LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE
362
was much dissatisfaction; some felt that McLoughlin had been treated unfairly; others to whom he had sold lots after the fourth of March were angry because they had not been protected, and many of them demanded back their purchase money. The latter class was later appeased by an act of the territorial Legislature which confirmed their titles, although certain members protested that there was no power Before Thurston given to rob the university in this way. returned to Oregon some of the dissatisfied persons met and drew up a memorial to Congress. They protested against any discrimination among purchasers of the Oregon City lots and prayed Congress not to pass the bill in the proposed form since it would work a hardship upon them as well as do an injustice to the county to which Dr. McLoughlin had recently donated some two hundred lots for educational, religious and charitable purposes. At the following session of Congress this memorial raised a storm for Thurston had represented that his bill would meet the approval of most of the, people, and all the Americans, in Oregon. Thurston defended his course in a
there
violent
whom
speech against McLoughlin
having made advances
to him,
Thurston,
he charged with for his
influence
27 respecting the claim. The land law was made the main issue in the campaign to elect a successor to Thurston, and it is significant that the sit-
ting Delegate
was supported for
re-election,
in April, 1851, put an end to his career. not act immediately to accept the gift
although his death
The for
Legislature did the university
28 In 1862, five although eventually it did so, ( 1856-57). years after the death of McLoughlin, the Legislature allowed
his heirs to purchase
Abernethy Island for the nominal sum
of one thousand dollars. 29 27 Globe, XXIII, 120. In a similar manner Thurston has attacked McLoughlin his bill had been up in the previous session he had asserted that McLoughlin would not become an American citizen, and that he had always worked against American interests. Most of his statements were unfounded, but a letter from Judge Bryant, one of the assignees of the Willamette Milling and Trading Company, affirmed their truth. Globe, XXII, 1079. 28 In Feb., 1856, the Oregon Legislature memorialized Congress to release the claim to McLoughlin, except the island, and grant two townships instead. Nothing was done. H. Misc. Doc. No. 97, 34th Cong., ist Ses. 29 See document, found among McLoughlin's papers, expressing the deep disappointment of his old age. In Ore. Pioneer Ass'n Transactions, 1880; also in
when
Marshall, Acquisition of Oregon,
I,
430-40.
