.Y.;Ot~'- ," - J TRANSACTIONS z~ o

OF 'l'UF.. THIRD ANIALjE_IrNION

(, 4oieei oiätioi; I ~tl(egolt4hegor 'hllolteet ~Bociatl01\;

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\ I ANNUAL ADDRESSADDNES DELIVEBEDDELIVERED BYBY HONHON .MATTHEW MATTHEW P.P .DEADY, DEADY. I 1 TTorrmu1 OT.Tmtc wrrfl"'rrR TIlE'rIlE .\JDDBSSES!lHn;~SES BYBY lION.HO~,.T .1. W.W. NESMITIT,:'

AIFD A

f3rOGRAPHY3IOGRAFHY OF OF ~OL J0L.. 1Jos.II os j.i.J-I. JAEEKEEK..

1(/.1 SALEM,S,\LETlf, OREGON:OREGO~: EII.. H.~[ . \VA1TE,W AITE, PIUNTERl'RI" TLR AN)) .\ " 1J 1:OOKBINDER. Jl O OKBI~J)ER . 1'e1 .. ( 1.576. I . ....l- Oi,~_ I~~~ cj,,," ~

I TRANSACTIONS

OFON THE

THIRD ANNUALANNUAL RE-UNIONRE-UNION

OF TEETHE

l'egor lorkeei' Ø$oiätior;

AND TBETHE ,I ANNUALMiNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS DELIVERED BYBY HON.RON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P.P. DEAD~DEAD

TOGETHER WITHWITH

THE ADDRESSESADDRESSES BY BY HON.HON. J. W.W. NESMITH,NESMITH, EX-GOY.EX~OOV. CEO.OEO. L.L. CURRY, CURRY. ANDAND HON. GRO.OEO. P.P. HOLMAX.HOLMAN.

AND A

j3rOGRAPIiYIOGRAPI-IY OF POL.OL JTOrOS.~. .Jd J'tEEK.E E K.

SALEM, OREGON: E. M.M. WAITE, WAITE, PRINTER PRINTER AND AND BOORBINDER. BOOKBINDER. 11876.8 76. PRPREFACE FFA.0 I. . • It isis aa sourcesource of gratificationgratification to the Printing Committee,Committee, thatthat they areare enabled to present this thethe secondsecond annualannual publicationpublication ofof the Transactions of the Oregon Pioneer Association, and the ad- dresses delivered atat the third re-union held onon thethe StateState Agricul-Agricul­ , tural Society's GroundsGrounds near near Salem, Salem, June June IS, i, 1875. TheThe re-union re-union provelprove~ aa grandgrand success, success, both financiallyfinancially and socially, and a large number of Pioneers availed themselves ofof thethe opportunity to be- come members ofof the Association; and it isis earnestlyearnestly hoped that the remainderremainder of thethe PioneersPioneers whowho areare eligible,eligible, willwill securesecure a membership, so that thethe Association'sAssociation's roll willwill contain thethe names names of allall ofof thosethose whowho camecame andand settledsettled withinwithin the bounds of thethe original TerritoryTerritory of Oregon, eitherei,!her by seasea or acrossacross the plains.plains. The addresses of of Hons. Hons. M.M. P.P. Deady, J.J. W. Nesmith and Ex-Ex­ Gov. Geo. L. Curry,Curry, containcontain a great deal of history, and will be perused with interest.interest. The addressaddress of Ex-Gov. CurryCurry waswas de-de- livered at Champoeg, at thethe firstfirst re-unionre-union of the Association,Association, but the copy not being furnished, waswas notnot printedprinted in the pamphlet of i1875, 875, consequently the the committeecommittee have have placed placed itit inin this year'syear's report. The biography of the late Col. Joseph L. Meek,Meek, waswas furnishedfurnished by Mrs.Mrs. F. F.F. Victor,Victor, byby request.request. ), E. N.N. COOKE,COOKE, S. F.F. CHADWICK,CHADWICK, WILLARD H. REES,REES, JOHN MINTO,MINTO, J. HENRYHENRY BROWN,BROWN, Committee. MEETING OF THETHE BOARDBOARD OFOF DIRECTORS.DIRECTORS.

LEGISLATIVE HALL, } SALEM, OREGON, OREGON, May May IS, 15, 1875.i875. In pursuancepursuance to adjournment,adjournment, thethe Board of DirectorsDirectors ofof the , Oregon Pioneer Association, met met inin the Legislative Hall,Hall, in Salem, atat 10io o'clock, A. M.,M., and and waswas calledcalled toto orderorder byby Hon.Hon. J. W. Grim, PresidentPresident ofof the the Association. Association. The SecretarySecretary of thethe Association,A~sociation, Willard H. Rees,Rees, beingbeing absent, J.J. HenryHenry Brown Brown waswas electedelected SecretarypraSecretary jr(l tern. tem. The SecretarySecretary read thethe publishedpublished proceedings of the last meet-meet, ing of thethe Board,Board, whichwhich metmet atat Aurora,Aurora, DecemberDecember 3d,3d, 1874.1874. Mr. W. J.J. Herren,Herren, Chairman Chairman of of Committee Committee of of Arrangements, Arrangements, made a verbal report of the committee's work; and that theythey hadhad procured lumber to constructconstruct a dancingdancing floor,floor, and hadhad securedsecured vocal and instrumentalinstrumental musicmusic for thethe occasionoccasion of thethe re-union.re-union. And aa committeecommittee had beeubeen appointedappointed tto canvas the city for funds for thethe celebratjon.celebration. Mr. Herren submittedsubmitted aa programmeprogramme for the celebration,celebration, whichwhich on motion of Mr. J. B.B. McClain,McClain, was referred to a committee of tour,four, consistingconsisting of of Hon. Hon. S. S. F. F. Chadwick,Chadwick, W. W. J.J. Herren, J. N. J Matheny andand E.E. M. Waite, whereupon the the committee\etired committeeetired for consultation. While awaiting thethe actionaction ofof thethe committee,committee, thethe membersmembers en-en­ tered into a general exchange of of reminiscence of of thethe early days of emigration, when they crossed the plains with oxox teams.teams. The committeecommittee on programmeprogramme submitted the following report:report: 4 MEETING OFOF THETHE BOARD BOARD OFOF DIRECTORS. DIRECTORS.

To the Chairman andand MembersMembers of of the Board ofof DirectorsDirectors of01 the the Oregm'a Oregm Pioneer Association:Association:

Your committee appointed to arrange programme of exercisesexercises for t~tl annual re-union of the Pioneer Association for 1875, would reportreport thethe following:following:

EXERCISES ATAT THETHE FAIRFAIR GROUNDS. GROUNDS.

The procession will form under the direction of the ChiefChief Marshal, Col.Col. JohnJohn McCracken, atat soIOo'clock, o'clock, A.A. M.,M., June 15,15, 1875,1875, Oflon the plank walkwalk extendingextending East from the railroad track, atat thethe FairFair Grounds, Grounds, inin the the following following order:order: 1st. Northwest BandBand. .. 2d. Standard Bearers.Bearers . . 3d. President and Vice President. 4th. Chaplain and Orator. 5th. Members ofof thethe Pioneer andand. Historical.Historical.Society Society of Oregon.Oregon. 6th. Secretary and Treasurer ofof thethe Association.Association. 7th. Invited guests, male and female.female. 8th.8th .. Members Members of of the the Society, Society, male male and and female, female, who who came came intointo the the TerritoryTerritory prior to January, 1841,1841,followed followed ·by by thethe twelve divisionsdivisions to January 1853,1853, each division with appropriate banner. 9th. FriendsFriends of the Association, male and.and female. .... AT THETHE STAND.STAND.

1st. MusicHailMusic-Hail Columbia. Columbia. 2d.ad. Prayer byby thethe Chaplain-Rev. ChaplainRev. E.E. Walker.Walker. 3d. Annual Address by Hon. Matthew P. Dearly.Deady. 4th. Music. 5th. Recess.

AFTERNOON EXERCISES.EXERCISES.

1st. I o'clock, PicnicPicnic Dinner.Dinner. 2d. 2 o'clock, Musical Entertainment inin thethe Pavilion, byby the Pioneer young ladies andand gentlemen.gentlemen. 3d. Address by Hon. J. W. Nesmith,Nesmith, and others.oth.ers. 4th. At 5 o'clock, dancing in the pavilion. 5th. AtAt 7 7o'clock, o'clock, annual annual election election of of officers officers of of the the Association. Association. 6th;6th At 8 o'clock, PioneerPioneer LovaLOVE FEAST. FEAST. MEETtNGMEETING OF THETHE BOA1DBOAlm OFOF rnRECTORS. DIRECTORS. 5

ThtThe followingfollowing petsons havehave been selected as FloorFloor Managers ofof the Pioneer ball;ball: Walter S. Moss,-OregonMoss,-""'Oregon City. M. L. Savage,Salem.Savage,-Salem. D. Thompson,Albany.Thompson,-Albany. F. C.C. Geer,Butteville.Geer,-Butteville. Ex-Gov. Geo. L. Curry,--Portlancl.Curry,~Portlan(t John Thompson,-EugeneThompson,Eugene City.City. Edward Taylor,-Astoria.Taylor,Astoria. Erastus Holgate.-Corvallis.Holgate.Corvailis. Chris. Taylor,-Dayton.Taylor,Dayton. James Applegate,-Applegate,Yoncalla.Yoncalla.

The salesale ofof intoxicatingintoxicating liquors andgamesandgames ofof chancechanCe on the ground, positively prohibited. In orderorder thatthat therethete willwill bebe complete complete successsuccess of thethe picnitpicnic dinner,dinner, itit is is re-re­ questedjuested that whenwhen convenient,convenient, the Pione&sPioneeirs bring their baskets with them. The Pioneers throughout Oregon, Washington.Washington and IdahoIdaho Territories Territoriesare are cor- cor­ dially invitedinvited. Respectfully submitted,submitted, W. J.J. HERREN,HERREN, Chairman. On motion, the report waswas adopted. Han.Hon. E.E. N.N. Cooke,Cooke, Chairman Chairman ofof Committee Committee on Printing, mademade a Verbalverbal report,report, statingstating that thethe committeecommittee hadhad had had 2,0002,000 copies of thethe pamphletpamphlet containingcon'taining ConstitutionConstitution andand By-Laws,By-Laws, the remarksremarks of Gov. L. F.F. Grover, Grover, with with the the Annual Annual AddressAddress ()ff Hon.Han. S. F.F. Chadwick,Chadwick, and a history of thethe ProvisionalProvisional Gov-Gov­ ernment by Hon.Hon. J. QuitnQuilln Thornton,Thornton, insteadinstead ofof sooasoo as first de-de­ signed by the Association, andand thatthat the printingprinting billbill waswas $284.284. ( The question of disposing of the pamphletpamphlet waswas discusseddiscussed by allall of the members present,present, and and onon motion,motion, thethe action ofof the com-com­ mittee in regard to sendingsending copies to be sold at thethe bookstoresbookstores in Salem and Portland waswas endorsed, andand thatthat copies copies shouldshould be sent to all old Pioneers, andand that eacheach membermember whowho hadhad heretoforeheretofore joinedjoined or shouldshould joinjoin subsequently, subsequently, should should recoiverece.ive aa copycopy whenwhen 6 MFETINGMEETING OFOI Ttt1THE: BOARDBOMtD OFOF t'11.ECTO1tS.DIRECTORS. he paid the amount required atat the time ofof joining, and that the Secretary keep inin hishis officeoffice 250250 copiescopies forfor futurefUture use.use. The President and SecretarySecretary were authorized to extend special invitations to oldold Pioneers.Pioneers. On motion, the PrintingPrinting CommitteeCommittee waswas instructed to placeplace 100roo copies of thethe pamphlet in the hands of the committeecommittee to col-col­ lect money inin the city of Salem.Salem. On motion ofof Hon. E. N.N. Cooke,Cooke, thethe CommitteeCommittee on Printing was authorizedauthorized to to present 5050 copiescopies of of thethe pamphletpamphlet to to Hon.Hon. J. Quinn Thornton. On motion ofof W.W. J. J. Herren, Hon.Hon. S.S. F.F. ChadwickChadwick waswas added to the Committee onon Printing, and instructedinstructed to send copies to old Oregonians.Oregonians. On motion of Mr. J. N.N. Matheny,Matheny, the President wlsws authorizedauthorized to extend specialspecial invitafionsinvitations tot the TerritorialTerritorial officersofficers of Wash-Wash­ ington and IdahoIdaho TerritoriesTerritories toto attendattend ourour re-union.re-union. On motion, JohnJohn W.W. MintoMinto waswas authorizedauthorized toto solicit solicit member-member· ship ofof thosethose eligible.eligible. On motion, the Committee of ArrangementsArrangements werewere authorizedauthorized to act whenwhen necessary, where theythey hadhad not beenbeen fullyfully instructed,.instructed,. as occasion might require. On motion, the BoardBoard adjourned.adjourned. 5.J. W.W. GRIM,GRIM, Fresi&nI,President, J. HENRYHENRY BROWN,BRowt, Sec'ySec) jiropro tern.tem. THIRD ANNITALANNUAL RE-TTh'IONRE-UNIOR

STATESTATu FAIRFAIR GROUNDS,GROUNDS, SALEM, Jun~Juire 15,IS, 1875.I875. } The third annualannual re-unionre-union of thethe OregonOregon PioneerPioneer Association, Association, Waswas held held at at the the State State FairFair Grounds near Salem, June i5,1$, 1875,1875, under veryvery favorablefavorable circumstances.circumstances. At an earlyearly hour, aa vastvast concourse ofof the earlyearly settlersettIers attended by their familiesfamilies and friends, began toto arrive.arrive. The dilterentdifferent roadsroads werewere lined withwith wagonsWagons containing containing participants, participants, who who Were were anxiousanxious to to joinjoin in the exercises ofof thethe State holiday,huliday, and whilewhile thethe different,different trainstrains from the north and southsouth materiallymaterially swelledswelled the throng,throng, asas theythey dis-dis­ charged their preciousprecious freight.freight. Hearty greetings were exchanged by friends who had notnot metmet forfor years,years, oldold acquaintances acquaintances werewere re-re­ newed, whosewhose long separation had nearly obliterated their remem-remem­ brance; although they had traversedtraversed the sandysandy plains in each 'Other'sother's company.company. The patriarchs although young then, now had grown old andand graygray inin pioneerpioneer life,life, werewere surroundedsurrounded by theirtheir children and children'schildren's children,children, who who were were assuming assuming their their posi- posi­ tion inin thethe developmentdevelopment of thisthis young and thrivingthriving State, makingmaking· a happyhappy occasion,OCCasiOll, which,which, toto bebe properlyproperly appreciated,appreciated, should be witnessed.

Punctual to the hour of to10 o'clock,o'clock, A. A. M., Col.Col. JohnJohn McCracken, Chief' Marshal,Marshal, assistedassisted by by hishis aids, formed thethe PioneersPioneers in column according to thethe yearyear tlff theirtheir arrival, arrival, which whi~h was was desig- desig­ natediated byby an an appropriate appropriate banner,banner, headed headed byby the the Northwest Northwest BrassBrass Band, whichwhich discourseddiscoursed excellentexcellent music, marched through the gS THIRDFHIRD A~~UALAINUAL RE-UNION.REUNION.

FairF'air groundSGrounds atidand halted atat thethe speaker'sspeaker's standstand in in a a beatitiful beautituI grovegrove of youngyoung oak,oak, where,where, afterafter musictnusic byby thethe band,band, prayerprayer byby thethe Chaplain;Chaplain, the PresidentPresident mademade thethe followingfollowing remarks:remarks:,

LADIES ANOAND GENfLEMENGENTLEMEN OF ThETHE OREOONOREGON PIONEERPIONEER ASSOCIATION:InAssoclATION:~In opening thethe exerci~esexercises ofof your third annualannual re-union,re.nnion, youyou will permttpermit theme on this happy occasion in in behalfbehalf ofof thethe ExecutiveExecutive BoardBoard andand Directors,Directors, toto greetgreet youyou with their kindest wishes,wishes, andand askask thatthat you you maymay bebe pleased to accentascept their heart-heart­ felt thanks forfor thethe honorudhonoted distinction, which, through your favor, we havehave been permitted to enjoy duringduring thethe past year. Friends and fellow citizens withwith us here assembled, II can asseteassute youyou thatthitt never inin mymy life life havehave I Ibeen been called called uponupon toto dischargedischarge aa more pleasant duty, than atat thisthis present moment,moment, which which all on their their behalf behalf and and iu in the the namename of thisthis honored Association, I bid you allall thricethrice welcomewelcome toto ourour feast.feast. Turn your eyes wheresoeverwheresoever you maYtmny, I verily believe no moremore deservingdeserving or nobler mindedminded men men oror women women ale ale to to be be found,found, thanthan they who stand to-day in the ranks ofof thisthis self-sacrificingself-sacrificing love-devoted remnantremnant o(of Oregon's early Pioneers. Long maymay theythey be sparedspaled with their childrenchildren and friendsfriends toto enjoyenjoy thethe goodgood things ofof this favoredfavored land,land, securedsecured byby theirtheir valorvalor inin long long yearsyears of isolation,isolation, privation and toil, which they so faithfully endured. The address* ofof :Hon.lion. M.M. P.P. teadybeady was was replete replete with with informa- informa­ tion and thethe largelarge audienceaudience WasWas highlyhighly pleasedpleased with that gentle-gentle­ man's effort. At recess,recess, the audienceaUdience dispersed inin groups to enjoyenjoy an old fashioned picnicpicnic ditlher,dinner, strongly bringing toto mind.mind days of yore,yore, and reviewingreviewing thethe vicissitudes vicissitudes of years gone by, recalling flamesbarnes of those who nownow are are numberednumbered withWith the the great"great "silent silent majority," recounting their virtuesvirtues and heavingheaving aa sighsigh toto theirtheir memory.memory.

At 22 o'clock,o'clock, aa musicalmusical entertainmententertainment waswas had inin thethe pavilionpavilion under the direction of Prof. Thos. H. Crawford.Crawford. At 33 o'clock, Hon.Hon. J.J. W.W. Nesniith, Nesmith, Hon.Hon. Geo.Geo. P.P. HolmanHoltna!! andand others delivered instructiveinstructive andand entertainingentertaining addresses.addresses. Mr. Nesmith's addJ.-essaddress waswas about about the the immigrationimmigration of of 1843, ofof whichwhich

*See pagepa5e 17,17. for Address.Address.

a. THtRDrHIRD ANNUALANNUAL RE-UNION.REUNION. .99

he was one, andand WasWas a full and succinctsuccinct history of the toils of that early day ofof overlandoverland immigration.immigration. Thus placing in history in a permanent manner a great deal of imformationimformation that will prove otof interest and value in after years.years. At 5 o'clock, dancing commencedcommenced in the pavilion,pavilion, inin whichwhich many participated who had notdancednofdanced aa step step for for years,years, and theythey entered into the enjoymentenjoyment of thethe hour with a zestzest that waswas grat­grat- ifying toto thethe floorfloor managers,managers, who spared nono painspains toto makemake the occasion a success, and theirtheir laborlabor was was wellwell rewardedrewarded. At 77 o'clock, thethe AssociationAssociation metmet toto transacttransact thethe business business that 4 is necessary at thesethese annualannual re-unions,re-unions, whichwhich was was as as foI1ows follows:·

PAVILION, STATE FAIRFAIR GROUNDS, GROUNDS, } SALEM, June June 15, 1875.1875. Association waswas called called to to orderorder byby Hon.Hon. J. W. Grim,Grim, thethe Pres-Pres­ ident. The first business toto be transacted was the election of officers,officers, which was held with the followingfollowing result: President, John W. Grim,Grim, byby acclamation.acclamation. Vice President;Presidents E.E. N. Cooke,Cooke, byby acclamation.acclamation. Secretary, J. HenryHenry Brown.Brown. Treasurer, John M.M. Bacon.Bacon. Three Directors, Wm. J.J. Herren, Alex. P. AnkneyAnkney and BushBush WW. WilsonWilson. The committee, consistingconsisting of of Hon. Hon. E.B. N. Cooke,Cooke, John M.M. J. flacon:Bacon and Geo. W. Dimick,Dimick, who hadhad beenbeen appointed toto confer confer with the PioneerPioneer andand HistoricalHistorical Society Society of of Oregon, Oregon, submittedsubmitted the following report andand correspondencecorrespondence;

To the President&esident ofof thethe OregonOregon PioneerPioneer Associ&ion:YourAssociation:-Your committee committee ap-ap­ pointed to conferconfer with thethe PioneerPioneer andand HistoricalHistorical SocietySociety of Oregon,Oregon, withwith a view of unitingunitilig under oneone constitution thethe twotwo organizations,organizations, beg leave toto reportreport to10 TuRDTHIRD A4NUALA~NuAt kE-UNION. ltUlilON. thatth~t theythey havehave communicatedcommunicated with the officers of of said Pioneer and HistoricalHistorical Society, and theythey declinEdecline to unite the twotwo organizations. Respectfully submitted, E. N.N. COOKE,COOKE, J. M.M. BACON,BACON, Committee.Cornmittee The committee submitted the followingfollowing correspondence onon the sUbject:subject At the semi-annual meeting of of the Oregon Pioneer and HistoricalHistorical Society,Society, held on the 4th4th dayday ofof July,July, 1874,1874, atat Astoria,Astoria, Wm.Wm. H.H. Gray,Gray, thethe CorrespondingCorresponding Secretary of saidsaid Society,Society, presentedpresented a communication from the Oregon PioneerPioneer Association, which reads asas follows:follows:

OREGON CITY, OREGON,OREGON, } JUNE 17,57, 5874.1874. To tilet)e President,Presidmt, Officers and and Mem6&s Memf*s of f tilethe PioneerPioneer andand HistoricalHistorical Society ofof OrCgOn:-.-GENTS. Or"gon:-GENTS. The undersignedundersigned werewere appointedappointed aa commit-commit­ tee byby thethe Oregon Oregon Pioneer Pioneer Association,Association, toto communicatecommunicate with youryour Society,Society, and toto ascertainascertain uponupon whatwhat termsterms oror arrangements, arrangements, ourour AssociationAssociation couldcould bebe united with your Society, believingbelieving thethe twotwo organizationsorganizations toto be identically theth~ s!l.me.same. WeWe are are of of the the opinion opinion that that good good would would result result from from suchsuch union. union. Respectfully yours, &c., E. N.N. COOKE,COOKE, J. M.M. BACON,BACON, G. W.W. DIMICK,DIMICK, Cvmmittee.Committee, On motion, the above letter was placed on file, and whereuponwhereupon thethe followingfollowing preamble and resolutions were adoptedadopted asas aa reply,reply, viz:

WHEREAS, A proposition to unite with the Pioneer Association of Oregon, at present located in the Willamette Valley, with thethe PioneerPioneer andand HistoricalHistorical Soci-Soci­ ety of Oregon,Oregon, locatedlocated atat Astoria,Astoria, the latterlatter beingbeing organized organized andand incorporated incorporated under thethe lawslaws ofof Oregon, andand being historical and perpetualperpetual inin itsits existenceexistence and efforts. Therefore,

Resolved I. That anyany materialmaterial changechange in ourour organicorganic existenceexistence wouldwould dede­ feat thethe primeprime objectobject of thethe Society.Society.

Resolved~.Resolved . That toto facilitate and embrace all.11 Pioneers ofof this couhtry, we cordially invite such asas by the seventh Article of ourour Constitution,Constitution, are entitled TflIRDTtnRD ANNUALANNUAL RE-UNtON.RgUNIOt4. TI totD become subscribing and votingvoting members,members, toto send theirtbeir namesMmes to the Recording {)ror Corresponding Secretari~s,Secretaries, tbatthat theythey maymay bebe dulyduly enteredenteted onon ourour RecordRecord BookBook of members. ResolvdResolved 3. That all membersmembers of the PioneerPioneer AssociationAssociation are invited to send theirtheir namesnames to the Executive l3oardBoard ofof this Society,Society, thatthat theythey maymay becomebecome lion-hon­ orary andand correspondingcorresponding members.members. Resolved 4. That the semi-annualsemi.annual meetings ofof this Society sballshall be heldheld at such time and place Itsfts shallshall bebe designateddesignated byby itsits Executive'Executive Board;floard; said BoardBoard taking intoInto account the convenienceconvenience and numbernumber of subscribingsubscribing members,members, and of the locationlocation of such meetings. 011On motion, the Secretary is hereby requested to furnish 11 certified copy of thisthi preamble and resolutionsresolutions toto thethe PioneerPioneer AssociationAssociation ofof Oregon. IN WITNESSWITNESS WHEREOF,WISEREOF, I hereby1 hereby sign sign my my name, name, andand affixaffix thethe officialofficial seal ofof saidsaid Society,Society, thisthis 15th 15th day day of of July, July, 1874.1874. SEAL. JT. TAYLOR,TAYLOR, {S}-.---v---- I Secretary.Secr&ary. The followingfollowing isis Article Article 7,7, of the ConstitutionConstitution of thethe OregonOregon PioneerPioneer and Historical Society, as alluded toto inin thethe second5econd resolutionresolution ahoveabove: "ARTICLE"ARTl,CLE VII. All persons maymay become membersmembers of of thisthis Society!Society, who sho ar­ar- rived upon thethe coast,coast, oror werewere bornborn in in the the country,country, priorprior to to Januarytst, January 1st, 1851, iSi, andImd areare twenty-onetwenty·one years of age at thethe timetime ofof signing. signing. All persons subscribing to thisthis Constitution andand By.Laws,By-Laws, shall shall givegive tbeirtheir fullfull name, age, nativity, and date of arrival in the countrycountry as near as possible."possible." The committee on Pioneer Banner, consisting of Joseph Watt, A. P. AnkenyAnkeny and Johfijohli Minto, made aa verbalverbal reportreport that theythey had not yetyet completedcompleted the banner,banner, andand askedasked thatthat threethree moremore persons be added. On motion the following gentlemengentlemen werewere added to saidsaid com-com­ mittee, C. A. Reed, M. P. DeadyDeady and J. W.W. Nesmith.Nesmith. On motion,motion, thethe SecretarySecretary waswas authorizedauthorized toto furnishfurnish suitablesuitable badges fOrfor thethe members, with the yearyear Ofof arrival of eacheach membermember ptinted thereon.thereon. W. J. Herren,Herren, chairmanchairman ofof committeecommittee to revise andand amend thethe Constitution ofof the Association,Association, submitted an amendmentamendment to Article VIII, toto read read asas follows:follows: t2 flhIItD'rHI1

ARTICLEAWJICLE VIII. VIII. All immigrants,immigrants, male or female, who reside within ththe bounds ofof thethe originaloriginal TerritoryTerritory ofof Oregon, undernnder jointjoint occupancyoccupancy of thethe coun-coun­ try by the United States and Great ~ritain,Britain, and thosethose' whowho werewere born, or settledsettled. within saidsaid Territory prior to thethe first dayday ofof January,January, 1854,1854, are are eligible toto be­be. become members of this Association. Also that Article III bebe amended amended soso asas toto readread asas follows:follows: ARTICLE III.III. The officers ofof this Association shallshall consist ofof President,President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary,Secretary, and Treasurer,Treasurer, whowho shall form thethe Executive Board; and aa Board of five Directors, including the President and ViceVice President,President, who who shall shall be be ex-officio ex-officio membersmembers of the same. All officers ofof thethe Association shall shall holdhold their respective places for one year, or until their successors shallha shall haveve beenbeen elected as hereinafter provided.

On motion,motion, thethe above above amendmentsamendments werewere adopted. On motionmotion ofof Gen.Gen. JoelJoel Palmer,Palmer, thethe TreasurerTreasurer waswas requiredrequired to give bonds in the discretion of thethe ExecutiveExecutive Board.Board. On motion,motion, thethe thanksthanks of thethe AssociationAssociation werewere extendedextended toto Hons. M.M. P.P. DeadyDeady andand J.J. W.W. Nesmith.Nesmith. On motion a vote of thanksthanks waswas extended to the OregonOregon Agri-Agri­ cultural Society, for the use of thethe grounds.grounds. The AssociationAssociation votedvoted their thanks to thethe OregonOregon andand Cali- Cali. fornia Railroad Company,Company, forfor kindnesskindness receivedreceived atat their handshands for reduction to half fare, to personspersons who attended thisthis re-unionre-union. On motion, the AssociationAssociation adjourned.

After adjournment, most of thethe members members wentwent from from the the busi- busi­ ness hallhall toto the ballball room,room, wherewhere theythey werewere soonsoon mingledmingled withwith the happy throngthrong, and and enjoyed enjoyed themselves themselves only only as as PioneersPioneers couldcould until IIii o'clock, o'clock, whenwhen thethe PortlandPortland train train called called for for passengers. passengers. But those remaining, continuedcontinued toto enjoyenjoy themselvesthemselves until thethe

H"we we sma'sma' hourshours of morn." Thus closed thethe third re-union, and all hope to livelive toto enjoyenjoy' many many moremore suchsuch happy·happy occasions.occasions. THIRD ANNUAL RE-UNION.REUNION. 13

SALEM, June June 16,16, 1875.1875. The Board ofof DirectorsDirectors met in thethe SenateSenate Chamber,Chamber, Salem,Salem, Oregon, for the purposepurpose of transactingtransacting businessbusiness and receivingreceiving re-re­ porthport's of committees. Hon. B.E. N.N. CookeCooke inin thethe chair.chair. On motion, the SecretarySecretary was authorized to correspond with the new BoardBoard of of Directors andand request their votesvotes forfor W.W. H.H. Rees, Esq., who had beenbeen nominatednominated forfor CorrespondingCorresponding Secre- Secre­ tary.tary The following is the financial statementstatement asas perper reports of corncom­ mittees: Amount received from all sourcessources ...... $902 2525 Bills paid out ofof samesame...... 86856 i818

Balance on hand ...... ~ .... $ 4646 0707 On motion, BoardBoard adjourned.adjourned . ... MEETING OF THETHE BOARDBOARD OFOF DIRECTORS.DIRECTORS.

SALEM, Jan. Jan. zoth,.20th,. 1876.1876. The BoardBoard of DirectorsDirectors ofof thethe Oregon Oregon Pioneer Pioneer Association Association met in thethe SecretarySecretary of State's office,office, at 22 o'clocko'clock x'.P. ri.,M., andand waswas called to order by Hon. J. W.W. Grim,Grim, President.President. The following members of thethe BoardBoard andand AsssociationAsssociation werewere present: Hon. JohnJohn W.W. Grim,Grim, President. Hon. E;E; N.N. Cooke,Cooke, ViceVice President.President. W. J. Herren,Herren, Esq.Esq. J. HenryHenry Brown,Brown, Secretary.Secretary. Williard H. Rees,Rees, CorrespondingCorresponding Secretary.Secretary. Hon. F.F. X.X. Mathieu,Mathieu, Ex-President.Ex-President. Hons. S. F.F. Chadwick,Chadwick, RalphRalph C.C. Geer,Geer, andand severalseveral other gen-gen­ men who tooktook part in the proceedingsproceedings. Hon. S.S. F.F. Chadwick Chadwick movedmoved thatthat thethe nextnext annualannual re-unionre-union bebe held atat thethe OregonOregon AgriculturalAgricultural SocietySociety GroundsGrounds whichwhich had been generously proffered, proffered, and and as as there there had had beenbeen no other placeplace of-of­ fered. A letter from Hon.Hon. ElwoodElwood EvansEvans of WashingtonWashington Territory,Territory, was read, declining to deliver the nextnext annualannual address,address, on account of previous engagements. - On motion, the Printing CommitteeCommittee ofof 18751875 waswas reappointed,reappointed, which consisted ofof Hons.Hons. E.B. N. Cooke, S. F. Chadwick,Chadwick, Willard H. Rees,Rees, Esq., andand Hon. JohnJohn Minto.Minto. MEETING OF THETHE BOARDBOARD OFOF DIRECTORS.DIRECTORS. 15

On motion,motion, thethe SecretarySecretary waswas requested to make an exhibit of the financial resources of·of the Association.Association. The Secretary was addedadded toto the Committee on Printing. On motion, adjournedadjourned untiluntil 77 o'clock, o'clock, i'. P. M. M.

EVENING SESSION.SESSION.

