Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/279



THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON 1C,5

.Mt'xican governor of Oalilornia as a liorsu-thiut ami Dr. .IdIiii .McLout^'liliii had l>ost('(l iij) the letter on a s\^t\ post in the Willaiiielte N'alley. ^■(lun.^■ was not a horse-thier, or a cattle rustler, as can he fouiiil in eeiiain ])arts of Oregon in It) 12; but he was an energetie liors(' trader, and during the seven years lie had elainied liis home in Old Oregon he had aeeuinulated more property than any other American citizen. But now he was dead, February 15th, 1841, leaving no known heirs, and a large property. The entire American population about Champoeg and the Missions attended his funeral ; and the fact of his property and the absence of heirs to claim it forced the necessity of some sort of a govern- ment so vividly upon the attention of the people that a temporary meeting was then and there held at this funeral of the man who had been denounced as a thief, to take steps to organize a government for Oregon. Mimes and Lang's History states that "A meeting of some of the inhabitants" was held on the Ttli of February, eight days before Young's death, "for the purpose of consult- ing upon steps necessary to be taken for the formation of laws, and the election of ofhi'ers to execute them." Jason Lee presided over this meeting, and ad- dressed the same advising the appointment of a committee to draft a Constitu- tion and laws for the government of that portion of the territory south of the Columbia. A committee was doubtless appointed, but no names are given. At Young's funeral on February 17th, a public meeeting was lield by the persons attending that funeral, of which meeting Jason Lee was made chairman and Gustavus Hines, another Methodist missionary^ was chosen secretary, and an- other person was added "to the Committee of arrangement, chosen *at a previous meeting." George W. Le Breton was made the additional committeman. Then follows these proceedings :

"Resolved — That it be reeommended that tiiere be a connuittee ,of seven elected for the purpose of drafting a constitution and code of laws, for the government of the settlements, south of the Columbia River."

It was tlien

"Rcsolvid — That all settlers, north of the Cohunbia River, not connected with the Hudson's Bay Company, be admitted to the protection of our laws, on making application to that affect."

The meeting then proceeded to advise the committee of arrangements, to propose the making of certain officers, to-wit : —

A Governor; a Supreme Judge, with probate powers; three Justices of the Peace; three Constables; three Road Commissioners; an Attorney-General; a Clerk of the Courts, and Public Recorder; one Treasurer; two Overseers of the Poor.

It was reeommended to nominate persons to fill the several offices, and that tiiey be chosen viva voce.

The meeting then resolved itself into committee of the whole, for the pur- pose of choosing candidates for the several offices, and after having nominated persons to till the various offices, it was

"Ii( solved — that the doings of the committee of the whole be dei)osited in the hands of the chairman, to be presented to the meeting tomorrow."

On motion, the meeting then adjourned, to meet at eight o'clock to-