a vote was taken on appeal, and the chair sustained. In this manner the night was, like the day, wellnigh wasted, without coming to a vote on the Oregon bill.
Toward morning, Foote, who had already spoken several times, rose again, when he was called to order. The friends of the bill thinking the best way to bring matters to a conclusion was to humor the Mississippian entreated that he might be allowed to proceed; and he declaring his ability to speak until Monday night, commenced at the history of the creation, as given m the books of Moses, and talked on in a rambling strain until after nine o'clock Sunday, when it may be assumed that his spirits began to flag, and he sat down Benton then hastened to recede from some amendments which he had offered, but which the house had refused to accede to; and the bill, restored to its precise form as it passed the house, was finally passed by the senate, the long and trying ordeal was over, and Oregon was a Territory of the United States, on her own terms.[1] The rule disallowing bills to be presented for signature on the last day of the session was suspended, and this one was signed on the 14th of August, the president returning it to the house with a message, in which he reviewed the question of free and slave territory at some length, deprecating the agitation arising from it, and predicting that it would, if not checked, dismember the union.[2]
Oregon had indeed been granted a territorial organization with all that usually accompanied such creative acts, the appropriations amounting to $26,500,[3] besides the salaries of all the territorial officers, including the
- ↑ Niles' Reg., lxxiii. 274; Benton's Thirty Years, ii. 711.
- ↑ For the territorial act of Oregon, see General Laws of Oregon, 1843–72, 52–63; Cong. Globe, 1847–8, 1079–80.
- ↑ For public buildings, $5,000; for territorial library, $5,000; for lighthouses, $15,000; for contingent expenses, $1,500 annually.
hand and violent gestures calling Butler a liar. The two white-haired senators were separated by their friends, Butler saying, 'I will see you, sir, at another time and place;' and Benton rejoining in great heat, /that he could be seen at any time or place, but that when he fought, be fought for a funeral!' See also Clarke, in Overland Monthly, x. 412.