Board metmet pursuantpursuant to to adjournment, adjournment, Hon. Hon, J. J. W.W. GrimGrim inin the chair. A telegram was received andand read by the SecretarySecretary fromfro!ll Alex.Alex. P. Ankeny,Ankeny, resigning hishis position asas aa membermember ofof the Board of Directors. On motion, thethe resignationresignation waswas accepted. On motion, Joseph Watt ofof Yamhill, waswas elected as aa membermember of the Board of Directors in place of A. P.P. Ankeny,Ankeny, resigned.resigned .. The SecretarySecretary stated thatthat therethere were were 38o380 contributing membersmembers (males), andand 91 females on on the theAssociationsroll. Association's roll. Total 471.471. Mr. Rees nominated Rev. Wm.Wm. H. RobertsRoberts forfor Chaplain.Chaplain. Mr. Cooke nominated Rev.Rev. J.J. H. Wilbur.Wilbur. Rev. J. H.H. Wilbur Wilbur was was electedelected as Chaplain and Rev. Wm. H. Roberts, alternate.alternate. Hon. JesseJesse Applegate was selectedselected to deliver the Annual Ad-Ad­ dress. Judge R. P.P. BoiseBoise waswas selected as alternate. Mr. Rees moved that'that a committee of five ladies be elected to select somesome ladylady toto deliverdeliver oror readread anan addressaddress at the nextnext annualannual re-union, andand toto report to the SecretarySecretary by the 22d of FebruaryFebruary next, whowho theythey havehave selected.selected. Mrs. J.J. F. Miller,Miller, Mrs. S. A. Clarke, Mrs.Mrs. WernerWerner Breyman,Breyman, .,..

16i.6 MEETINOMEETING OF THETHE BOARDBOARD OFOF DIRECTORS.DIRECTORS.

Mrs. 1.I. N. GilbertGilbert andand Mrs.Mrs. J.J .. H. H. Moores,Moores, werewere appointedappointed saidsaid committee. Mr. Thos. C. Shaw waswas chosen Chief Marshal,Marshal, with Col. T. R. CorneliusCornelius and Ralph C. Geer, aids.aids. On motion,motion, thethe following following CommitteeCommittee ofof Arrangements Arrangements waswas ap-ap­ pointed: John F.F. Miller,Miller, JosephJoseph Holman,Holman, JohnJohn W.W. Minto,Minto, Mrs.Mrs. B. H. Bowman,Bowman, Mrs. Mary Minto, Mrs. J. F.F. Miller,Miller, Mrs.Mrs. S.S. A.A. Clarke, Mrs.Mrs. 1. I. N. Gilbert, MissMiss ClaraClara WattWatt andand MissMiss MariaMaria Smith. Moved and carried,carried, that thethe CommitteeCommittee ofof Arrangements Arrangements be instructed to attend to thethe invitedinvited guests.guests. Hon. John MintoMinto was selectedselected to to deliverdeliver anan addressaddress andand call the rollroll ofof 1844. 1844. Mrs. F. F.F. Victor,Victor, on on motion, motion, waswas invited toto writewrite aa biographybiography of the late Col. Joseph L. Meek,Meek, toto bebe publishedpublished in thethe proceed-proceed. ings of thethe Association.Association. Moved al1dard carried that the Committee onon Printing be be instructed to havehave 2,0002,000 copies of thethe proceedingsproceedings and addressesaddresses printed as soon asas possible.possible. Mr. E. M.M. WaiteWaite mademade a proposition to print thethe proceedings proceedings and addressesaddresses forfor $5.00.00 less than lastlast yearyear (1875),(1875), and ifif thethe numbernumb~r of pagespages are less,less, at a correspondingcorresponding price,price, and ifif thethe number of pages be more, at a correspondingcorresponding advance.advance. On motion, the propositionproposition was accepted. Moved, that the Committee of Arrangements bebe instructed toto examine the banners andand havehave them retouchedretouched ifif found found necessary.necessary. Moved andand carried, that a warrant be drawndrawn inin favorfavor of the Secretary.Secretary for $15.00. On motion,motion, adjournedadjourned untiluntil thethe firstfirst ThursdayThursday inin May.May. J. HENRYHENRY BROWN,BROWN, Secretary. THE AMUALANNUAL ADDRESS.ADDRESS.

BY HON. I4ATTHEWMATTHEW I',P. DEADY.DEADY.

Han.Hon. MatthewMatthew P. Deady,Deady, ofof Portland,Portland, waswas thenthen introducedintroduced byby the President, and inin aa fullfull voice,voice, withwith hishis usualusual forcible manner, delivered the followingfollowing address: 4 OREGON PrONEERS,PIONEERS, LADIES ANDAND GENTLEMEN:GENTLEMEN: Allow me to congratulate you upon beingbeing permittedpermitted to to assembleassemble herehere underunder the sheen ofof the StarsStars andand Stripes,Stripes, onvn thisthis Twenty-NinthTwenty-Ninth AnniversaryAnniversary ofof thethe final acknowledgment ofof GreatGreat BritainBritain ofof the AmericanAmerican rightright toto thethe OregonOregon ter-ter. ritory. Having wisely resolved toto meetmeet together together annuallyannually and and celebratecelebrate your entry into the country, andand brightenbrighten andand perpetuate thethe memorymemory of youryour earlyearly trials and sufferingssufferings while engagedengaged inin makingmaking thethe weary weary journey journey from from the the Mis- Mis. souri to the Wallamet,Wallamet, andand transplanting, transplanting, to to this this then then far far off off shore, shore, thethe customs, customs, laws and institutions ofof Alfred and Washington, you could not have selectedselected a more appropriate day for the occasion, thanthan this. Just twenty-nine years ago, your only rival and competitorcompetitor for the possession ofof thisthis goodlygoodly land,land, by the treatytreaty ofof Washington, inin effecteffect admitted,admitted, that that the the OREGON OREGON PIONEER,PIONEER, unaided by hishis Government, andand despitedespite the deeply interested opposition of thethe far-reachingfar-reaching Hudson Bay Company, backed by the power and diplomacy of thethe EnglishEnglish Crown, although bringingbringmg with him across the trackless wilds of thethe continentcontinent little elseelse thanthan thethe Family,Family, thethe SchoolandSchool. and the the Church, Church, had had succeeded succeeded in in occu- occu· pying the country and rearing therein, uponupon thesethese institutions,mstitutions, as foundationfoundation stones, the enduringenduring edificeedifice of an American State. But we are not herehere toto triumphtriumph over over those those who wh failed in the strugglestruggle forfor thethe prize or cast reproach upon their policy or conduct.conduet. The object of the Hudson Bay Company in occupying thethe country,country, waswas toto secure.secure the exclusive trade with the Indians and suchsuch BritishBritish subjectssubjects as mightmight suitsuit itsits policypolicy toto allowallow therein,therein, and it pursuedpursued thisthis objectobject as justly andand consideratelyconsiderately .s,,-s couldcould bebe expected.expected. Its autocratic governmentgovernment andand disciplinediscipline was suchsuch asas bestbest suitedsuited itsits conditioncondition and pursuits. It diddid not seekseek toto buildbuild towns,towns, establishestablish politicalpolitical communities, communities, oror even to cultivate the soil,soil, exceptexcept in fJ. very limited measure. Its factors, traders 2 18 ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY.

and clerks; thoughthough generallygenerally just.iust andand intelligent intelligent men, men, were were aa partpart of of anan unyield unyield_ ing system which compelledcompelled them them to to Jive live for, far, and and promotepromote thethe .pecialspecial interests of the Company before those of the country.c~unt~y. But justicejustice demandsdemands thatthat I shouldshould name,name, at least,least, oneone notablenotable exceptionexception to . this generalgeneral rule.rule.

Dr. JohnJohn McLoughlin was ChiefChief Factor of thethe Company,Company, westwest of thethe RockyRocky mountains, from 1823 toto 1845, whenwhen hehe resignedresigned thethe positionposition andand settled settled atat Ore­Ore- gon City, where hehe dieddied inin 1857,1857, full full of of yearsyears and honor. During this period he was the controlling power inin thethe country,country, andand diddid moremore thanthan anyoneany one elseelse toto preserve order, peace and good will amongamong the conflictingconflicting andand sometimes sometimes law- law­ less elements ofof thethe population.population. Although, as an officerofficer ofof the Company, his duty and interest requiredrequired thatthat hehe should prefer it to the AmericanAmerican immigrant or missionary, yetyet at the call ofof humanity, hehe always forgot all special interests,interests, and was everever readyready toto helphelp and succor the needy and unfortunateunfortunate of whatever creed or clime.

Had he but turnedturned hishis backback uponupon thethe earlyearly missionarymissionary or settler and left them to shift forfor themselves, the occupation of the countrycountry by AmericansAmericans would would havehave been seriously retarded,retarded, and attended with much greater hardship andand sufferingsuffering than it was.was. As has been truly and eloquently saidsaid ofof him by anotheranother: "He"Ho was a great man upon whomwhom GodGod hadhad stamped a grandeur ofof character whichwhich few men possess,possess, and a nobility which the patent ofof nono earthlyearthly sovereign sovereign cancan .... confer. His standard of commercialcommercial integrity would compare withwith thatthat of thethe best of men.men. As a Chritian,Chri-tian, he he was was a a devout devout RomanRoman Catholic, Catholic, yet yet neverthe- neverthe­ less Catholic in the largest sense ofof thatthat word."

For at least aa quarterquarter ofof a a centurycentury McLoughlinMcLoughlin waswas a grandgrand andand potentpotent figurefigure in the affairs ofof thethe PacificPacific slope.slope. Compared with his surroundings and measmeas ured by his opportunities, inin majesty ofof appearance andand nobility ofof soul,soul, he waswas- .."As As someBorne talltall cliff thatthat lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,storm, Though round Iits tB breast the rollingrolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head." \ But he has longlong sincesince gonegone toto his rest.rest. Peace to hishis ashes!ashes! Yet the goodgood deeds done in the body are a lasting monumentmonument to his memory, andand shallshall in due time causecause hishis name toto bebe written inin letters ofof goldgold inin OregonOregon history. As I pass along where he fell out ofof the ranksranks ofof life,life, II reverentlyreverently turn turn asideaside andand dropdrop this stonestone upon upon his his neglected neglected CAIRN, CAIRN, and and hope hope every every OREGON OREGON PIONEER PIONEER will say, Amen. ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOP 1-ION.HON. MATTHKWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. I919

Page upon page hashas beenbeen writtenwritten toto proveprove thatthat Oregon Oregon belongedbdonged toto the United States by right 9ff discovery, andand byby virtue ofof the French cessioncession ofof thethe territory of Louisiana of April 30, 1803,1803. andand the treaty of limits with Spain, of FebruaryFebrnary 22, 1829,1829, by whichwhich the the latterlatter relinquished her rights to the countrycountry north and east of a line therein described and agreed upon.

But these indefinite grounds ofof title, althoughalthough as good as any set up against them,them, were the mere makeweightsmakeweight, of diplomaticdiplomatic controversycontroversy andantI finesse,finesse, and had but little, ifif any any effect,effect, upon the final result. The accidental discovery, in 1792, of the mouthmonth of the Oregon by a private adventureradventurer inin thethe shipship Coltgm6ia, Columbia, who never attempted to make anyany use ofof the factfact or exploration of the country, was a veryvery insignificantinsignificant and insufficient circumstance upon which,which, afterafter aa lapselapse of fifty years, to base a claim to a country crossed byby sevenseven degreesdegrees ofof latitude and nearly as many as many more ofof longitude. 'TheThe fact of the entry andand ex-ex. ploration of the river, for the distance of oneone hundredhundred milesmiles fromfrom itsits mouth,mouth, atat aIt latterlatter periodperiod of thethe same same year,year, byby thethe BritishBritish navigator,navigator, Vancouver,Vancouver, is of the same general character. In thethe absenceabsence ofof any other claim to the country, either circumstance might be relied uponupon byby the the Governments Governments of thethe respectiverespective dis-dis. coverers, as giving them some right toto thethe possessionpossession of the territoryterritory draineddrained byby thethe river.river. But upon these facts alone, as 'oetweenDetween GreatGreat BritainBritain and the United States, I think the better rightright was with the former;former; for,for, asas II havehave said,said, GrayGray was only a private citizen engaged in a mere mercantile adventure,adventure, andand mademade no exploration ofof thethe riverriver aboveabove itsits mouth, mouth, while while Vancouver Vancouver waswas aa commis- commis. sioned officerofficer of of thethe BritishBritish Government engagedengaged in exploring the coast, who entered the river and exploredexplored it it asas farfar easteast asas thethe present towntown of Vancouver.Vancouver. But as against a titletitle derivedderived fromfrom the actualactual occupationoccupation of thethe soilsoil byby anyany con-con· siderable number of the people ofof either nation,nation, aa claimclaim based based upon upon suchsuch incon- incon. clusive circumstances, onghtought not to weigh a feather. The only direct result of Gray's discovery, has been the change of·of the the namename of the RiverRiver ofof the the West West from from the the OREGON OREGON toto thethe COLUMBIA, COLUMBIA, in in compliment compliment to his ship. For ffianyl'Ilany reasons thethe changechange isis toto bebe regretted,regretted, butbut I I supposesuppose itit isis now beyondbeyond recall.recall. Yet thethe sonoroussonorons originaloriginal isis embalmedembalmed in the beautifulbeautiful lines of Bryant,Bryant, andand will not be forgottenforgotten while ThanatopsisThanatopsis remainsremains toto edify and delight the world:world: "Take.. Take thethe wingswings Of morningandmorning-and the the Barcan Barcan desert desert pierce,pierce, Or lose thyselfthyself in the continuous woods,woods, Where rolls the OREGON,OREGON, and hear.hears no sound, Save hishis own own dashings-yet-the dashingsyetthe dead dead are are there."there." From the beginning, the right to thethe countrycountry was to depend upon the success-success· fulful occupationoccupation ofof it, The race for possession was between GreatGreat BritainBritain andand 20 ANNUAL ADDRESS OF HON.HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P.P. DEADY. the United States-theStatesthe former former represented represented by by its its Fur Fur Companies Companies with their hier-hier­ archy of educatededucated andand trainedtrained officersofficers andand elerksclerks. and and motley motley following following ofof Canadians, halfhalf breeds andand India.ns-theIndiansthe latter latter by by the the Eastern Eastern trader trader and and Mis-Mis­ sionary and particularlyparticularly the Western woodsmanwoodsman and fanner.farmer. Primarily, the English sought toto occupyoccupy the country for the purposepurpose ofof carrying carrying on the fur trade with the Indians.Indians. It waswas to be keeptkëept fromfrom the the ploughplough andand the sicklesickle andand pre-pre­ served as a breeding ground for fur bearingbearing animals exceptexcept so far as the limited necessities or convenience ofof the Company might otherwiseotherwise require. Many of the"the "gentlemen" gentlemen" of of the the Company Cumpany regardedregarded thethe countrycountry as a mere outpost, ini~ which they werewere engaged in aa temporarytemporary service.service. On the other hand,hand, thethe AmericanAmerican settler settler waswas always always animated-oftenanimated.often it may have been unconsciously-withunconsciouslywith the the heroic heroic thoughtthought thatthat he he was was permanentlypermanently en.en· gaged inin reclaimingreclaiming the the wilderness-buildingwildernessbuilding a homefoundinghome-founding an an American American State and extending the area of liberty.liberty. He had visions,visions, howeverhowever dimlydimly seen,seen, that he was here to do forfor thisthis country whatwhat hishis ancestors hadhad done forfor savage England centuries before-tobeforeto plant plant a acommunity community which which in in due due timetime shouldshould growgrow and ripen into oneone ofof the great sisterhoodsisterhood of Anglo-AmericanAnglo-American States, whereinwherein the language of the Bible, Shakspeare and Milton should be spoken by millions then unborn, andand thethe lawlaw ofof Magna C;hartaçharta and WestminsterWestminster HallHall be be the the bul- bul­ wark of liberty and thethe buttressbuttress ofof order order forfor generationsgenerations toto come.come. Under these circumstances, itit is not to be wondered at, that thisthis BritishBritish armyarmy of occup~tionoccupation failedfailed to.taketotake deepdeep rootroot inin thethe soilsoil andand holdhold thethe countrycountry as against the OREGON PIONEER. PIONEER. But But at at one one time, time, apparently, apparently, the the oddsodds were largely in itsits favor.favor. Only forty-five yearsyears ago,ago, aa casualcasual observer mightmight have concludedconcluded that the arch of thethe American UnionUnion wouldwould nevernever spanspan thisthis continent. So late as that period, the territory did not containcontain an an American American citizen. citizen. Practical1y,Practically, it was under the control and in the occupation of thethe subjectssubjects of Great Britain and theirtheir Indian allies and dependents.dependents. But to-day not a vestige of the once undisputed dominion of th@the greatgreat British corporationcorporation remainsremains ·10to bebe seen,seen, while the Stars and Stripes float free from everyevery battlementbattlement and mast-head from the mounta,insmount;ins toto thethe sea.sea. Before proceeding to speak of the great emigrationsemigrations fromfrom the WestWest to Oregon,Oregon, between the years 18401840 and 5846,1846, which by their numbersnumbers andand charactercharacter finallyfinally \ determined thethe questionquestion ofof occupancy, let usus glanceglance atat the the progress progress ofof discovery discovery and settlement up to that period.period_ Between 1804 andand 1806,i8o6, the expedition of of Lewis and Clarke traversedtraversed the continentContinent fromfrom thethe mouthmouth ofof thethe Missouri toto thatthat of the Columbia, andarid returnedreturned to thethe placeplace ofof starting.starting. It winteredwintered in the countrycountry on the southsouth side ofof thethe river, near itsits mouth.mouth_ This expedition was authorized and supportedsupported by the National Government, and is more properly entitled to the credit of discovering ANNUAL ADDRttSSADDRSS OF ION.HON. MATTHEWMA'l'THEW P.P. DEADY.DEADY. 21i the river than either Gray or Vancorver.Vancofl'ver. Altogether, it did muchmuch to attract the attentionettention of thethe peoplepeople of thethe UnitedUnited States States to to the the country, country, andand impressimpress themthem with thethe feasibilityfeasibility ofof manking manking thethe journeyjourney toto thethe PacificPacific shoreshore byby land.land.

The entrance ofof the TonquivTonquin into the Columbia in,in, 181iSs I,i, and the establish-establish­ ment of aa tradingtrading postpost atat thethe mouthmouth ofof thethe river river by by Astor's Astor's Fur Fur Company, Company, to-to­ gether with the overland journeys ofdl Hunt, Stuart, Franchere, andand others of the Pacific andand Ncrthwest companies, prior to the the year t8s51815, also also served served to to famil- famil­ iarize the inhabitants of of thethe United States with the general charactercharacter of thethe tountrycountry and its proximity and relation to the acknowledged American territory. The warwar with Great Britain having caused the failure ofof Astor'sA~tor's project to occupy the countrycountry with aa psuedopsuedo American furfur company,company, thethe propertyproperty andand tradetrade ofof thethe Pacific Fur CompanyCompajiy fellfell intointo thethe handshands ofof the Northwest Company~-aCompany--a British-British­ Canadian organization.-someorganization-some of whosewhose members constituted the principalprincipal per-per­ soussons in Astor'sAstor's company.company. Thereupon Astoria becamebecame FortFort George, andand the Northwest Company was the dominant power in the country until 1823,1823, when it wasWas mergedmerged intointo the Hudson Bay Company; thenceforththenceforth thethe latterlatter ruled in Oregon, untilnntil itit was was superceded superceded by by the the government government of ofthe the PIONEERS. PIONEERS. With\Vith the advent ofof thethe HudsonHudson BayBay Company,Company, thethe seatseat ofof empire empire waswas removedremoved fromfrom Fort George to Val)couver,Vaitcouver, whichwhich latter latter placeplace became the westernwestern emporium of this great coIonilcolonial corporation corporation. There for full twenty years, its Chief Factor, Mc-Mc­ Loughlin, held baronialbaronial sway5sway, governing thethe countrycountry withwith aa strongstrong handhand but a just judgment,judgment, andand dispensingdispensing a primitive but generous hospitality toto thethe wearyweary traveller or chance touristtourist of whatever racerace or land. The screamscream of the Ameri-Ameri­ can eagle was unheard inin the country whilewhile the British lionlion roamedroamed without a rival fromfrom Fort Hall toto FortFort George George andand from from ColvilleColville toto Umpqua.Umpqua. And nownow diplomacydiplomacy entered the arena andarid concededconceded that,that, notwithstanding notwithstanding the partial discoveries of of Hece.ta,Heceta, Mears, Gray, VancclUver,Vanc'uver, Lewis and Clarke,Clarke, thethe countrycountry waswas openopen toto be~e occupiedoccupied by thethe peoplepeople ofof either either nation.nation.

On October 20, 1818,j8sS, it was agreed by thetire thirdthird articlearticle ofof the treaty of Lon-Lon­ don, ""that that any any countrycountry that may be claimed by either"either" GreatGreat BritainBritain oror thethe United States "on the the Northwest Northwest coastcoast ofof America, America, westwardwestward of thethe StonyStony mountains * "* * should be free and open for the term of ten years to the vessels, citizens citizens and and subjects subjects of of the the two two powers." powers." By this actact thethe two high cOl1tractingcontracting parties virtually admitted to the world,world, thatthat neitherneither ofof themthem had any perfect oror ack,nowledgedacknowledged right to anyany countrycountry westward ofof the Stony mountains, or that atat most,most, theythey had had but but a acla&n claim of of right right to to some some undefinedundefined part of thatthat comparatively comparatively unknownunknown region.region. This convention,convention, apparently actingacting upon the admission that neither party had anyany definitedefinite right toto thethe country,country, andand thatthat likelike asiyany other unsettled and snownedunowned portion of thethe globe,globe, itit waswas openopen toto 22 AN1UAL AJDTSS OF IfON. MATThEW P. DgAD. AICNUAL ADDRPSS OP HON. MATTHEW P. DhAflV. 27 occupation by the first corner, expressly recognized the right of the people of coded his early aspiration to found " a virtuous and civilized" community in both nations to occupy it5 for the tiftie being5 at pleasure. Oregon.Yet even this transient visit of his was not without notable results in favor of American occupation.Somewhere in lower California Kelisy fell in Thus was sanctioned that occupationofthe country by Great Britain, which with Ewing Young, formerly of Missouri, whom he induced, with some others, was practically comntenced home yhars before, with the transfer of the property to come to the country with him. Young soon settled in the Wallamet valley and business of the Pacific Fur Company to the Northwest.This fosehenient as a farmet and stock-raiser.He and a few others, of whom he seems to have condition of things Was cohtiftued indefinitely by the treaty of London, of Au- been somewhat a leader, early aspired to an independent existence as free Amer- gust i6, 1827, with liberty to eitheh party "to annul and abrogate" it at an)1 ican settlersnot recognizing any superiority of right or position in either the time after October o, xSz8, by givihg notice of such purpose. Company or the Mission.Tn January, 1837, Young, in company with Edwards, And now commenced a movement that, if it had been successful, would have a layman of the Mission, nd a few others, went to Califofnia by sea, to purchase hastened the occupation of the country and the acknowledgment of the Amerb cattle for themselves and others in the Wallamet settlement.The party returned can title to it by at least ten years.As early as the year 1817, Hall T. Kelley, by land in the spring of the same year with 600 Spanish cattle.This was a of Boston, began to advocate the inimediate occupation of the Oregon territory 4 very important event in the history of the colony--almost as much so as the by American settlers.He became an enthusiast upon the subject, and spent rape of the Sahine women in the founding of Rome. For without the cheap his time and some fortune in promoting a scheme for emigration to the couotry labor of the patient ox and the simple foc d of the faithful cow, the plough must As early as shaq he procured the incorporation, by the commonwealth of Mas have rusted in the furrow and the young pioneers gone hungry to bed.There- sachusetts, of "The American Society for the settlement of the Oregon ter- after the cattle monopoly of the Company was at an end, and the settlers soon ritory." had a sufficient supply of "long horns" for food and labor. From a memorial presented by the society to Congress, in e83i, it appeare I suppose that the ''blue blood" of these Castilian cattle has long since be' that it was "engeged in the work of opening to a civilized and virtuouspopula- come so diluted with that of the ignoble herds driven hither from the West in boo that part of Western America called Oregon." The memorialists state that after times, that to-day it is scarcely perceptable in the ordinary bovines of the "They are convinced that if the country should be settled under the auspices of' country,Indeed, the improved short-horns and other wonderful adipose pro- the United States of America, from such of her worthy sons who have drunk the ducts of modern cow-culture, are rapidly taking the place of all others.But spirit of those civil and religious institutions which constitute the living fountain the time was, when the broad, unbroken prairies of the Wallamet were dotted and the very perennial sourceofher national prosperity, great benefits must re- over with droves of the fleet-footed descendants of these shed-cattle of Oregon. sult to mankind.They believe that there the skillful and persevering hand of industry might be employed with unparalleled advantage; that there science and Many of you remember their striking appearancea half wild look and mo- the arts, the invaluable privilegeofa free and liberal government, and the re tion; a light5 IcIng, round body; Clean, bony limbs, and a handsome head crowned finement and ordinances of Christianity, diffusing each its blessing, would hai- with a pair of long, tapering, curved horns.When tame or at rest, they were moniously unite in meliorating the moral condition of the Indisths, in promoting as mild-looking as gazelles5 but a herd of them alarmed ol' enraged was as the comfort and happiness of the settlers, and in augmenting the wealth and "terrible as an army with banners." power of the Republic." In February, 1841, Young died comparatively wealthy in cattle and horses, After stating "that the country in question is the most valuable of all the un- without any known heirs.The necessity of providing for some dispositionof occupied portionsfthe earth," and designed by Providence "to be the resi- his property forced upon the settlers the question of organization, which was denceofa people whose singular advantages will gii'e them unexampled power the beginning of the agitation that resulted in the establishment of a Provisional and prosperity," the memorial adds "That these things ' * government.The result was, that the estate was appropriated to the building have settled in the policy of the Britilh nation the determined purpose of possHs of a jail at Oregon City--prohably the first "prison house" west of the Rocky ing and enjoying the country as their own, and have induced their Parliament to mountains.More than twehty years afterwards theStateof Oregon refunded confer on the Hudson Bay Company chartered privileges foi occupying with the value of the property taken, to his son, Joaquin Young, of New Mexico. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF 1-1014. MATT1fW P. UIIADY. ANNUAL ADDRESS O' HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY. territory; and from all thatwe have learned we should prefer migrating to Botany their settlements the fertile banks of the Columbia. * * bay.With the exception of the lands of the Wallamet, and strips along a few Already have they flourishing towns, strong fortifications and cultivated farms. of the smaller water courses, the whole country is among the most irreclaimable) * * " Their largest town is Vancouver, which is situated on a barren wastes of which we have read, except the desert of Sahara " beautiful plain, in the region of tide water, on the northern bank of the Colum- But flow) after the lapse of years, we can readily see how these simple men bia. " " Everything, either in the organization of the govern- Were really the unconscious instruments in the hands Of HIM who "hath made ment, or in the busy and various operations of the settlements of this place, at the round world" and ruleth the destiny of all nations that dwell thereon.Un. Wallawalla, at Fort Colville and at De Fuca, indicate the intention of the Eng- der His divine guidance, they "builded better than they knew." lish to colonize the country.Now, therefore, your memorialiats, in behalf of a large number of the citizens of the United States, would respectfully ask Con- Although their mission to the Indians was substantially a failure, they were gress to aid them in carrying into operation the great purposes of their institu- of great benefit to the country. They wisely settled in the heart of the great tionto grant them troops, artillery, military arms and munitions of war for th Wallamet valley, and formed there a nucleus and rallying point for the future security of the contemplated settlementto incorporate their society with power American settlement, and thereby attracted the after coming immigration to to extinguish the Indian title to such tracts and extent of territory, at the mouth this Goshen of the Pacific.From the first, the lay element and secular spirit f the Columbia and the junction of the Multnomah with the Columbia, as may was sufficiently strong among them, to cause themto take root in the country be adequate to the laulable objects and pursuits of the settlers; and with such and gradually become a permanent colony, rather than remain mere sojourners other powers, rights and immunities as may be at least, equal and concurrent to among the Indians.Before long they hcgan to build and plant as men who those given by Parliament to the Hudson Bay Company; and such as are not re- regarded the country as their future home.Comparatively, they prospered in pugnant to the stipulations of the Convention, made between Great Britain and this world's goods; and when the immigration came flowing into the country the United States, wherein it was agreed that any country on the Northwest from the west, they found at the " Wallamet Mission," practically an American coast of America, to the westward of the Rocky mountains should be free and settlement, whose influence and example were favorable to order, industry, so- open to the citizens and subjects of the two powers, for a term of years; and to briety and economy, and contributed materially to the formation of a moral, grant them such other rights and privileges as may contribute to the means of industrious and law abiding community out of these successive waves of unstrat- establishing a respectable and prosperous comnounity." ified population. True, their Indian school had no permanent effect upon the aboriginies of the Mr. Kelley was the general agent of the Society.In 1831 he published a vicivage. pamphlet, entitled "A general circular to all peasons of good character, who "His soul their science never taught to stray. wish to emigrate to the Orggon Territory," which set forth the general objects Far as the solar walk or milky way." of the Society.The opening paragraph discloses the fact that the subsequent But it was of great advantage as a seat of learning, however primitive, and a cry of "Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight" had not then been invented nor the claim means of education, to the white youth of the country."As the shadow of a upon which it was based known or understood.It commences" Oregon Set- great rock in a weary land," it attracted to its vicinity, those who were desirous tlement.To be commenced in the spring of 1832 on the delightful and fertile of protecting themselves as far as possible, from the withering atmosphere of an banks of the Columbia river.It has been for many years in serious contempla- ignorant and uncultivated community.Around it, and largely on account of tion to settle with a free and enlightened but redundant population from the it, grew up the town of Salemnow the wide-spreading capital of the State, American Republic that portion of her territory, called Oregon, bounding on Long since, it discarded the rustic and uncertain appellation of" Institute," and the Pacific ocean and lying between the forty-second and foriy-ninth paral- now glories in the honor of being a well-endowed and prosperous university) 1ls of N. latitude." which many of the foremost young men of this generation are proud to hail as As appears, the banks of the Columbia were then supposed to be the valuable their Alma Mater. portion of the country, while the great WalIamet valley where "the clouds drop fatness" and seed-time and harvest never fail, was scarcely knownormentioned. In 1834, Hall J. Kelley reached the country, via Mexico and C5lifornia.ttn account of ill-health he returned to the east in the following spring, and thus The names of 37 agents of the Society are given isa the pamphlet, from any of 24 AJI<:fiWALAUAL A1RESS ADDRESS OF OF 1ON. HON'. MAftHEWMAl''THEW P.P. tEADV.:DEADY'. whom, personspersons desirous of of becoming emigrantsemigrants toto Oregon;Oregon under its auspiceauspices might obtain thethe properproper certificatecertificate for that purpose.purpose. The agentsagents were scattered over the Union.Union. Only two of them--Nathanielthem-~Nathaniel Wyeth,Wyeth, ofof Cambridge,Cambridge, Mass.5Mass.t and Mr. Kelley himselfeverhimself-ever visited visited the the scene scene of of the the proposed proposed colony. colony. The expeditionexpedition wasws toto startstart froM from St.St. LouisLouis illfl March, 1832, with aa goodgood sup-sup­ ply ofof waggofiswaggons andand stock.stock. Each emigrantemigrant was toto receiTereceie aa towntown andand farmfarm lot at thethe junctionjunction ofof thethe ColumbiaColumbia andand Mu1tnomalMultnomah rivers,ri~ers, and at thethe mouth ofof thethe former, wherewhere seaportsseaports and and river river towns towns were were already already laid laid off-on offon paper.

But this scheme borebore rio110 immediate fruit. Congress was busybusy withwith somesome p0-po­ litical abstraction andand could not spare thethe timetime oror stoop toto givegive attention to a plan for founding an empire on the Columbia;Columbia; andand soso the the American American occispattion occnpation of the disputed territory was delayed for at least another decade. Nevertheless, the agitation ofof thethe projectproject broughtb,rought thethe countrycountry favorablyfaYorably before the public, andand here and there setset certain specialspecial forcesforces andand interestsinterests inin motion,motion, which in due time materially aided thethe consummation,consummation, HallHall J. KelleyKelley soso devoatlydevoutly wished,wished, and so long labored for.for. To him, more than anyany otherother oneone persdn,person, inin my my judgment,judgment, maymay bebe justly at-at­ tributed thethe subsequentsubsequent occupationoccupation of the countrycountry by emigrants from the United States-andStatesand Oregon Oregon should should in in some some way way worthyworthy of thethe subjectsubject andand herselfherself yet yet acknowledge and commemorate that fact. In thethe yearyear 5832,1832, Nathaniel Wyeth, crossedcrossed tbethe plains to Oregon, and returfl-return­ ing by the samesame routeroute toto BostonBoston inin 1833,1833, camecame back in 18341834 aridand establishedestablished himself as an independent tradertrader inin thetile country;country; having sentsent hishis goodsgoods aroundaround the Horn thethe same yearyear inin the the May Dacre. HI-Th established established his his headquarters headquarters on WappatooWappatoo island, island, near near the the mouth mouth of of the the Wallamet. Wallamet. A continuation of of ill­ill- luck,lnck, includingincluding a dearthdearth ofof salmonsalmClll inin thethe Columbia Columbia riverriYer forfor twotwo successi'sesuccessive years, induced him, after anan experiment ofof three years,years; to abandonabandon thethe enterSenter­ prise.price. He disposed of his property to the HadsonHudson BayBay Company, who placed a , Frenchman by the name of Sauve onon thethe island,island, as a dairyman. In afterafter years5years, when the western emigrants foundfound theirtheir wayway toto thisthis country,country, theythey calJedcalled it from

this fact, Sauve'sSauve's island-and islandand thus thus thethe original original namename, by by which which itit was was knowflknowit I, and settled byby Wyeth, was lost.

