Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/351

 FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON 333 more, the previous day they had voted for far more important resolutions on the subject of the correspondence with Mexico. No mystery, as far as he knew, attached to the matter and so he insisted upon his resolution. In spite of Archer's opposition the Senate supported Allen, but the information obtained con- sisted simply in the statement that the negotiation had made considerable progress. In addition to the ways enumerated Oregon came up in both houses in various guises. The Senate had its own bill for territorial organization which was referred back from commit- tee and placed on the calendar but progressed no further toward enactment. Greenhow's Memorial had been ordered purchased ; Douglas brought in a bill for erecting military posts in Nebraska and Oregon; Pratt of New York presented a memorial from; Eli Whitney asking a grant of lands to enable him to construct a railroad from Lower Michigan to Oregon, 38 with a view of creating a great thoroughfare to China. From the legislatures of Missouri, Indiana and New Hampshire came resolutions urging Congress to act on Oregon. Outside of Congress, apart from those who felt themselves personally affected by the situation, there was a disposition to view the passing over of the question as the most satisfac- tory thing which could be done at the moment ; it was felt that the negotiation should terminate before legislative action oc- curred. If the diplomatic efforts were successful Congress could proceed legally to the organization of a territorial gov- ernment; if they failed then Congress could call upon the President to annul the convention of joint occupation. After all, there would soon be in office the party which had pledged itself to the reoccupation of Oregon, a party headed by a Presi- dent who had taken a positive stand on the issue, and a few months of waiting would not seriously injure the cause. 39 38 This is the first appearance of Whitney's scheme in Congress. It was almost universally considered wholly impracticable. 39 National Intelligencer, 3 Mar. : "One bill is too important to be overlooked. (The editors were summarizing the session's work.) The Oregon bill lies over until next session. We hope the question will be settled by negotiation before that time. Ibid., 4 Mar.: "The Oregon bill came up. Fortunately the Senate voted not to take up the matter." Hence the Senate was again the "orotector of the national faith, honor, and peace, all of which were compromitted" if the House bill had passed the Senate in unchanged form.