Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/11

Rh "This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage —

"Oregon City 20th Aug. 1845.

"Attest J. E. Long "Approved

"Approved (Signed) Geo. Abernethy."

This District was named for Captain George Vancouver, R. N., the explorer, who was in charge of what is known as Vancouver's Voyage in 1790- 1795. His expedition was on the North Pacific Coast in the years 1792, 1793, and 1794. The first Oregon Territorial Legislature, September 3, 1849, changed the name of Vancouver County to that of Clark in honor of Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The following is a correct and full copy of the Act changing the name of Vancouver County to Clark, and the only law I have found on the subject:

"AN ACT, to change the name of Vancouver County. "Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Oregon, That the name of the county of Vancouver be, and hereby is, changed to Clark.

"Sec. 2. That all acts, or parts of acts, coming within the purview of this act, are hereby repealed.

"Sec. 3. This act to take effect from and after its passage."

"Passed, September 3d, 1849."

(Local Laws of the Territory of Oregon of 1850-1, page 54).

In the copy of this Act, as printed in said Local Laws, the name Clark is in italics.

In an Act passed by the Oregon Territorial Legislature January 3, 1854, after Clark County had become a part of Washington Territory, releasing Clark County from the payment of certain taxes due to the Territory of Oregon by that County, the name is spelled Clark. (Special Laws of 1853-4, page 18).

In Abbott's "Real Property Statutes of Washington Territory From 1843 to 1889," page 69, this Act of September 3, 1849, is set forth. It erroneously spells the name Clarke. As