Yet this attempt of Wyeth's, whichwhich itself was largely aIt consequencecClllsequence ofof KelKel. ley's scheme,scheme, waswas notnot withoutwithout resultsresults condtictiveconductive toto American American occupatiOn.'occupation: Divers persons employed in the enterprise remaihedremailled in the e41ntrycdtlntryand and werewere ththe beginning of the independent American settlerssettlers illin the country. Among them, them, were were the the wellwell known namesnames of of O'Neil,O'Neil, HubbaldHubbafd and Smith.Smith. AlUALA~~UAL A1DRSS ADDRESS OF OF HON HO~. MATTIliW MATTHE:W P. P. DIfADY. D"ltADY. 252

Afterwards, these menmen exerted aa positivepositive influenceinfluence inin favorfavor of American intetests iind.tid thethe formation ofof thethe ProvisionalProvisional government.government. The last named--the lion.Hon. SolomonSolothon Smith-is Smithis still still living liying and ·and at at present present a a member member of of thethe SenateSenate from Clat·Clat. sop county.county. HeHe came came here here from from NewNew HampshireHampshire inin 1834,1834, and hashas beettbeen aa use-use­ fillfttl and exemplaryexemt>lary citizencitizen ofof thethe countrycountry ever sihee.since. I believebelieve he is the oldestoldest Pioneer now living.liying.

Besides these,these, therethere came came with with Wyeth, Wyeth, Nuttall Nuttall thethe naturalist, and Townsend the ornithologist,ornithologist, whosewhose accountsaccounts ofof theirtheir explorationsexplorations andand observationsobservations did muchmuch to attract thethe attentionattention ofof the the scientificscientific andand curiouscurious toto thethe country.country.

To this expedition we alsoals~ owe in great partpart thethe presencepresence ofof thethe first first Metho-Metho­ dist missionariesmissioneries in in the the country~the countrythe Lees,Lees, ShepardShepard andand Edwards,Edwards, whowho crossedcrossed the plains with WyethWyeth inin 1834;1834; theirtheir goods. goods. beingbeing shippedshipped byby himhim withwith his his ttwn own in thethe MayMay Dacre.Dacre. This waswas thethe beginningbeginning ofof thethe Methodist Methodist missionmission inin Oregon. The other members ofof the missionamongmission--among who who were were Willson, Willson, Beers, Beers, Leslie,Leslie. Waller, Hines, Judson, Parrish. Parrisl, Abernethy, CampbellCampbell and and Babcock~cameBabcock.came toto the country between between this this year year and and 184o--many 184omany of themthem in thethe latterlatter year.year. They were mostly from thethe EasternEastern States. Their professedprofessed objectohject inin comingcoming to the country waswas a a religious religious one-tooneto convert convert thethe Indian Indian to to the the Christian Christian reli- reli­ gion~-rathergion--rather thanthan to to occupy occupy thethe country country and and establish establish therein therein an an American American corn- com­ mlmityniunity andand State. They came simply asas missionaries to to thethe Indians,Indians, and as such were made welcome byby thethe Company.Company. Incidentally, of course,course, theythey ex-ex­ pected toto occupyoccupy mission stations, and engage ittil1 such secular laborlabor asas mightmight be necessary and convenient forfor thethe maintenancemaintenance ofof their workwork among the Indi-Indi~ ans. When they landed in the countrycountry they did notnot burnburn theirtheir ships.ships.

It was expected that theirtheir basebase ofof operations would bebe inin thethe east;east; andand after a few yearsyears spentspent inin ministeringministering toto thethe heathen,heathen, thethe missionary himself himself might re­re- turn toto his friends andand home inin thethe landland fromfrom whencewhence hehe came.came. Their BoardBoard of MissionsMissions hadhad yeryvery littlelittle ideaidea ofof the character and yaluevalue ofof the country or ofof the important and farfar reachingreMhing resultsresults which were toto issueissue from their futilefutile mis-mis­ sion to the IndiansIndians of Oregon.Oregon. So late,late, even, asas 1844,1844. their organsorgan! the NewNew York Christian Advocate, publishedpublished anan articlearticle on Oregon whichwhich was was quoted inin Congress during the debate on the resolutionresolution to terminate thethe treatytreaty ofof joint joint oc- oc. I:upation,cupation, to showshow that thethe countrycountry was hottlot worth quarreling about. The articlearticle contained thethe followingfollowing paragraph: paragraph: "We"We have have some some opportunityopportunity fromfrom ourour position, to found aa correctcorrect estimateestimate ofof thethe soil, climate, productions and facm.facili- ties of thethe countrycountry fromfrom thethe RockyRocky Mountains Mountains toto thethe PacificPacific ocean,ocean, asas wewe havehave had a largelarge missionmission there for several years,years, distributed in small parties over the ANNUAL ADDRESS OF 1-1014. MATT1fW P. UIIADY. ANNUAL ADDRESS O' HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY. territory; and from all thatwe have learned we should prefer migrating to Botany their settlements the fertile banks of the Columbia. * * bay.With the exception of the lands of the Wallamet, and strips along a few Already have they flourishing towns, strong fortifications and cultivated farms. of the smaller water courses, the whole country is among the most irreclaimable) * * " Their largest town is Vancouver, which is situated on a barren wastes of which we have read, except the desert of Sahara " beautiful plain, in the region of tide water, on the northern bank of the Colum- But flow) after the lapse of years, we can readily see how these simple men bia. " " Everything, either in the organization of the govern- Were really the unconscious instruments in the hands Of HIM who "hath made ment, or in the busy and various operations of the settlements of this place, at the round world" and ruleth the destiny of all nations that dwell thereon.Un. Wallawalla, at Fort Colville and at De Fuca, indicate the intention of the Eng- der His divine guidance, they "builded better than they knew." lish to colonize the country.Now, therefore, your memorialiats, in behalf of a large number of the citizens of the United States, would respectfully ask Con- Although their mission to the Indians was substantially a failure, they were gress to aid them in carrying into operation the great purposes of their institu- of great benefit to the country. They wisely settled in the heart of the great tionto grant them troops, artillery, military arms and munitions of war for th Wallamet valley, and formed there a nucleus and rallying point for the future security of the contemplated settlementto incorporate their society with power American settlement, and thereby attracted the after coming immigration to to extinguish the Indian title to such tracts and extent of territory, at the mouth this Goshen of the Pacific.From the first, the lay element and secular spirit f the Columbia and the junction of the Multnomah with the Columbia, as may was sufficiently strong among them, to cause themto take root in the country be adequate to the laulable objects and pursuits of the settlers; and with such and gradually become a permanent colony, rather than remain mere sojourners other powers, rights and immunities as may be at least, equal and concurrent to among the Indians.Before long they hcgan to build and plant as men who those given by Parliament to the Hudson Bay Company; and such as are not re- regarded the country as their future home.Comparatively, they prospered in pugnant to the stipulations of the Convention, made between Great Britain and this world's goods; and when the immigration came flowing into the country the United States, wherein it was agreed that any country on the Northwest from the west, they found at the " Wallamet Mission," practically an American coast of America, to the westward of the Rocky mountains should be free and settlement, whose influence and example were favorable to order, industry, so- open to the citizens and subjects of the two powers, for a term of years; and to briety and economy, and contributed materially to the formation of a moral, grant them such other rights and privileges as may contribute to the means of industrious and law abiding community out of these successive waves of unstrat- establishing a respectable and prosperous comnounity." ified population. True, their Indian school had no permanent effect upon the aboriginies of the Mr. Kelley was the general agent of the Society.In 1831 he published a vicivage. pamphlet, entitled "A general circular to all peasons of good character, who "His soul their science never taught to stray. wish to emigrate to the Orggon Territory," which set forth the general objects Far as the solar walk or milky way." of the Society.The opening paragraph discloses the fact that the subsequent But it was of great advantage as a seat of learning, however primitive, and a cry of "Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight" had not then been invented nor the claim means of education, to the white youth of the country."As the shadow of a upon which it was based known or understood.It commences" Oregon Set- great rock in a weary land," it attracted to its vicinity, those who were desirous tlement.To be commenced in the spring of 1832 on the delightful and fertile of protecting themselves as far as possible, from the withering atmosphere of an banks of the Columbia river.It has been for many years in serious contempla- ignorant and uncultivated community.Around it, and largely on account of tion to settle with a free and enlightened but redundant population from the it, grew up the town of Salemnow the wide-spreading capital of the State, American Republic that portion of her territory, called Oregon, bounding on Long since, it discarded the rustic and uncertain appellation of" Institute," and the Pacific ocean and lying between the forty-second and foriy-ninth paral- now glories in the honor of being a well-endowed and prosperous university) 1ls of N. latitude." which many of the foremost young men of this generation are proud to hail as As appears, the banks of the Columbia were then supposed to be the valuable their Alma Mater. portion of the country, while the great WalIamet valley where "the clouds drop fatness" and seed-time and harvest never fail, was scarcely knownormentioned. In 1834, Hall J. Kelley reached the country, via Mexico and C5lifornia.ttn account of ill-health he returned to the east in the following spring, and thus The names of 37 agents of the Society are given isa the pamphlet, from any of 22 AN1UAL AJDTSS OF IfON. MATThEW P. DgAD. AICNUAL ADDRPSS OP HON. MATTHEW P. DhAflV. 27 occupation by the first corner, expressly recognized the right of the people of coded his early aspiration to found " a virtuous and civilized" community in both nations to occupy it5 for the tiftie being5 at pleasure. Oregon.Yet even this transient visit of his was not without notable results in favor of American occupation.Somewhere in lower California Kelisy fell in Thus was sanctioned that occupationofthe country by Great Britain, which with Ewing Young, formerly of Missouri, whom he induced, with some others, was practically comntenced home yhars before, with the transfer of the property to come to the country with him. Young soon settled in the Wallamet valley and business of the Pacific Fur Company to the Northwest.This fosehenient as a farmet and stock-raiser.He and a few others, of whom he seems to have condition of things Was cohtiftued indefinitely by the treaty of London, of Au- been somewhat a leader, early aspired to an independent existence as free Amer- gust i6, 1827, with liberty to eitheh party "to annul and abrogate" it at an)1 ican settlersnot recognizing any superiority of right or position in either the time after October o, xSz8, by givihg notice of such purpose. Company or the Mission.Tn January, 1837, Young, in company with Edwards, And now commenced a movement that, if it had been successful, would have a layman of the Mission, nd a few others, went to Califofnia by sea, to purchase hastened the occupation of the country and the acknowledgment of the Amerb cattle for themselves and others in the Wallamet settlement.The party returned can title to it by at least ten years.As early as the year 1817, Hall T. Kelley, by land in the spring of the same year with 600 Spanish cattle.This was a of Boston, began to advocate the inimediate occupation of the Oregon territory 4 very important event in the history of the colony--almost as much so as the by American settlers.He became an enthusiast upon the subject, and spent rape of the Sahine women in the founding of Rome. For without the cheap his time and some fortune in promoting a scheme for emigration to the couotry labor of the patient ox and the simple foc d of the faithful cow, the plough must As early as shaq he procured the incorporation, by the commonwealth of Mas have rusted in the furrow and the young pioneers gone hungry to bed.There- sachusetts, of "The American Society for the settlement of the Oregon ter- after the cattle monopoly of the Company was at an end, and the settlers soon ritory." had a sufficient supply of "long horns" for food and labor. From a memorial presented by the society to Congress, in e83i, it appeare I suppose that the ''blue blood" of these Castilian cattle has long since be' that it was "engeged in the work of opening to a civilized and virtuouspopula- come so diluted with that of the ignoble herds driven hither from the West in boo that part of Western America called Oregon." The memorialists state that after times, that to-day it is scarcely perceptable in the ordinary bovines of the "They are convinced that if the country should be settled under the auspices of' country,Indeed, the improved short-horns and other wonderful adipose pro- the United States of America, from such of her worthy sons who have drunk the ducts of modern cow-culture, are rapidly taking the place of all others.But spirit of those civil and religious institutions which constitute the living fountain the time was, when the broad, unbroken prairies of the Wallamet were dotted and the very perennial sourceofher national prosperity, great benefits must re- over with droves of the fleet-footed descendants of these shed-cattle of Oregon. sult to mankind.They believe that there the skillful and persevering hand of industry might be employed with unparalleled advantage; that there science and Many of you remember their striking appearancea half wild look and mo- the arts, the invaluable privilegeofa free and liberal government, and the re tion; a light5 IcIng, round body; Clean, bony limbs, and a handsome head crowned finement and ordinances of Christianity, diffusing each its blessing, would hai- with a pair of long, tapering, curved horns.When tame or at rest, they were moniously unite in meliorating the moral condition of the Indisths, in promoting as mild-looking as gazelles5 but a herd of them alarmed ol' enraged was as the comfort and happiness of the settlers, and in augmenting the wealth and "terrible as an army with banners." power of the Republic." In February, 1841, Young died comparatively wealthy in cattle and horses, After stating "that the country in question is the most valuable of all the un- without any known heirs.The necessity of providing for some dispositionof occupied portionsfthe earth," and designed by Providence "to be the resi- his property forced upon the settlers the question of organization, which was denceofa people whose singular advantages will gii'e them unexampled power the beginning of the agitation that resulted in the establishment of a Provisional and prosperity," the memorial adds "That these things ' * government.The result was, that the estate was appropriated to the building have settled in the policy of the Britilh nation the determined purpose of possHs of a jail at Oregon City--prohably the first "prison house" west of the Rocky ing and enjoying the country as their own, and have induced their Parliament to mountains.More than twehty years afterwards theStateof Oregon refunded confer on the Hudson Bay Company chartered privileges foi occupying with the value of the property taken, to his son, Joaquin Young, of New Mexico. 28 ANNUAL ADDRESSAtDttESS OF'OP liONlIoN. MATTlI1l:WMATTflEW P. DA1YV.DltADY.

In 18371837 thethe formationformation ofof thethe PugetPuget Sound Sound Agricultural Agricultural Company Co~pany was was Com- totn· mencedtnenced by some of the principal persons of the HudsonHudson BayBay Company,Company, for the purpose ofof bringing intointo the countrycountry a ~itishBritish agriculturalllgricultural population,popullltion, toto aidllid by theirtheir presencepresence andand numbersnumbers inin thethe approachingllpprollching contestcontest forfor thethe occupationoccuplltion of the soil. Before 1840 thethe companycompany waswas completely completely organized, organized, llbd atid in in 1841i84s IIa party of settlers wasWllS brought from Red river,river, Repert'sRl'lpert's Land,Lllnd, andand settledsettled atlit Cowlitz and Nisqually, on thethe northnorth side ofof thethe Columbia. In 1843,1843, Dr TolmieTolmie was placedpillced inin chargecharge atat Nisqually,Nisqulllly, tilethe principalprincipal pointpoint ofof operations.opemtions. But the settlement never throvethrove andand the scheme failed signally. In manymany respectsrespects thethe location waswas notnot aa favorable oneone forfor agricultural agricultural pursuits:pursuits: andand somesome of of the settlers, who were attractedattmcted toto thethe Wallamet Wallamet valleyvalley onon accountaccount ofof itsits superiorsuperior advantages, left thethe companycompany and eventuallyeventually castcast theirtheir weightweight onon thethe AmericanAmerican side of thethe question.question.

The missionaries "entsent across the RockyRocky mountains by thethe American Boail,Boal'tl, remained among the Indians east of thethe Cascade Cascade mountains, mountains, andand never never becamebecame and werewete not considered aa partpart of the American settlemeutsettlement inin Oregon.Oregon. But in exploring the pathway to their mission grounds,grounds, they diddid muchmuch towardstowards finding and marking the rotiterortte for the future immigration toto the country andand facilitating their journey to it.it.

In 1836,1836, Whitman, Spaulding lindand Gray, with thethe wives of the first two, were sent by thisthis BoardBoard asas missionariesmissionaries to the Nez Perce Indians.Indians. They established missions at at Wailaptu,Wailaptu, near near thethe Wallawalla and atlit LapwaiLapwai onon thethe ClearwaterClearwater. In thethe fallfall of 5842,1842, WhitinanWhitman went eastellst andlind returnedreturned toto hishis mission mission inin 1843, 1843. travellingtmvelling a part of thethe wayway withwith thethe greatgreat immigrationimmigration of thatthllt year,year, andlind doingdoing much to encourage them to take their waggonswllggons beyond Fort Hall, thethe pointpoint wherewhere he left them.them. GmyGray went home in 1837 and returned in the following yellryear with Mrs. Gray. There came withwith himhim WalkerWalker andand EellsEells and their wives,wives, as addiaddi· tions to the mission.mission. In 1842,1842, GrayGmy abandoned thethe missionmission andlind camecame downdown into the Wallamt>tWallant valley, vlllley, where where he he soon soon becamebecame aII settlersettler andlind anlin active active sup- sup­ porter ofof AmericanAmerican interestsinterests andand aa determineddetermined promoterpromoter ofof thethe organizationorgllnization of thethe ProvisionalProvisional government.government. HeHe isis stillstill living and within aa fewfew yearsyellrs hashllS publishedpublished an interestinginteresting chroniclechronicle of thosethose early times.times. In thethe springspring of 1839, Walker Walker andand EellsEells and their wives established IIa mission onon thethe Spokan, in the vicinity ofof Fort Colville, where theythey laboredlabored untiluntil 1848,1848, when theythey withwith. drew from the mission andand removed toto thethe WallllmetWallamet valley. In 1849,1849. Mr. and Mrs. Walker settled at Forest Grove, where theythey stillstill live respected by llllall who knowknow, them. Of thethe AmericanAmerican womenwomen now living, Mrs. Gray, Walker andlind Bells,Eells, arelire the first that crosederosed the plains-whileplainswhile the the only only ones ones who who proceeded proceeded ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. 29

them were Mrs. Mrs. Whitman Whitman and and Spalding-both Spaldingboth long since numbered with"with "the the dead who die illin thçtht; Lord." In 1838, thethe Rev. F. N. Blanchett and and ModesteModeste DeDe MeersMeers were sentsent fromfrom Canada across the country toto Vancouver.Vancouver. byby thethe BishopBishop ofof Quebec, Quebec, as as missionaries missionaries toto thethe Canadian FrenchFrench who,who, afterafter leaviiiglea villg thethe service of the HHudson udson Bay Company,Company, had had settled in the Wallamet valleyvalley andand onon thethe Cowlitz. Cowlitz. DeDe MeersMeers was stationed atat the Cowlitz and isis now a Bishop in British Columbia. Blanchett went into thethe Wallamet valley and founded there thethe missionmission of St.St. Paul, Paul, wherewhere aa churchchurch and school have ever since beenbeen maintained.maintained. This settlementsettlement waswas commencedcommenced about 1829,1829, andand when Blanchett arrived there, it containedcontained aboutabout twenty-fivetwenty-five families-FrenchmenfamiliesFrenchmen with with Indian Indian wives--from wives--from which which circumstance circumstance theth" region region came toto bebe call~dcallçd the"the "French French Prairie."Prairie-" AmongAmong them them were were thethe well well known known I names of Luci, Gervais and Laframbeaux.Laframbeaux .. These priests were not settlers in the country, but ministersministers toto the FrenchFrench andand Indians. The ultimateultimate polsessionpo~ession of thethe countrycountry waswas aa mattermatter inin whichwhich theythey ostensibly took no interest. They were, however, subjects of Great Britain and their influence andand teachingteaching amongamong theirtheir peoplepeople were naturally in favorfavor of thethe authority and interest of thethe HudsonHudson BayBay Company.Company. TheyThey discouraged discouraged thethe early attempts atat thethe formationformation ofof a settlerssettlers governmentgovernment in the country,country, butbut sub-sub­ mitted to it whenwhen established. Blanchett is is still still living-a livinga genial, genial, kindkind old gentlemanupongentleman-upon .vhom whom nearnear 40 40 years of missionary journeyingsjourneyings andand laborslabors by by landland and seasea in bothboth hemisphereshemispheres have made but littlelittle outward outward impression. impression. In some 'sensesense hehe has has hadhad his reward. From a simple priest he has become an Archbishop, and as such often visitsvisitsthe the place where hehe firstfirst erectederected the the Standard Standard of of the the Cross Cross in in Oregon-" Oregon" St.St. PaulPaul dudu Wallamette." In 1839,1839, Griffin andand MungerMonger andand their wives came to thethe countrycountry as independ-independ. ent missionaries,missionaries, andand settledsettled onon thethe westwest side side of of thethe Wallamet river, inin the Tualitin plains. Practically they were American settlers and,and. tooktook rootroot in the country at once. In thethe samesame year,year, thethe Americans,Americans, Sydney Smith,Smith, Shortess and Geiger, settled in the country.country. Shortess was for some time a noted man in thethe affairs ofof the colony.colony. S~ithSmith is stillstill living in Yamhill county where he cast his independent lot, long,long, longlong ago.ago. In 1840, Harvey Clarke, an independentindependent Congregational missionary, crosse4crossed the plains to thethe WhitmanWhitman mission,mission, and the followingfollowing year came intointo thethe valley with some associatesassociates and and settledsettled inin TualitinTualitin plains. Among these werewere AlvinAlvin T. SmithSmith and Littlejohn.Littlejohn. Smith is stillstill living in the vicinity,vicinity, aa well toto do farmer and good citizen. This settlement on the Tualitin plainsplains was an important ad. ditlOnclition toto thethe active,active, intelligent ArnerluanAm.eriQ.an sentiment in the country.country. In hishis day,day, 30 ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF HON.HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY.

Mr. Clarke was aa leadingleading spirit in itit and a useful andand exemplaryexemplary man. It has been saidsaid of of him"""':"him" The The country country is is blessedbiessed byby his having lived inin it." The votiveVotive tablettablet or mural monument of pantheon, cathedral oror abbey abbey containscontains nono greater eulogyeulogy of thethe deaddead thanthan this.this. He waswas thethe principalprincipal founderfounder andand propro. moter of the school atat Forest Grove-sinceGrovesince grown grown into into the the Pacific Pacific University,University, and oneone of the oldest andand bestbest seatsseats ofof learning onon thethe coast.coast.

In 58401840 a few mountain men--independentmen--independent AmericanAmerican trapperstrappers fromfrom thethe Rocky mountainsamongmountains-among whom whom werewere NewellNewell andand Meek, Meek, abandoned abandoned theirtheir nomadicnomadic lives and settled inin thethe WallametWallamet valley. ,TheyThey all tooktook part inin thethe subsequentsubsequent organization ofof the ProvisionalProvisional government, and helpedhelped toto AmericanizeAmericanize thethe country. In thethe winterwinter ofof 1847-8,1847-8, duringduring thethe CayuseCayuse war,war, MeekMeek crossedcrossed thethe plains asas aa delegate fromfrom thethe ProvisionalProvisional governmentgovernment toto thethe governmentgovernment atat Wash-Wash. ington, andand waswas afterwardsafterwards thethe firstfirst United States Marshal inin Oregon.Oregon. • InIn thethe samesame year therethere camecame fromfrom the States, as independent settlers,settlers, RobertRobert Moore, AmosAmos Cook,Cook, FrancisFrancis FletcherFletcher and JosephJoseph Holman.Holman. Moore settled at the Wallamet Falls,Falls, onon thethe westwest bank of thethe river,river, andand calledcalled hishis place" place "Robin's Robin's Nest," wherewhere he lived nntiluntil his decease, atat aa good old age,age, inin 1857.1857. Here, inin 1841, WilkesWilkes foundfound himhim claiming toto hold a section of land underunder aa purchasepurchase from anan Indian Indian chief-OldchiefOld Slacomb, Slacomb, I suppose-andsupposeand sneered sneered atat him, him, because,because, , with the true instinct of aa nativenative Pennsylvanian,Pennsylvanian, le4e saw saw ironiron inin thethe vicinityvicinity and expected before long to be engagedengaged inin smeltingsmelting it.it. But time, which triestries all things, has verifiedverified" "Old Old Mr.Mr. Moore's"Moore's" unlearnedunlearned opinion and confutedconfuted thethe Admiral's scientificscientific scepticism.scepticism. McLoughlin claimed the opposite bank of thethe river.river. In thethe coursecourse of thisthis strife for preoccupation, here met these two characteristic representatives ofof thethe Pioneer ofof the Old and the NewNew World, to claim the respectiverespective shores ofof this great water power andand commandingcommanding pointpoint inin thethe futurefuture navigation ofof the river and businessbusiness ofof thethe country.country. For yearsyears theythey lookedlooked outout upon upon one oue anotheranother acrossacross thethe foamingfoaming floodflood as thethe vanguardsvanguards oror leadersleaders ofof the the opposingopposing armiesarmies ofof occupa-occupa. tion.tion. They died withinwithin aa fewfew days days of of each each other,other, and and their bodies lie buried within the soundsouud of the cataract, whichwhich separated them in life.life. CookConk and FletcherFletcher settledsettled onau thethe bankbank ofof the the beautiful beautiful Yamhill, Yamhill, 11ernear thethe Falls, andand soonsoon beCamebecame thethe leading farmersfarmers in the country,country. Mr. CookCooE; is still livingliving within aa shortshort distancedistance of the spot where he first settled. Few men have done more with their own hands to improve the country than he.

Holman settled at the Methodi~tMethodist mission, mission, and and soon soon married mafried a amember member of ofit~ it. Miss Almira Phelps. For a short time he and his wife had charge of the Indian school, after which he waSwas engaged inin farmingfarming and subsequentlysubsequently wentwent intointo bubu, ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF HON.HON. MATTHEW P.P. DEAD'?.DEADY. 3'3 1 siness andand keptkept aa storestore at at Salem.Salem. HeHe isis stillstill livingliving andand enjoyingenjoying inin aa large large degree the reward of a life of industry and integrity. . At the close of this year the population of the country, exclusive ofof the Com-Com. pany and Indians,Indians, waswas aboutabout 200.200. Of these, one-sixth were Canadians. Nine.Nine- tenths of themthem were located toto the west ofof thethe CascadeCascade mountains,mountains, andand almostalmost all ofof themthem inin thethe WallametWallamet. valley. valley. ButBut the the power power and and prestige prestige resultingresulting from wealth, organization andand priority ofof settlement werewere still still onon the sideside of those who represented Great Britain. It was a common opinion amongamong allall classes that inin thethe finalfinal settlementsettlem.ent of of boundaries boundaries betweenbetween thethe two two countries, countries, thethe territoryterritory Ilorthnorth of thethe ColumbiaColumbia mightmight bebe concededconceded to to Great Great Britain;Britain; and the principalprincipal settlements and stations o(of thethe BritishBritish and AmericansAmericans werewere locatedlocated withwith refer-refer­ ence to this possibility.possi bi Ii ty. So s'.oodsood thethe mattermatter thirty-five thirty-five yearsyears afterafter thethe AmericanAmerican explorationexploration ofof the Columbia river by Lewis andand Clarke.Clarke. AA casual casual observer observer might might have have concluded concluded that thethe countrycountry waswas doomeddoomed to remain aa mere trappingtrapping andand tradingtrading groundground forfor the CompanyCompany forfor generationsgenerations toto come.come. But a newnew forceforce was now about toto appear on the scene and settle thethe longlong pro-pro­ tracted controversycontroversy inin favorfavor ofof thethe UnitedUnited States.States. It waswas thethe Oregon Argonauts, moving acrossacross the continent in dusty columns.columns, withwith their wiveswives andand children,children, flocks andand herds,herds, in in searchsearch of of thethe GoldenGolden FleeceFleece thatthat was·was to be foundfound inin thethe groves and prairies of the coveted landslands ofof thethe Wallamet.Wallamet.

The actual occupationoccupation of Oregon for thethe purposepurpose ofof claiming andand holdingholding thethe country asas againstagainst GreatGreat Britain, andand forming thereintherein an American State, did not commencecommence until afterafter 1840.1840. Very naturally the movemeCtmovement began in thethe West, an 1 hadhad its greatest strength inin Missouri,Missouri, Illinois Illinois andand Iowa. The panic of 18371837 and thethe subsequentsubsequent stagnationstagnation of businessbusiness hadhad producedproduced aa feelingfeeling ofof dispondency in the West. Especially, in the States named, was there no market for stock or produce, andand moneymoney had almostalmost ceasedceased toto bebe aa circulatingcirculating medium. medium. Taxes could scarcely be paid,paid, and many persons fearedfeared thatthat the land must ulti. mately be sold to paypay thethe publicpublic debtsdebts andand expenses. expenses. This state of thingsthings helped very much to turnturn the publicpublic attention to Oregon,Oregon, asas a suresnre placeplace of refuge fromfrom panics, panics, bank bank failures,failures, high high taxes,taxes, andand all the otherother ills,ills, realreal or or im- im­ aginary, llnderiwder which thethe extremeextreme WesternWestern States were then groaning, as they never have since.

Notwithstanding thethe apparentapparent advantages advantages on on the the side side ofof those those whowho representedrepresented Great Britain inin thethe race race for for possession,possession, therethere werewere two two facts facts oror circumstances circumstances in in· the casecase which were operatingoperating, withwith everever increasing forceforce in favor ofof American occupation.,occupation4 and and which, which, in in the the end end gave gave the the victory victory to to thethe AmericanMnerican settler.settler, 32 ANNUAL,ANNUAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. MATTHEW P.P. DEADY.DEADY.

These were:were: (x.)(I.) The contiguity ofo. the country to the admitted territory of thethe United States; and, (2.) The strong inclination and well tried capacity ofof the westernWestern American American for for emigration emigration by by land, land, and and hishis longlong experience inin self-gov-self-gov­ ernment. The country south ofof the forty-ninth parallel of northnorth latitudelatitude was was properly properly regarded asas aa meremere prolongatiouprolongation of of thethe acknowledgedacknowledged territory territory of of the United States toto its its natural natural geographical geographical boundary-the boundarythe Pacific ocean-while oceanwhile that that on on thethe north of suchsuch line,line, forfor a like reasonreason moremore properlyproperly belongedbelonged toto Great Britain.Britain. Between conflicting claimants to unoccupiedunoccupied country,country, itsits contiguity contiguity to to the the prin- prin­ cipal possessionspossessions ofof eithereither party is always aa materialmaterial circumstancecircumstance inin thethe contro- contro­ versy. As between independent nations, convenience and and utilityutility being the ulti. mate standard of right,right, thethe factfact ofof greatergreater contiguity contiguity has has much much forceforce in such a controversy andand may itself be sufficient toto givegive thethe better right.

