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 FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON

363

Although Thurston had been successful in ousting Dr. McLoughlin from his claim, the attempts against the Hudson's Bay Company and the P'uget Sound Agricultural Company were less successful. According to the terms of the treaty the United States might purchase from the latter company its property if "the situation of these farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public and political importance." It was the expectation both of the settlers and the Hudson's Bay Company officials that steps would be taken immediately to act in accordance with this permission, and the Company was the more willing to sell because of the indefinite character of its rights as reserved under the treaty. Its desire to sell was further increased after the passage of the donation land act and the discovery of gold in California had made it increasingly difficult to retain its servants on the old terms.

In July, 1848, the first offer of sale was made through George N. Sanders, who proposed that the United States pay a million dollars for all the property and rights of both companies, everything, in fact, claimed south of

49. 30 The

Presi-

dent refused the offer immediately on the ground that the United States would be purchasing something the value of

know furthermore he suspected that Sanders, had characterized as unscrupulous and unprin31 When Congress concipled, was acting for speculators. vened Sanders again made his appearance and secured the interest of some Senators, Hannegan and Breese in the number. They asked Polk if he would enter into negotiations for the purchase of the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company and the privilege of navigating the Columbia if the which

whom

it

did not



he

Senate, in Executive

Session,

should pass a resolution re-

The President replied that he was questing him to do so. or entering into negotiations for to anything buying opposed the purpose until more specific information had been received. 30 The correspondence covering the period down to Oct., 1850, is in Sen. Doc. No. 20, 3ist Cong., zd Ses. Polk had submitted to the Senate, replying to a resolution, the first offer of the Company; Richardson, Messages, IV, 603.

E.v.

31 Polk, Diary, IV, 301-?,