Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/125

Rh Oregon Became a Territory. Various memorials had been sent to Congress requesting full recognition of the Oregon Territory by the United States Government. But slavery and other national questions delayed a favorable reply to the petitioners until August 13, 1848, at which time the measure was finally passed by Congress giving the Oregon Territory a government authority. Upon signing the bill, President Polk appointed General Joseph Lane governor of the Territory of Oregon, and Joseph Meek, who was thoroughly familiar with existing conditions in Oregon, was chosen United States Marshal.

Oregon School Lands Increased. First Territory to Obtain Each Thirty-sixth Section. While Congress was considering the advisability of extending territorial government over Oregon, various collateral questions arose, one of which was Government Aid to Schools as a Means of Education. In this connection "The Centennial History of Oregon" says:

"To Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts, who was a member of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787 is due the honor of framing the memorable ordinance of 1787 which organized the great northwest territory, prohibited slavery therein, and declared that schools as the means of education shall be forever encouraged." By a previous act of the same congress, and in pursuance of a contract made by the officers of the United States treasury with Rev. Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent,