Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/288



172

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

ant}' of our rights and who are, or may become,

Xavier Laderout, Antoine Bonenfant, Andre La Chapelle, Pierre Papin, Louis B. VanDalle, Jean B. Ducharme, Fabien Maloin, Lue Pagnon, Etienne Gregoire, Amable Arquoit, Pierre Delard, Louis A. Van Dalle, Andre Sanders, Pierre Pariseau, Charles Rondeau, Andre Dubois, David Donpierre,

liberties; and such is the wish we make for all those our fellow covintrymen, etc., for long years of peace. "Signed by

Pierre Depot, Moyse Lore, Pierre Le Course, Gideon Sencalle, Thomas Moisan, Pierre Gauthier, X. Laderaut, F. N. Blanchet, Joseph Bernabe, Baptiste Deguire, Adolphe Chamberlain, Je.an Gingi-as, Alexis Aubiehon, Jean Servans, Michelle Laferte, Jean B. Dalcourse, Louis Osent.

Jean B. Aubiehon, Antoine Felice, Michel La Framboise, Joseph Gervais, Jean B. Papin, Olivier Briscbois, Thomas Roi, Louis Boivers, Andre Longtain, Alexis La Pratte, Pierre Beleque, Augustin Remon, Joseph Matte, Francois Bernier, M. Charlevon, M. Maitune."

After receiving the address of the Canadians, the Committee of Twelve ap- pointed at the meeting of March 1st, 1843, called a public meeting of all the citizens of the valley without regard to their nationality or religion to meet at " Champooick " on May 2nd, 1843, to finally decide the momentous question, whether there should be a government in Oregon or not. Rev. John S. Griffin, a Congregational minister, familiarly known in later life as "Father Griffin," rode all over the Willamette Valley to personally deliver the call of the Commit- tee to every settler and urge them to attend the meeting. And they came, both sides, — not all the Americans, however — honest, determined men. The day, and the hour for meeting arrives. The address of the Canadian citizens given on the preceding page was first read to the meeting ; and then the report of the Com- mittee of Twelve on organization. The issues between the contending parties were thus fairly shown. The feeling was intense.

Behold the picture; the Bishop of his flock, with centuries of training and culture in his face, holds the volatile children of the distant St. Lawrence on one side with steady poise, while over against them were many sturdy spirits— thirty-three from ten States of the North, four from four States of the South, nine from the United Kingdom, including Canada, and six from localities un- known — plainsmen, trappers — men inured to dangers and trials from boyhood to manhood — and missionaries of the Cross; and surrounding all, the sullen red men swathed in their fiery blankets, silently beholding the strange scene in wondering awe as to which of these must be his future master. To portray the scene demands the genius of a Michael Angelo, and when it is done true to history, the canvas will immortalize the painter.

We get a glimpse of the contending forces as they rally in coon skin caps and buckskin trousers on the banks of the Willamette May 2nd, 1843, to try out the momentous issue. The leaders of the rival forces are rallying every man for