aug 14, 1848 - Signed act establishing the Territory of Oregon, providing a lengthy signing statement (9 Stat 323). Discusses at some length the issue of slavery in the Territories. States that he approved this bill because it was not inconsistent with the Missouri Compromise (i.e., did not apply to area south of the 36° 30’ parallel). The bill included the “Wilmot Proviso” restricting the new territory to the conditions of the 1787 Northwest Ordinance prohibiting slavery in the territories
Added to timeline:
Date:
aug 14, 1848
Now
~ 177 years ago