Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/199

Rh in the possession of lands. They limited these land claims by the same authority by which they laid them, (Senator Linn's Bill,) to six hundred and forty acres, and made any person laying two claims, liable to loose either. In order to hold a claim they made it necessary that the corners of the land, should be marked; and that a description of it should be entered upon the books of the Territorial Recorder; and the temporary government agreed to protect these land claims against all other claimants, except the United States of America. The Missionaries residing in the Willammette Valley, who took an active part in the organization; besides the claims allowed them as individuals, succeeded in obtaining, in the name of the Mission, thirty-six square miles, and in the best portion of the Willammette Valley. The succeeding Legislature, however, disregarded it, and all except the usual claim allowed to individuals, was liable to be taken by any one who might wish it. This government was extended over all the country between the parallels of 42 deg. and 54 deg. 40 min. North latitude, and West of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and made a residence of six months necessary to Citizenship. The second Legislature, elected by order of the Executive Committee, made a law, prohibiting the making and selling ardent spirits, in the Territory, except for Medical purposes; and likewise, a Law prohibiting the residence of negroes in the country, after the expiration of three years; and levied a tax upon the people, for the construction of roads and the defraying of expenses unavoidable in the transaction of the Government. They have endeavored to protect the rights of the Indians, and promote peace and harmony between them and the settlers; and no disturbance of a general nature has ever occurred between them, and an Indian war, in all probability will never interrupt the tranquillity of the Willammette Valley. The