Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/94

76 the judicial districts was attended to. Having first changed the names of several counties, it was decreed that the first judicial district should consist of Clackamas, Marion, and Linn; the second district of Benton, Polk, Yamhill, and Washington; and the third of Clarke, Clatsop, and Lewis. The time for holding court was also fixed.

While awating a donation law an act was passed declaring the late land law in force, and that any person who had complied or should thereafter comply with its provisions should be deemed in possession to every part of the land within his recorded boundary, not exceeding six hundred and forty acres. But the same act provided that no foreigner should be entitled to the benefits of the law, who should not have, within six months thereafter, filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States.

The new land law amended the old to make it conform to the territorial act, declaring that none but white male citizens of the United States, over eighteen years of age, should be entitled to take claims under the act revived. The privilege of holding claims during absence from the territory by paying five dollars annually was repealed; but it was declared not necessary to reside upon the land, if the claimant continued to improve it, provided the claimant should not be absent more than six months. It was also