Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/429

378 on the 14th of January, nothing further being done at this session.

But at the extra session in August, Linn submitted another resolution, that the president be requested to give to the British government the twelve months' notice required by the convention of 1827, of a desire to put an end to the treaty of joint occupation of the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. This resolution was subsequently amended so as to direct the committee on foreign relations "to inquire into the expediency of requesting the president" to give the notice. As the subject was permitted to drop there, it is presumable that it was pronounced inexpedient by that committee.

The president, however, in his message to congress December 7, 1841, recommended to its consideration the report of the secretary of war, John C. Spencer, a strong advocate of the occupation of Oregon, who favored extending military posts as far as the Rocky Mountains; and who believed with John C. Calhoun that silent emigration would do the rest, and settle all disputes about that region. On the 16th of December Linn again introduced a bill in the senate, the preamble to which declared that the title of the United States to the territory of Oregon was certain, and would not be abandoned, authorizing the adoption of measures for the occupation and settlement of