Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/324



"The cause of education demands your attention. School districts should be formed in the several counties, and school houses built. Teachers would be employed by the people, I have no doubt, and thus pave the way for more ad- vanced institutions.

"In closing, allow me to unite with you in expressions of gratitude to that Being who has preserved us during the past year and granted us the blessings of health, peace and prosperity. May we continue to merit His mercies by ac- knowledging our dei^endence on Him and keeping His law before us.

"Geo. Abernethy. "Oregon City, December 7. 1847."

On December 17, 1847, Joseph L. Meek was appointed messenger to carry the news of the Whitman massacre to Washington Citj-, and lay it before con- gress, and resigned his seat in the legislature and made that remarkable trip by hoi'sebaek across the continent in the middle of the winter of 1847-8.

The following extract from the letter of Hugh Burns, commissioner of the currency, to the legislature, dated Oregon City, February 8, 1849, will show the troubles of that officer in financing the treasury of Oregon, in fighting the In- dians at that date.

"On the 28th of March last, or near that time, the commissary general told me that when he was at The Dalles, it became necessary for him to take wagons and oxen, the property of Phelaster and Philemon Lee, to the amount of $250.00. I consented to give bonds to that amount and did so, but in a few days I was called upon bj' different persons for bonds for a very large amount. I refused to execute bonds to them until I could see the other two commissioners, and when we met together it was thought best not to give any more bonds for any prop- erty, as we knew nothing about it ; so, for these reasons we refused to give bonds for any more of the property taken at The Dalles by the commissarj' general.

' ' There is another matter I wish to explain ; it is this : When I commenced to coUect funds, I was not able to obtain any money except orders on the stores in Oregon City ; in consequence of this, it was impossible for the commissary general to obtain articles for the use of the army.

"He told me he could get axes and spades, and these articles were verj- much wanted to make roads for wagons to pass up the Columbia river. Philip Foster had subscribed $50.00 to be paid on the stores, and John B. Price, $25.00, to be paid also on the stores. These gentlemen told me if I would give them twenty- five per cent, premium, they would let me have cash, and I told them I would do so. Mr. Foster gave me $37.50, and I gave him a bond for $50.00. Mr. Price gave me $18.75, and I gave him a bond for $25.00. This I did for the best. But should your honorable body third? otherwise, I am ready to pay to this govern- ment out of my own funds, the amount of premium that I found at that time necessary to allow. I bring this to your pai'ticular notice, because it was noticed at the time by one of the presses of Oregon City. Whatever your decision on this point may be, I alone am responsible, as my associates know nothing of the mat- ter. The commissary general or his agent, A. J. Hembi-ee, Esq., obtained a loan of $196.50, or thereabouts, from Thomas Justins, for which they agreed to get him a bond for $216.33. I first refused to give the bond for that amount, but the commissary general being very much in want of cash, and upon considera-