the judicial districts was attended to. Having first changed the names of several counties,[1] it was decreed that the first judicial district should consist of Clackamas, Marion, and Linn; the second district of Benton, Polk, Yamhill, and Washington; and the third of Clarke, Clatsop, and Lewis. The time for holding court was also fixed.[2]
While awating a donation law an act was passed declaring the late land law in force, and that any person who had complied or should thereafter comply with its provisions should be deemed in possession to every part of the land within his recorded boundary, not exceeding six hundred and forty acres. But the same act provided that no foreigner should be entitled to the benefits of the law, who should not have, within six months thereafter, filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States.[3]
The new land law amended the old to make it conform to the territorial act, declaring that none but white male citizens of the United States, over eighteen years of age, should be entitled to take claims under the act revived. The privilege of holding claims during absence from the territory by paying five dollars annually was repealed; but it was declared not necessary to reside upon the land, if the claimant continued to improve it, provided the claimant should not be absent more than six months. It was also de-
- ↑ The first territorial legislature changed the name of Champoeg county to Marion; of Tualatin to Washington; and of Vancouver to Clarke. Or. Spectator, Oct. 18th.
- ↑ As there was yet no judge for the third judicial district, and the time for holding the court in Lewis county had been appointed for the second Monday in May and November, Governor Lane prevailed upon the legislature to attach the county of Lewis to the first judicial district which was to hold its first session on the first Monday in September, and to appoint the first Monday in October for holding the district court at Steilacoom in the county of Lewis. This change was made in order to bring the trial of the Snoqualimichs in a season of the year when it would be possible for the court to travel to Puget Sound.
- ↑ 'During the month of May several hundred foreigners were naturalized.' Honolulu Friend, Oct. 1, 1849. There was a doubt in the mind of Judge Bryant whether Hawaiians could become naturalized, the law of congress being explicit as to negroes and Indians, but not mentioning Sandwich Islanders.