The possession of of CalaisCalais byby thethe English, though won by force ofof arms and sanctioned byby treaties and lapse of time, was always a political wrong. It vio.vio. lated the integrityintegrity and imperiledimperiled the securitysecnrity of thethe FrenchFrench territory,territory, andand was aa constant cause of troubletrouble andand anxiety toto bothboth nations. It was a standing men.men_ ace and continuouscontinuous injury to France. On the other hand, in the case of Ireland, the argumentargument ofof convenienceconvenience and utility,utility, basedbased uponupon itsits contiguity contiguity toto GreatGreat Britain, has always prevailedprevailed andand justified the latter, asas against France or any other continental power in taking thethe GemGem ofof the SeaSea andand wearing wearing itit among among thethe jewels of her crown, The generalgeneral convenienceconvenience and utilityutility being being mostmost promotedpromoted by Oregon's becoming aa partpart ofof the AmericanAmerican union,union, rather thanthan remainingremaining aa mere Hudson Bay possession or aa distantdistant appanage of the British crown, the better right ofof occupation was with the American settler.settler. But he also had the power to enforce thatthat Tight.right. The greatgreat capacitycapacity andand experienceexperience whichwhich thethe WesternWestern trader, farmerfarmer andand woodmanwoodman had acquiredacquired forfor moving acrossacross wild andand uninhab-uninhab­ ited regions, and occupyingoccupying new countries, andapd supporting and governing them-them­ selves while there, without governmentgovernment aid or direction, constituted theirtheir powerpower to take andand occupyoccupy Oregon.Oregon. InIn suchsuch matters, in the long run,run, might makesmakes right. In thethe strugglestruggle for the possessionpossession of of anan unoccupied country, the weakweak andnd iguorantignorant must give place to the strongstrong andand experienced.experienced. Under thethe cir-cir­ <. cumstances, emigration from Great Britain waswas outout ofof the question.question .. The peopleeoj'le of that country knew nothingnothing of of Oregon, andand tooktook but hut little, little, ifif any,any, interestinterest in its settlementsettlement oror acquisition.acquisition. Besides, the CompanyCompany diddid not desiredesire aa generalgeneral immigration toto thethe country,country, even even of of British subjects,subjects, forfor that wouldwould interfereinterfere with thethe specialspecial useuse forfor whichwhich they soughtsought toto occupyoccupy the country,country, quitequite asas muchmuch as an AmericanAmerican one.one. The policy of thethe CompanyCompany was to hold the country as aa private possession, withinwithin which, onlyonly suchsuch persons should be allowed to settle ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. 33

as would submitsubmit to to their their control-become controlbecome inin somesome way their vassalsvassals or tenants. In thethe halfhalf centurycentury following thethe closeclose of of the American revolution, thejwavethewave of popUlationpopulation hadhad moved nine nine hundredhundred miles westward from the Alleghanies,Alleghanies, occupying and improvingimproving thethe countrycountry overover whichwhich itit passed.passed. But the publicpublic in-in­ terest in Oregon was soonsoon to to becomebecome so so thoroughly thoroughly aroused, aroused, that that this this slowslow raterate of extendingextending the WesternWestern frontier was to bebe abandoned, and the wide space be­be- tweentween thethe MissouriMissouri andand thethe Wallamet,Wallamet, then then regardedregarded as as comparatively comparatively worthless, worthless, crossed atat a bound. In 1836r836 and 1837,r837, Irving's AstoriaAstoria andand BonnevilleBonneville werewere givengiven toto thethe world.world. The perusalperusal ofof thesethese sprightlysprightly andand picturesquepicturesque pages was wellwell calculatedcalculated toto fill the minds ofof thethe romanticromantic and adventurousadventurous with an interest in thethe countrycountry and aa desiredesire toto makemake thatthat marvelous marvelous journeyjourney acrossacross the plains. The visit ofof Wilkes inin 1841,r84r, with thethe exploringexploring squadron,squadron, gavegave the impressionimpression that thethe national governmentgovernment waswas intendingintending toto taketake measuresmeasures toto encourageencourage the occupation ofof thethe countrycountry by itsits citizens.citizens. His accountaccount of thethe country,country, whichwhich was largely circulated, confirmed the most favorable reports ofof the fertility of thethe soil and thethe salubritysalubrity ofof thethe climate.climate. Early in thethe yearyear 1842,r842, a specialspecial impetus was given to immigration by the in-in­ troduction inin thethe Senate ofof Dr. Linn'sLinn's bill,bill, offering offering aa liberalliberal donationdonation of land toto settlerssettlers inin Oregon.Oregon. The promise therebythereby impliedimplied waswas afterwards hon-hon­ orably redeemed by Congress, inin thethe passagepassage ofof thethe well-earnedwell-earned DonationDonation act.act. As a result of thisthis proposition proposition and thethe otherother circumstances circumstances toto whichwhich II havehave ad-ad­ verted, about laoroo immigrantsimmigrants crossed thethe plainsplains thisthis year toto Oreg'on-havingOregonhaving left their waggons atat Fort Hall. Thisfhis was the first considerable body of actual settlers thatthat hadhad yetyet comecome to to the the country. country. Among them were the well-knownwell-known names of Lovejoy,Lovejoy, Hastings,Hastings, Crawford,Orawford, Robb,Robb, Matthieu,Matthieu, Coombs,Coombs, Shadden, Moss and and Morrison,Morrison, all all of of whom whom are are still still living living and and inin the front rank ofof the OREGON PIONEERS. Hastings and Coombs reside iiiin California, the formerformer hav-hav­ ing been aa judge of thethe SupremeSupreme Court of of thatthat State. Lovejoy was a lawyer from.from Boston,-theBoston,the first first lawyer lawyer in in thethe colonyandcolony-and was was prominent prominent in in its its affairs affairs and councilscouncils for the next twentytwenty years.years. Crawford taught inin thethe MethodistMethodist Mis-Mis­ sion Indian school for a time, and has since held various positions of honor and J sion Indian school for a time, and has since held various positions of honor and trust underunder the the National and and StateState governments. governments. The tidetide of of immigration immigration to to Ore-Ore­ gon had now commencedcommenced to to flood-never floodnever to slackenslacken oror ebbebb untiluntil itit had had covered covered the country with permanent settlers, andand renderedrendered thethe American American occupationoccupation ofof itit an accomplished fact. This year also witnessed the first successfulsuccessful attempt attempt at at independent tradetrade in Oregon. In July, Capt. JohnJohn H.H. CouchCouch broughtbrought thethe shipship ChenamusChenamus intointo the Wallamet river with a cargocargo of goodsgoods fromfrom Boston,Boston, which hehe placedplaced on sale at 3 34 ANNUAL ADDRESS OF Oi HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY.

Wallamet Falls. Prior to thisthis event, thethe Company and Mission had a monopolymonopoly of ththe mercantile businessbusiness inin Oregon.Oregon. Couch was so well pleased with thethe country that he gave up the sea and settled in it. Couch's addition to the city of Portland, is is builtbuilt upon thethe landland claim takentaken upup byby himhim in in 1845.1845. A fewfew years ago he was carriedcarried across thethe Wallamet toto thethe Necropolis,Necropolis, where he lies at anchor awaiting thethe generalgeneral resurrectionresurrection of the dead.dead; By the early pioneerspioneers he will alwaysalways bebe rememberedremembered withwith feelingsfeelings of kindness and respect. On November 8th8th ofof this yearyear aa publicpublic meetingmeeting waswas heldheld atat A.lton, Alton, Illinois,Illinois, by which resolutionsresolutions were passedpassed urgingurging thethe importanceimportance of thethe speedy speedy occupa- occupa­ tiontion ofof Oregon. The resolutions were reportedreported andand the meetingmeeting addressedaddressed byby Gen. Semple, of that State,State, whowho appearsappears to have taken an earlyearly interestinterest inin thethe subject. This was followed byby aa large meeting at the capital ofof thethe samesame StateState on February 5th,5th, 1843,1843, at at whichwhich resolutions werewere passed to thethe samesame effect.effect. • Many ofof the distinguished men men of of Illinois Illinois werewere presentpresent at, and participated in this meeting. Col. Baker,Baker, whowho livedlived toto becomebecome a United States SenatorSenator fromfrom Oregon and one other person,person, opposedopposed the the passage passage of of the the resolutions. resolutions. How true it isis thatthat" "Man Man proposes proposes butbut GodGod disposes."disposes." In thethe followingfollowing JulyJuly "a canven- CDnven­ tio1tiOlI of delegatesdelegates fromfrom thethe StatesStates andand territoriesterritories of thethe west andand south-west,"south-west," was held atat Cincinnati,Cincinnati, which passedpassed resolutionsresolutions asserting thethe right ofof thethe United States to the country as far northnorth asas ""Fifty-four Fifty-four Forty,"Forty," and and urging urging Con- Con­ gress to take measuresmeasures to promote the speedyspeedy settlementsettlement ofof it.it. Whils;Whilst these causes were atat work easteast ofof the MissouriMissouri to push on the column of immigrationimmigration toto Oregon,Oregon, thethe settlerssettlers were were earnestly earnestly preparing preparing forfor them,them, byby layinglaying thethe foundationsfoundations of orderorder andaud justicejustice inin thethe colony.colony. In the earlyearly part of 18431843 "the citizens citizens of thethe colony,"colony," asas theythey styled them-them­ selves, commenced toto holdhold meetingsmeetings toto devisedevise ways andand meansmeans toto protectprotect theirtheir stock fromfrom the wolves and other beasts of prey. These meetings were thethe germgerm of the provisionalprovisional governmeiit.government. The first one was heldheld onon FebruaryFebruary 2d,2d, at at " "the the Oregon Institute." It appointedappointed aa committeecommittee ofof sixsix toto reportreport businessbusiness to anan ad-ad­ journed meeting on the firstfirst MondayMonday in March, at thethe househouse ofof JosephJoseph Gervais. Gervais. This meetingmeeting after providingproviding forfor thethe" "destruction destruction ofof allan wolves, wolves, pantherspanthers andand bears," tooktook a stepstep forward,forward, and initiatedinitiated thethe movementmovement forfor thethe establishmentestablishment 1. of aa civilcivil government,government, byby appointingappointing a committeecommittee of twelvetwelve persons,persons, namely,namely, Babcock, White, O'Neil, Shortess, Newell, Lucie, Gervais,Gervais, Hubbard,Hubbard, McRoy,McRoy, Gray, Smith and Gay, toto devisedevise" "measures measures forfor thethe civilcivil andand militarymilitary protectionprote'ction of the colony." This committee agreedagreed uponupon aa plan of government, and called a generalgeneral meetingmeeting ofof the the ditizenscitizens atat ChampoegChampoeg on May 2,2, toto considerconsider their their report.report. At this meetingmeeting thethe reportreport ofof thethe committee,committee, after muchmuch canvassing,canvassing, was adopted by a vote of 5252 yeasyeas to to 50 50 nays-the naysthe yeas yeas andand naysnays risingrising andand separating,separating, while ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF HON.HON. MATTHEW P. BEADY.DEADY. 55.5

Meek led off inin a loud voice forfor thethe adoption ofof the report. Before adjourning, the meeting setset thethe newnew government onon itsits legs, by electingelecting a supremesupreme judgejudge and sundrysundry subordinatesubordinate officers,officers, and also aa legislativelegislative committeecommittee of nine persons, namely, Moore, Hill, Shortess,Shortess, Beers, Gray,Gray, Hubbard,Hubbard, O'Neil,O'Neil, Newell andand Dougherty, at the princelyprincely compensation of of $1.25$i .25 per per day,day, toto prepare and re-re­ port thethe necessarynecessary laws for thethe newnew government,government, toto be submitted to aa votevote ofof thethe people atat the same place, on the 5th5th ofof July.July. The reportreport ofof thethe legislativelegislative committee was byby thisthis COLONIAL COLONIAL COMITIA COMITIA adopted; adopted; and and thus thus begun,begun, while yet Oregon waswas claimed and partially occupiedoccupied byby BritishBritish subjects,subjects, aa government,government, which, however feeble oror limited, was in form andand spirit purely American.American.

How appropriate it was,was, underunder thethe circumstances,circumstances, thatthat thesethese isolatedisolated andand self- self­ reliant people shouldshould inscribeinscribe upon upon their their banner, banner, the the old old motto motto of of Thanet­ Thanet- • ALI5ALIs VOLAT PROPRIIS. PROPRHS. May May their their descendants descendants never never forgetforget itsits significance or prove themselves unworthy of itlit

The immigrationimmigration ofof thatthat yearyear numbered numbered aboutabout 900 900 men,men, Womenwomen and children. They brought their.their waggons toto WallawallaWallawalla andand The Dalles, wherewhere theythey werewere abandoned for the time being. Their cattle,somecattle, some 1,300 1,300 inin number,number, werewere driven into thethe valley upon aa trailtrail aroundaround the the base base of of Mount Mount Hood. Hood. The mainmain body of thethe immigrantsimmigrants werewere broughtbrought downdown thethe ColumbiaColumbia riverriver inin thethe Company's Company's boats, for whichwhich they they were were indebtedindebted toto thethe kindness and consideration of of Dr. McLoughlin. The immigrationimmigration of 18441844 amountedamounted inin round round numbersnumbers toto 800,800, soso that by thethe closeclose of thisthis year,year, therethere werewere nearnear 2,000 2,000 AmericanAmerican citizenscitizens inin thethe country. The immigration of of 18451845 was was still still larger larger than than thatthat ofof either of the two precedingpreceding years;years; containing near 3,0003,000 personspersons andand 2,5002,500 head head of of cattle.cattle. It waswas largely fromfrom Iowa and was thethe means ofof introducingintroducing the statutes of thatthat State intointo thethe country,country, fromfrom which time until 1854, Iowa law was substantially the lawlaw ofof Oregon.Oregon. ~ The greatgreat majoritymajority ofof the AmericanAmerican population were plain, substantial people. Many of them were persons ofof great great forceforce ofof character character andand muchmuch natural natural ability, while some few were men of education andand experienceexperience inin public public affairs. affairs. j Those of 18431843 stood somewhat pre-eminent among thethe earlyearly settlers.settlers. This immigration was much largerlarger thanthan anyany whichwhich precededpreceded it.it. It broughtbrought thethe firstfirst waggons toto TheThe Dalles, and it contained many persons of subsequent note and distinction inin the country. AmongAmong thesethese werewere Applegate,Applegate, Burnett,Burnett, Waldo,Waldo, Holman and Nesmith,Nesmith, andand othersothers equallyequally worthyworthy of being mentioned ifif time would admit. Applegate waswas aa farmer,farmer, tradertrader and and surveyor surveyor from from Missouri.Missouri. Full ofof originaloriginal thought and suggestion, of great energy and endurance, hehe has written his plain 36 ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF HON.HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY.

Saxon name upon every pagepage ofof thethe earlyearly annals of the country, butbut lacking the useful talent for eithereither leading or following others,others, moremore often in the minorityminority than otherwise.otherwise.

As I said inin aa sketchsketch ofof him him which which was was published published some some tenten yearsyears ago:ago: "Without beingbeing inin any sense aa partyparty leaderleader oror directdirect manager ofof men and having but little of the huckstering talent that conducesconduces to getting along in the world, yet by force ofof his selfself abnegationabuegation and and Catonian Catonian independence-his independencehis everever asserted individualityindividuality and persistentpersistent pressurepressure uponupon thethe mobilemobile masses,masses, hehe hashas .leftleft thethe impressimpress of his thoughts, opinions and prejudices allall alongalong thethe pagespages ofof our history. He is now well advanced in years, audIand I supposesuppose will endend hishis toil-toil­ some life,life, within the sound of the sweet babbling brook, in which hehe has so longlong performed hishis early early morning morning ablutions, ablutions, and and bebe buriedburied at the basebase ofof the the cloud-cloud­ capped mountain, thatthat gives name toto his earlyearly home.home. ItItis is pleasantpleasant toto thinkthink that inin afterafter years,years, comingcoming generations whilewhile enjoyingenjoying thethe fruitfruit ofof hishis earlyearly pri­pri- vations andand labors,labors, will,will, asas theythey passpass to to andand fro, slip aside from the highway,highway, and pause a moment to contemplate the tomb of The Sage of Yoncalla." Burnett was a lawyer fromfrom the same State. His legal knowledgeknowledge andand exper-exper­ ienceience werewere ofof great great benefit benefit toto thethe youngyoung communitycommunity inin remodelling remodelling thethe govern- govern­ ment in 1845.1845. In i81844 he wroteawrote a seriesofseries of letters, givinggiving an interesting account of the country and the immigration of thethe previous previous year, year, which which were were publishedpublished in thethe east,east, andand did did much much to to attractattract favorable favorable attentionattention to to the the countrycountry and pointpoint the way to it. Upon the organization of thethe territorialterritorial governmentgovernment inin 1848,1848, hehe declined the positionposition of justice of the supreme court, and removed to California, where he was mademade governor,governor, then justice of the supreme court and is still living, living, surrounded with--with-- "-that"that which which should should accompany accompany old old age.age. As honor.honor, love, obedience, troops of friends." Waldo was a substantial farmerfarmer fromfrom MissouriMissouri also.also. He settledsettled inin thethe redred hills, east of Salens,SalelP, andand impressedimpressed uponupon them them his his euphonius euphonius name. name. He satsat inin the legislaturelegislature ofof thethe provisionalprovisional government. I believe he has nevernever held any other office, butbut his opinion ofof public men and measuresmeasures hashas commonlycommonly affected the vote of hishis neighborhood.neighborhood. HeHe still still lives, lives, andand while Waldo Hills are Waldo Hills, hishis name name will will be be remembered remembered as as a a synonym synonym forfor independenceindependence and in-in­ tegrity. Holman waswas a respectablerespectable farmer,farmer, aa nativenative ofof Kentucky, Kentucky, butbut from from MissouriMissouri to Oregon. HeHe was was the the forerunner forerunner of of a alarge large family family connection, connection, thatthat followed followed him to the country,country, and contributed largely to the good order,order, moralitymorality andand wellwell being of the colony.colony. ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF HON. MATTHEW P.P. DEADY.DEADY. 37

Nesmith was a rovingroving "-youth"youth to fortuneto fortune and and to tofame fame unknown, unknown, FairTair science frown'd not on his humble birth." But a person ofof his great naturalnatural abilityability could could notnot long long remain remain inin thethe back-back. ground of thisthis youngyoung and freefree community. HeHe soon soon worewore thethe colonial colonial ermine,ermine, and sat in the leislative halls, and commanded in the armiesarmies of thethe provisionalprovisional government. HeHe has has since since heldheld manymany responsible responsible publicpublic positions,positions, includingincluding the officeoffice ofof Representative andand SenatorSenator in in thethe CongressCongress of thethe United States,States, withwith usefulness toto thethe country andand credItcredit toto himself.himself. His braidbraid ScotchScotch humorhumor andand peerless, pitiless, pungentpungent wit,wit, have made him famousfamous onon bothboth shoresshores of the Republic. WhenWhen his his brief brief candle candle isis out,out, anyany ofof us who remain, maymay exclaim- exclaim.

"-He"He was was man, man, take take him him for for allall inin all,all, I shall not look upon his likelike again,"again."

Among the immigrantsimmigrants of 58441844 were Stephens', Johnson,Johnson, Perkins',Perkin';', Welch, Ford, Gough, Smith, Watt andand Lee.Lee. The majoritymajority of them havehave passedpassed away,away, but inin theirtheir liveslives theythey diddid theirtheir dutyduty byby thethe country.country. Stephens still lives where he first settled,settled, butbut inin thethe mean time East PortlandPortland hashas spreadspread overover his landland claim. Welch still flourishesflourishes like a green bay tree, down byby the deep sounding sea, atat Astoria,Astoria, andand lookilooks as as ifif he he may may live live longlong enough to see that mostmost ancient city of thethe PacificPacific rivalrival inin grandeurgrandeur andand commerce commerce thethe Bride of thethe Adriatic.Adriatic. Smith has long been a man of mark in business circlescircles andand publicpublic affairs. While he answered toto thethe namename ofof Oregon, atat thethe roll call in the HouseHouse ofof Represent-Represent· atives, she had nono cause toto blush forfor her PioneerPioneer Congressman. In 1847,1847, WattWatt wentwent East East andand returned the followingfollowing year with thethe firstfirst or second flock flock of of sheep sheep ever ever driven driven to tothe the country. country. HeHe aided materiallymaterially in the establishment of of the the Salem Salem Woolen Woolen Mill, Mill, in in1857. 1857. He He has been a steadysteady worker and builder and generallygenerally a benefactor of mankind, accordingaccording to the Jeffersonian test, test, by by causing causing the the portion portion of of the the earthearth committed to hishis care to increase and double its products. The roll of immigration of 1845 containscontains amongamong others,others, thethe names ofof Rector, Wih:ox,Wilcox, Barlow, Stephens,Stephens, Terwilliger,Terwilliger, Bennett,Bennett, Cornelius, Cornelius, King, King, Palmer,Palmer, and Greenbury Smith. Most ofof themthem areare yetyet inin the ranks of the living. Barlow cut the waggon roadroad around the base ofof Mount Hood,Hood, acrossacross thethe Cascade mountains, in 1846.1846. TheThe building building of of railways railways since since has has been been of of less less importance importance to to the the com- com· munity, than the opening of of thisthis road, road, which which enabled enabled the th settlers to bring their waggons andand teams directlydirectly into the valley. Wilcox hashai served in the Legislature and held manymany otherother positionspositions with the highesthig)1est integrity. With his ability and popularity, he only lacked audacity or S

38 ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. industry, or both, toto havehave longlong sincesince been one of thethe foremostforemost menmen inin Oregon. Oregon. But perhaps he hashas chosen the better part. ""Uneasy Uneasy lieslies the head that wearswears a crown." Few men, in this oror anyauy country,country, havehave laboredlabored harderharder oror moremore disinterestedlydisinterestedly for the public goodgood thanthan General General Joel Joel Palmer. Palmer. A man of ardentardent temperament,temperament, strong friendships, andand fullfull ofof hopehope forfor andand confidenceconfidence in his fellowfellow men, he has unreservedly given thethe flower of of his his life life for for the the best best interests interests of of Oregon-and Oregonand ofof all thethe earlyearly Pioneers it it may may be be justly justly said said of of him-" him" He He deserves deserves wellwell of hishis country." Rector was no ordinary man. AmidAmid the the sneers sneers and and indifierence indifference of thethe com- com­ munity, he projected andand established, in 1857,1857, the Pioneer woolen mill of thethe Pacific coast. To-day, the towntown of SalemSalem has goodgood reason, because of herher fac-fac­ toriestories and water power, to be thankful thatthat hehe everever settledsettled withinwithin herher borders.5borders. *

The journey across the plains waswas oneone of of great length and risks, to be under-under­ taken withwith oxox teams,teams, andand withoutwithout roads,roads, oror any any conveniencesconveniences or supplies, except such as could be carried along. The waggon was the ship by day and the house and fortressfortress by night. Occasionally death death invadedinvaded the the ranksranks ofof the caravan, and then a fresh grave denoted thethe strickenstricken wayfarer'swayfarer's lastlast campingcamping placeplace onon earth; whilewhile notnot unfrequently,unfrequently, aa little little stranger stranger was was introduced introduced to to the the camp camp with- with­ out the aid of Esculapius or the expenseexpense of a trousseau.

*Slnce5Since thethe delldelivery very of this oration,oration, Mr. JosephJoseph Watt, thinking thinking thatthat thethe foregoingforegoing state­ state. ment Inin regard to Mr. Rector's connectionconnection with the woolenwoolen mill,mill, needs needs qualiiication, qualiflcation, hashas written meme anan accountaccount of thethe founding founding ofof thisthis important Important work, work, from from which which I Icondense condense thethe following:following: InIn the the summer summer of of 1855 1855 as as wool wool waswas almostalmost worthless for exportation, Mr. Watt conceived the ideaIdea of building a woolen mill In Oregon.Oregon. After conferring with Mr. Reynolds (now of-of-Wallawalla),Wallawalla), andand aa fewfew others, others, hehe drewdrew upup articlesarticles forfor the government of "The.. The Wailamede Wallamette WoolenWoolen Manufacturing Co.,"Co.," withwith a a capitalcapital of of $25,000 $25,000 divideddivided Intointo shares of of $250. $250. This was thethe name given the company andand that paper Isis still onon the filesfiles of the office.offioe. The articlesarticlea providedprovided thatthat the the mill mill should should be be located located wherever wherever $4,000 $4,000 ofof the stock was subscribed.subscribed. WattWatt waswas anxiousanxious toto locatelocate at Salem, becausebecause hehe thoughtthought thethe people of that place would taketake anan interestinterest inin the matter, not soao much for itself, but asaa a means ofof gettinggetting the the water water from from the the Santi Santlam am brought brought into into the the town. town. By thethe spring of 18581856 the the necessarynecessary amount amount of of stock stock being being taken-principally takenprincipally inin YamblllYamhill andand PolkPolk counties--a meeting to locate was heldheld atat Dallaa,Dallas, andand WattWatt andand Reynolds Reynolds having having amajor­ amaor- itySty ofof thethe votesvotes decideddecided the the question question in in favorfavor of of Salem. Salem. After much labor and time, the Salem people werewere induced induced to to take take stock stock in in the the enterprise.enterprise. TheThe most most active active of of themthem inin the matter, beingbeing Waldo,Waldo, Holman, Minto, Rector,Rector, JoeJoe Wilson, WilliamsWilliams andand Boon,--thøBoon,--the latter giving the company the the valuable valuable property property upon upon which which the the mill mill was was built. built. In thethe summer of 1856, RectorRector waawas mademade SuperintendentSuperintendent and went easteast thethe followingfoIlowing fallfaIl toto pro pro' - cure workman andand machinery.machinery. During the summersummer of of 1857, 1857, WattWatt snperintendedsuperintended the construction ofof thethe millmill buildingbuilding andand thethe race from the Santiam,Santiam, both of whichwhich laborslabors were completed by November of that year.year. MATTHEW P. DE.SDY.DEADY. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. 39

When we considerconsider how how little little waswas known of of the country in those early days, and\lnd thethe dangersdangers and hardships which might be encountered andand sufferedsuffered along the route,rout~, who cancan hesitate to admire the heroism which ledled thosethose Pioneers,Pioneers, with their wiveswive;; and children, to undertake such aa journeyjourney and sustainedsustained themthem through the weary length of it. Nothing like it has ever occurredoccurred onon thisthis con-con­ tinent. The 0)11yonly parallelparallel to to it, it, in in profane profane history, history, is isthe the famous famous "Retreat "Retreat of of the Ten Thousand"aodThousand"-and in inthat that case case the the distance distance traversed traversed was was less less thanthan 1000 1000 miles compared with 2,0002,000 in this. What a themetheme it affordsaffords for the poetpoet andand the painter. Not the showy, sneeringsneering caricaturecaricature ofof Bierstadt, upon whichwhich the ignorant andand ostentatious Dives lavishes his surplus coin, but thethe truthfultruthful andand heroic delineation of some noble soul,soul, capable of appreciating the grandeur andand simplicity ofof the motives which induced thosethose humblehumble andand unknownunknown men and women toto undertake thisthis marvelousmarvelous journey-that journeythat OregonOregon mightmight bebe broughtbrought under the regisgis of thethe AmericanAmerican UnionUnion and herher hillshills andand valleysvalleys becomebecome thethe in-in­ heritance of their children. But yesterday one ofof Oregon's poetic sons showed us inama few few rough-hewnrough-hewn but graphic, imaginative stanzas,stanzas, what highhigh inspirationinspiration cancan bebe drawndrawn fromfrom this memorable marchmarch byby oneone capablecapable of of appreciatingappreciating all all that it revealsreveals and sug-sug­ gests. Here are a few lines, taken at randomrandom fromfrom the poemPIoNEERspoem-PIONEERS oOF THE PACIFIC, by by Miller:Miller: ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. * * "The" The wild wild man's man's yell, yeIl, the the groanthg groaning wheel,wbeel, The train that moved like drifting barge; The duetdust roserose upup like like a a Cloud, cloud, Like smoke ofof distant battle I1 Loud TbeThe great wbipswhips rang like shot,sbot, and steel Flashed back as in some battle charge.cbarge.

TheyTbey sought,sougbt, yea, they didid find theirtheir rest Along tbatthat long and lonesome way, Those'rbose brave men buffeting the WestWest With lifted faces.faces. FnIlFull were they Of great endeavor. ,. ,.* ..* ,.* ..* .. When Adown tbe the shiningshining ironiron tracktrsck We sweep, and fields of corn flashflash back, And herds of lowing steers movemove by, I turn toto otherother days,days, to men Who mademade aa pathwaypathway with with theirtheir dust."

It isis well, fellowfellow citizens,citizens, thatthat you cherishcherish thethe memorymemory of thesethese earlyearly daysdays and magnify andand extol the conductconduct andand qualitiesqualities ofof thesethese worthy worthy founders founders ofof thisthis great and growing commonwealth.commonwealth. You and thosethose whowho comecome afterafter you,you, 40 ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOF HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY.

will in turntnm bebe elevatedelevated andand improved improved byby the the proudproud consciousness consciousness that your pro-pro­ genitors and predecessors deserveddeserved and and received thethe meed ofof honor and esteemesteem for lives spent in noble and usefuluseful deeds. Doubtless there is a pride of ancestry which is a weakness and a carecare forfor posterityposterity whichwhich isis onlyonly disguiseddisguised selfishness. But there is both beauty and truth in thethe Sentimentsentiment of Webster,Webster, expressedexpressed on a similar occasion:occasion: "There'There is is also also a a moral moral and and philosophical philosophical respectrespect forfor our an­an- cestors, which elevates the charactercharacter andand impressesimpresses thethe heart.heart. Next to the sense ofof religiousreligious dutyduty andand moralmoral feeling,feeling, II hardlyhardly know what should bear with stronger obligationobligation onon a a liberalliberal andand enlightened mind,mind, thanthan a a consciousness consciousness ofof alliance with excellenceexcellence which is depated;depa~ted; and and a consciousnessa consciousness too,too, that inin its acts and conduct, andand eveneven inin itsits sentimentssentiments and thoughtsthoughts itit maymay bebe activelyactively operating on the happiness of those whowho comecome after after it."it." With the influxinflux of thethe immigrationimmigration ofof 18431843 andand 1844, 1844, thethe Committee Committee govern-govern­ ment of the former yearyear waswas foundfound insuflicient insufficient for for the the population. population. An enlarged and more absolute formform of government was accordingly prepared by some of the leadingleading mindsminds ofof thethe colony,colony, andand byby thethe Legislative Legislative Committee Committee submittedsubmitted to to thethe people, on July 5, 1845,1845, when it was approved by a majority of 203203 votes. By this change,achange, a single Executive was substituted for the Executive Committee of three, while the Legislative Committee of of nine was superseeded byby ""a a HouseHouse of Representatives," consisting ofof notnot lessless thanthan 5313 nornor moremore thanthan 6x61 members.members. Abernethy, who came to the countrycountry asas thethe StewardSteward of of the the Mission, Mission, waswas chosenchosen Governor annually for the next fourfour years. In aa latelate paperpaper fromfrom thethe facilefacile penpen of oneone ofof Oregon'sOregon's distinguisheddistinguished Pioneers,Pioneers, I findfind the followingfollowing notice ofof him: "George Abernethy, Abernethy, anan intelligentintelligent Christian Christian gentleman,gentleman, unassuming,unassuming, indisposedindisposed to court popular favor,favor, withwith strongstrong commoncommon sense,sense, andand aa desiredesire toto do his duty consciously and and quietly quietly was was thethe lightiight man for the occasion,occasion, and whateverwhatever pre-pre­ judice may assertassert toto the'thecontrary, contrary, it was fortunate forfor thethe colony thatthat justjust suchsuch a person couldcould bebe hadhad toto fillfill the highest andand mostmost responsibleresponsible positionposition inin thethe pioneer government." And thus, thirty years ago, was established, by a mere handful of people, on this then remote and inaccessibleinaccessible land, thatthat famous famous ProvisionalProvisional Government,Government, which carried thethe countrycountry with honorhonor andand creditcredit throughthrough thethe vicissitudesvicissitudes of peace and war, until MarchMarch 3, 1849,1849, when the TerritorialTerritorial GovernmentGovernment providedprovided byby Congress was proclaimed at Oregon City, amid the rejoicings,rejoicings ofof the people, byby its first Governor-GeneralGovernorGeneral JosephJoseph Lane.Lane, But already, thethe countrycountry waswas practically thethe territoryterritory of the United States, byby the highest andand bestbest title title in in existence-theexistencethe actual actual occupation occupation andand control control of of it it byherby her citizens.,citizens., TheThe subsequent subsequent acknowledgement acknowledgement by by the the treatytreaty of of 5846, 1846, ofof the American right to Oregon,Oregon, was only a formal recognition of of the the fact,fact, that the ANNUAL ADDRESS OFOF HON.HON. MATTHEWMATTHEW P. DEADY.DEADY. 41

longlong contest forfor thethe occupation of of thethe country had terminatedterminated inin favorfavor ofof thethe OREGON PIONEER. Nor was this all. As was well said byby Gov.Gov. GroverGrovel ini!1 hishis addressaddress toto youyou onon a former occasion:occasion: ""As As greatgreat eventsevents generallygenerally follow follow inin clusters,clusters, thethe acquisi- acquisi­ sition of California followed in 1848, by military occupancy.occupancy. It isis fairfair toto claimclaim that our government nevernever would would havehave ventured with the smallemail forceforce it it had had atat command, to push itsits arms toto thethe Pacific, inin Mexican territory, during thethe warwar with Mexico, if we did not already possess aa domain in that quarter, andand aa reli-reli­ able AmericanAmerican populationpopulation inin Oregon.Oregon. So that thethe PioneersPioneers ofof OregonOregon werewere really thethe fathersfathers of AmericanAmerican jurisdictionjurisdiction overover all that magnificentmagnificent domain ofof the United States, westwest ofof the the Rocky Rocky mountains-an mountainsan empireempire inin itself."itself." Yes! WORTHY PIONEERS, PIONEERS, to you,to you, whom whom Heaven Heaven has has kindly kindly granted granted to see this day, and youryour absentabsent but not forgotten brethrenbrethren and friends, who made a pathway toto thethe countrycountry withwith theirtheir dust, dust, or or have have sincesince givengiven theirtheir lives lives for for itsits de-de­ fense, or fallen asleepasleep inin itsits valJeys,valleys, areare we chieflychiefly indebted indebted forfor thisthis grand and benificent result. By your great endeavorsendeavors an empire in limitslimits hashas beenbeen addedadded to the jurisdiction of the United States, and to-dayto-day thethe sunsun inin hishis journeyjourney acrossacross thethe heavensheavens shinesshines downdown uponupon a continuouscontinuous Union of American States, fromfrom the Atlantic to the Pacific.Pacific. Verily you have your reward! and they who come after you shall rise up and do you honor.

f THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS.ADDRESS.

