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296 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE Senator Archer, for the Committee on Foreign Relations, ques- tioned the utility of the resolution, since it was not to be sup- posed that the negotiations had been laid aside, he would not oppose it if the customary words "if not inconsistent with the public interest" were included. Benton sustained Linn and said no word appeared in the correspondence submitted to the Senate and there was no place in this country for state secrets ; if Great Britain had a claim let her show what it was. All the satisfaction obtained from the resolution was the assur- ance that the President was already adopting measures in pursuance of his views as stated in the Annual Message and that it did not appear consistent with the public interest to make further communication at the time. A call for a report of Lieutenant Fremont's exploring expedition was intended to place still more information before the Senate to guide its action. A clear field was allowed Dr. Linn when he was ready to carry out his plans as announced at the previous session. His bill was referred to a special committee which, two days later, returned it with minor amendments, so that about a week later the measure was before the Senate for discussion (December 30, 1842). 25 The first attack upon it was in the form of an amendment to strike out the preamble which read, "Whereas, the title of the United States to the Territory of Oregon is certain, and will not be abandoned, therefore, etc." Tappan of Ohio in moving the amendment said that such a statement was neither in good taste nor necessary, although he favored the bill in itself. Tappan was supported by Archer of Virginia and Crittenden of Kentucky as well as others, but Linn was unyielding; the preamble must stand. It was not until a vote of 17 to 17 on striking out the amendment, with the chair about to cast the deciding vote, was taken, that Linn saw the disadvantage of allowing a decisive division on this point; according he agreed to the amendment and the pre- amble was struck out by general consent. The next point of attack was the land grant provision. West- 25 The bill was before the Senate from December 30 to February 7, when it was discussed for parts of nineteen days. Globe, XII, 99 to 224 passim, and Appen. 74 to 134 passim.