Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/380



I had been a member of the legislative committee of 1844, had taken a leading part in that little body, and had done what I considered my fair proportion of the work, under all the then existing circumstances. We had adopted a code of laws, which, though imperfect, was ample for that time and that country. I looked forward to the speedy settlement of the question of sovereignty in our favor, and it was so settled within two years thereafter.

As before stated, I went to Oregon to accomplish three purposes. I had already assisted to lay the foundation of a great American community on the shores of the Pacific, and the trip across the plains had fully restored the health of Mrs. Burnett. There was still one great end to attain—the payment of my debts. I had a family of eight persons to support, and a large amount of old indebtedness to pay. My debts were just, and I believed in the great maxim of the law, that "a man must be just before he is generous." Had the essential interest of a large body of my fellowmen, in my judgment, required further sacrifices, I would have made them most cheerfully. But, the foundation of a great community on this coast having