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CHAPTER VI.

THE LEGISLATURE OF 1847-8 RECKIPT OF THE NEWS OF THE MASSACRE AT WAIILATPU

LETTER OF MCBEAN LETTER OF JAMES DOUGLAS MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR ABERNETHY CONDITION OF THE TREASURY OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT

EFFORTS TO PROCURP: THE MEANS TO PUT TROOPS IN THE FIELD THE HUD SON S BAY COMPANY DECLINE TO FURNISH MONEY COMMISSIONERS BORROW A SMALL AMOUNT ON THE FAITH OF THE OREGON GOVERNMENT THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZES THE RAISING AND EQUIPPING OF A REGIMENT OF RIFLEMEN Or- FICERS APPOINTED A MESSENGER DISPATCHED TO WASHINGTON, AND ANOTHER TO CALIFORNIA FAILURE OF THE LATTER.

LEAVING aside the causes which led up to the Waii- latpu tragedy, it is time now to consider its consequences to the Oregon colony.

On the seventh day of December, 1847, the provisional legislature met at Oregon City. It consisted of the fol lowing members:

From Clackamas county Medorum Crawford, J. M. Wair, and S. S. White.

From Champoeg county W. H. Rector, W. H. Rees, A. Chamberlain, A. Cox, and Robert Newell.

From Polk county J. W. Nesmith, and M. A. Ford.

From Yamhill county A. J. Hembree, and L. Rogers.

From Tuality county R. Wilcox, D. Hill, and J. L. Meek.

From Clatsop county J. Robinson.

From Lewis county S. Plomondeau.

No representative of Vancouver county was present.

Robert Newell was speaker of the house.

On the eighth, Governor Abernethy sent in his message, which contained the refrain already quoted in a previous chapter saying " our relations with the Indians become every year more embarassing," and that the robberies committed by them should not be allowed to pass.

On the afternoon of the same day another communica tion was received from the governor, accompani