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286 "IOWA JOURNAL OF HISTORY AND POLITICS"

newspapers of the period. These accounts illustrate the ear- nestness of the emigrants and the thoroughness with which they made preparations for the overland journey.

OREGON MEETING

[The following account of a meeting in Johnson County is reprinted literally from the Iowa Capitol Reporter (Iowa City), Vol. II, No. 14, March n, 1843. EDITOR.]

At a meeting held on the 3d of March, 1843, of the citizens of Clear Creek precinct, Johnson County, at the house of Mr. A. Gilliland, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of organizing a company to emigrate to Oregon, and devise rules by which said company shall be governed. The meeting was organized by calling John Conn, Esq., to the chair, and choosing Bryan Dennis secretary. Mr. Gilliland then explained the object of the meeting and presented a series of resolutions for the consideration of the meeting, which underwent several amendments and were adopted as a guide for the formation of a constitution.

Resolved, That the company shall draft and adopt a con- stitution for their government which shall provide for elect- ing the following officers and defining their duties, viz. : One president, two vice-presidents, four trustees, one recording sec- retary and one corresponding secretary, who shall be treasurer ex officio.

Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the trustees to inquire into the character of all applicants who wish to join the com- pany, and reject all intemperate and immoral characters. They shall also open books to receive subscriptions of stock, con- sisting of shares of fifty dollars each to be paid in cash, mate- rials or labor, as will best suit the subscribers for the purpose of building a grist and sawmill for the company, and also a schooner or sloop, if funds sufficient can be raised.

Resolved, That as soon as the company shall number twenty male members between the ages of 18 and 45, they shall hold an election and elect one captain and five subordinate officers, whose duty it shall be to drill and command the company. After the above officers are elected, the company shall meet once per month for the purpose of drilling said company.