Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/42



26 Fred Wilbur Powell^ A. M.

Probably the opposition which he encountered on these tours» and of which he complained most bitterly, led him to direct his efforts to writing and to conferences with men of affairs and influence.

We have seen that he had convinced Edward Everett of the practicability of his plan as early as 1827. On January 25, 1830, upon motion of Everett, the petition of Kelley which had been presented to the house of representatives by Floyd on Febru* ary 11, 1828, was referred to the committee on foreign affairs.* On January 5, 1831, Benton presented to the senate a "mem- orial of the American Society for Encouraging the Settlement of the Oregon Country . . . praying that a military escort and transports, and convenient military posts, may be estab- lished for the encouragement and protection of emigration to that country," which was referred to the committee on military affairs.''

At the cq)ening of the next congress Everett also presented to the house of representatives a memorial of the Society, "praying congress to aid them in carrying out the great pur- poses of their institution ; to grant them troops, artillery, mil- itary arms, and munitions of war; to incorporate the society, with power to extinguish the Indian title to lands; and with such other powers, rights and immunities, as may be at least such other powers, rights, and immunities, as may be at least Hudson's Bay Company."^

This menx)rial appears in the Manual of the Oregon Expedi- tion, or General Circular. As it sets forth in brief the con- tentions of the memorialists as to the right of sovereignty over the territory and the national advantages to result from its settlement, it is reproduced at length.

"They are convinced, that if that cotmtry should be settled under the auspices of the Government of the United States of America, from such of her worthy sons, who have drank of

6 21 cong. t sess. H. jour., 198. 721 cong. 2 sess. S. jour., 71. S 22 cong. I scss. H. jour.» 44.