Volume 11 · 384
Public Law 35–XXXIII
for the Admission of Oregon into the Union.
Approved February 14, 1859
Statutory text
An Act
for the Admission of Oregon into the Union.
Whereas the people of Oregon have framed, ratified, and adopted a constitution of State government which is republican in form, and in conformity
Preamble.
with the Constitution of the United States, and have applied for admission into the Union on an equal footing with the other States: Therefore—
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That Oregon be, and she is
Oregon admitted.
hereby, received into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects whatever, with the following boundaries: In order that the boundaries of the State may be known and established, it is hereby ordained and declared that the State of Oregon shall be bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning one marine league at sea due west from the point
Boundaries.
where the forty-second parallel of north latitude intersects the same; thence northerly, at the same distance from the line of the coast, lying west and opposite the State, including all islands within the jurisdiction of the United States, to a point due west and opposite the middle of the north ship channel of the Columbia River; thence easterly, to and up the middle channel of said river, and, where it is divided by islands, up the middle of the widest channel thereof, to a point near Fort Walla-Walla, where the forty-sixth parallel of north latitude crosses said river; thence east, on said parallel, to the middle of the main channel of the Shoshones or Snake River; thence up the middle of the main channel of said river, to the mouth of the Owyhee River; thence due south, to the parallel of latitude forty-two degrees north; thence west, along said parallel, to the place of beginning, including jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases upon the Columbia River and Snake River, concurrently with States and Territories of which those rivers form a boundary in common with this State.
Sec. 2.
And be it further enacted, That the said State of Oregon shall
Concurrent jurisdiction on the Columbia and other rivers and waters forming a common boundary, &c.
Navigable rivers, &c., to be common highways.
have concurrent jurisdiction on the Columbia and all other rivers and waters bordering on the said State of Oregon so far as the same shall form a common boundary to said State, and any other State or States now or hereafter to be formed or bounded by the same; and said rivers and waters, and all the navigable waters of said State, shall be common highways and forever free, as well as to the inhabitants of said State as to all other citizens of the United States, without any tax, duty, impost, or toll therefor.
Sec. 3.
And be it further enacted, That, until the next census and
Entitled to one representative in Congress.
apportionment of representatives, the State of Oregon shall be entitled to one representative in the Congress of the United States.
Sec. 4.
And be it further enacted, That the following propositions be,
Proposition to be submitted to popular vote.
and the same are hereby, offered to the said people of Oregon for their free acceptance or rejection, which, if accepted, shall be obligatory on the United States and upon the said State of Oregon, to wit:
First,
That sections numbered sixteen and thirty-six in every township of public lands in said State, and where either of said sections, or any part thereof, has been sold or otherwise been disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto,
School lands.
and as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to said State for the use of schools.
Second,
That seventy-two sections of land shall be set apart and reserved for the use and support of a State university, to be selected
State university lands.
by the governor of said State, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, and to be appropriated and applied in such THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 33, 35. 1859. manner as the legislature of said State may prescribe for the purpose aforesaid, but for no other purpose.
Third.
That ten entire sections of land, to be selected by the governor of said State, in legal subdivisions, shall be granted to said State for the purpose of completing the public
Lands for public buildings.
Salt springs and contiguous lands.
buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under the direction of the legislature thereof.
Fourth.
That all salt springs within said State, not exceeding twelve in number, with six sections of land adjoining, or as contiguous as may be to each, shall be granted to said State for its use, the same to be selected by the governor thereof within one year after the admission of said State, and when so selected, to be used or disposed of on such terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct: Provided, That no salt spring or land, the right
Proviso.
whereof is now vested in any individual or individuals, or which may be hereafter confirmed or adjudged to any individual or individuals, shall by this article be granted to said State.
Fifth.
That five per centum of the
Percentage on land sales.
net proceeds of sales of all public lands lying within said State which shall be sold by Congress after the admission of said State into the Union, after deducting all the expenses incident to the same, shall be paid to said State, for the purpose of making public roads and internal improvements, as the legislature shall direct: Provided, That the foregoing propositions,
Proviso. Conditions on which propositions are offered.
hereinbefore offered, are on the condition that the people of Oregon shall provide by an ordinance, irrevocable without the consent of the United States, that said State shall never interfere with the primary disposal of the soil within the same by the United States, or with any regulations Congress may find necessary for securing the title in said soil to bona fide purchasers thereof; and that in no case shall non-resident proprietors be taxed higher than residents.
Sixth.
And that the said State shall never
United States property to be free from taxation.
Proviso.
tax the lands or the property of the United States in said State: Provided, however, That in case any of the lands herein granted to the State of Oregon have heretofore been confirmed to the Territory of Oregon for the purposes specified in this act, the amount so confirmed shall be deducted from the quantity specified in this act.
Sec. 5.
And be it further enacted, That, until Congress shall otherwise
Residue to belong to the Territory of Washington.
direct, the residue of the Territory of Oregon shall be, and is hereby, incorporated into, and made a part of the Territory of Washington.
Approved, .