Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/363

312 laws shall be so construed as to affect any claim of any mission of a religious character, made previous to this time, of an extent not more than six miles square."

The reports of the various committees having been adopted, Jason Lee, Harvey Clark, and David Leslie were chosen a committee to draught and administer an oath of office to the persons elected on the 2d of May, and to the supreme judge, who should thereafter qualify all civil and military officers elected by the people. Burns having resigned his office as justice of the peace, Moore was chosen in his place. James O'Neil was also chosen justice of the peace for Yamhill district, and Amos Cook constable. Joel Turnham was elected constable for Champooick district, in place of Bridges, who had gone to California.

The choice of an executive committee was a matter of more moment, and the subject of active canvassing; it finally fell on David Hill, Alanson Beers, and Joseph Gale. None of these men had influence enough to be dangerous to the peace of the community; two belonged to the settler class, and the third was but a lay member of the Mission. The oath of office was administered the same day, by motion of the meeting, and thus the whole business of starting the machinery of the first government of Oregon was concluded.

With regard to the influence of the Methodist Mis-