3 - 2 OREGON BEFORE CONGRESS.

ing the speedy settlement of the Oregon boundary, and its occupation by the government - -

On the 11th of December, 1838, Linn introduced a second bill for the occupation of the ; Oregoii ^rn ory, and the protection of citizens of the United btates residing there, which was referred, as before, to a resiu , -1. ^f , v h; r h he was chairman, his

special committee ot wmcu ne w ^ Walker

fellow-committee-men being Clay, Calhoun, Walker

S Pierce. In January 1839 the Pj*^<^J Tason Lee was bearer was presented, and ordered prtted and the correspondence between Cushmg and Lee given in a former chapter, took place; all of which went to strengthen Linn's position and inform The public. On the 22d of February Linn spoke on lis Cl against the advice of other senators, who feared the effect of the agitation of such a measure on he attitude of Great Britain in disputes o . anoth i nature involving the Maine boundary and some im- "rUnt commercial interests; but .in deference , to jtoj feeling-- refrained from asking that it might be put to vote It was referred to the committee. on foreign relations and five thousand .extra copies ordered printed, the circulation of which aided in iormmg

P tw ttame time Gushing, chairman of thj house committee on foreign affairs, to whom wa| submitted a resolution "to inquire into .the expedi ency of establishing a post on the Paver fc Columbia for the defence and occupation of the territory ot the United States watered by said river the extent o the country claimed by the United States west of the Rockv Mountains, the title under which it s ckiined Sth its correctness, the extent of sea-coast fnd number of harbors, the nature o the sod climate and productions, the expense of estabhsliing one or more forts what ships and what soldiers and sailors woum be Wired," and all questions concerning occu<

»I believe the first resolution ot tins kind ^J"^* 8 leSi " of Illinois, in 1838-9. See S6th Con a ., Id 8e»., Sen. Doc, m. Jo.