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CHAPTER XIII

THE TERRITORY OF OREGON

News of the conclusion of the treaty reached Oregon on the 3d of December, 1846, nearly six months after the event. The people assumed that the Congress, at the session then commencing, would establish a territorial government for Oregon. This was the desire of President Polk also, and indeed a bill for that purpose passed the House of Representatives but it failed to make headway in the Senate.

The reason was not far to seek. In drawing up the constitution of their provisional government the pioneers inserted the famous clause from the Ordinance of 1787, declaring that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime," should ever be permitted in the territory. This was made a part of the Oregon bill presented by Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, and very naturally called out the opposition of strong pro-slavery leaders like Calhoun.

President Polk and Senator Benton encourage the Oregon people. So the congressional session of 1846-1847 closed with no provision for Oregon. The President felt a deep interest in this far western settlement, and caused Secretary of State Buchanan to