Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/200



188 SAMUEL ROYAL THURSTON

Territories to report a joint resolution giving a copy of the narrative and scientific works of the Coast Survey to Oregon Territorial Library. Also went before the committee about increasing our appropriation for public buildings, also to get them to report a bill for appropriation for Penitentiary in Ore- gon. Franked a large lot of papers to Oregon. Wrote letters to Capt. Kimball of the California Packet, one to Editor Ver- mont Gazette, one to Ills., and others, all about Oregon. Went to bed at eleven.

February 14, 1850 Attended session of the House. Called on Mr. Gilbert and got some facts relative to movements in California. Spent the evening in preparing items for a speech on the admission of California. Wrote reply to letters about Oregon. Wrote to Captain Kimball; sent him map of Ore- gon. Went to bed at eleven.

February 15, 1850 Went to see Capt. Wilkes to get infor- mation about California, harbors &c. Next wrote reply to four letters, three about Oregon. Attended session of the House. Went to see Thos. Ewing, Secretary of the Interior, and carried him the Indian bill. Went to see Messrs. Wright, Howland, and Aspinwall, to get a chance for to go to Oregon. Went and carried a letter to Butler King asking him certain questions about California. In the eve, Aspinwall called to see me, and we had a talk about chartering a vessel to carry passengers to Oregon. Wrote a number of letters to Oregon. In the evening, Secretary of the Navy sent for me. Could not go because I was under previous engagement to wait for Aspin- wall. Franked papers and went to bed at 12 o'clock.

February 16, 1850 Today the House did not sit. In the morning I went to see Secretary of the Navy at his request. He wished to see me about the regularity of the mails to Ore- gon. One Mr. Allen in California, had certified that the mails had been carried to Oregon with all desirable dispatch. I wrote him a letter on that and on P. O. and post routes, and went to see A. Dodge and Jesse Bright to get letters they had from Pratt and Bryant on the irregularity of the mail to Oregon. Sent them to the Secretary. Also wrote two long