Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/304

 ery law

was: "Be it enacted by the house of representatives of Oregon territory." Among the laws passed at this session was an act to authorize John McLoughlin to operate a ferry at Willamette Falls; an act to prevent the inti-oduction, sale or manufacture of ardent spirits in Oregon; an act to prevent slavery in Ore- gon. N. H. King applied for a divorce from his wife to this legislature, and it was not granted. John McLoughlin was authorized to construct a canal at Wil- lamette Palls. P. Ermatinger and others sent in a petition to incorporate Ore- gon City, which was unfavorably reported upon by A. L. Love.ioy, the only law- yer in the legislature.

The second Executive Committee, composed of Peter Grant Stewart, Osborn Russell and Dr. William J. Bailey, elected May 14, 1844, presented to the adjourned meeting of the legislature on December 17, 1844, the following mes- sage. This is the first executive document in connection with the new govern- ment as far as now known:

To the Honorable the Legislative Committee of Oregon,

Gentlemen : — As the expectation of receiving some information from the United States, relative to the adjustment of the claims of that government and of Great Britain, upon this country, was the principal cause of the adjournment of this assembly from June last to this day, we feel it our duty to communicate such information as we have been able to collect on the subject, and likewise to recommend the adoption of further measures for the promotion and security of the interests of Oregon.

The lines, defining the limits of the separate claims of the United States and Great Britain, to this portion of the country, had not been agreed upon when our latest advices left the United States — and, as far as we can learn, the ques- tion now stands in the same position as before the convention in London, in 1818. At that time, the United States government proposed to draw the division line, on the 49th parallel of north latitude, from the Lake of the Woods to the Pacific ocean. To this Great Britain would only consent in part, that the line should run on the 49th parallel, from the Lake of the Woods to the dividing ridge of the Rocky mountains ; and it was finally agreed upon between the par- ties, that all the country lying west of the Rocky mountains, and on the Pacific ocean, should, with its harbors, bays, and rivers, remain open for ten years, to the vessels, subjects, or citizens, of both countries. But it was, at the same time, expressly understood, that the said agreement, was not to be construed to affect, or prejudice, the claims of either party, or any other power, to any portion of said country. Before this agreement expired another convention was held in London, in 1827, by the two contracting powers; by which the former treaty was extended, with the provision, that when either of the parties thought fit, after the 20th of October, 1828, to abrogate the convention, they were at liberty to do so, by giving twelve months ' notice to the other contracting party ; but noth- ing contained in the treaty of 1827, was to be construed, so as to affect in any manner the claims which either of the contracting parties, or anj' other power, might have to any of the country lying west of the Rocky mountains.

The subject has again been called up for investigation by the two powers, and a negotiation was begun at Washington in the early part of the present year, but was for the time being suspended on account of a disagreement between the