86

LESTER BURRELL SHIPPER

part of the territory of the United States, or any territory in dispute between the United States and any foreign government, as well as to sustain the rights of the United States to,

and to repel invasion from, the said

territory." Six- or twelve-

month volunteers might be called upon and a sum of money was to be appropriated. This measure, like the naval bill in the Senate, did not advance, nor, indeed, was there any debate upon

it.

when it was seen clearly enough that the resolufor notice, probably with some qualifying restrictions, would pass, the House took up the riflemen bill in order that In April

tions

might be passed in time to provide troops which could be of some service in the spring migration to Oregon. With amendments, which increased the discretion of the President in the matter of organization of the force, and provided for grants of land in Oregon, the bill passed on April eleventh. it

Immediately after passing this bill the House took up another measure on Oregon which had been reported from the Committee on Territories in December but which had been This bill would extend the jurisof Iowa over American citizens Court Supreme in the territory west of the Rockies and in that west of the Missouri River between 40 and 43. It further provided a grant of 320 acres of land for every white person, male or

shoved aside for other

topics.

diction of the

female, over the age of eighteen, who should have resided in Oregon for five years, although this provision would not be-

come active for five years. Its object as an inducement to Oregon emigration was rather obvious. The bill further provided for placing the Indian trade under a Superintendent of Indian Affairs. As originally introduced it had made provision for blockhouses along the Oregon route, for two regi-

ments of mounted men "to guard and protect emigrants, settlers, and traders against the Indians," and for carriage of mail at least once a month from Fort Leavenworth to Coast points via South Pass.

The Oregon

title

was debated anew

as the result of an