Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/170



REPORT.

Received of collector, in taxes $313.31

for license, for two ferries 40.00

one fine 5.00

Total $358.31

Expended for stationery 20.38

Mr. Hathaway's house i5-00

Judge Babcock's salary 60.00

Services of secretary in house 20.00

Total $115.38

Balance remaining in treasury $242.93

On December 20, 1844, Representative Lovejoy reports to the legislature that John McLoughlin had donated a lot in Oregon City, on which to build a jail.

The bill to incorporate Oregon city was read a third time and passed on De- cember 24, 1844, making Oregon city the oldest incorporated town on the Pa- cific coast, and the only town holding its charter from the provisional government.

The next session of the legislature was begun and held at Oregon City, June 24, 1845. New men now begin to appear in the government, and for the first time the members of the legislature take an oath of office as follows :

"I do solemnly swear that I will support the organic laws of the provisional government of Oregon, so far as the said organic laws are consistent with my duties as a citizen of the United States, or a subject of Great Britain, and faith- fully demean myself in office, so help me God."

One of the first resolutions at this session was offered by W. H. Gray, au- thorizing the appointment of a committee of five to draft a memorial and peti- tion to the congress of the United States, setting forth the condition, situation, relation and wants of this country.

J. W. Nesmith appears in the government for the first time and before the legislature as "Judge of Oregon," but there is no record of his appointment or election.

On June 28, 1844, Representative Garrison offered the following resolutions :

"Resolved: That whereas, the people of Oregon assembled en masse, did on the 2d day of May, 1843, resolve, that no tax should be levied upon this people, confirming the same by the adoption of the report of the committee of ways and means, adopted by the legislative committee, and referred to the people en masse, and by them enacted July 5, 1843 J therefore.

Resolved: That this house has no right to levy a tax of any kind without the consent of the free voters of this territory, previously obtained.

Resolved: That all acts and parts of acts on that subject, passed by the legis- lative committee, were contrary to the express resolution and action of the people."

So we see that Oregon^ started out in favor of the referendum on taxation.

And on the same day the memorial to congress was presented by G. W. Gray, and signed by the two governors, Osborn Russell, and P. G. Stewart, by Judge Nesmith, Mr. Speaker, and all the members of the legislature, and then deliv- ered to Dr. White, Indian agent to be conveyed to congress at Washington, D. C.

On July 5, 1845, the legislature passed a resolution that the members should receive two dollars a day for their services, and then adjourned to meet again at Oregon City on August 5, 1845.

The legislature met again at Oregon City, August 5, 1845, the following mem- bers being present: Applegate, Foisy, Garrison, H. A. G. Lee, B.