Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/204

188, January 3, 1843. Doctor Linn's bill, for the occupation and settlement of the Oregon territory, came up for further discussion in committee of the whole of the senate on the pending question to strike out the declaration of our title and determination to maintain it. A warm debate on this point arose, which nearly worked Doctor Linn and Mr. Walker into a war mania against Great Britain. But, seeing that if he yielded the point, his bill would gain unanimous support, the doctor thought discretion the better part of valor, and beat an honorable retreat. So the preamble was struck out, and then everything went on swimmingly. There were no bounds to the harmony that ensued. Besides six hundred and forty acres of land to each male citizen of the United States, over the age of eighteen, actually a settler in Oregon for five years, one hundred and sixty acres were added for his wife (when blessed with one), in her own right, and one hundred and sixty more for each child, to encourage (as that good-natured soul, Fulton of Arkansas, said), "the populating of the country." Several other favorable amendments were made, and the bill, as amended, was ordered to be printed.

On Wednesday, the fourth instant, the senate passed Mr. Linn's bill for the occupation of the Oregon territory.

, January 9, 1843.

The Oregon bill came up on its passage, having been read a third time last week it had been postponed at the request of Mr. Calhoun, who wished to compare its provisions with those of the treaty of Great Britain on the Northwest boundary. The bill was again postponed at Mr. Calhoun's request.

Doctor Linn's bill, now before the United States Senate, for the settlement of Oregon, provides that settlers shall be entitled to six hundred and forty acres of land, upon condition of five years' residence; and a chain of posts to be erected, extending from the Missouri or Arkansas River into the Oregon territory.

, February 7.

Vote was taken on Mr. Archer's motion to reconsider the passage of the Oregon bill. The vote was taken and resulted: Yeas, 24; nays, 24. So being a tie, it was decided in the negative, and the bill goes to the house as passed by the senate.