BY HON. J. W.W. NESMITI-I. NESMITH.

MR. PRESIDENT,PRESIDENT, LADIESLADIES AND AND GENTLEMEN GENTLEMEN OF THE OREGONOREGON PIONEERPIONEER ASSOCIATION:ASSOCIA TlON: Having been honored withwith anan invitationinvitation toto addressaddress youyou atat thisthis your third an-an­ nual re-union, withwith the understanding thatthat mymy remarks areare to be preservedpreserved in your archives as a portionportion ofof thethe recordedrecorded historyhistory ofof youryour society,society, I havehave reduced to writing thethe littlelittle that I havehave to say, andand' shall shall submitsubmit itit inin thethe formform of meremere dry narrative, feelingfeelmg moremore than compensatedcompensated if mymy humblehumble efforteffort shall contrib-contrib­ ute to the value of thethe recordsrecords whichwhich youryour societysociety proposesproposes to gather up and preserve for the use and edificationedification of thosethose whowho areare toto bebe ourour successors. successors. His-His­ tory ISis said toto bebe "Philosophy"Philosophy teaching teaching byby example."example." AmongAmong allall civilized civilized people there exists a ,desiredesire to be informed relativerelative to the past. The example taught by the acts of thosethose whowho have precededpreceded us, havehave doubt-doubt­ less contributed toto our edification.edification. Historians, philosophers andand antiquariansantiquarians have devoted ages to the most laborious investigationinvestigation and research,research, spreadingspreading barrels of ink over tons of paper in their attemptsattempts to to elucidateelucidate incidents, incidents, phasesphases and factsfacts which might and have been preservedpreserved byby thosethose whosewhose liveslives werewere co-co­ temporaneous with the subjects sought to be investigated. The philosophic presentationpresentation of of ,those those examplesexamples of of the past havehave notnot alwaysalways been of thethe mostmost relial,lereliable or definite character, and it isis toto be regretted that .so,so much valuable time hashas been wasted in arriving at conclusions called history, but onlyonly worthyworthy toto bebe regardedregarded as as mythicalmythical fictions. fictions. If thethe foundersfounders ofof ancientancient and extinctextinct empiresempires and kingdomskingdoms could be recalled toto earth theythey would would feelfeel likelike institutinginstituting suitssuits forfor libellibel against against the the historianshistorians whowho have recordedrecorded theirtheir acts, if theirtheir remedyremedy in thatthat directiondirection waswas not barred by thethe statutestatute of of limitation. limitation. In thethe ruderude andand barbaricbarbaric agesages ofof thethe past, past, when when the the preservation preservation ofof factsfacts andand inci-inci­ dents depended solely upon the uncertainty of tradition, they must have suffered terrible mutationsmutations incidentincident toto thatthat faulty faulty mode mode of of preservation. preservation. Human nature is so constituted with its bias of prejudiceprejudice antiand self-interest,self-interest, toto say nothing of defectivedefective memory,memory, that itit isis rarelyrarely thatthat two two persons persons who who witness witness •* THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W. NESMITHNESMITH. 43 the samesame incident can, with thethe most honest intentions,intentions, give a similar version ofof what actually did occur. It seems toto bebe thethe accepted maxim, andand doubtlessdoubtless with somesome foundationfoundation inin reason, thatthat nono manman isis qualifiedqualified toLo writewrite thethe historyhistory of the timetime inin which he lives,lives, and that aa truthfultruthful recordrecord ofof currentcurrent events events requiresrequires thethe conservativeconservative andand mel- mel­ lowing influenceinfluence of of timetime to to renderrender themthem perfectly impartialimpartial andand reliable.reliable. It seems to be thethe missionmission of historians to gather upup factsfacts andand incidentsincidents ofof thethe past,past, with their cot.mporaneouscot",mporaneous illustrations,illustrations, andand weaveweave themthem togethertogether in a web of probabilities, often colored by the passions and prejudices of the writer. The proof of thethe factfact thatthat historians look at objects and incidents ofof thethe pastpast through magnifying or contracting lenses is to be foundfound in what isis recognizedrecognized as History, both sacredsacred and profane.profane. A correct narration ofof the condition, situation andand surroundingssurroundings of.of the early settlers of our State will be ofof interest toto thosethose whowho succeed us. Their modemode ofof life, dress, manners, occupation,occupation, state state of of theirtheir manufactories, agricultural andand other industries,industries, andand allall that that pertained pertained to to their their comparatively comparatively rude rude and and primitive primitive condition must be of value to their successors inin estimatingestimating thethe progressprogress andand ben­ben- efits of civilization. In thethe far-offfar-off future,future, when when the the ""New New ZealanderZealander willwill sitsit uponupon the ruined pier of London bridge,"bridge," andand indulgeindulge inin antiquarian cogitationscogitations relative to the past, it mightmight bebe convenientconvenient for himhim oror somesome otherother delverdelver in in historichistoric mine,mine, toto referrefer to the archivesarchives of the Oregon Pioneer Society to establish the factfact thatthat thethe founders founders of our State, unlike Romulus anctand Remus,Remus, derivedderived theirtheir sustenancesustenance fromfrom some-some­ thing more respectable than aa sheshe wolf.wolf. It is then evidently a a duty duty that that wewe owe owe to to posterity-as posterityas the secondsecond articlearticle ofof your constitution has has it-" it" To To collect collect from from livingliving witnesseswitnesses suchsuch facts relating to the Pioneers andand historyhistory ofof the Territory of OregonOregon asas thethe AssociationAssociation may deem worthy of preservation."preservation." The treasurestreasures thus gathered upup maymay seem to be of little present value toto theirtheir possessors, butbut thethe timetime willwill come when posterityposterity willwill highlyhighly prizeprize and appre-appre­ ciate them.them. ItIt willwill bebe ofof interestinterest to to those tho,e whowho are are to to inhabitinhabit thisthis countrycountry cen-cen­ turies hence toto knowknow in what mannermanner andand byby whomwhom it was settledsettled andand reclaimedreclaimed from the dominiondominion ofof savages.savages. It maymay bebe truetrue thatthat thethe progress progress ofof civ-civ­ ilization andand thethe accompanyingaccompanying arts arts and and sciencessciences willwill be such as to placeplace our posterity upon a plane soso highhigh aboveabove usus asas toto induceinduce them to look uponupon thethe trials and privationsprivations of the pioneer with contempt, justjust asas thethe modernmodern pleasure.pleasure· seeker seeker who crosses the Atlantic inin' aa well appointedappointed steamshipsteamship failsfails toto discover anything in tiatt:lat exploit exploit whichwhich shouldshould confer confer immortality immortality upon upon Christopher Christopher Columbu,s, Columbu,s, • 44 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH.

who previously performedperformed that that voyagevoyage without some ofof the convenient applian.applian- ces developed by modern sciences.

In a fewfew years hence,hence, asas thethe travelertraveler iuin searchsearch ofof pleasure, crosses the conti-conti­ nent,-whennent,when every every foot foot ofof itit shall shall bebe occupiedoccupied withwith thriftythrifty farmsfarms andand smilingsmiling villages, and with luxury in every form contributing to hishis comfort andand' enjoy- enjoy­ ment, he willwill wonderwouder what sort of stupidstupid peoplepeople LewisLewis and and Clark,Clark, a~dand the early emigrants werewere toto spend spend fromfrom six six months months to to two two years years wanderingwandering about, half starved, inin aa country thatthat he crosses inin sixty hours withoutwithout sufferingsuffering anyany dis-dis­ comforts or inconveniences.inconveniences. Indeed, the earlyearly exploitsexploits ofof discoverers,discoverers, naviga-naviga­ tors, andand warriors,warriors, dwindledwindle intointo insignificanceinsignificance when viewed in the light ofof mod-mod­ ern sciencescience and improvement.improvement. The performances of Horsea and Hingurst, ChristopherChristopher Columbus,Columbus, AmericusAmericus Vespucci, Cortez,Cortez, Pizarro,Pizarro, and and Lewis andand Clark,Clark, wouldwould exciteexcite nono comment comment in in modern times if accomplished byby the aid of modern appliances.

Darius did not resist Miltiades at MarathonMarathon withwith a batterybattery ofof ModernModern artillery and Leonidas failed to use Gatling guns and revolversrevolvers against the hosts of Xer-Xer­ xes at Thermopylw.Thermopylre. Had.theHad the patriots on Bunker Hill beenbeen armedarmed withwith thethe SpringfieldSpringfield breech-breech­ loader, nono red-coatred-coat would havehave enteredentered thatthat historic historic redoubt.redoubt. But thosethose failuresfailures or neglects simply illustrate the progressprogress of the world.world. That progress whichwhich hashas received received such such an an impetus impetus within within the the last last quarter of a century as to astonish those of&f usus whowho have have witnessedwitnessed it, it, isis notnot likelylikely toto be re-re­ tarded or impeded, and two oror threethree generationsgenerations hence wiIllookwill look backback uponupon usus as a very primitive sort of people.people. While they will pitypity ourour ignorance, ignorance, itit maymay interest them toto readread ofof ourour liveslives andand adventuresadventures asas pioneers.pioneers. In lookinglooking overover thethe formerformer proceedingsproceedings ofof your society,society, atat thethe meetings meetings which which I did not have thethe pleasure ofof attending, II perceive that the questionsquestions relative to the organization ofof the provisional governmentgovernment havehave beenbeen ablyably presentedpresented in the main, with, however, some slight inaccuracies,inaccuracies, which would be incident toto any narration ofof factsfacts soso longlong after their occurrence.occurrence. Not desiringdesiring to go over the same grounds soso ablyably occupiedoccupied byby othersothers atat your previous re-unions,re-unions, II havehave concluded to confine myselfmyself in this address to a statement of Oregon as I found itit inin 1843,1843, whowho camecame herehere withwith me, me, and and whom whom we we found found when when we we came. came. I might at this point add, byby wayway of anan apology, apology, mymy regrets regrets thatthat the the various various andand pressing demands upon my time havehave notnot permittedpermitted meme toto exhaustexhaust thethe facts andand data at my disposal, which bearbear upon thethe earlyearly historyhistory and settlement ofof the country. I have therefore condensed mymy presentpresent communication toto thethe narrow­narrow- estpossibleest possible limits. THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS' ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 45

As early as the yearyear 1840, beingbeing then then an an adventurousadventurous youthyouth inin whatwhat at that time waswas knownknown as as the" the "Far Far West,"West," II hadhad heardheard ofof OregonOregon as a"a " TerraTerra In-In­ cognita" somewhere uponupon the western slope of thethe continent,continent, asas aa countrycountry toto which the United States had some sort of a claim, and

"Where rolls the Oregon, and hears no sound, Save his own dashings."

During the winter of 1841-2,1841-2, being in JeffersonJefferson county, Iowa, II incidentallyincidentally heard thatthat aa partyparty contemplated contemplated leavingleaving IndependenceIndependence inin MayMayor or June, June, 1842, 1842, for Oregon, underunder thethe leadership ofof Dr. Elijah White,White, whowho hadhad formerly formerly beenbeen in Oregon connected withwith thethe Methodist missions, and whowho was thenthen aboutabout re- re­ turning to the TerritoryTerritory inin thethe serviceservice ofof thethe U. U. S. S. Government Government asas Sub-IndianSub-Indian agent. Thinking thisthis a good opportunity toto makemake the trip whichwhich I had somesome time contemplated, I mounted my horsehorse andand roderode acrossacross WesternWestern Iowa, then aa wilderness, andand arrivedarrived atat Independence seventeen daysdays after White and his party had left. I atat firstfirst contemplatedcontemplated followingfollowing them up alone, but learninglearning that thethe murderousmurderous PawneesPawnees werewere thenthen hostile,hostile, II waswas advisedadvised notnot toto attemptattempt the dangerous experiment. I thereforetherefore abandonedabandoned thethe triptrip for for thethe present,present, andand spent most ofof the ensuing year in the employmentemployment of thethe government government asas aa car-car­ penter, in the construction of of Fort Scott, in Kansas, aboutabout 100100 milesmiles southsouth of Independence. During the winter of 1842-3,1842-3, Dr. MarcusMarcus Whitman,Whitman, thenthen aa missionarymissionary in the Walla Walla valley visited Washington toto intercedeintercede in in behalfbehalf of thethe AmericanAmerican interests on this coast.

Dr. Lewis F.F. Linn was thenthen inin the U. S. Senate, from Missouri, andand took a great interest in the settlement of Oregon.Oregon. The meansmeans forfor thethe transmissiontransmission of news atat that time was slowslow andand meagre uponupon the frontier,frontier, itit beingbeing beforebefore thethe day of railroads,railroads, telegraphtelegraph andand postagepostage stamps.stamps. But thethe OregonOregon questionquestion through the medium of Senators Benton andand Linn, and Dr. Whitman, did createcreate some commotioncommotion in in Washington Washington and and enough enough of of it it found found its its way way toto the"the "Far Far West," toto makemake somesome stirstir amongamong thethe everever restlessrestless andand adventurousadventurous frontiersmen.frontiersmen. Without any formal promulgation it became fairly understood,understood, andand waswas so so pub-pub­ lished in thethe fewfew borderborder paperspapers thenthen inin existence,existence, that ourour emigrationemigration partyparty would rendezvousrendezvous at IndependenceIndependence to to start start for for Oregon Oregon as as soon soon asas the grassgrass wouldwould subsist the stock.

Without orders from any quarter, and withoutwithout preconcert,preconcert, prompt'ypromptly asas the grass began toto start,start, the emigrants beganbegan toto assemble assemble near near Independence, atat a place called Fitzhugh's Mill. On the 17th17th dayday ofof May, May, 1843, 1843, notices notices were were cir- cir­ culated throughthrough thethe differentdifferent encampmentsencampments that on thethe succeedingsucceeding day,day, thosethose 46 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS· ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. contemplating emigration toto Oregon, wouldwu1d meet atat aa designateddesignated pointpoint toto or-or­ ganize. Promptly at the appointed hour the motleymotley groupsgroups assembled.assembled. ItIt consistedconsisted of people from allall the States and Territories, andand nearly all nationalities.nationalities. The most however, fromfrom Arkansas,Arkansas, Illinois,Illinois, Missouri andand Iowa, and all strangersstrangers to one another, huthut impressedimpressed withwith somesome crudeude ideaidea thatthat there there existedexisted anan impera- impera­ tive necessity for somesome kindkind ofof anan organizationorganization forfor mutualmutual protectionprotection agaiustagainst thethe hostile IndiansIudians inhabitinginhabitiug the greatgreat unknownunknown wildernesswilderness stretchingstretchiug awayaway toto thethe shores of the Pacific, andaud whichwhich theythey werewere aboutabout to to traversetraverse withwith their their wives wives andand children, householdhousehold goodsgoods and all theirtheir earthlyearthly possessions. possessions. Many ofof the emigrantsemigrauts werewere fromfrom thethe westernwestern tiertier ofof counties counties ofof Missouri,Missouri, know as the Platte Purchase, audand amougamong them waswas Peter H.H. Burnett, Burnett, aa former former merchant, whowho hadhad abandonedabandoned thethe yardstick yardstick and and become become aa lawyerlawyer of of somesome celeb-celeb­ rity for his abilityability asas aa smooth-tonguedsmooth-tongued advocate. advocate. He subsequentlysubsequently emigrated to California, andand waswas electedelected thethe firstfirst GovernorGovernor of the Golden State,State, waswas after-after­ ward Chief Justice, an still an honored resident ofof thatthat State. Mr. Burnett, or, as he was familiarly desiguated,designated, "Pete," was was called called upon upon for for aa speech.speech. Mount-Mount­ iuging a log,log, thethe glib-tonguedglib-tongued oratororator delivereddelivered aa glowing,glowing, floridflorid address.address. He commenced by by showing showing his his audience audience that that thethe then westernwestern tiertier of StatesStates andand Territories waswas overcrowded with a redundant population, who had not sufficientsufficient elbow room forfor thethe expansionexpansion of of theirtheir enterpriseeoterprise andand genius, and it was a dutyduty they owed to themselves andand posterity to strikestrike outout inin searchsearch of aa moremore expan-expan­ ded field and more genial climate,climate, wherewhere thethe soilsoil yielded the richestrichest returnreturn forfor the slightestslightest amountamount of cultivation,cultivation, where thethe treestrees werewere loadedloaded withwith peren-peren­ nial fruitfruit andand wherewhere aa goodgood substitute for bread, called La Camash,Camash, grewgrew in thethe ground, salmon and and other other fishfish crowdedcrowded the the streams,Streams, andand where the principalprincipal labor of the settlersettler wouldwould bebe confinedconfined toto keepingkeeping theirtheir gardensgardens free free fromfrom thethe in-in­ roads of buffalo, elk, deer and wildwild turkeys.tnrkeys. He appealedappealed toto ourour patriotismpatriotism byby picturing forth the gloriousglorious empireempire we would establish upon the shores of the Pacific. How, with our trusty rifles, wewe would would drivedrive ontout the BritishBritish usurpersusurpers who claimed the soil, and defend thethe coun.trycountry from from the the avariceavarice and pretensions of the British lion, andand howhow posterityposterity would honor us for placing the fairest por­por- tion ofof our landland underunder thethe dominiondominion of the starsstars andand stripes.stripes. He concludedconcluded with a slight allusion to to the the trials trials and and hardshipshardships incidentincident toto thethe trip and dan-dan~ gers to be encounteredencountered from hostile Indians on the route, and thosethose inhabiting the country whither we werewere bound.bound. HeHe furthermore furthermore intimatedintimated aa desiredesire to look upon the tribe of noble"noble "red red men" men" that that the the valiant valiant and and well w:ll arnieci armed crowd around him could not vanquish in a single encounter. Other speechesspeeches were made, full ofof glowing descriptions of of thethe fair land of THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 47

promise, thethe farfar awayaway OregonOregon whichwhich nono one one in in the the assemblageassemblage had had ever seen,seen, and of whichwhich not more than half a dozendozen had ever read anyany account.account. After the election of Mr. Burn~tt,Burnett, as captain, andand otherother necessarynecessary officers,officers, the meeting, as motley and primitive aa oneone as as everever assembled, adjourned, withwith "three"three cheers" for Capt. Burnett andaud Oregon. On thetbe 20th day of May,May, 1843, 1843, afterafter a. a.pretty pretty thoroughthorough militarymilitary organization,organization, we took up our lineline ofof march,march, withwith Capt. John Gantt,Gautt, anan oldold armyarmy officer,officer, who combined the character ofof trapper andand mountaineer,mountaineer, as as ourour guide.guide. Gantt had in his wanderings beenbeen as as far far as as Green Green river river and and assuredassured usus of of the practicability of a wagon road thusthus far. Green river, the extent of ourour guide'sguide's knowledge in that direction, waswas notnot half-wayhalf-way to to the the WillametteWillamette valley,valley, thethe thentben only inhabitedinhabited portion of Oregon. Beyond that we had notnot thethe slightestslightest conjecture conjecture ofof thethe con-con­ 1 dition of the country. WeWe went went forth forth trusting trusting to to thethe future future andand wouldwould doubtless have encounteredencountered more difficultiesdifficulties thanthan we experiencedexperienced hadhad not Dr. WhitmanWhitman overtaken us us before before we we reached reached the the terminus terminus of of our our guide's guide's knowledge~ knowledge. He ·waswas familiar withwith the the whole whole route route andand was confident that wagonswagons could pass through thethe canyonscanyons and and gorgesgorges of of SnakeSnake riverriver and overover thethe BlueBlue mountains,mountains, which thethe mountaineers inin thethe vicinity of of Fort Hall declareddeclared toto bebe aa physicalphysical impossibility. Capt. Grant thenthen in chargecharge ofof thethe Hudson Hudson Bay Bay Company Company atat FortFort Hall, Hall, en- en­ deavored to dissuade usus fromfrom proceeding further withwith ourour wagons,wagons, and showedshowed us the wagons thatthat thethe emigrantsemigrants of of the preceding year hadhad abandoned,abandoned, asas anan evidence of the impracticability ofof our determination.determination. Dr. WhitmanWhitman was persistent in his assertions that wagonswagons couldcould proceedproceed asas far as the Grand Dalles of thethe ColumbiaColumbia river,river, fromfrom whichwhich pointpoint hehe assertedasserted theythey could be taken down by rafts or batteauxbatteaux toto thethe WillametteWillamette valley,valley, while our stock could bebe drivendriven by by anan IndianIndian trail over the Cascade mountains,mountains, near Mt. Hood.Hood. Happily Whitman'sWhitman's adviceadvice prevailed, and aa largelarge numbernumber ofof the wagonswagons with a portionportion ofof thethe stock,stock, diddid reachreach WallaWalla Walla Walla and and the the Dalles, Dalles, from from which which points points they were taken to the Willamette the following year. Had wewe followed Grant's adviceadvice and abandcnedabandc,ned thethe cattle cattle and and wagons wagons at Fort Hall, muchmuch suffering suffering mustmust havehave ensued,ensued, asas a a sufficient sufficient numbernumber ofof horses to carry the women and children of .thethe partyparty couldcould notnot havehave beenbeen obtained,obtained, besidesbesides wagons andand cattlecattle were indispensible to men expecting to live by farming inin a country destitute ofof suchsuch articles.articles. At Fort Hall, wewe fellfell inin withwith somesome CayuseCayuse andand NezNez PercePerce IndiansIndians returning returning from the buffalo country, and as itit waswas necessarynecessary for Dr. Whitman to precede us 48 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. to Walla Walla, hehe recommendedrecommended toto usus aa guideguide inin thethe person ofof an old CayuseCayuse IndianIndian calledcalled" "Sticcus." Sticcus." HeHe was was a afaithful faithful old old fellow, fellow, perfectly perfectly familiarfamiliar with all thethe trailstrails andaud topography ofof the country fromfrom Fort Fort Hall.t0Hall to The Dalles, andand although not speaking aa word of of English, andand no one in ourour partyparty aa wordword ofof Cayuse, he succeededsucceeded by pantomime inin taking us over the roughestronghest wagon route I everever saw.saw. SticcusSticcns was aa membermember of of Dr.Dr. Whitman's church, andand thethe onlyonly In-In­ dian I everever saw that II thoughtth':mght hadhad anyany conceptionconception of, and practiced thethe Chris-Chris­ tian religion.religion. I met him afterward inin thethe CayuseCayuse war. war. HeHe diddid notnot participateparticipate in thethe murder of Dr.Dr. WhitmanWhitman andand hishis family,family, andand remainedremained neutralnentral during thethe war between his tribe and the whites,whites, whichwhich grewgrew outout ofof thethe massacre. massacre. I onceonce dined with Sticcus,StiCCllS, in hishis camp,camp, upon what I supposedsupposed toto bebe elkelk meat. I had arrived at thatthat conclusionconclusion because, lookinglooking atat the cooked meat and then at thethe old Indian interrogatively, hehe heldheld upup hishis handshands inin aa mannermanner that that indicated elk horns; but, after dinner,dinne~, seeing thethe ears,ears, tailtail and hoofs ofof a mule near camp, II became satisfied that that what he meant toto conveyconvey by by his his pantomime pantomime was" was "ears"ears" notnot" "horns," horns," but but digestion digestion waited waited upon upon appetite,appetite, and and after after the the dinner dinner was was over over· - it diddid notnot makemake much differencedifference aboutabout thethe appendages of thethe animalanimal thatthat fur- fur­ nished it. It not being my intentionintention toto weary your patiencepatience withwith aa detaileddetailed nar­nar- ration of ourour toilsometoilsome march acrossacross thethe continent,continent, II shallshall leaveleave thatthat portionportion of thethe subjectsubject forfor somesome more convenient season,season, withwith thethe assuranceassurance toto you that thethe data inin mymy possession,possession, if inin thethe handshands of of a askillful skillful Defoe, Defoe, would would be be a asufficient sufficient and truthfultruthful basisbasis forfor aa narrativenarrative asas entertainingentertaining as as RobinsonRobinson Crusoe.Crusoe. Having been elected by the people comprisingcomprising the emigrationemigration toto thethe positionposition of Orderly Sergeant, with the duties of Adjutant,Adjutant, itit devolved devolved uponupon me to make up a completecomplete roll of the malemale members of the company capablecapable ofof bearingbearing arms, and including allall aboveabove thethe ageage ofof sixteensixteen years.years. They were divided intointo fourfour detailsdetails forfor guard duty,duty, thusthus givinggiving one-fourthone-fourth of the company aa turnturn ofof guard duty every fourth day, or as the soldiers expressexpress it, wewe hadhad" "three three nights nights inin bed." I havehave that oldaid rollroll before me, andand itit isis thethe only authenticauthentic copycopy extant.extant. It hashas lainlain amongamong my musty documents forfor nearlynearly aa thirdthird of aa century, and I shall now proceedproceed to to call call overover thethe names with thethe sadsad consciousnessconsciousness that the most of them have answeredanswered to their last roll-callroll-call uponupon earth,earth, andand I I hope hope have have made a better exchangeexchange for thethe troublestroubles ofof thisthis life.life. Still, I wouldwould take it as a great favor ofof those present would answer promptly asas theirtheir names are again called afterafter aa lapselapse ofof thirty-two thirty-two years,years, and TwillI will markmark thosethose whowho havehave survivedsurvived thatthat longlong period and answer"answer "here" here" asas present/orpresent for duty.duty. THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 49

THE ROLL OFOF 1843.1843.

Applegate, JesseJesse Carey, Miles Ford, NinevahNinevah Applegate, CharlesCharles Cochran, Thomas Ford, Ephram Applegate, LindseyLindsey Clymour, L. Ford, Nimrod Athey, JamesJames Copenhaver, John Ford, John Athey, WilliamWilliam Caton, J. H. Francis, Alexander Atkinson, JohnJohn Chappel, AlfredAlfred Frazier, Abner Arthur, Wm.Wm. Cronin, Daniel Frazier, Wm.Wm. Arthur, RobertRobert Cozine, Samuel Fowler, Wm. Arthur, DavidDavid Costable, Benedict Fowler, Wm. J. Butler, AmonAmon Childs, Joseph Fowler, Henry Brooke, George Clark, RansomRansom Fairly, StephenStephen Burnett, Peter H Campbell, JohnJohn G. Fendall, Cha'flesCha'Hes Bird, David Chapman, - - Gantt, JohnTohn Brown, Thomas A Chase, JamesJames Gray, Chiley B. Blevins, AlexanderAlexander Dodd, SolomonSolomon Garrison, Enoch Brooks, John P Dement, Wm. C.C. Garrison, J.T. W. Brown, Martin Dougherty, W. P. Garrison, W. J. Brown, OrisOris Day, WilliamWilliam Gardner, Wm. Black, J. P.P. Duncan, JamesJames Gardner, Samuel Bane, LaytonLayton Dorm,Dorin, Jacob Gilmore,Gilniore, Mat. Baker, Andrew Davis, 'IhomasThomas Goodman, Richard Baker, John G. Delany, Daniel Gilpin, MajorMajor Beagle, WilliamWilliam Delany,Delany, Daniel, Jr. Gray, - - Boyd, LeviLevi Delany, William Haggard, B.B. Baker, WilliamWilliam Doke, William Hide, H. H.H. Biddle, NicholasNicholas Davis, J. H. Holmes, Wm. Beale, GeorgeGeorge Davis, Burrell Holmes, RileyRiley A.A. Braidy, James Dailey, George Hobson, JohnJohn Beadle, George Doherty, John Hobson, Wm. Boardman,-Boardman, Dawson,-Dawson, - Hembre, J. J. Baldridge, Wm. Eaton, Charles Hembre, JamesJames Cason, F. C. Eaton, Nathan Hembre, AndrewAndrew Cason, James Etchell, James Hembre, A. J. Chapman, Wm.Wm. Emerick, Solomon Hall, SamuelSamuel B.B. Cox, John Eaker, John W. Hook,Houk, JamesJames Champ, Jacob Edson, E. G.G. Hughes, Wm. P. Cooper, L. C. Eyres, MilesMiles Hendrick, AbijahAbijah Cone, James East, JohnJohn W Hays, JamesJames Childers, MosesMoses Everman, NiniwonNiniwon Hensley, Thomas J. 4 50 THE1;HE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH.

THE ROLLROLL OFOF 1843.Con,inued.1843.-Continued.

Holley, B.B. Little, MiltonMilton O'Brien, 1-lughHugh D. Hunt,Huut, HenryHenry Luther, - - O'Brien, Humphrey Holderness, S. M.M. Lauderdale, John Owen, Thomas A. Hutchins, IsaacIsaac McGee, - - Owen, Thomas Husted, A.A. Martin, Wm. J. Otie, E. W.W. Hess, Joseph Martin, JamesJames Otie, M. B. Haun, JacobJacob Martin, Julius O'Neil, Bennett Howell, JohnJohn McClelland, - - Olinger, A. Howell, Wm. McClelland, F. Parker, JesseJesse Howell, WesleyWesley Mills, John B.B. Parker, WilliamWilliam Howell, G. W. Mills, Isaac Pennington,Penniugton, J. B.B. Howell, Thomas E. Mills,MiTIs, Wm. A. Poe, R.R. H. Hill, Henry Mills, OwenOwen Paynter, SamuelSamuel " Hill, Willis.nWillifl#lll McGarey, G:G. W. Patterson, J. R. Hill, AlmoranAlmoran Mondon, Gilbert Pickett, Charles E. Hewett, Henry Matheny, Daniel Prigg, Frederick Hargrove, Wm. Matheny, Adam Paine, Clayborn Hoyt, A. Matheny, J. N.N. Reading, P. B. Holman, JohnJohn Matheny, Josiah Rodgers, S. P. Holman, Daniel Matheny, Henry Rodgers, G. W. Harrigas, B.B. Mastire, A. J. l<.ussell,Russell, William James, Calvin McHaley, JohnJohn Roberts, James Jackson, John B. Myers, Jacob Rice, G. W.W. Jones, JohnJohn Manning. John Richardson, John Johnson, Overton Manning, James Richardson, Daniel Keyser, Thomas McCarver, M. M.M. Ruby, Philip Keyser, J. BB~ McCorcle, George Ricord, John Keyser, Pleasant Mays, William Reid, JacobJacob Kelley, ---- Millican, Elijah Roe, John Kelsey, - - McDaniel, William Roberts, SolomonSolomon Lovejoy, A. L. McKissic, D. Roberts, EmseleyEmseley Lenox, Edward Malone, Madison Rossin, TosephToseph Lenox, E. McClane, JohnJohn B. Rives, Thomas Layson, Aaron Mauzee, William Smith, Thomas H. Looney, Jesse Mclntire,McIntire, JohnJohn Smith, Thomas Long, John E. Moore, Jackson Smith, Isaac W. Lee, H. A. G. Matney, W. J. Smith, Anderson Lugur, F. Nesmith, J. W. Smith, Ahi Linebarger, LowLew Newby, W. T. Smith, Robert Linebarger, John Newman, Noah Smith, Eli Laswell, Isaac Naylor, Thomas Sheldon, William Loughborough, J. Osborn, Neil Stewart,!:)tewart, P. G.G.

• THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 5I5X

THETILE ROLL OF 1843.Concluded.1843.-Concluded.

