Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/127

Rh, J. M. Garrison, M. G. Foisy, and Barton Lee, from the Champoeg district; Jesse Applegate and Abijah Hendricks, from the Yamhill district; M. M. McCarver, J. W. Smith and David Hill, from the Tuality district; and John McClure, from Clatsop. This assembly met June 24, 1845, at Oregon City, hitherto known as Willamette Falls. A special committee, consisting of Lee, Newell, Smith, Applegate, and McClure, was appointed, charged with the duty of preparing an organic law. This committee, within a few days, made a report; on the second of July, 1845, the assembly adopted it, and three days later passed an act to submit it to the people, to be voted on by the people July 26. The assembly then adjourned to August 5. When it met on that day it was ascertained that a majority of two hundred and three votes had been given for the organic law. Of the legislation of the session I can give no account here. It consisted of acts deemed suitable for conditions existing in an infant or pioneer community; one of which was an act that made wheat lawful tender in payment of taxes and judgments, as well as for payment of all debts where no special contract had been made to the contrary; and stations were designated where wheat might be delivered in payment of public dues. This assembly adjourned August 20, 1845. No provision had been made for a new election at this time, and the old members met again at Oregon City, December 2, 1845—that being the day designated for the first annual session under the new organic law. Robert Newell was elected Speaker; J. E. Long, Chief Clerk, and Theophilus Magruder, Sergeant-at-Arms. This session lasted till the nineteenth of December, 1845.

Under the provisional constitution now in force the legislative power was to be vested in a house of not less