204 VERNE BLUE
given briefly as they indicate the main lines of support and attack. New sources of whale fishing were needed; those found in the Pacific would contribute to the wealth of Oregon. All the meager trade then carried on on the Pacific Coast was that of the annual visit of the whale- ships thither, "with no other cargo than some hardware and ornaments to traffic with the natives." Military protection would be furnished by such a move as that proposed. "The route [by land] to the mouth of the Co- lumbia is easy, safe and expeditious." Floyd outlines the possibility of steamboat communication virtually across the continent and gives an ingenious itinerary. 21 The commerce derived from the fur trade is a third ar- gument and the British revenues from this source are compared with the scanty sum derived from the Ameri- can fur trade. "Save Oregon from monarchy" is a fourth plea. Finally, Oregon is the land of the plough. "The lands of the Oregon are well adapted to the culture of v/heat, rye, corn, barley, and every species of grain; their position [that of the settlers?] will enable them to sell the surplus and purchase the manufactures of China by an exchange of labor." 22
This ended the preliminary discussion and marked out the future grounds of debate. The Committee rose, reported progress to the House and obtained leave to sit again.
The next day, December 18th, the House, in commit- tee, resumed the discussion of the bill; a few minor changes were agreed to, and the debate commenced. Mr. Wright led off in favor of the bill. His position was that the territory had been purchased from France thus making the Louisiana Purchase apply to the Oregon country, something Floyd had not done and that the Spanish treaty had excluded any other possible claims. It was a purely constitutional question: a reciprocal
21 Op. cit., 407.
22 Op. cit., pp. 410, 411.
