Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/203



The following excerpts comprise Oregon material taken from the New Orleans Picayune between the issues of January 3, 1843, and April 27, 1844, inclusive. The document published in the December Quarterly, Volume I., Number 4, also belongs to this series of excerpts:

Doctor Linn reported from his select committee a bill fo the occupation and settlement of the Oregon territory.

Nothing marks the rapid and irresistible expansion of our population more than the movement we see now and then made in bringing our hitherto desolate western regions under civilized organization and rule of government.

We are glad to see that Mr. Linn's bill to authorize the adoption of measures for the occupation and settlement of the territory of Oregon, for extending certain portions of the laws of the United States over the same, and for other purposes, was, on the nineteenth ultimo, read twice in the senate and referred to a select committee to be appointed by the chair. The committee consists of Messrs. Walker, Linn, Sevier, Merrick. and Phelps.

Yesterday, the only thing of general interest that came up was Doctor Linn's bill for the occupation and settlement of the Oregon territory. The preamble is declaratory that our title is certain and will not be abandoned. This was objected to by Mr. Tappan as likely to embarrass our negotiation with Great Britain on the subject, which the President says is now pending. Mr. Archer supported Mr. Tappan's view of the matter, but Doctor Linn stoutly maintained his ground and was sustained by Mr. Roberts [or McRoberts] of Illinois. After a great deal of chaffering, it was agreed that the bill should be passed over, informally, to give time for sober second thoughts.