FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON
355
which he showed the flourishing condition of Oregon under the Provisional Government and the chaos which had resulted from the territorial organization which had nullified
tion in
While there was objection to the reception of it had been read and its work accomplished, for a few days later the land bill was brought up, and after a few minor changes passed. In the Senate some little question was raised as to whether a clause should be inserted so that
all
land
titles.
this resolution,
lands designated by the President for public purposes should be excepted from the provisions of the bill. Douglas said that such a provision might result in taking arbitrarily the
improved land of settlers, that he learned from the Delegate from Oregon that exactly that had happened at Astoria. Jefferson Davis, who had moved the amendment, looked up the point and found that no injury had been done; he insisted upon his amendment, therefore, and the Senate adopted it. In this way was defeated a rather shrewd attempt to make the government of the United States pay for many of the sites which might be desired for military posts and the like. The law as it was passed at the very end of the session allowed every white man or Indiam half-breed, citizen of the United States or having declared his intention to become such, to take a half-section of land this quantity. 19
who were
in
This very
married
liberal gift
men might
was made only
Oregon and should take advantage of Those who came after
the first of December, 1851.
and
double
to those it
before
this date
December, 1853, could receive a donation one could claim under the act and the treaty. Special provisions granted two townships for the endowment of a university and the so-called Oregon City until the first of
half as large.
No
claim, at the falls of the Willamette,
was given the
territory
to be disposed of
university. in the river
by the Legislature also for the benefit of the In this gift two exceptions were made the island
was confirmed to the Willamette Milling and Trading Company, and the title to all city lots sold by Dr. 19 Globe, XII, 1846, 1953.
St. at L.,
IX, 496-500.
