Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/659

608 they prayerfully awaited), might be in part removed by the liberality and wisdom of the government in making grants of land for that purpose.

The navigation of the Columbia and the risk to merchant vessels in crossing the bar were next alluded to, and congress was petitioned for a steam tow-boat which would remove these difficulties and dangers, at all seasons of the year; and of information on the subject of the intricacies of the river-channels, the prevailing winds, and strength of the current and tides, it was politely presumed that congress was informed, though that was far enough from the truth.

And finally an expression of wonder and admiration was indulged in, that a project so grand as that of the national railroad to the Pacific should have been proposed to congress. That such a road should be built they declared was obvious, particularly to those who had travelled from the United States to Oregon. And although it might be years before the great highway would be completed, yet they would look with anxiety for its commencement.

These subjects, the memorial declared, were the most important to the well-being of Oregon, and they prayed that congress would meet their wishes in a manner which should redound to the peace and prosperity of all interested, and the furtherance of an attachment to the government of the United States which should cease only with their existence.

In this rather tame but perfectly proper manner was congress memorialized by its chosen representatives. They wanted a market, a donation of land, a tug-boat, schools, and a highway to the Pacific; and solicited the help of the government to procure these things. No provision was made for sending a delegate to congress; but the address was prepared in triplicate, one copy to be sent to California and one to the Islands by the bark Toulon, to await the first opportunity of being forwarded to Washington, while