The tide of emigration which had filled Iowa and Wisconsin, and which by the gold excitement of California had for a time been drawn to the Pacific slope, now set again more strongly then ever to the Mississippi valley, demanding and needing new lands for settlement and cultivation.

To answer this requirement a movement was made during the closing weeks of Mr.Fillmore's administration to establish the territory of Nebraska.

A bill to that effect was passed by a two-thirds vote in the House.

The slight opposition that was made came from the South, but its significance was not perceived.

When the bill reached the Senate Mr.Douglas, as chairman of the committee on territories, promptly reported it, and made an apparently sincere effort to pass it.