Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/291



THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OP ORE(JON 17;!

the I'niy. enthnsiiii;- llieiii with the i);itriolic iiiaiiiteiuuici' of Ihoir principles, ami \\\\\\ (■(iiii'.-iuc lo iiiaiiilaiii Ihrir rights. I »i-. I. I., lialiciick is ciioseii chair- luaii of the lueetiufj;, and Win. II. (iray, George W. LeBreton and W. II. Willson. secretaries. The report of the Coniinittee of Twelve is read |>l•o|l(]^in>4■ a jilan for till' organization of a Provisional (Joverunieiit. The falcfiil lionr lias coiiie; the ehainiiau ealls foi- order; the ayes and noes arc called lor and against a gov- eriiiiicnt : the .Vmcricans vote seatteringly, hesitatingly ami inetfeetually. Then comes till' vote against a government, and the Hudson's Bay Company men I rained for the occasion, tire a solid shot, voting loudly and as one man: — everything seems lost for the Americans. A few brave spirits refuse to be beaten, will not admit defeat, and call for a division and polling the men. The division is or- dered by the chairman ; and pandemonium breaks loose. The Hudson's Bay men and Catholic Canadians rapidly mingle with the Americans to prevent division and bitterly remonstrate against any government organization. Neighborhood friendships, peace of the community, every consideration is recalled to prevent any action ; when suddenly, as if leaping out of the earth, springs forth the stal- \\art form of Joseph L. ileek, and shouts above the din of contending voices :

DIVIDE! DIVIDE! WHO'S FOR A DIVIDE!

All in favor of the American Flag, folhuv mc

Instantly the commotion is silenced. The Americans line up after the natural born leader of men, and as the lines lead out to the banks of the beautiful river, the decision hangs in the balance. The secretaries go down the lines of deter- mined men, resolutely facing each other with that grim courage which betokens the real heroes of a great cause ; and it looks fearfully like a drawn battle. Sud- denly a Frenchman — (the Frenchman has always helped Americans out when they most needed him) a Frenchman steps out from the ranks of those of his native land, conquers the greatest trial of his life, and Francois Xavier Matthieu slowly crosses over to the American side and takes rank with his fellow-country- man, Etienne Lucier — and Oregon is saved to the nation — fifty-two votes for or- ganizing the Provisional Government of Oregon, and fifty votes against.

"It was then moved and carried, that the report of the committee be taken up, and disposed of article by article.

"A motion was made and carried, that a supreme .judge, with probate powers, be chosen to officiate in this conununity.

"]Moved and carried, that a clerk of the court, or recorder, be chosen.

"Moved and carried, that a sheriflf be chosen.

"]\Ioved and carried, that three magistrates be chosen.

"Moved and carried, that three constables be chosen.

"Moved and carried, that a committee of nine persons be chosen, for the pur- pose of drafting a code of law^s, for the government of this community, to be presented to a public meeting to be hereafter called by them, on the tiftli day of July, next, for their acceptance.

"A motion was made and cai-ricd. that a treasurer be chosen.

"Moved and carried, that a major and three captains be chosen.

"Moved and carried that we now proceed to choose the persons to till the vari- ous offices, by ballot.

"W. H. Willson was chosen to act as supreme .judge, with ju'dbate powers.