Sutton, Dr. Nathaniel Stringer, C. \V.W. Williams, BenjaminBenjamin Stimmerman, C. Tharp, LindseyLindsey Williams, David Sharp, C. Thompson, John Wilson, Vim.Wm. Summers, W. C. Trainor, D. Williams, John Sewell, Henry Teller, Jeremiah Williams, JamesJames Stout, Henry Tarbox, StephenStephen Williams, SquireSquire Sterling, George Umnicker, John Williams, IsaacIsaac Stout, - - Vance, Samuel Ward, T. B.B. Stevenson, - Vaughn, William White, JamesJames Story, James Vernon, GeorgeGeorge Watson, John (Betty) Swift, ---- Wilmcnt, James Waters, JamesJames Shively, John M. Wilson, Wm. H. Winter, Wm.Wm. Shirley, SamuelSamuel Wai,r,Wair, J. W. Waldo, Daniel Stoughton, Alexander Winkle, Archibald Waldo, David Spencer, Chancey Williams, Edward Waldo, William Strait, HiramHiram Wheeler, H. Zachary, Alexander Summers, George Wagoner, John Zachary, John Stringer, CorneliusCornelius

Alas! alas! of mymy 295295 comrades who marchedmarched across thethe borderborder atat Fitzhugh'sFitzhugh's mill, withwith riflesrifles onon theirtheir shoulders,shoulders, onon thethe morning morning of of the the 20th 20th of of May, May, 3843, 1843, butbut 13 are here to-day to respond to the roll-call. Time has sadly decimateddecimated our ranks, and the thin line that to-dayto-day presentspresents it-it­ self as the remnant ofof thethe oldold guardguard ofof "43" is is inin thethe melancholy melancholy contrastcontrast with that gallantgallant battalionbattalion ofof bravebrave heartshearts andand strongstrong armsarms whichwhich so full of lifelife andand hope marched over the borderborder thirty-twothirty-two yearsyears ago.ago. Many of them have fallen in defense of our infant settlementsettlement againstagainst the ruthless savagessavages that surrounded us, and nownow fillfill honoredhonored butbut undecorated nndecorated graves.graves. Some II have with my own hands consignedconsigned to their last restingresting place;place; others others have have foundfound homeshomes in thethe sur-sur­ rounding StatesStates andand Territories, while a few areare scatteredscattered about overover Oregon.Oregon. In a fewfew years, the last ofof us will have takentaken ourour departuredeparture forfor a better land asas II hope, andand ourour placesplaces willwill bebe occupiedoccupied byby strangers.strangers. PosterityPosterity willwill not, not, however,however, forget thethe sacrifices,sacrifices, the the trialstrials andand privations wewe have endured in our effortsefforts to make thethe" "wilderness wilderness budbud and and blossomblossom like the rose." My duty did notnot requirerequire me me toto makemake Outout a list of the women and children, andand I havehave alwaysalways regretted thatthat itit waswas omitted.omitted. Such a list would be of interest to 52 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W. NESMITH.NESMITH. many whowho were then youngyoung and whosewhose names ought toto bebe enrolledenrolled asas belongingbelonging to thethe emigrationemigration ofof 1843.1843. The ladies who accompaniedaccompanied usus and who have cuntributedc

Men are generally governed in theiytheir actions by some rationalrational motive. I havehave often been asked by refined and cultivatedcultiyated people in Washington the reasonreason for my coming to Oregon atat that early day, andand II havehave foundfound itit a a difficult difficult questionquestion toto answer.answer. I waswas aa poor,poor, homelesshomeless youth, destitute alike ofof friends,friends, money and education. Actuated by aa recklessreckless spiritspirit ofof adventure, one place was to me the same asas another.another. NoNo tie tie of of near near kindred kindred or or possessions possessions boundbound meme toto anyany spotspot , of the earth's surface.surface. Thinking my condition mightmight bebe mademade better,better, and know-know­ ing it could not be worse, II tooktook thethe leap in tbothe dark.dark. But in the emigration that accompaniedaccompanied me, therethere werewere staidstaid menmen of of mature mature yearsyears and and cultivated cultivated inti- inti­ lects-menlectsmen who who left left comparatively comparatively comfortable comfortable homes andand friends,friends, withwith their wives and children, gavegave upup thethe advantagesadvantages of of civilization civilization toto crosscross aa desertdesert con-con­ tinent besetbeset withwith hostilehostile savages,savages, toto gogo theythey knewknew not whither, andand withwith thethe cer-cer­ tainty thatthat in in the the event event of of a a defeatdefeat byby Indians,Indians, or or finding finding OregonOregon uninhabitable,uninhabitable, there could be no possibility ofof returning.returning. The chanceschances werewere moremore than even that ifif theythey escapedescaped thethe scalpingscalping knifeknife of the savages,savages, it would only bebe toto perishperish by starvation.starvation. So far as lands at reasonablereasonable ratesrates andand aa fruitfulfruitful soilsoil werewere desir-desir­ able, theythey were surroundedsurrounded withwith them them in in thethe homeshomes theythey abandoned.abandoned. NoNo mo-mo­ narchical oror arbitraryarbitrary governmentgovernment oppressed them,them, nono religious religious zealotszealots persecu-persecli­ ted them. They fled from no such evilsevils asas broughtbrought either thethe pilgrimspilgrims oror cava-ca va­ liers toto thethe NewNew World;World; nor nor was was their their avarice avarice tempted tempted by by the the inducements inducements whichwhich sent CortezCortez and his companions to to Mexico, Mexico, or or Pizarro Pizarro to to Peru-for Perufor thethe existenceexistence of precious metalsmetals inin this region was thenthen unknown.unknown.

Then itit may be asked, whywhy diddid suchsuch men men peril peril everything-burningeverythingburning their ships behind them, exposingexposing their helpless families to the possibilitiespossibilities of massa­massa- cre and starvation, braving death--and forfor whatwhat purpose? purpose? 1I am not quitequite cer-cer­ tain thatthat anyany rationalrational answeranswer willwill everever be givengiven toto thatthat question. question. At the timetime 1 we came, therethere was was comparativelycomparatively nothing nothing known known of of the the possessions possessions to whichwhich wewe had aa disputeddisputed titletitle onon thisthis coast.coast. Lewis and Clark had only beheld the valley of the Columbia river. ThemissionaryThe,missionary reports reports were were confined confined principally to to exag-exag­ gerated accounts of Indian conversions, whilewhile other writings upon the subject of Oregon were a mixture of fiction and pervertedperverted factfact thatthat contained contained nono definite definite information of the country andand its.resources.its,resources. THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 53

The Hon. NathanielNathaniel PendletonPendleton had writtenwritten aa report,report, submittingsubmitting toto thethe HouseHouse of Representatives, of which he was a member in 1841 oror '42, which was mostly a compilationcompilation ofof suchsuch informationinformation as hehe could gather up from the meagre sourcessources then existing.existing. The bestbest informedinformed men in bothboth HousesHouses ofof Congress,Congress, excepting, perhaps, Ben-Ben­ ton and Linn, placedplaced no valuevalue uponupon thethe country,country, whilewhile somesome of themthem depreca-depreca­ ted any attempt atat itsits settlement,settlement, andand deridedderided thethe idea of itsits everever becomingbecoming aa portion of the AmericanAmerican Union. The furor aboutabout" "54:40 54:40 oror fight"fight" waswas raisedraised subsequently, whenwhen thatthat allitera­allitera- tion becamebecame the rallying cry of a political party. But whatever might have been the motive of thethe earlyearly settlers,settlers, theirtheir labors labors resultedresulted in in the the acquisition acquisition ofof one one ofof , the most valuable portionsportions of thethe AmericanAmerican Union,Union, andand their their efforts efforts in in that that be- be­ half will bebe recognizedrecognized and appreciated by posterity. But to return toto thethe considerationconsideration of thethe factsfacts connected with thethe emigrationemigration of 1843, as shownshown byby thethe rollroll justjust called.called. There were 295295 male personspersons above the ageage ofof sixteen, sixteen, capablecapable ofof bearingbearing arms.arms. There were III wagons wagons and vehi-vehi­ cles or differentdifferent kinds, but nono pleasurepleasure conveyance.conveyance. The greater portion of the teams consisted of oxen.

Of the party, the followingfollowing named persons turned back on thethe Platte: Nich-Nich. olas Biddle, AlexanderAlexander .8, Fis, F. F.Lugur, Lugur, John John Loughborough Loughborough and and JacksonJackson Moore. Their hearts weakenedweakened atat the prospectprospect of of the toil,toil, privations and dangers ofof the triptrip and thethe greatgreat uncertaintyuncertainty ofof itsits termination. termination. In viewview of allall thethe sur-sur­ rounding circumstances thenthen existing, I amam ofof thethe opinionopinion thatthat thosethose who turned back manifested more descretion, but lessless valor thanthan thosethose ofof usus whowho braved the dangers and uncertainties of the trip.

The following namednamed personspersons died died at at different different points points on onthe the route: route: - - Steven-Steven­ son died onon thethe Sandy;Sandy; Clayborn Paine died,ondiedon thethe Sweetwater;Sweetwater; DanielDaniel Rich-Rich­ ardson dieddied at Fort Hall; McClelland,McClelland, MilesMiles Eyers andand C.C. M.M. StringerStringer werewere drowned inin the the Columbia;Columbia; WilliamWilliam DayDay arrivedarrived sick,sick, andand died at FortFort Van-Van. couver. At Fort Hall, the the following following namednamed personspersons turned off and went to California:California: J. Atkinson,Atkinson, - Boardman,Boardman, Joseph Joseph Childs,Childs, ---- Dawson,Dawson, JohnJohn Gantt,Gantt, Milton Milton Lit-Lit­ tle, Capt.Capt. Wm.Wm. J. Martin,Martin, Julius Martin,Martin, F.F. McClelland, McClelland, --.:.- McGee,McGee, JohnJohn Mc- Me. Intire, JohnJohn Williams,Williams, JamesJames Williams, Squire Williams, IsaacIsaac Williams, P. B. Reading and Thos. J. Hensley.Hensley. Deducting those whowho turned back and those who died onon thethe road,road, togethertogether 54 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. 3. W. NESMITII.NESMITH. with those who werttwent to to California, California, left left thethe actual numbernumber ofof ourour immigration immigration who arrived here, 268268. Upon our arrival, wewe foundfound in the country the followingfollowing persons, exclusive ofof missionaries,lTIissionaries, and.and who might bebe includedincluded inin thethe generalgeneral. termterm of settlers.settlers. They had foundfouud theirtheir wayway herehere fromfrom differentdifferent points,points, somesome crossing the Rocky mountainsmountains fromfrom thethe EasternEastern States, States, some some ofof themthem sailors who had abandonedabandoned the sea, while others werewere trappers whowho had exchangedexchanged the un-un· certainties ofof nomadic life for farming;farming; othersothers hadhad foundfound theirtheir wayway fromfrom Call.Cali. forniafornia:

Armstrong, Pleasant Gale JosephJoseph Newell RobertRobert Burns, Hugh Girtman,-Girtman, - O'Neil, James A. Brown, - Hathawy, FelixFelix Pettygrove, F. W. Brown, William Hatch, Peter H. Pomeroy, Dwight Brown, - - Hubbard, ThomasThomas Pomeroy, Walter Black, J. M.M. Hewitt, AdamAdam Prry,Perry. -- Baidro,Baldro, - - Horegon, JeremiahJeremiah Rimmick, - - Balis, James Holman, JosephJoseph Russell, Osborn Bailey, Dr. Hil,H 11, David David Robb, J. R. Brainard, - - Hoxhurst, WeberlyWeberly Shortess, Robert Crawford, Medorem Hutchnson,Hutch'nson, ~- Smith, Sidney Carter, David Johnson,Johnson, William Smith,Smith,- - Campbell, SamuelSamuel K ng, -- Smith, Andrew Campbell, Jack Kelsey, -- Smith, Andrew, Jr. Craig, Wm.Wm. Lewis, Reuben Smith, Darling Cook, AmosAmos LeBreton, G. W. Speuce,Spence, - - Cook, Aaron Larrison, Jack Sailor, Jack Conner, - - Meek, Joseph L. Turnham, Joel Cannon, WilliWilliam am Mathieu, F. X. Turner, - Davy, Allen McClure, John Taylor, Hiram Doty, WilliamWilliam Moss, S. W. Tibbetts, Calvin Eakin, RichardRichard Moore, Robert Trask, - Eebbetts, SquireSquire McFadden, - - Walker, C. M.M. Edwards, JohnJ"hn McCarty, William Warner, Jack Foster, Philip McKay, Charles Wilson, A. E. Force, John McKay, Thomas Winslow, David Force, James Morrison, - - Wilkins, Caleb i Fletcher, FrancisFrancis Mack, J. W.W. Wood, Henry Gay, GeorgeGeorge Newbanks, - - Williams, B.

On the arrival ofof immigrationimmigration in the fallfall ofof 1843,1843, we found in the country the following named persons,persons, asas Protestant missionaries, or connected with thethe mis-mis. sions: - THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.3. W.W. NESMITILNESMITH. 55

Dr. MarcusMarcus Whitman, W. H. Gray,Gray, - Brewer,Brewer, A. F. Wailer,Waller, E. Walker, Dr. Babcock,Babcock, David Leslie, E. Fells,Eells, Dr. Elijah White,White, Hamilton Campbell, Alanson Beers, Harvey Clark, George Abernethy, Jason Lee, W. H. Spaulding, WmWm. H.H. Wilison,Willson, GustavusGnstavus Hines, J. L. Parrish,Parrish, L.L H.H. Judson, Judson, - Perkins,Perkins; H. W. Raymond.Raymond.

I do not claim absolute accuracy forfor thethe listslists of personspersons whowho werewere inin OregonOregon prior to the emigration ofof 1843, asas it is made upup fromfrom thethe memorymemory II retainretain ofof persons knownknown to to me me nearlynearly aa third of aa centurycentury ago.ago. I amam moremore oror less less ac- ac­ quainted withwith thethe historyhistory ofof thosethose persons and the time of their arrival here, but to go into suchsuch details wouldwould swellswell thisthis addressaddress toto aa volume.volume . • Suffice itit to say, they werethewere the real real Pioneers Pioneers of of Oiegon, Olegon, and and among among themthem werewere some ofof thethe nohlestnoblest men, men, and and I Ihope hope that that anan abler pen than minemine willwill oneone dayday delineate their true merits. Some namesnames maymay have escaped me;me; ifif so,so, II begbeg thatthat those who have been unintentionally neglected will step forward andand assertassert theirtheir rights. 'Inn this connectionconnection I shouldshould saysay thatthat some some ofof the the personspersons in this list are perhapsperhaps not designated by theirtheir ChristianChristian names.names. I havehave notnot hadhad thethe opportunityopportunity toto ex-ex­ amine their baptismalbaptismal record,record, and some names may be recorded which would astonish theirtheir sponsors.sponsors. I have,have, however,however, donedone thethe bestbest thatthat I Icould could in in the the way way of of patronymics, patronymics, andand shall be pleased to be correctedcorrected where I have erred.erred. I have given the namesnames that thethe earlyearly PioneersPioneers were then known by,by, andand ifif I am guilty of mistakes itit is the assumed duty, incumbentincumbent upon thosethose who knowknow better better to to "vindicate"vindicate thethe truthtruth of history." While upon the subject ofof apologies, perhaps in the interestinterest ofof absoluteabsolute cer-cer­ tainty, II shouldshould saysay thatthat UncleUncle Dan Waldo with his party did not joinjoin usus atat the rendezvous, butbut overtookovertook us us on on the the Big Big Blue, Blue, and and that that RansomRansom Clark, John G.G. Campbell, ~ Chapman and Maj. Gilpin, though crossing thethe plains with Lieut. Fremont, they did not properly belong toto ourour party;party; still,still, I have included them as they arrived in that year.year. There werewerealso also at thatthat timetime aa. fewfew RomanRoman CatholicCa.tholic missionariesmissionaries inin Oregon, Oregon, but my knowledge of themthem waswas notnot sufficiently sufficiently definitedefinite toto undertakeundertake aa correctcorrect list of their names. This isis alsoalso'true 'true of the settlers of CanadianCanadian birthbirth whowho hadhad formerlyformerly belonged to the Hudson BayEay Company's service,service, butbut who hadhad leftleft it. I knewknew thethe mostmost ofof 56 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADD1ESS OF OF HON. HON. J. W.W. NESMITIT.NESMITH. them, andand cancan bearbear testimonytestimony to the fact that theythey were quiet, honest, industrious settlers and goodgood citizens, who helped to develop the country and assisted in its defense inin ourour IndianIndian wars.wars. MyMy limitedlimited acquaintanceacquaintance withwith theth them would would forbid forbid my attempting a correc.tcorrect listlist ofof their names.names. AmongAmong them, them, however, however, I Iremem- remem­ ber Chamberlane, Plamondon,Plamondon, GervaisGervais andand Luce, Luce, and and many many others others who who are are en- en­ titled toto share with us whatever creditcredit is due toto thethe Pioneers,Pioneers, as theythey enduredendured the toils andand privations of of developing andand defending thethe country, and II trusttrust that some ofof theirtheir· ownown numbernumber will file inin our archives aa correctcorrect listlist of theirtheir names. One of thesethese CanadiansCaQadians (I thinkthink hishis namename waswas DeLoar)DeLoar) lived near Champeg,Champoeg, waswas oneone ofof LewisLewis andand Clark'sClark's party party'that that came came to to Oregon Oregon in in 1804, 1804, and subsequently returnedreturned herehere inin thethe Hudson Bay Company's service,service, and for many years enjoyedenjoyed the the appellation, appellation, "oldest "oldest inhabitant." William Cannon, another very old manman whowho residedresided nearnear ChanipoegChampoeg andand died a fewfew years since, camecame toto thethe countrycountry inin thethe serviceservice of Astor, in Wilson G. Hunt's party,party, andand resided resided here here the the remainder remainder ofof his life. Washington Irving, in his Astoria, makes Cannon thethe herohero ofof aa ludicrousludicrous adventure adventure with with a a bear,bear, andand II have heard thethe oldold man man give give his his version version ofof the the affairaffair wherein he figured in a tree, his position secure in its elevation, while bruinbruin watchedwatched below.below. Estimating the Catholic missions andand the Canadians whowho had had leftleft thethe Hudson Bay Company's service inin thethe country inin the fall of 1843,1843, at 5050 persons,persons, added to thethe other settlerssettlers and ProtestantProtestant missionaries,missionaries, would make thethe whitewhite malemale popnlationpopulation 157; addadd toto thisthis thosethose whowho crossed the plains that year anaand we have in that vast territory now comprised withinwithin thethe limits ofof thethe State of Oregon,Oregon, Washington and Idaho Territories, approximatingayproximating 424424 malemale whitewhite personspersons aboveabove thethe ageage ofof i6,16, andand in in thisthis communication communication youyou havehave theirtheir names. names. At that timetime there were no settlers betweenbetween the Missouri border andand thethe Cascad~Cascad' mountains,mountains, and nono AmericansAmericans northnorth ofof thethe ColumbiaColumbia river.river. MyMyoId old friend MikeMike Simmons,Simmons, now deceased, is entitled toto thethe honorhonor ofof beingbeing thethe firstfirst American settler in diatthat region, and nono better manman hashas everever inhabitedinhabited itit since.since. ,TheThe settlements west of thethe CascadesCascades werewere confinedconfined to the counties ofof Clatsop,Clatsop, Washington, (then known as Tualatin plains)plains) Clackamas,Clackamas, Champoeg,Champoeg, (now(now Marion)Marion) and Yamhill. There were no settlers on the easteast sideside ofof thethe Willamette,Willamette, south south ofof Marion, Marion, and~nd GeorgeGeorge Gay, living in the southern border~order of Yamhill county,county, was thethe mostmost southernsouthern settler west ofof thethe river.river. Sutter's!ort,Sutter'sfort, now SacramentoSacramento city, at aa distancedistance of 600 miles south, was the nearest white settlement in any direction. Oregon City was then the principal town west of thethe RockyRocky mountains.mountains. It waswas locatedlocated by Dr. John McLoughlin, then Governor ofof the Hudson Bay Company, on the east side of the river, and consistedconsisted of about half aa dozendozen houses.houses. On the west sideside at at thethe Falls,Falls, asas itit was allall then called, was LinnLinn City, more THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 57

commonly knownknown as as the the Robin'sRobin's Nest,Nest, owned by Robert Moor,Moor, Esq., andand just below it, at thethe terminusterminus ofof thethe present present canal,canal, was was MultnomahMultnomah CityCity under under thethe proprietorship of Hugh Burns, aa shrewdshrewd Hibernian,Hibernian, andand the principal blacksmith west of thethe RockyRocky mountains.mountains. Salem contained three houses,houses, andand nono otherother towns were known.knbwn. The present site of PortlandPortland waswas aa solitudesolitude surroundedsurrounded withwith aa densedense forestforest ofof fir trees. Perhaps I oughtought toto devotedevote a paragraph to its early history.history. With three comrades, II left the emigration on thethe Umatilla river,river, at a point near the presentpresent IndianIndian Agency,Agency, and afterafter aa varietyvariety ofof adventures, adventures, whichwhich II maymay at somesome timetime narrate,narrate, wewe arrivedarrived inin aa canoecanoe at FortFort VancouverVancouver onon thethe eveningeveuing of the 23d ofof October, 1843. WeWe encampedencamped ouon the bank of thethe liverriver aboutabout , where the governmentgovernment wharfwharf now now stands.stands. The greater part ofof our our slenderslender means were expended in thethe purchasepurchase of of provisions provisions andand hickory hickory shirts, shirts, consigning consigning those those that had done such long and continuouscontinuous service,service, withwith theirtheir inhabitants,inhabitants, toto thethe Columbia. OnOn the the morning morning of of the the 24th,24th, wewe startedstarted forfor what was known asas the " Willamette" settlement at the Falls.

Dr. McLoughlinMcLoughlin told us that atat aa distancedistance ofof sevenseven milesmiles belowbelow thethe Fort,Fort, we would encounter thethe waters ofof the Willamette enteringentering thethe ColumbiaColumbia fromfrom thethe south.south. At about thethe distancedistance indicatedindicated byby thethe Doctor,Doctor, wewe reached what we supposed to be thethe mouth of thethf' riverriver and after paddlingpaddling up up itit until until noon, noon, looked looked across, and to ourour astonishmentastonishment discovereddiscovered FortFort. Vancouver. Vancouver. It thenthen flashedflashed upon us that we had circumnavigatedcircumnavigat~d the island oppositeopposite the the Fort. Fort. WeWe retracedretraced our way, andand thatthat evening evening discovered discovered thethe mouthmouth ofof thethe Willamette and and encamped encamped upon its banks. The nextnext eveningevening we encamped on the prairie opposite Portland upon what is nownow the town site ofof EastEast Portland,Portland, ownedowned byby James Stephens,Stephens, Esq. In i8,1844, William William Overton, .Overton, a Tennesseean,a Tennesseean, located located upon upon the the present present towntown sitesite and engaged in making shingles,shingles, and setset upup aa claimclaim toto thethe land,land, which which was was thenthen like the other continuouscontinuous wilderness lining the banks of thethe river. Overton sold his claim totoPettygrove Pettygrove andand Lovejoy,Lovejoy, who,who, in 1845,1845, laid out somesome lots and called • the place Portland, after thethe city of thatthat namename inin Maine, from which State they r had emigrated.emigrated. Overton was a desperate, rollickingrollicking fellow,fellow, andand sought sought his his for- for­ tunestunes inin thethe wilds ofof Texas, where,where, asas II havehave heard,heard, hishis careercareer was was broughtbrought toto aa sudden termination by a halter. In 1843, thethe only only settler settler on on the the riverriver belowbelow the the Falls,Falls, was an oldold EnglishEnglish sailor by the name of WilliamWilliam Johnson,Johnson, whowho residedresided uponupon aa claimclaim aboutabout aa milemile above thethe present citycity ofof Portland.Portland. He was a finefine specimen ofof the British tar, and had at an early day abandoned hishis allegianceallegiance toto thethe BritishBritish lion and taken service onon thethe old frigate ConsiEution.Constitution. I havehave frequently listened toto hishis narra-narra· 58 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDIESS OF OF HON.HON. J.J W. NESMITH.NESMITH.

tive of thethe actionaction between OldOld ZronsidesIronsides andand thethe Guerriere, onon which occasion he served with the boarding party. He used to exhibit an ugly scar upon hishishead, head, made inin that memorable'actionmemorabl&action by by a aBritibh British cutlass, cutlass, and and attributedattributed hishis escape from death, toto thethe factfact thatthat he he had had a a couple couple of of pieces pieces of of hoop-iron hoop-iron crossedcrossed inin hishis cap, whichwhich turnedturned thethe cutlasscutlass andand savedsaved hishis life.life.

To narrate all thethe incidentsincidents whichwhich occurredoccurred inin connectionconnection withwith thethe earlyearly set-set­ tlement of the country would exceedexceed whatwhat II have intendedintended asas aa brief address, to an unreasonable limit.limit. Suffice itit toto saysay thatthat the immigrationimmigration of 18431843 arrivedarrived safely in the valley during the fallfall andand earlyearly part part of of thethe winter,winter, andand foundfound homes in thethe thenthen settledsettled neighborhoods. neighborhoods. Dr. JohnJohn McLoughlin,McLoughlin, then at thethe head of the Hudson BayBay Company, from hishis ownown privateprivate resources,resources, renderedrendered the newnew settlers much valuablevaluable aidaid Ilyby furnishi'ngfnrnishihg the the destitutedestitute with food,food, clothingclothing andand seed, waiting for for his pay until theythey had had a asuplus suplus to to dispose dispose of.of. Dr. John McLough-McLough­ holin waswas aa publicpublic benefactor,benefactor, and thethe timetime will will come come whenwhen thethe peoplepeople ofof Oregon Oregon will dodo themselvesthemselves credit by erectmgerectiag a statue toto hishis memory.memory. Of foreignforeign birth and lineage,lineage, hehe gavegave thethe strongest proof of his devotion toto republicanrepublican institutions, by becoming an American citizen,citizen, whilewhile all all hishis personal interests were identified with thethe BritishBritish government. government. Thus far, detraction andand abuseabuse have have beenbeen his his prin-prin­ cipal reward. There was at that time no money inin thethe country, and allall trans-trans­ actions werewere bas.edbased uponupon barter barter or or trade,trade, andand fortunatefortunate was the individualindividual whowho could procure an "order" onon thethe" "Hudson Hudson Bay Bay Company" Company" for for goods,goods, whichwhich were then soldsold at remarkablyremarkably reasonablereasonable rates considering all the surroundings. During the early period of thethe settlement settlement of'0( Oregon,Oregon, therethere existed existed aa wonderfulwonderful equality among the population inin pointpoint ofof wealth. Those whowho possessedpossessed a few cattle werewere consideredconsidered the most fortunate; stillstill the propertyproperty waswas tootoo equallyequally di-di­ vided and tootoo scanty to admit of distinctions on on the the score score of of wealth. wealth. The means of transportation consistedconsisted of of packpack horses byby landland and canoes byby water,water, with anan occasional H\1dsonHudson BayBay batteax. I remember, asas late asas 1847,1847, standingstanding withwith some friends uponupon thethe banksbanks of thethe Willamette, when we discusseddiscussed the possibil-possibil­ • ity of any of our number living to see itsits placid bosombosom disturbeddisturbed byby thethe wheelswheels of a steamboat. At that time,time, thethe ruderude hospitalityhospitality of the settlers was dispensed with a liberal hand.hand. The traveler.traveler wentwent forthforth withwith hishis ownown blanketblanket andand lass.lass· rope, thusthus furnishingfurnishing his own bedbed andand security forfor thethe safetysafety ofof his horse, while 1 the cabin door of thethe settlersettler always always stood stood openopen toto furnishfurnish himhim sheltershelter and and food, food, without money andand without price.price. In thethe summersummer ofof 1846,1846, mymy wifewife andand selfself, entertained twotwo BritishBritish officers.officers_ I staked outout theirtheir horseshorses onon the grass; theythey had their own blanketsblankets andand sleptslept onon thethe floorfloor of of our palatialpalatial residence,residence, which con-con­ sisted ofof a pole cabin fourteenfourteen feet square, thethe intersticesinterstices betweenbetween thethe polespoles "Stuffed" Stuffed with clay tot keep keep thethe windwind awsy,"away," •

THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADIDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 59 a puncheonpuncheon floor and a mud chimney, andand not a pane ofof glassglass or particle of sawed lumber about the institution.institution. The furniture,furniture, consistingconsisting of suchsuch articlesarticles as I hadhad manufactured from from a afir fir tree tree with with an an ax ax and' and' augur. augur. We regaled ourour guests bountifully uponupon boiled boiled wheatwheat andand jerked beef,beef, without sugar,sugar, coffeecoffee or tea.tea. A Aquarter quarter of of a centurya century afterward afterward I metI met one one of of these these officers officers inin Washington. He reminded meme thatthat hehe had had once once been been my my guest guest in in Oregon.Oregon. WhenWhen thatthat factfact was recalled toto mymy mind,mind, II attemptedattempted an apology forfor thethe brevity of ourour bill ofof fare, but with characteristic politeness,politeness, he he interruptedinterrupted me with, "My dear dear Sir! sir! don't mention it. The farefare waswas splendid and wewe en)oyedenjoyed it hugely. You gave us the best you had, and thethe PrincePrince of Wales could do no more."

As an illustration of the honesthonest andand simplesimple directnessdirectness whichwhich pervadedpervaded our legislative proceedings of of thatthat day, I will mention that in 1847, I had thethe honorhonor of a seatseat inin thethe LegislatureLegislature ofof thethe ProvisionalProvisional Government;Government; itit was mymy firstfirst step upon thethe slippery rungsrungs ofof the political ladder. The LegislatureLegislature thenthen consisted of of but oneone' house andand we satsat in thethe oldold MethodistMethodist church at thethe Falls. Close by the church, Barton LeeLee had constructed a a "ten-pin alley"alley" where some ofof mymy fellowfellow membersmembers were were in in the the habithabit ofof resorting to seek relaxa-relaxa­ tion and refreshment from their Legislative toils.toils. II had aspired to thethe Speaker-Speaker­ ship andana supposedsupposed myself sure of the positioj,positiOl\, butbut the the same same uncertainty uncertainty in in po- po· litical matters existed thenthen that II havehave seenseen soso muchmuch ofof since.since. Some of my friends threwthrew off off on on me me and and elected elected a abetter better man, man, in in thethe person of Dr. RobertRobert Newell. God blessbless hishis oldold soul. In the small collection ofof books atat.the the Falls known asas thethe Multnomah Library,Library, II foundfound whatwhat I hadhad nevernever heardheard ofof before,before. a copy ofof "Jefferson's" Jefferson's Manual,"Manual," andand afterafter givinggiving itit anan evening'sevening's perusalperusal byby thethe light of an armful ofof pitch knots, II found thatthat there was suchsuch aa thingthing inin parlia­parlia- mentary usage asas ""the the previousprevious question."question."

I hadhad aa billbill then then pending pending to to cut cut off off the the southern southern end end of of Yamhill, Yamhill, and and to to estab-estab­ lish thethe countycounty of Polk,Polk, whichwhich measuremeasure had violentviolent oppositionopposition in thethe body.body. One morning whilewhile mostmost ofof the opponents of mymy billbill werewere amusingamusing themselvesthemselves at "horse" horse billiards"billiards" inin Lee'sLee's ten-pin ten-pin alley, II calledcalled upup my bill, and, afterafter mak-mak­ ing tbethe best argument II couldcould inin itsits favor,favor, I Iconcluded concluded with: with: "And"And now,now, Mr.Mr. Speaker, upon this bill II movemove the previous question." Newell looked confused, and I was satisfied thatthat hehe had no conceptionconception of of whatwhat II mennt;meant; but he rallied, and, looking wise and severe (I(lhave have sincesince seenseen presidingpreSiding officersofficers in Washington do the same thing), saidsaid: "Sit down, down, sirlsir! ResumeResume your your seat!seat! DoDo you you intend intend toto trifle with the Chair! whenwhen you know thatthat wewe passedpassed thethe previous previous questionquestion twotwo weeks ago? It waswas thethe Arsifirst thingthing we we done!"dOl1e!" I got a vote, however,however, beforebefore the return ofof the"the" horse horse billiard" billiard" players, players, and and Polk Polk country country has has a a legal legal existence existence •

60 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. 3. W. NESMITH.NESMITH.

to-day,to·day, notwithstandingnotwithstanding thethe adverse rulingruling uponupon aa questionquestion ofof parliamentary parliamentary usage. Genial, kind-heartedkind·hearted Newell! HowHow many many of of you you recollect recollect his his goodgood qualitiesqualities and how heartily havehave youyou laughedlaughed around the camp firefire at hishis favoritefavorite song,song, "Love" Love andand Sassingers."Sassingers." I cancan yetyet hearhear thethe lugubriouslugubrious refrainrefrain describingdescribing how how his dulcena was captured by the butcher's boy.

""And And there sat faithlessfaithless she A frying sassingers for he."

