the expiration of the privilege granted to 

 British subjects to trade on the waters of the Columbia, we should 

 be enabled to remove them from our territory, and to secure the 

 whole trade to our own citizens." 



The report of the committee, with the letter from General Jesup 

 annexed, was ordered to lie on the table of the House, and nothing 



