Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/120

 112 FREDERICK V. HOLMAN So far as I have been able to ascertain none of the Canadian immigrants of 1841 were present. On the other side there were 50 men, most of them American citizens eight of them being British subjects who affiliated with the Americans. These eight were : Dr. J. W. Bailey, Francis Fletcher, George Gay, Joseph Holman, William Johnson, Charles McKay, John L. Morrison and John E. Pickernell (then known as Edmunds). As I have already said, they were resolute men, and it was not easy to prevent them from carrying out a purpose once determined on. Among them were such men as Joseph L. Meek, usually called "J oe " Meek, a man of courage and ex- perience and a leader of men. There was William Cannon, who came with the Hunt party in 1812, and O'Neil, Hubbard, Hauxhurst, Johnson, and George Gay. I shall not further enumerate the names, as a list of them is hereinafter set forth. There were also present several of the immigrants of 1842. Dr. Ira L. Babcock was chosen chairman and Messrs. Gray, LeBreton and Willson, secretaries. The main business was action on the report of the Committee of Twelve, which pro- posed a mode of provisional government and submitted a list of offices to be filled. The minutes of this meeting, which will be found on pages 14 and 15 of the Oregon Archives, are brief, but they set forth: "The Committee made its report, which was read. And "A motion was made that it be accepted, which was lost. "Considerable confusion existing in consequence, it was moved by Mr. LeBreton, and seconded by Mr. Gray, that the meeting divide, preparatory to being counted ; those in favor of the objects of this meeting taking the right, and those of a contrary mind taking the left, which being carried by acclama- tion, and a great majority being found in favor of organiza- tion, the greater part of the dissenters withdrew." This is the official account. It is well known, however, that the motion was put in such a manner that all present, particularly the French-Canadians, did not know how to vote. After the viva voce vote there was long delay and great discus- sion, wrangling, and confusion. This vote apparently was opposed to accepting the report of the Committee. It looked as