He has folded hishis roberobe about him and lainlain himself himself downdown to rest, among thethe mountains he loved soso well,well, and which havehave soso oftenoften echoed thethe m.errymerry tonestones of his voice.voice. In these primitive days,days, wewe hadhad but fewfew of thethe vicesvices of civilization.civilization. Intem­Intem- perance in strong drink waswas unknown,unknown, and there was comparatively no litigation.litigation. Lawyers and doctors hadhad toto tilltill the soil like honesthonest menmen to to procureprocure theirtheir dailydaily bread. Every neighborhood had had a a rough rough log log school-house in in which" which "stated stated preaching" waswas dispenteddispensed onon SundaySunday by divinesdivines whowho hadhad cultivatedcultivated theirtheir fields fields during the week,week, andand who who did did not not "sit"sit uponupon the raggedragged edge of despair"despair" and were notnot troubledtroubled with with visions visions of of" "a a moralmoral Niagara,"Niagara," oror ""sections sections ofof the day j • of judgment." Every neighborhood had also itsits violinists,violinists, whowho furnishedfurnished musicmusIc for the innocentinnocent andand rational devoteesdevotees of Terpsichore, who,who, clad inin buckskin,buckskin, tripped thethe lightlight fantisticfan tis tic toetoe inin moccasinsmoccasins onon puncheonpuncheon floors.floors. In fact,fact, the young people whiled away muchmuch of thethe longlong drearydreary winter winter in in thatthat sort sort of of amuse- amuse­ ment. " We danced allall nightnight till broad daylight, And wentwent homehome with with the the galsgals in in thethe morning." As a result ofof such socialsocial intercourse, there there waswas oftenoften a a union union of of two"two "half half sections," toto oneone of which each ofof thethe dancersdancers waswas entitledentitled when theythey concluded toto waltz togethertogether throughthrough life.life. In thethe EasternEastern States,States, II havehave often often beenbeen askedasked howhow longlong itit waswas afterafter FremontFremont discovered OregonOregon thatthat I emigratedemigrated there.there. It isis truetrue thatthat inin thethe yearyear 1843, 1843, Fremont, then aa LieutenantLieutenant in in thethe EngineerEngineer Corps, diddid cross the plains, andand \ brought his party to thethe Dalles,-Dalles,- andand visited Vancouver to procqreprOCljre supplies.supplies. I saw him onon thethe plains,plains, though hehe reachedreached the'the Dalles in the rear of ourour emigra-emigra­ tion. His outfit contained allall of thethe conveniencesconveniences and luxuriesluxuries that aa Govern-Govern­ ment appropriation could procure,procure, whilewhile he he ""roughed roughed it" in a covered carriage, surrounded byby servantsservants paid paid fromfrom the the publicpublic purse. He returned toto thethe StatesStates and waswas afterwardafterward rewardedrewarded with a Presidential nomination asas the" the "Pathfinder." Pathfinder." The path he found was made by the hardyhardy frontiersmenfrontiersmen who precededpreceded himhim to THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J.J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH. 616

the Pacific, andand who who stood stood by by their their rifles rifles here here andand held thethe countrycountry againstagainst hostile Indians and BritishBritish threats,threats, withoutwithout GovernmentGovernment aid or recognition until 1849, when thethe first Government troopstroops came came to to ourour relief. Yet Fremont, with many people, has the credit of "finding"" finding" everythingeverything westwest of thethe Rocky Rocky mount- mount­ ains, and I supposesuppose his pretensionspretensions will be recognizedrecognized by the futurefuture historian,historian, while the deserving menmen whowho mademade thethe path,path, unaided unaided by by Government, Government, willwill bebe forgotten. "And" And such such isis history."history." A rude prosperity,prosperity, contentment and happiness pervaded our society,society, andand while our posterity may be moremore refined, cultivated and wealthy, I doubt if they will be anyany better, moremore contented,contented, virtuous or or happier,happier, thanthan theirtheir ruderude Pioneer ancestors.ance~tors_ Mr. PresidentPresident andand Pioneers, II amam not not here here to to draw draw inviduous inviduous distinctions distinctions or or de- de­ preciate anyanyone one man's merits by referring toto those ofof another;another; butbut II feel it is an occasion whenwhen II might pay a slight tributetribute toto anan early early Pioneer Pioneer (who,(who, II amam sorrysorry to say,say, is absent,absent, andand hashas leftleft ourour State),State), without without partiality, partiality, asas wewe havehave always been politicalpolitical opponents.opponents. If atat thisthis time, time, after after thethe lapselapse ofof nearlynearly a third ofof a century, I werewere calledcalled uponupon to designate thethe manman of thethe immigration immigration of 1843,1843, oror anyany otherother immigration,immigration, who hadhad mademade thethe mostmost personalpersonal sacrificessacrifices for the benefit of our common StateState andand had received the leastleast reward,reward, II shouldshould mention the name that deservedlydeservedly headsheads thethe rollroll ofof 1843, '1843,

""UNCLE" UNCLE" JESSE JESSE APPLEGATE.APPLEGATE.

I traveledtraveled in his company acrossacross thethe plains, lived neighborneighbor toto himhim forfor years, and have had many controversies with with him, him, inin which,which, I regret to say, I diddid notnot always come out of the contestcontest unscathed.unscathed. He was at the rendezvousrendezvous atat Fitzhugh's Mill on the 17th17th day of May,May, 1843,1843, and moremore by hishis silencesilence thanth~n byby what what he he said, said, gave gave character character to to our our proceedings. proceedings. No man did more uponupon the route toto aidaid thethe destitute andand encourageencourage the weak. He divideddivided his rations withwith the same reckless liberalityliberality withwith whichwhich hehe signedsigned the bonds ofof thosethose whowho havehave victimizedvictimized him andand reducedreduced himhim toto povertypoverty inin hishis old age. f He waswas oneone ofof thethe firstfirst settlers inin Polk county,county, asas hehe hashas beenbeen inin Umpqua,Umpqua, andand now is in Northern California. He presents the singularsingular anomaly ofof a gentle.gentle­ man of thethe highesthighest cultureculture who who shrinksshrinks fromfrom contact with society. In hishis pres-pres­ ence all feel the power ofof his genius, whilewhile hehe hashas not the volubilityvolubility toto utterutter a dozen consecutive words;words; but but givegive himhim pen,pen, inkink andand paper, and there isis scarcelyscarcely a subjectsubject uponupon which he cannotcannot shedshed' a floodflood of light.

He waswas the leaderleader inin formingforming our ProvisionalProvisional GovernmentGovernment inin 1845,1845, asas hehe waswas 62 THE OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL ADDRESS ADDRESS OF OF HON. HON. J. J. W.W. NESMITH.NESMITH.

of the party of 18461846 thatthat escortedescorted the first immigrationimmigration by by the the Southern Southern route­ route. an unselfishunselfish service in in whichwhich he he periledperiled hishis life toto ruinruin himselihimself pecuniarily.pecuniarily. The services and reputation of Jesse ApplegateApplegate areare the common propertyproperty of of the Oregon Pioneers.Pioneers. ""Such Such aa manman mightmight bebe a copycopy to thesethese youngeryounger times." In the language ofof the the great great poet- poet-

" ThisThis was was thethe noblest noblest Roman Roman ofof themthem aU. all. His life waswas gentle: and the elements So mixed inin himhim thatthat NatureItature might stand up And "8Ysay to all the world, This was a man." As a frontiersman in in courage,courage, sagacitysagacity andand na,turalnatural intelligence, he is the equal of Daniel Boone.Boone. In cultureculture andand experience, experience, hehe isis thethe superiorsuperior ofof half thethe livingliving statesmen of our land.land. As a generous, kindhearted neighbor,neighbor, he has no superior anywhere. In politics, he is a crosscross between thethe old-fashioned,old-fashioned, honesthonest notionsnotions f of HamiltonHamilton andand Jefferson. Jefferson. In religion, while he broke none of thethe command-command. ments, separately or intentionally; still, like Moses, ifif a properproperprovocation provocation occur­occur- red, hohd would be likely toto throwthrow downdown thethe tablets,tablets, andand while while extemporizingextemporizing awk-awk· ward profanity, might break them en massemasse. • He was too impracticableimpracticable to bebe aa partyparty leader, andand tootoo independentindependent to bebe thethe recipientrecipient of politicalpolitical favors. favors. The futurefuture historian will do justice to the merits, the ability andand thethe sacrificessacrifices of the "Sage of Yoncalla." Mr. President and Pioneers, the time rapidly approachesapproaches whenwhen we,we, thethe firstfirst settlers ofof Oregon, must go hencehence andand leaveleave toto ourour posterityposterity the fruitsfruits of ourour toils and our labors,labors, and II feelfeel thisthis toto bebe anan occasipn occasi9n when,when, ifif animosities animosities oror un-un­ kindness have existedexisted amongamong us,us, theythey ought to be buriedburie

""In In ploughman's ploughman's phrase, phrase, ' God' God send send you you speed.' speed' Still dailydaily toto growgrow wiser, And may you betterbetter reck the redecede Than ever did th' adviser." 1 ADDRESS.

BYY HON. GEORGEGEORGE P. HOLMAN.HOLMAN.

MR. PRESIDENT,PRESIDENT, PIONEERS,PIONEERS, LADIESLADIES ANDAND GENTLEMEN:GENTLEMEN' By referring toto the Register of our Association, I find recorded, Jas. W. Nes. mith, bornborn inin Maine,Maine, 1820;1820; arrivedarrived inin Oregon,Oregon, 1843.1843. Geo. P. Holn-ian,Holman, born in Salem, Oregon, Feb. 6,6, 1842, arrived inin thethe StateState aboutabout thethe samesame day.day. Thus you will perceiveperceive that that I Icame came not not by by the the " " Horn around" oror the"the "plains plains across," yetyet thethe date date of of my my arrival arrival in in thethe State State is is some some time time previous previous toto thatthat of the honorable gentleman who has so ably addressed you, and places me upon the recordrecord asas aa genuine,genuine, indigenousindigenou~ Webfooter.Webfooter.

By request of your committee, I will say a fewfew words in behalf of that portion • of our population bornborn withinwithin the State'State of Oregon,Oregon, priorprior toto JanuaryJanuary 1st, 1st, 1853, 1853, recognized as native Pioneers.Pioneers. Representing, then,then, thisthis particular particular branch branch of of our our Association, Association, it isis withwith emotionsemotions of pride,pride, tilatttat wewe havehave assembledassembled with you, honored Pioneers,Pioneers, toto celebratecelebrate an-an­ other anniversary ofof our re-union; and,and, asas wewe looklook overover thisthis assemblyassembly and find here and there,there, thosethose whomwhom wewe have knownknown forfor years,years, we cancan notnot forgetforget thethe scenes and incidents of their earlier life. In thethe historyhistory of'of thesethese bravebrave men and noble women, our fathers and our mothers, we recognize that spirit of enterprise and advancement,advancement; bothboth moral, social andand intellectual, soso universallyumversally character-character­ istic of our Pioneers.Pioneers.

Only a few years ago, and thethe country extending alongalong thethe shores of the Atlantic, touching the lakes on the north and the AlleghaniesAlJeghanies on the west,west, embracedembraced .thethe origional States of this Republic.Republic. To-day, how different the the picture! HowHow grand! howhow glorious thethe change!change! NotNot onlyonly have newnew StatesStates startedstarted intointo life,life, between the Alleghanies and the Father ofof Waters, foundingfounding beautiful andand wealthywealthy cities, burdeningburdening thethe rivers rivers withwith commerce,commerc,e, stretching the ironiron tracktrack andand tele-tele­ graph, andand openingopening classicclassic hallshalls andand consecratedconsecrated templestemples throughoutthroughout all this domain, butbut thethe governmentgovernment has carried the chainchain ofof Union,Union, notnot onlyonly overover thisthis region but beyondbeyond thethe Mississippi,Mississippi, and still onon beyond thethe RockyRocky Mountains, Mountains, andand finally linkedlinked it toto thethe rocksrocks whichwhich rollroll backback thethe wayes wll;ves ofof the the Pacific.Pacific. 64 ADDRESS OF OF HON. GEORGEGEORGE P.P. HOLMAN.HOLMAN.

The American PioneerPioneer has has ever ever been been the the chief chief actoractor in this drama of unpar-unpar­ alleled national progress.progress. "Westward the coursecourse of empire takes its way," but westwardwestward no further. The progress of population,population, improvement improvement and and civili- civili­ zation, stretching from mountain toto plain,plain, andand from plain to thethe westernwestern ocean,ocean, had reachedreached our own beautiful valley ofof thethe Willamette, and here amid toils and suffering, privationsprivations andand defeat,defeat, thethe PioneerPioneer ofof Oregon,Oregon, laidlaid thethe foundationfoundation of aa commonwealth, destineddestined to become the chief of ourour Empire on the Pacific.

Animated by a strong love ofof country, and a veneration for the institntionsinstitutions of their fathers,fathers, possessedpossessed of consummate moral courage, imbued with indomitableindomitable energy andand trusting toto thethe prote.ctionprotection of of Heaven, Heaven, they they began began to to build build uponupon thisthis foundation, soon rearedreared the superstructure ofof aa StateState Government, andand litlit up thethe land withwith thethe lights lights of of liberty, liberty, religion religion andand science;science; lightslights whichwhich to-dayto.dayare are illuminating thethe mostmost distant portionsportions ofof this continent.continent. • Those who have comecome among among us us of of late late years,years, maymay notnot regardregard the progress ofof nurQur State towards internal developmentdevelopment andand commercial enterprise, as markedmarked in any particular degree.degree. It isis thethe old old Oregon Oregon Pioneer Pioneer whowho cancan fullyfully under-under­ stand, whowho cancan fullyfully comprehenñcomprehen'd thisthis change.change. Well do I rememberremember whenwhen only two dwellings graced the Capital ofof our State, andand thethe voyager voyager was was carriedcarried overover the waterswaters of the Willamette and the Columbia, inin the rude canoe, with thethe redred man as driving power and pilotpilot combined.combin·ed. To-day how different! No longer can thethe authorauthor ofof ThanatopsisThanatopsis sing.sing.

U Or lose thyself in the continuouscontinuous woods, woods, Where rolls the Oregon, and hears no sound Save hishis ownown dashings."dashings." Other sounds nownow reverberatereverberate along along the the banks banks ofof that noble river, as upon its broad, deep waters, areare borneborne the intelligence and thethe commercecommerce of the nations. While we rejoice over the presentpresent proudproud position of our young State, we witnesswitnes s on every handhand the evidencesevidences of stillstill greatergreater prosperity. prosperity. Our healthfulhealthful skies,skies, our fertile vallies,values, our wonderful mines ofof mineral wealth,wealth, ourour majestic majestic forests,forests, our noble rivers, our commerce,commerce, our manufacturers, our busy population,population, already here, all thesethese assureassure usus thatthat a a region region enjoying enjoying such such aa profusionprofusion of Nature's gifts,gifts, will soon be densely populated byby industriousindustrious citizens,citizens, who guided by enterprise .I and science, willwill build build up up a a richrich andand powerful State,State, toto augment thethe nations' strength, and toto adornadorn its culture.culture. As we gather amid these scenes ofof festivityfestivity and and song,song, let let us not forget to pay tribute toto thethe memorymemory of thosethose honoredhonored PioneersPioneers who are not among us to-day.to-day. A thousand hallowedhallowed associatiQnsassociatillns throngthrong thethe mind, as we witness on every hand the resultsresults of their patient, heroic,heroic, Christian lives.lives. But alas! They havehave gonegone •

ADDRESS OFOF HON. GEORGEGEORGE P.P. HOLMAN.HOLMAN. 6

and gone in triumph; andand though thollgh no no splendidsplendid monumentmonument towerstowers above the spot where rests theirtheir ashes,ashes, yet, their memorymemory shallshall live in the heartshearts ofof theirtheir de- de. scendants, as long asas one shall remainremain toto recountrecount theirtheir deedsdeeds ofof goodness goodness andand virtue. Native Pioneers,Pioneers, assembled asas wewe areare with these .noble veteransveterans who still linger on thethe shore of time,time, howhow befittingbefitting thatthat we we pledge pledge ourselves ourselves toto guardguard with a jealousjealous care the sacred heritage ofof our fathers and protect the fair name of the landland ofof our birth. Let us maintainmaintain allall thethe organized organized institutionsinstitutions ofof an enlightened people, institutions of law,law, education, benevolence, religionreligion andand allall the adornments of of thethe highesthighest civilization and and thenthen shallshall our native State of Oregon, not only contribute to the power and grandeur of thisthis Republic, but like ascending sun, rising still higher,higher, shedshed itsits glorious glorious influenceinfluence backward uponupon thethe .. States of Europe and forwardforward upon the EmpiresEmpires ofof Asia.Asia. • 5 •

FIRST ANNUALANNUAL ADDRESS.ADDRESS.

DELIVERED BEPORElIEFORE TEETHm OREGON OREGON PIONEER PIONEEB ASSOCL&TOE. ASSOCIATION.

BY EX-GOV. GEORGEGEORGE L. CURRY.CURRY.

AT BVTTEVXLLE,13t1rrEVtt.LE, MARIONMARSON OOUNTY, OOUNTT, OREGON, OREGON, ON ON 'lItE THE OCCASION OF OP THE TEE SIXTEENTHSIXTEENT!f: ANNI-ANNI­ VERSARYVERSAET OFOP THE ADOPrIONADOPTION OPOF THE'tHE STATE STATE CONSTITOTION, CONSTITUTION. NOVEMBXENOVEMB'EB 11m,11TH, 1873.

MR. PRESIDENT,PRESIDENT, ANDAND LADIESLADIES ANDAND GENTLEatEN:GENTLEMEN: When, a short time since,since, I receivedreceived the invitationinvitation of youryour committeecommittee to be presentpreient and addressaddress youyou onon thisthis occasion-theoccasionthe first first re-union re-union ofof thethe Pioneers Pioneers ofof Oregon-IOregonI felt felt that that I shouldI should be be greatly greatly gratified gratified toto bebe ableable toto dodo so,so, and I an.an­ swered, that II wouldwould ifif II could,could, forfor II waswas thenthen closelyclosely engagedengaged inin thethe dischargedischarge of aa publicpublic duty.duty. That engagementengagement hashas been concluded,concluded, and I amam glad toto re-re­ port myself here to-day,to-day, amongamong the Pioneers,Pioneers, to take withwith themthem aa briefbrief reviewreview of the circumstancescircumstances attendingattending the the first first formationformation ofof civil civil SocietySociety andand civilcivil govern-govern­ ment in Oregon.Oregon. Spain, throughthrough thethe couragecourage andand perseverance perseverance ofof Columbus, Columbus, discovereddiscovered the Indies of the West. Here waswas a Pioneer of the sea, greater than the old Vikings of the Norsemen,Norsemen, because he waswas ableable toto establishestablish thethe proofproof of his discovery, and that discoverydiscovery was forfor thethe benefit of of his race.race. It was a great event.event. It occa-occa­ sioned and shaped otherother greatgreat eventsevents ofof thethe first first consequence consequence inin thethe progressprogress of humanity. MenMen turnedturned withwith gladness to the bright prospect, andand inhaled the inspiration of the newnew world.world. A Awide wide and and new new field field was was opened opened for for the the accomp- accomp­ lishment of manymany grandgrand and noble undertakings. The spirit of adventure seized the opportunity.opportunity_ Bold and unscrupulousunscrupulous men like CortezCortez and Pizarro,Pizarro, firstfirst planted ChristianChristian civilizationcivilization on the shores ofof aa newnew hemispherehemisphere and and mademade theirtheir names odious byby theirtheir crueltiescruelties andand crimes. crimes. For nearlynearly 300 years Spain was a great nation; partpart of of that that time time in in the the 'iead lead of of nations, nations, for for her her maratime maratime discoveries, discoveries, and conquests by by sea sea and and land, land, were were the the most most brilliant brilliant and and important thatthat the world had everever known.known. TheThe mostmost formidableformidable powerpower inin Europe,Europe, herher influence influence was felt throughout the entireentire continent,continent, andand herher authority authority acknowledged acknowledged andand obeyed inin the very centre of itsits dominions."dominions. She successfullysuccessfully colonized SouthSouth FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV. EXGOY. GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. 67 and partpart of of North North America America from from oceanocean toto ocean.ocean. Her earlyearly navigatorsnavigators explored the entireentire western coast line from Cape Horn to the Russian possessions,possessions, giving names to the principal rivers, bays and headlands. The mutationsmutations of time have leftleft herher nownow onlyonly thethe memorymemory of thatthat splendidsplendid past toto consoleconsole her underunder the ·vicissitudesvicissitudes of bitter fortune.fortune.

Just three hundredhundred years,years, withinwithin fivefive months,months, afterafter thethe discoverydiscovery made by Co-Co­ lumbus, a ship bearing thethe flagflag ofof aa new new nation,nation, whichwhich hishis grandgrand achievementachievement had brought into existence, sailing upon the Pacific ocean,ocean, enteredentered thethe mouth ofof a largelarge andand unknown unknown river,river, which which was was named named after after thethe vessel, vessel, andand isis now known as ourour ownown magnificentmagnificent Columbia. Subsequent explorations proved the country toto containcontain magnificentmagnificent forestsforests of finefine timber,timber, andand beautifulbeautiful valleys ofof fertilefertile land.land. It obtainedobtained thethe namename Oregon,Oregon, throughthrough the appellation OreganoOregana given to thethe country northnorth ofof California, fromfrom thethe circumstance of of the prolificprolific growth of a plant oror shrub,shrub, perhapsperhaps thethe" "Artemesia," AI'temesia," which which the the Spanish Spanish navigator navigator likenedlikened to wild Marjoram, the meaningmeaning of thethe wordword" " Oregano."Oregana." I know ofof nothingnothing toto sustain thethe beautiful idea,idea, thatthat the wordword" "Oregon" Oregon" isis derived fromfrom Indian tradition, signifyingsignifying the land nearestnearest thethe settingsetting sun,sun, or or the the most most western western land.land.

The firstfirst settlementsettlement was made by AmericanAmerican traders atat Oak Point, on thethe ColumbiaColUJ;nbia river, wherewhere Capt.Capt. SmithSmith of of the the shipAlbatross,ship Albatross, of of Boston, Boston, inin thethe springspring of x8so,18ID, cleared, fenced and cultivated a piecepiece ofofland, land, but thethe annual freshetfreshet of the river submerged his his improvementsimjrovements audaud causedcaused himhim toto abandon thethe place.place.

On the night ofof the a6th26th of Match,March, of the year following, 1811,i 8i i, the ship Ton-Ton­ 9cm,quin, thethe pioneerpioneer shipship ofof thethe Pacific Pacific FurFur Company, Company, asas JohnJohn JacobJacob Astor'sAstor's en-en­ terprise was called, crossed the barbar ofof thethe Columbia Columbia river, river, underunder circumstancescircumstances of great danger, involving lossloss of of life, life, and and anchored anchored in in Baker's Baker's Bay. Bay. ThisThis baybay was named after the Captain of thethe vesselvessel which first used thatthat anchorage.anchorage. Point George was selected as a site of the settlement, and calledcalled Astoria,Astoria, whichwhich is now thethe flourishingflourishing town town of of thatthat name.name. OnOn the the 12th 12th of of April, April, thethe workwork waswas commenced, andand in due time the requisite buildingsbuildings were erected and protected by a stockade.stockade. ExpeditionsF.xpeditionswere were fittedfitted out out andand sent up the river; one as far as thethe Spokane country, where a tradingtrading postpost waswas established, anotheranother upup the Wil-Wi!­ lamette river, wherewhere in 1812,1812, Mr. HalseyHalsey builtbuilt aa tradingtrading establishmentestablishment inin thethe vicinity of the present town site of Halsey, soso calledcalled inin compliment compliment toto thethe Vice Vice President of the Oregon andand CaliforniaCalifornia Railroad Railroad Company.Company. HereHere isis aa remark-remark­ able coincidence, andand thethe questionquestion might might well well suggestsuggest itselfitself which which of of thethe Hal­Hal. seys' is the better entitled to the honorhonor of havinghaving thethe placeplace namednamed afterafter him.him. The presence ofof thethe firstfirst whitewhite man,man, and he anan AmericanAmerican onon the CalapooiahCalapooiah Prairie, waswas aa circumstancecircumstance of great interestinterest andand importance,importance, andand thethe whistlewhistle ofof 68 FIRST ANNUALANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV. EXGOV. GEO.GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. the firstfirst locomotive was anan eventevent ofof equalequal grandeurgrandeur and and significance. significance. The firstfirst gave the promisepromise ofof thethe adventadvent ofof aa newnew orderorder of of things, things, whilewhile thethe otherother redeems redeems the pledge withwith thethe assuranceassurance ofof beneficialbeneficial influencesinfluences andand continualcontinual prosperity. The war withwith England,England, andand other other unpropitious unpropitious circumstances,circumstances, so discouraged.discouraged the operations ofof thethe Pacific Fur CompanyCompany as to cause itsits interestsinterests toto passpass intointo other and foreignforeign hands,hands, andand ultimatelyultimately into into those those ofof thethe Hudson's BayBay Company an-an incorporation incorporation of of British British subjects subjects for for the the same same business. business. The first recognition onou the part of of Congress of such a countrycountry as Oregon,Oregon, occurredoccurred in 1825,r825, inin the introduction ofof aa bill,bill, by Mr. Floyd of Virginia, inin the House of Representatives, "authorizing"authorizing the occupationoccupation of thethe OregonOregon river,"river," providingproviding for thethe maintenance ofof a military establishment, thethe collection ofof the customscustoms and the donation ofof landslands toto settlers.settlers. With the lastlast provisionprovision stricken out, it passed that body.body. OnOn the the 26th 26th of of February, February, during during the the same same session,session, Mr.Mr. Mahlon Dickerson of New Jersey, assailed the measure in a sarcastic speech in the Senate, toto whichwhic!!; II mustmust brieflybriefly allude,allude, forfor subsequent events andand ourour presentpresent situatIOnsituation and prosperity, have played the mischief with the logic and wit of this amusing SenatorialSenatorial effort.effort. Mr. DickersonDickerson said:said: "But isis thisthis TerritoryTerritory of Oregon ever to become a State? Never!" HeHe alluded alluded to to the the great great distancedistance it was from thethe seatseat ofof the FederalFederal Government,Government, fixingfixing it at 4,650 miles. "The" The distance therefore," said he, "" thatthat a a member member of of Congress Congress ofof thisthis State of Oregon will be obligedobliged to travel inin comingcoming toto thethe seat ofof governmentgovernment" and returning,returning, would be 9,300 miles.miles. 1'1 his his at at thethe rate of $8$8 forfor everyevery 2020 miles, would make his travelling expensesexpenses amount toto $3,720.$3,720. Every member of CongressCongress ought to see his constituents onceonce a year.year. This is already veryvery difficult for thosethose in thethe most remote partsparts of thethe Union. AtAt the the rate rate which which members members of of Congress Congress traveltravel according toto law,law, that isis 2020 milesmiles perper day,day, itit would would requirerequire toto comecome to thethe seat of government andand return, 465 days. But if he should travel at the rate ofof 30 miles aa day,day, itit would require 306 days.days. Allowing forfor Sundays,Sundays, 44 days, it would require 350 days. This would allow the membermember a fortnightfortnight to rest him-him­ self at Washington, beforebefore commencing hishis journeyjourney home.home. This rate of travel-travel­ ing would bebe aa hard duty, as a greater part of thethe wayway isis exceedinglyexceedingly bad,bad, andand a portion of it over rugged mountains, where Lewis and Clark foundfound severalseveral feetfeet of snow thethe latter part ofof June. Yet, a young, ableable bodied Senator, mightmight travel from OregonOregon toto Washington andand backback onceonce aa year,year, butbut hehe couldcould dodo nothingnothing else.else. It would be moremore expeditious, however, toto comecome by by waterwater roundround Cape Horn,Horn, or through Behring's Straits, roundround thethe northnorth coast coast ofof thethe continentcontinent to Baffin's Bay, through DavisDavis StraitsStraits toto the AtlanticAtlantic ocean,ocean, andand soso onon toto Washington.Washington. It isis true this passage isis notnot yetyet discovered except upon the maps,maps, but itit willwill bebe asas soon asas OregonOregon will will be be a a State."State." AlasAlas forfor allall humanhuman expectations!expectations! OregonOregon isis aa State and therethere isis nono North-westNorth-west passagepassage yet. Time and distancedistance are wellwell nighnigh FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV.EXGOV. GEO.GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. 69

annihilated byby steamsteam travel travel and and thethe telegraph, andand butbut one-fourth partpart ofof the time-table of Mr. Dickerson isis nownow requiredrequired toto makemake thethe triptrip around the world. The merciless Senator drove the last nail in the coffin,coffin, whichwhich he waswas making for the measure, byby thethe following"following "clincher:" clincher:" "As" As to thethe Oregon Territory, it can never be of anyany pecuniarypecuniary advantageadvantage toto thethe UnitedUnited States."States."

Senator Benton,Benton, alwaysalways thethe friend of Oregon,Oregon, remarked in reply: "It isis aa country tootoo greatgreat andand tootoo desirabledesirable toto remainremain longerlonger without civilized inhabit-inhabit­ ants. In extent,extent, soilsoil andand climate,climate, itit is is superiorsuperior to the oldold thirteenthirteen UnitedUnited States."States." Still the Senate must have been convinced by the argument ofof Senator Dicker­Dicker- son, for itit refused toto passpass thethe bill.

Other ineffectual attempts atat legislation occurred, andand in the meantime,meantime, the people themselves took thethe mattermatter in hand. The Pioneers came and established Communities,communities, churches,churches, schoolsschools andand aa government,government, andand prosperous industries. These, our adventurous fellow citizens, did moremore to preserve allall thisthis greatgreat North-North­ western section toto thethe UnitedUnited States,States, thanthan allall the skillful diplomates and astute statesmen. The stamp of the AmericanAmerican character was placed upon the country and itsits institutions,institutions, inin the the management management of of public public affairs, affairs, inin itsits churches,churches, schoolsschools and thethe businessbusiness ofof everyevery dayday life.life. It maymay appearappear strange that a handfulhandful ofof Americans inin Oregon,Oregon, at at that that earlyearly day, should have so actedacted as to havehave im-im­ pressed events then in the womb ofof thethe future. NewNew countriescountries developedevelope character. Man cannot be a hypocrite in performing thethe duties of pioneer life.life. Whatever there isis inin him,him, whetherwhether good, good, badbad or or indifferent, indifferent, mustmust comecome out.ant. It isis aa lifelife of action, incessantincessant action.action. Men are called upon to think quickly. Often there is little interveningintervening timetime betweenbetween conceptionconception and performance. MenMen areare knownknown by what they do,do, ratherrather thanthan byby whatwhat they say. Practice is always so muchmuch better thanthan theory.theory. In thethe wilderness,wilderness, men cannotcannot affordafford toto bebe otherwiseotherwise than true to nature. This life ofof independence,independence, affixes affixes manhoodmanhood toto the the humblest humblest in- in­ dividual, for it educateseducates him as toto aa knowledgeknowledge of himself,himself, and inspires himhim to depend solelysolely uponupon his his ownown exertionsexertions forfor hishis ultimate success.success. This inducesinduces industry andand energyenergy ofof purpose.purpose. Such men nevernever givegive up-neverupnever saysay theythey ""cannot,"they cannot, "-they are are confident confident in in all all they they undertake. undertake. The ideaidea ofof failurefailure is never contemplated. Their determination nevernever flags,flags, thethe greatergreater thethe difficul- difficul­ ties, thethe moremore theythey are are resolvedresolved toto overcome them. They taketake holdholdo! of aa work toto do it-notitnot to to do do atat it. Thus we find them pressingpressing into newnew andand unexploredunexplored tracts of country,country, withwith aa hardihoodhardihood andand resolutionresolution toto bebe admiredadmired and and commen- commen­ ded-plantingdedplanting civilization civilization everywhere. everywhere. Here iss a a typetype ofof thatthat character character which which has made the Pacific sideside of of ourour continent continent all all thatthat itit is;is; thatthat samesame unconquer-unconquer­ able, enterprising spirit which willwill yetyet make itit the worthyworthy rival of thethe AtlanticAtlantic sea-board. Alas, that soso many of thosethose indefatigable spiritsspirits shouldshould havehave beenbeen 70 FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV.EX-GOV. GEO. L. CURRY.CURRY. compelled to sacrificesacrifice their liveslives inin orderorder toto advanceadvance thethe successsuccess of thethe greatgreat work before them. Their whitenedwhitened bones,bones, wherewhere thethe wolveswolves havehave scatteredscattered them, are there to this day in the desert and the mountainmountain land, asas melancholy evidence ofof thethe enterprise and courage of the American Pioneer. The firstfirst permanent American settlers in Oregon, were trappers or mountain-mountain­ men, so called from their occupation. Of these,these, Mr.Mr. Sol.Sol. Smith,Smith, whowho camecame in 1832, andand isis stillliviugstill living in Clatsop county,county, is our oldest American Pioneer. Jas.Jas. A. O'Neil, ThomasThomas HubbardHubbard andand others,others, camecame withwith Capt.Capt. WyethWyeth ofof Boston,Boston, inin 1834. The brothers Lee,Lee, andand others ofof the MethoditMethodi<;t Mission,Mission, camecame alsoalso the same year. The Rev.Rev. Dr.Dr. WhitmanWhitman and Rev.Rev. H.H. H.H. Spaulding, Spaulding, withwith theirtheir wives, andand Mr.Mr. Wm.Wm. H.H. Gray, of thethe" "American American Board Board ofof Foreign Foreign Missions," Missions," arrived in 1836.1836. Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spaulding were thethe firstfirst. white white wo- wo­ men who crossed the Rocky Mountains. Their childrenchildren werewere the firstfirst American children born in Oregon.Oregon. In 1840, there were only about 250 white people in thethe country,country, ofof whichwhich number, 540140 were Americans. An attempt waswas mademade inin 1841,1841, to formform aa governmentgovernment without an executive,executive, making a SupremeSupre~e Judge the highest functionary, withwith thethe lawslaws ofof the StateState ofof NewYorkNew.York asas thethe lawlaw ofof the land. Rev.Rev. Dr. Dr. Babcock Babcock of of the the Methodist Methodist Mission,Mission, was elected to that position.position. The'movement,The movement, however, does not appear to have been popular, and a copy of thethe NewNew YorkYork StatutesStatutes not not being being convenient convenient per.per­ haps, thethe undertakingundertaking provedproved abortive.abortive. On the 4th of March, 1843, a meeting of the settlers of the Willamette valley was held forfor thethe purpose of determining upon some method to protect their stock from the attacks of wildwild animals.animals. This gathering not inappropriately has been denominated the" the "Wolf Wolf ScalpScalp Meeting,"Meeting," and hashas becomebecome notednoted fromfrom the fact that thethe firstfirst successful measures were therethere inauguratedinaugurated forfor thethe establishmentestablishment of a government. In 1846,1846, 1I saw the original recordrecord of thethe proceedingsproceedings on that occasion. One side of aa half half sheet sheet of of foolscap foolscap containedcontained thethe minutesminutes of thethe Wolf Scalp Meeting, and the other,other, thethe gravergraver doingsdoings ofof the the moremore importantimportant un-un­ dertaking. AA committee committee of of twelve twelve werewere appointedappointed toto report a plan of govern-govern­ ment, who diddid theirtheir duty exceedingly well, well, and and onon the 4th ofof JulyJuly following, following, announced in mass meeting thethe firstfirst systemsystem ofof polity forfor thethe NorthNorth Pacific Pacific coast.coast. It placed thethe executiveexecutive powerpower inin threethree persons,persons, thethe lawlaw making making power power in in aa com-com­ mittee composedcomposed of twelvetwelve members,me~bers, and thethe judiciaryjudiciary powerpower inin aa Supreme Supreme Judge, with JusticesJustices of the Peace in various districts. The first two branches of authority were modestly styledstyled "Executive Committee"Committee" andand" "Legislative Legislative Corn. Com­ mittee." FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV.EXGOV. GRO.GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. 71

W. H. Gtay,Geay, nownow ofof Astoria,Astoria, was a leadingleading spiritspirit throughoutthroughout thethe whole affair, and doubtless contributedcontributed muchmuch towardstowards itsits success. success. This civil authority was to control a mixed population composed ofof Americans, English, Scotch, Cana,Cana- dians and half-breedhalf-breed Indians. At that time,time, therethere werewere threethree religious religious denom- denom­ inations representedrepresented byby missionaries,missionaries, Methodist, Presbyterian andand Catholic,Catholic, andand there werewere manifestations ofof an activea~tive anti-missionanti-mission party. The first ExecutiveExecutive Committee consisted ofof one member of thethe MethodistMethodist Mission,Mission, AlansonAlanson Beers,Beers, and twotwo farmers,farmers, David Hill andand JosephJos~h Gale.Gale.

