FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON British
91
Act of Parliament had extended British laws, and to and perfect territorial organization
bring in a bill for a full
soon as the convention for joint occupation should have been annulled, and to apply to such a portion as should be agreed upon with Great Britain. Until an agree-
to
go
into effect as
ment should have been reached let the northern limit be 49*. Cass took up the issue and contended that Americans would never be satisfied with this explanation until evidence had been brought from Paris to substantiate it. He accused Benton of reversing the stand he had taken in 1842 and 1843. Neither Benton nor Cass, however, could obtain action for the majority agreed with Webster when he said that he would never think of creating a territorial establishment before the boundary had been
settled.
Even
after the ratification of the treaty which did settle the boundary there were further obstacles to be overcome. When, on the twenty-fifth of June, the question of a date for final adjournment came, several Senators agreed that some-
thing should be done before the session closed, but as a steamer was due on the third of August and the British ratification
would probably arrive then, they thought it would be well to take up other matters until that time. The ratification arrived according to schedule, and the treaty was laid before Congress, Senator Hannegan, the organization was delayed. resentful over the defeat of his plans, said that it was inconceivable that a bill for territorial government should be
but
still
still
passed before the treaty had been debated. The treaty was nothing more or less than another agreement for joint occupation south of 49* while Great Britain had a clear title north the grant in perpetuity to the Hudson's Bay Com10 of free pany navigation was evidence of his contention. It was not the fault of the House that Congress adjourned
of that line
with no definite Oregon action. On the same day the treaty was received from the President (6 August) the Committee on Territories brought in a bill. With almost no discussion 10 Globe,
XV,
1023-4,
1179,
1198-0.
gan about the navigation of the Columbia.
Cass
(Ibid.,
1204) agreed with Hanne-
