Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/97

Rh Provisional Form of Government Adopted. The convention assembled at Champoeg, July 5, to hear the report of the committee. Canadian settlers who had signed an address to the convention were present with the Americans. Their address was placed on file as a record of the interests of those opposed to the organization of a government. Some of the Canadians, however, expressed sympathy wit the object of the American movement, while others declared that they would not submit to any government which might be organized. The report of the committee of the Provisional Government was discussed, and Alanson Beers, David Hill, and Joseph Gale were selected as the Executive committee. Also, the officers chosen at the meeting held May 2, were continued until the election on the second Tuesday in May, 1844, at which time proceedings of the convention were to be submitted to the people for their approval. "Thus the first regular government in Oregon went into effect, although it was incomplete until July, 1845, when an organic law framed by the Legislative Committee was approved" by vote of the settler.

It will, therefore, be observed that although Massachusetts gained distinction because of her sacrifice to free New England from British rule, there were also bitter contentions between the Oregon colonists and those who were under the flag of Great Britain; and Oregon, too, could and would have sacrificed much toward the same end. But despite the claims, influence and power of British subjects, Oregon justly as well as discreetly obtained without bloodshed a provisional government of her own choice for the people of the Pacific Northwest. This victory of peaceful acquisition achieved by patriotic and determined American settlers was no less glorious than the victory of war won by the Mother State of New England.