Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/377

 Political Parties in Oregon 347 toward the Hudson's Bay people and the British population is worthy of notice. Friendly overtures were made to the latter to induce them to co-operate in the new government. To make such co-operation possible and thorough the legisla- tive session of June, 1845, modified the oath of office to read as follows : "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Organic Laws of the Provisional Government of Oregon, so far as said Organic Laws are consistent with my duties as a citizen of the United States or as a subject of Great Britain." 1 No attempt was made to control national allegiance by restric- tions and restraints and members of the British party were chosen for positions of trust. This spirit of moderation is manifested in a passage from the message of the Executive Committee to the legislature of December 17, 1844: "As descendants of the United States and Great Britain we should honor and respect the countries which gave us birth ; and as citizens of Oregon, we should, by a uniform course of pro- cedure and a strict observance of the rules of justice, equity and republican principles, without party distinction, use our best endeavors to cultivate the kind feelings, not only of our native countries, but of all the powers or States with whom we may have intercourse." 2 Though not subscribing to the idea set forth by their Ca- nadian neighbors that "the more laws there are, the greater opportunity for roguery," the colonists were conservative in the amount and kind of legislation enacted. The message of the Executive Committee to the legislature of 1845 sa Y s : "While we deem it important to invite your attention to a necessity of the revision and amendment of the Organic and other laws * * * and the framing of others that you may deem necessary at this time, we would not conceal the fact that great difficulty might arise from too much legisla- tion."* 1 Oregon Archives, p. 71. 20regon Archives, p. 71. 30regon Archives, Ms., p. 48.