Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/98

 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE

90

to the attitude of Russia, so the other nations each negotiated directly with the Czar and then arranged between themselves

the non-colonization agreement; each confined Russia to the coasts and islands north of 54 40'. But 54 40' had been taken

up the

which the United States had always laid claim, more so because of a map made by Mr. Greenhow, a clerk

as a line to

in the

Department of

State,

well, but jects

when he went

who

so long as he confined him-

copying maps and voyages did very

self to the business of

upon national suband setting the world right about the execution or nonto issuing opinions

execution of a great treaty, such as that of Utrecht

"when

he goes at this work, the Lord deliver us from the humbug!" The map on which Mr. Greenhow and those who had been so eager for war and 54 40' did not show that line as a limit for the claim of the United States but merely a line which separated Russian from British claims. This was known to American negotiators when they had offered to settle at 49. "This is the end of that great line! All gone vanished evaporated into thin air and the place where it was not to be found. Oh mountain that was delivered of a mouse, thy name !

be fifty-four forty!

shall henceforth

"All Oregon or none!" The whole theme of Benton's speech was that the treaty of Utrecht had settled the whole question 49 had been forced

upon the United States in 1803 and 1819 as the northern boundary of Louisiana and as such had been submitted to by Great Britain.

Jefferson's attitude in dealing with the Louisiits purchase demonstrated that he thought so. Finally turning to the bill before the Senate Benton maintained that it was not in accordance with the recommendations

ana Territory after

who wished Congress merely to go as far as Great Britain in the matter of jurisdiction and no farther.

of the President

All the

Oregon measures would have passed long ago,

like the

blockhouse

war measures.

bill,

just

they had not been brought in as a recommitment with instructions to

if

He moved

the committee to prepare an amendment extending the laws of the United States over Oregon to the same degree that the