Page:History of Oregon Literature.djvu/210

 boat, that he has made the master constructor, Wm. L. Hanscom, the handsome present of $1,000.

On the whole, we had a very fine excursion. Those having charge of the boat were assiduous in their endeavors to make everything agreeable—and such tables as were set would have done credit to any steamboat or public house in the states. Nor were those of the pleasure party lacking in their endeavors to render the trip most pleasant and agreeable. The feast of wit and flow of soul was enjoyed through out the trip. His Excellency, Gov. Gaines, and daughter, Gen. Hamilton, Sec. of Territory, and daughter, Dr. Dart, S. Indian affairs, Hiram Clark, Esq., Col. Richmond, and others from Oregon City; Capt. Whitcomb and two daughters, with many other ladies and gentlemen from Milwaukie; with Drs. White and Morse of Pacific City, comprised in part the company, and added much to the festivities of the occasion.

We had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with Gov. Gaines, Gen. Hamilton, Dr. Dart, and Judge Strong, who are all Government officers, recently sent here to ad minister our Territorial Government; and from our short acquaintance, we have every confidence in their abilities and integrity.—We hope the President may always be as fortunate in his selections for Government officers in Oregon. In conclusion, we wish the smiles of fortune and happy days to attend those of the pleasure party—and abundant success to the "Lot Whitcomb of Oregon" and her enterprising owner.

"The Statesman was founded by A. W. Stockwell and Henry Russell of Massachusetts, with Asahel Bush as editor. It was published at Oregon City till June 1853, when it was removed to Salem, and being and remaining the official paper of the territory, followed the legislature to Corvallis in 1855, when the capital was removed