Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/163

, Clack-

amas county. The enlistments to.be for six months, unless sooner discharged by proclamation.

Each man will furnish his own horse, arms, clothing, and blankets. The companies will bring all the ammunition, percussion caps, and camp equipage they can, for which they will receive a receipt from the commissary -general. Colonel Cornelius Gilliam will remain at Oregon City until the first companies arrive at Port land, when he will take command, and proceed forthwith to Walla Walla. Lieutenant-Colonel James Waters will remain until the rear companies arrive at or near Portland, when he will take com mand and proceed to Walla Walla.

Companies will rendezvous at Portland, or opposite Portland on or before the eighth day of January, 1848. Whenever a sufficient number of volunteers arrive on the ground at Portland they will organize and proceed to elect their officers, viz., one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one orderly sergeant, and four duty sergeants.

Companies will consist of eighty-five men, rank and file. If any company should be formed in the counties smaller or larger, they will be regulated after they arrive on the ground.

As the commissary-general will not be able to furnish a sufficient quantity of provisions for the army, the citizens of the territory are called on to deliver to his agents all the provisions they can, that the operations of the troops may not be impeded for want of pro visions. Agents will be appointed by him at Salem, Yamhill Ferry, Champoeg, Butte, and Portland.

Tn witness whereof, I have signed my name and affixed the seal of the territory at Oregon City, this twenty-fifth day of December, 1847.

GEORGE ABERNETHY.

Two days later A. L. Lovejoy was elected by the legis lature to the office of adjutant-general, and Commissary- General Palmer was made also superintendent of Indian affairs.

While Meek was making haste slowly, in the matter of carrying dispatches to Washington, Governor Abernethy prepared .to execute, or cause to be executed, his purpose of sending an express to California.

The legislature had passed resolutions requiring first,

the drafting of a letter to the American consul at the

Sandwich Islands, "representing our affairs, and imploring

any assistance which he may be able to render