< Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu
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382 OltEGON BEFORE CONGRESS.

of Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri were forwarded to congress, expressing their faith in the validity of the United States title to the right of domain and exclu- sive jurisdiction between latitude 42° and 49 , urging the immediate occupation of the territory; and instructing senators and representatives to vote for the measure. These resolutions were read m the senate August 31, 1843. Nine memorials were pre- sented in December, from different parts ol the western states, asking that steps be taken for the immediate occupation of Oregon. One memorial from Ohio, presented to the house, asked permission to occupy and settle "not over twenty thousand square miles of land in Oregon in one body;" the settlers not to number less than fifty men, one half of whom must have families. 40 The request was referred to a special committee, who already had m hand a petition from Illinois asking that a section of land be granted to every man over twenty-one years of age who should

settle in Oregon.

Petitions were received from Alabama, Iowa, Ken- tucky, Missouri, and Indiana, of a similar nature. Public meetings were held at Alton, Illinois, Cincin- nati, Ohio, and at Washington City, demanding the occupation of Oregon. 41 Hundreds of letters poured in on Senator Linn, and continued up to the time ot his death to make large demands upon his tune. Nor did these petitions and memorials cease with the loss of Oregon's able champion. In the first session of 1843-4 petitions of the same nature were sent in from Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio. 42 The citi- zens of Missouri desired that an appropriation be made for the survey and establishment of the boun- dary of Oregon Territory, and that the jurisdiction

•*7» Cong., 3d A», Sm.J>oc, iii. 158; 27* Cono ,.,3d8e« .,*m. »*. iv. 217; 271k Cony., 3d Scss., Sen. Doc., m. lo9; Sftih Cong., od fcess., sen.

Doc., iii. 180.

49 °7t.h Conn 3d Sess., H. Jour., 2ou. . Q a

«27th Coi^tlSess., Sen. Doc, 84; Semp^s Occupation of Oregon, S, 9,

18; Cong. Globe, 1842-3, 84, 88, 220, 267 287, 340.

    • 28th Cong., 1st Sens., h. Jour., 80, 10/, Z/o.
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