Two years after, inin 1845, this frameframe workwork waswas soso perfectedperfected asas toto assumeassume thethe dignity of aa constitutionalconstitutional government, with the executiveexecutive power lodged in a Governor with the right ofof veto, veto, andand the the legislative legislative functions functions in in a a House House of of Rep- Rep­ resentatives. This form of government existed until MarchMarch 3d, 1849,1849, whenwhen thethe jurisdiction of the United SatatesSatates waswas extendedextended byby virtuevirtue ofof thethe Act Act of of Congress Congress organizing the Territorial GovernmentGovernment of Oregon.Oregon; The general acceptance, if not the entire approvalapproval byby ourour peoplepeople ofof thethe Provisional Provisional Government, Government, mademade itit strong, andand enforcedenforced its authority.authority. Under it, lifelife andand propertyproperty were were protected,protected, Contractscontracts maintained,maintained, and the peoplepeople werewere prosperous and happy. Coined money being scarce,scarce, wheat was made a legal tenderte.nder in thethe paymentpayment of allall demands.demands. War waswas vigorouslyvigorously and successfully prosecuted. In thethe winter of 1847 and'and '48,48, over 300 men were kept in the fieldfield beyondbeyond thethe Cascade Cascade mountains,mountains, inin offensiveoffensive operations against thethe CayuseCayuse Indians.Indians. InIn thirteenthirteen daysdays fromfrom thethe receiptreceipt ofof the information at the seatseat ofof government, Oregon City, ofof thethe massacremassacre ofof thethe mis-mis­ sionaries and immigrants at Wa-il-at-pu,Wa-il-at-pu, a a force force ofof fifty fifty armedarmed menmen werewere inin pos- pos­ session of thethe MissionMission station at TheThe DallesDalles of of the the Columbia Columbia river,river, havinghaving marched aa distancedistance ofof oneone hundredhundred andand fiftyfifty miles.miles. There were nono steamsteam facil-facil­ ities forfor travel and transportationtransportation in those days and thethe marchmarch waswas mademade inin thethe inclement month ofof December.December. As fast as the companiescompanies could be equipped,equipped, they moved toto thethe frontfront byby thethe oldold packpack trailtrail upup thethe Columbia.Columbia. TheThe two two fights fights at thethe canyoncanyon of thethe DesDes Chutes, Chutes, inin whichwhich thethe enemy enemy were were drivendriven eacheach timetime with loss, occurred on the last two days of February. The battle of Umatilla,Umatilla, where the enemy were againagain repulsedrepulsed withwith serious loss,loss, waswas foughtfought on the 2nd of March.March. OnOn the the 4th, 4th, the the advance advance of of the the column column occupied occupied Wa-il-at-pu,Wa-il-at-pu, Whit-Whit­ man's Mission, nownow WallaWalla Walla,Walla, three hundred milesmiles awayaway from the seatseat ofof government, and almostalmost thethe samesame distance fromfrom any settlement of note.note. All thisthis was a display of energyenergy and power whichwhich would be regarded as remarkable in the operations ofof anyany government; butbut inin oneone soso new and inexperienced asas thatthat of the PioneersPioneers of Oregon, itit must be proof eminent!eminently y satisfactorysatisfactory as as toto thethe abil·aba. ity and efficiency of of it,it, that itit waswas notnot oneone onlyonly inin name,name, butbut aa governmentgovernment founded inin thethe esteemesteem and and sustained sustained by by the the will will and and majesty majesty of of the the people. people. The 72 FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV.EXGOV. GEO.GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. highest compliment has been paid toto thethe integrityintegrity andand patriotismpatriotism ofof thosethose Amer.Amer­ icans who reallyreally created and administeredadministered thisthis early organization,organization, in thethe simplesimple circumstance thatthat the·the greater partpart ofof thosethose ofof foreignforeign birth,birth, whowho sharedshared withwith them the fortunesfortunes of that govenment,govenment, asas soonsoon asas an opportunity was afforded them became citizens ofof the UnitedUnited States.States. It is indicativeindicative ofof the good faith and honest dealing which hadhad characterizedcharacterized thethe association.association. In 1846, whenwhen I I arrivedarrived in in the the country,country, I Ifound found an an intelligent,intelligent virtuous andand industrious community, actuatedactuated byby thethe purest motives, andand thethe highest sense ofof duty. There was anan intenseintense anxiety-made anxietymade keenerkeener by suspense and the defer-defer­ ment of hope-forhopefor the the time time to to come,come, whenwhen thethe jurisdictionjurisdiction of the UnionUnion wouldwould be extended over over them,them, and and theythey couldcould, realize realize that,that, though far off,off, they were still at home, and benerthbeneath thethe protectionprotection of thethe gloriousglorious banner ofof our country.country. At that time OregonOregon comprised six counties,Counties, northnorth of of the Columbia river the two counties ofof Lewis andand Vancouver;Vancouver; south south of of itit Clackamas, Tuality, Yamhill and Champoeg, now Marion. To thethe OregonOregon PioneersPioneers belongsbelongs the the honor honor of of having having established thethe first first news-news­ paper press on the PacificPacific coast, at OregonOregon City, in February, 1846.1846. The paper was called the Oregon Spectator,Spedator, and was issued semi.monthly.semi-monthly. The OregonOregon Free Press, the first weekly news sheet sheet on on this this sideside ofof the continent,continent, was also published at that place in March, 1848, fromfrom a a pre~s press mademade inin thethe country, and with display type wrought out of wood. The first coinage of gold on this Coastcoast tooktook placeplace atat OregonOregon CityCity inin thethe springspring of 1849. Our people returning fromfrom the gold minesmines in California,California, could get butbut eleven dollarsdollars perper ounceounce forfor their goldgold dustdust inin trade,trade, whenwhen itit waswas worthworth fromfrom sixteen toto eighteeneighteen dollars dollars cash. cash. To remedyremedy this, the Legislature inin thethe winter of 1848-9, passedpassed anan actact authorizing"authorizing "The The assaying,assaying, melting andand coiningcoining of gold," butbut thethe adventadvent of of the the new new orderorder of of things things underunder thethe FederalFederal Government,Government, precluded thethe carryingCarrying outout of of the law. Private enterpriseenterprise however,however, withinwithin a short time after,after, issuedissued whatwhat has has since since been been called called the" the "Beaver" Beaver" coin, five and ten dollar goldgold pieces,pieces, withwith thethe impression impression of the beaverbeaver on one side, overover ·whichwhich appeared thethe innitiallettersinnitial letters ofof thethe namesnames of thethe company,company, Kilborn, Magruder, Taylor, Abernethy, Wilson, Rector, Campbell, Campbell, Smith; Smith; underneath, underneath, "0. "0. T. ) 1849." OnOn the the reverse, reverse, was was" "Oregon Oregon Exchange Exchange Company, Company, 130130 grainsgrains Native Gold.Gold, 5 D." TheThe only only alteration alteration on on the the faces faces of the $Io$10 pieces was,was," " 1010 pdwts 20 grains,grains, TenTen D."D." TheThe dies dies for for thisthis coinagecoinage werewere mademade byby Hamilton Hamilton Camp-Camp­ bell, since dead; the press and rolling mill were made by Wm. H. Rector,Rector, nownow removed to California. The intrinsicintrinsic worthworth of these gold pieces was some eight per cent.cent, more thanthan their representativerepresentative value, value, and and thereforetherefore theythey werewere readilyreadily interchanged and soon passed fromfrom generalgeneral circulation.circulation. FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV. EXGOV. GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. 73

In concluding thisthis brief and desultory addressaddress letlet usus hope thatthat thethe comingcoming genera­genera- tions, whowlo are to build up thethe StateState ofof OregonOregon toto aa scalescale competingcompeting withwith thethe grandeur andand powerpower of other States, will the more and more appreciate the work of the Pioneers, asas inin thethe performance ofof that duty, glimpses after glinipsesglimpses of the grand futurefuture areare disclosed.disclosed.

No doubtdoubt a high regardregard willwill be be cherished cherished forfor themthem whenwhen theythey shallshall have have passed away,away, toto live live againagain inin thethe grateful stories ofof the thrillingthrilling incidentsinciden:s of frontier and wildernesswilderness life.life. Few deeds will be found within the 'periodperiod ofof that pioneer rule which anyanyone one will carecare toto havehave disclaimed,disclaimed, oror whichwhich will cause the least reproach.reproach. The OregonOregon PioneersPioneers were were aa classclass ofof men men possessingpossessing the superior virtues which make aa superior manhood. Already they have been distinguished by the higher honors-inhonorsin the the pulpit, pulpit, on on thethe bench,bench, atat thethe bar,bar, as as Governors, Governors, as Congressmen, as Senators. rheyfhey did did theirtheir work work unostentatiously,unostentatiously, butbut diddid it well, in leaving aa broad andand substantialsubstantial foundation, atat least forfor thethe moremore completecomplete and perfectperfect workwork ofof thosethose who were toto comecome after them.them.

The world with laurel garlandsgarlands Victorious warriors crown,croWD, And life-like forms in marble, Proclaim theirtheir high renown; On crimsoned fields of carnage, Where desperate deedsdeeds are done,done, Where brotherbrother strikes a brother down, That he may wear the victor's crown, That kind ofof fame isis won.won.

But, Peace inin her achievements, No pain, or ill, imparts; How grand her scope of usefulness, Her wonder-work ofof arts arts! I Our hopes,hopes, our our lives-the livesthe homeshomes of of earth­ earth All that makes lifelife of of any any Worth worth To her are consecrate, Which once destroyed inin war's wild wrath, War cannot re-create.

Her rule developesdevelopes manhood,manhood, And makes a people great In thatthat which which tends tends to to human human good, good, InIn allall thatthat links links a a brotherhood,brotherhood, And glorifies thethe State. 74 FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV. EXGOV. GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY.

For those beneath her banner, Who wroughtwrought our pleasant ways, Who toiledtoiled and suffered toto thethe end, That man might be his ownown beetbest friend, Be honor and all praise. Is there nono song of triumph? No word of lofty cheer? Now thatthat the Wilderness is ours, For the braysbrave Pioneer?Pioneer?

What was therethere so enticing, That charmed him toto hishis fate?fate? Was he to win a hero's name?name? To fill the worldwodd with loudloud acclaim? acclaim? And rank among the great? There was no sound of greeting, In desertsdeserts where he trod; With a stout heart to do and dare, Hardships and perilsperils werewere hishis share, Far off-aloneoffalone with with God! Godl

On! forfor the good ofof others, That end for all atones; To fellfell the forest, make thethe home-­home-- To mark the path for them to come, If needneed be with hishis bones.bones. On dreary wastes, in mountain pass.pass, Mournful mementoes tell Of sudden strait-of straitof desperate desperate strife--strife-­ Where fiercely fighting for his life, A bravebrave man bravely fell.

At length he winswins highhigh guerdon!guerdon! "~isJis star of fortune shines!shines I The mountains ope' their flinty pores, Nature revealsreveals her her precious precious stores- stores The gold and silver mines; The world is in a tumult! ItIt rushes for the prize!prize I A miraclemiracle is wrought--how grand! As ifif byby magicmagic through through the land, See towns and traffic rise!

As the farmer tills his broad lands, And gathers in his grain;arain; As the voices of the homestead Swell in a happy strain; As sUDsetsunset gives itit grandeur, And herds come home to rest; As roundround thethe hearth-stone each loved form Brings wealth of an affection warm, The Pioneer isIs blest. FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESSADDRESS OF OF EX-GOV. EXGOV. GEO.GEO. L.L. CURRY.CURRY. 7S75

The noise of busy labor With musicmusi fillstl1s thethe air,air, And makesmakes the the songsong of o triumph That .,.,hoeserhoe every every where; where; While art designs thethe honorg honors Which thriving thrift uprears, From the mountains toto the sea-side,sea-side, For the bravebrave Pioneers.Pioneers. CAPTAIN LEYENLEVEN N.N. ENGLISH.ENGLISH.

BORN 1792. DIED 1876. Leven Nelson EnglishEnglish was bornborn nearnear Baltimore, Maryland, MarchMarch 25,25, 1792.1792. When quite young, his parents moved toto thethe thenthen TerritoryTerritory of Kentucky,Kentucky, where he residedresided for for several several years years and and married. married. WhenWhen thethe war with England was",as declared, (1812), he volunteeredvolunteered and was in severalseveral of the heaviestheaviest battlesbattles onon the frontiersfrontiers ·ofof thethe UnitedUnited States andand thethe Canadas.Canadas. After the declarationdeclaration of peace, he immigrated with his familyfamily toto MaCoupin'sMaCoupin's county, Illinois,Illinois, wherewhere hehe earnestly set himself toto workwork toto makemake aa homehome inin thethe greatgreat wilderness, but these operations were temporarily suspended byby the commencementcommencement or-theof the IndianIndian troubles which finally culminated in the Black Hawk war. At the breaking out of the war, he raised and was elected Captain of aa volunteervolunteer ,company,company, and was so commissioned by Governor Reynolds. In 1836 hehe again determineddetermined toto pushpush furtherfurther West, andand moved toto thethe Ter-Ter­ ritoryritoryof of Iowa,Iowa, wherewhere he settled and erected aa mill and identifiedidentified himself with the progress of that young and rising population. In 1845, hehe againagain pulled"pulled "up up stakes" and started forfor Oregon, andand settledsettled in the Willamette valleyvalley nearnear andand east of Salem,Salem, after aa toilsometoilsome trip acrossacross the plains, losing one of hishis sonssons by by deathdeath duringduring thethe trip. Capt. EnglishEnglish built thethe next year, what was once widely known asas English's mills, which contributedcontribute.~ very materially toto thethe better better class class of of dwelling dwelling houses houses inin SalemSalem andand thethe surround-surround­ ing country. When the CayuseCayuse warwar brokebroke out,ont, Capt.Capt. English English and and several several of of his his sons sons respon-respon­ ded to the call forfor volunteer with alacrity,alacrity,thus thus filling his placeplace creditablycreditably in three different wars. In 1869, he moved withwith hishis familyfamily toto California,California, butbut notnot likingliking the climate,climate, hehe returnedreturned andand settled settled in in Salem, Salem, in in 1871, 187 I, wherewhere hehe residedresided thethe remainder ofof his life. Captain English waswas married twice; with hishis firstfirst wifewife he lived 39 years up toto 1851, whenwhen she she died, died, and and being being the the mother mother of of twelve children. By his second wife he had seven, making a total of nineteen children. Capt. English dieddied MarchMarch 5,5, 1875,1875, lacking twentytwenty daysdays ofof beingbeing 8585 years old. His death occured afterafter thethe publicationpublication of of thethe titletitle page ofof this publication,publication, or it would have appropriately appeared therein. COL. JOSEPHJOSEPH L.L. MEEK.MEEK.

I 881 I 00-- -. I1875. 8 7 5 •

_&wAGE 65..

CAPT. L.L. N.N. ENGLISH.ENGLISH.

I1792--1876. 79 2 .- I 8 7 6 •

AGEG-1 84.S4. COL. JOSEPHJOSEPH L.L MEEKMEEK.

BORN 1810. iSio. DIED 5875.1875.

BY Jlma.5BB. F. F.F. VICTOR. VICTOR.

Josephoseph L.L. Meek waswas bornborn inin Washington Washington couuty, county, Virginia. Virginia. HeHe waswas the the son son of a planter1planter, andand hishis mothermother waswas of of a agood good Virginia Virginia family-one familyone of thethe Walker'sWalker's ~and---ancl aunt aunt toto thethe wifewife of of President Polk.Polk. But unfortunatelyunfortunately for her son,son, this lady died early, andand youngyoung JosephJoseph waswas leftleft veryvery muchmuch toto hishis ownown devices,devices, on aa plantation wherewhere therethere waswas nothing for himhim toto do, do, and and littlelittle to learn, except such out-doorout· door sports as boys delight in.in. These he enjoyed inin thethe mostmost unrestrained.unrestrained. liberty, having for his companionscompanions only oniy thethe children ofof his father'sfather's. slaves, slaves, towards whom he stood in thethe relationrelation ofof master.master. Such circumstances wouldwould bebe inimical to habits ofof mental mental industry industry in in anyany case;casej and the lad found his temptationstemptatiqns toto aa busybusy idleness so many andand strong, that he refusedrefused even toto availavail himselfhimself of of the little elementary teaching that he might have had on the plantation. His stepmother,stepmother, forfor whom he seems to have felt a dislike, eithereither did not, oror couldcould notnot influenceinfluence him him in in the the directiondirection of of study; study; and it fell out that whenwhen he arrivedarrived at the age of sixteensixteen years, hehe was a tall,tall, merry, active boy, who knew hardly as much of spellingspelling andand readingreading asas isis con-con­ tained in the child'schild's firstfirst primer. primer. WhyWhy it was thatthat hishis fatherfather neglectedneglected him inin so culpable a manner does notnot appear;appear; but what is evident is, that youngyoung Meek was not happy atat home,home, andand thatthat his his not not being being so so was was the the cause cause of of his his abandon- abandon­ ing thethe plantationplantation whenwhen betweenbetween sixteensixteen andand seventeenseventeen years of age, and under-under­ taking toto enter uponupon a careercareer forfor himself.himself. This he diddid byby going going toto Kentucky,Kentucky, where soniCsome relationsrelations of of his father resided; and, on dndingfinding thingsthings notnot toto hishis mind in the newnew place,place, finallyfinally pushingpushing onon toto St.St. Louis,Louis, thenthen a a mere mere trading-posttrading-post on the Missouri frontier, where he arrived in the fall ofof 5828.1828.

This was the decisive stepstep that that colored all his afterafter life.life. St. Louis waswas thethe rendezvous ofof fur traders, who yearly enlisted newnew men forfor service inin trappingtrapping beaver in thethe RockyRocky Mountains.Mountains. YoungYoung Meek Meek offeredoffered himself,himself, andand thoughthough 80 BIOGRAPHY OF OF COL.COL. JOSEPHJOSEPH L. MEEK.MEEK. younger than the otherother recruits,recruits, waswas accepted,accepted, on hishis assuranceassurance that he would not shrink from duty, duty, eveneven ifif that dutyduty shouldshould be toto fight Indians. The spring ofof 58291829 accordingly foundfound himhim in in thethe employemploy ofof Mr. William Sublette,Sublette, one of thethe mostmost enterprisingenterprising andand successfulsuccessful of the fur traders, who annually ledled. a company of men to the mountains, and throughthrough them,them, froxn from summersummer toto winterwinter rendezvous; leaving them the following springspring toto gogo toto St.St. LouisLouis for the necessary Indian goods and fresh recruits. Little did the boy of eighteeneighteen realize the fateful step he was taking; that forfor eleven years hehe should roamroam thethe mountaiusmountains aud and plainsplains like anan Indian,Indian, carryingcarrying his life inin hishis handhand atat everyevery step; step; that he should marry anan IndianIndian woman;woman; and leave aa familyfamily ofof half-Indianhalf-Indian children>children inin thethe valleyvalley ofof thatthat farfar offoff Oregon,Oregon, of which then he had hardly everever heard the name.name. But a man onceonce enteredentered into the serviceservice of thethe furfur companies foundfound it nearly impossibleimpossible toto abandonabaudon thethe service,service, unless he had shown himselfhimself cowardly cowardly and and unfit-in unfitin which which case case he he was was permittedpermitted to returnreturn when thethe tradingtrading partnerpartner went went to to St. St. Louis Louis for for goods. goods. A brave andand active man was sure to be kept in the Company's debt, oror inin somesome otherother wayway inin its power; soso thatthat nono opportunityopportunity should be aflordedafforded of leaving,leaving> the life he had entered upon however thoughtlessly. Letters were even forbidden to be written or received; lestlest hearinghearing fromfrom homehome shouldshould produceproduce hoiiesicknesshomesiclmess andand disaf-disaf­ fection. The service was so full of dangers, thatthat it was estimated fully one-fifthone· fifth if not one-fourth ofof thethe trapperstrappers were killedkilled by the Indians,Indians, oror dieddied byby accidentaccident and exposure each year. Yet, withwith all all these these chances chances against against him, him, Meek Meek lived lived eleven eleven years years in in the the mount- mount­ ains, fightingfighting IndiansIndiins and wild beasts, withwith never 111 in allall thaithat timetime aa serioug serious wound fromfrom Indian Indian arrow arrow or or paw paw of of grizzly grizzly bear; bear; a a fact fact that that illustrates better than any words, thethe address, quickness and and couragecourage of of the the man. man. ThoughThough oftenoften sportively alludingalluding to to hishis own subterfuges to escape fromfrom danger,danger, itit stillstill remained evident that anan awkward,awkward, slowslow or cowardly manman couldcould nevernever havehave resortedresorted to such means.means. AnAn unnsuallyunnsually finefine physic,physic, aa sunnysunny temper and readyready wit,wit, mademade him a favorite with both comrades andand employers,employers, andand gave him influence withwith such Indian tribes as the mountain-men heldheld inin friendlyfriendly relations. There are certain seasons ofof the year when either the beaver cannot be taken on accountaccount of of cold, oror whenwhen itsits fur fur is is worth worth little little onon accountaccount of of hothot weather. At these seasons, thethe men had their semi-annual rendezvous-thatrendezvousthat ofof winterwinter season being being the the longest-all longestall ofof thethe menmen goinggoing intointo campcamp in some partpart ofof the country where they couldcould best subsist themselvesthemselves and their horses. During somesome of these winter vacations, Meek applied himselfhimself toto acquiringacquiring somesome knowledge of reading; andand asas thethe onlyonly authorsauthors carriedcarried aboutabout withwith thethe Company'sCompany's goods,goods, were of thethe very best-thebestthe Bible, Bible, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, and thethe standardstandaId poets-thepoetsthe effect effect BIOGRAPHY OFOF COL. JOSEPH L. MEEK.MEEK. 818x

was to store a mind otherwise empty of learning with some ofof the finest litera­litera- ture inin thethe EnglishEnglish language.language. Besides this advantage, MeekMeek hadhad for for companionscompanions menmen whowho had in their youthyouth been educated forfor a veryvery differentdifferent life from that they werewere leading,leading, butbut who, who, forfor one cause and another, had become embittered against societysociety and voluntarilyvoluntarily exiled themselves. Others, from a love of adventure had comecome to the mountains. Only a small proportion werewere really illiterate men. Besides his companions in camp, Meek quitequite oftenoften was was broughtbrought into into contactcontact withwith the travelingtraveling parties ofof English noblemen, or ofof painters and natualists,natualists, whowho attachedattached themselvesthemselves for greater safetysafety toto thethe caravancaravan ofof the the furfur companies.companies. In thisthis wayway hehe was enabled to pick up a fundfund of miscellaneousmiscellaneous knowledgeknowledge thatthat wentwent farfar toto covercover thethe defi. defi. ciency of his early education.education.

About 1839,1839, the beaverbeaver hadhad becomebecome soso scarcescarce fromfrom being so long and steadilysteadily hunted by thethe severalseveral companies,companies, thatthat itit was was thoughtthought bestbest toto disbanddisband them.them. Here was a new phase of the lifelife intointo whichwhich MeekMeek hadhad so so thoughtlessly thoughtlessly been drawn. At twenty-nine,twenty-nine, in tIethe veryvery flushflush ofof youngyoung manhood, manhood, toto bebe deserteddeserted inin thethe mountainsmountains byby hishis employers,employers, was somethingsomething he hadhad notnot foreseen.foreseen. To return toto Virginia with anan IndianIndian wife and children,children, waswas notnot toto bebe thoughtthought of, even ifif it werewere possible,possible, as itit waswas not.not. To remain in the mountains,mountains, exceptexcept by relin-relin­ quishing forever allall thoughts of civilizedcivilized associations,associations, waswas equallyequally impossible. impossible. At thisthis juncture, Meek,Meek, withwith severalseveral moremore mountain-men,mountain-men, determineddetermined toto castcast their lot with thatthat ofof thethe almost almost unknown unknown Oregon, Oregon, then then virtually virtually in in possession possession of the Hudson Bay Company; and in 1840,1840, did removeremove with their familiesfamilies toto thethe Wallamet valley, where atat that timetime veryvery fewfew AmericansAmericans were living except thosethose connected withwith thethe MethodistMethodist Mission-few Missionfew indeed, in all. In thethe winterwinter ofof 1840,1840, MeekMeek selectedselected a landland claimclaim inin the TualatinTualatin Plains,Plains, where he began to farm, the s.amesame he afterwards livedlived upon and where he died, inin June,June, 1875.1875. From thethe timetime that that he he came came to to Oregon, Oregon, until until Oregon Oregon became became a a State, State, Meek Meek waswas always more or less activelyactively concernedconcerned inin herher affairs. affairs. Well acquaintedacquainted withwith Indian character, he was useful inin maintainingmaintaining peace peace with with the the native native tribes. tribes. A staunch American, he resisted the encroachments ofof BritishBritish authorityauthority during the period ofofjointjoint occupancy ofof thethe country. country. WhenWhen itit waswas atat lastlast thought thought best best to to move move for the orgaizationorg3jization of of a aProvisional Provisional Government Government, he he was was conspicuously conspicuously activeactive in callingcaJling for.&ne:!tpressionfor aa expression of of sen sentitnept, headiIlgtbe headisig the American American do'lillun adünrn iii in his Móiti 'own ' ; pez*n.perll.Qrl. BeingmadBe~made~. S ffunderth.ne new government,governmeat. he psxforme&~~bW'dutiell; hli duties, tl$>i&lwayd.htori.e~nt*Iways Rghtoeies, ~:piomptit\td._h'p ptitudéand spirit;sp4ri. HeHe"ft\tki\o:it~t~~.·;elestëdAsse. "'bl~blyman froni&om.' Wash . . .ncounyporkradng I:

When the massacremassacre of thethe missionariesmissionaries and emigrantsemigrants at Wailatpu, startled all OregonOregon in 1847,1847, he accepted thethe toilsometoilsome andand dangerousdangerous duty ofof messengermessenger toto Congress; having toto performperform the journeyjourney overland inin thethe depthdepth ofof winter,winter, with only two companions,companions, one one of of whom whom gave gave out out upon upon the the way. way. HeHe arrivedarrived afterafter much hardship, on the Missouri frontier early in March,March, withoutwithout moneymoney oror de- de· centcen~ habiliments,habiliments, andand byby hishis addressaddress wonwon hishis wayway whereverwherever he appeared untiluntil he presentedpresented himself, aa forlorn messenger indeed, indeed, at at thethe doordoor ofof the WhiteWhite House. During all his subsequent life,life, hehe delighteddelighted to recall the sensationsensation he was able to produceproduce on on beingbeing presen1:ed presented to to President President Polk. Polk. NoNo otherother manman inin thethe United States wouldwould havehave thoughtthought ofof standingstanding soso entirelyentirely on the meritsmerits of his cause;cause; oror ofof making his wretchedness aa subjectsubject ofof such such self.raileryself.railery as to divert attention from its pitifulness and make itit seemseem only a very good jest.jest. Such was thethe teiperamentteIl)perament ofof thethe man,man, thatthat whenwhen hehe chosechose to be merry-andmerryand at at his his own own expensethereexpense-there was was universal universal enjoyment enjoyment in in beholding beholding it.it.

Meek remained inin Washington,Washington, a a guest guest of of PresidentPresident Polk, until thethe passagepas~age oftheof the Organic Act,Act, AugustAugust 14th,4th, 1848.1848. Oregon was by this Act, constituted a Territory of the UoitedUnited States,States, andand it it became became necessary necessary toto appoint appoint its its officers officers asas quickly as possible in order that theythey might reachreach theirtheir fieldfield ofof action before the expiration of of Polk'sPolk's term of office.office. AA commission commission was givengiven MeekMeek of U.U. S.S. Marshal; andand hehe waswas entrustedentrusted withwith thethe dutyduty of of conveying conveying toto Gen.Gen. JosephJoseph Lane,Lane, his commission asas GovernorGovernor of of Oregon, Oregon, with with authority authority to to take take anan escortescort ofof U.U. S. dragoons from FortFort Leavenworth inin the Kansas Territory, forfor theirtheir safesafe conductconduct across the plains. This was aa very different orderorder of of traveltravel fromfrom thatthat he had pursued six months previous,previous, when when he he had had skulkedskulked throughthrough aa thousand miles ofof Indian country almost·almost alone,alone, poor, raggedragged andand often in danger ofof starving, to carry news to the government ofof thethe awfulawful straightstraight inin whichwhich thethe littlelittle American colonycolony.in in Oregon foundfound itself. By taking thethe southernsouthern route,route, or Sante Fe trail,trail, thethe Oregon Oregon GovernorGovernor andand Marshal arrived in California in February, 1849,1849, and in Oregon on the adzd of I March, just inin time for Lane toto bebe proclaimedproclaimed GovernorGovernor of thethe newnew territoryterritory before the expirationexpiration of Polk's term.term. They found the Indians in a state of armed tranquility,tranquility. waitingwaiting toto seesee whatwhat thethe whites would dodo furtherfurther to,venge tovenge thethe the murders of Wailatpu.Wailatpu. Lane demanded the principal murderers fromfrom their tribe, and had them hanged, Meek officiating as as e:Kecutioner-a executionera dutyduty which which hehe performed withwith lessless reluctancereluctance sincesince oneone of of his own'own children had beenbeen amongamong the victims.victims. ----~------.....

BIOGRAPHY OF OF COL. COL. JOSEPHJOSEPH L.L. MEEKtMEEK\ 83

Meek waswas nownow atat his his prime, prime, beingbeing about about fortyforty years of age; gay, handsome, and of aa dignified dignified carriage.carriage. He might have been wealthy, had he possessedpossessed either thethe avariciousness or the business acumen necessary toto thethe accumulationaccumulation of money.money. But not havinghaving either, thethe moneymoney that camecame intointo hishis handshands slipped easily away. When the Territory became aa State, officesoflices passedpassed intointo other hands,bands, and thethe Pioneers rarely conductedconducted itsits affairs. affairs. Meek thenceforth lived quietlyquietly uponupon his farm near Hillsboro,Hilisboro, laboring little,little, and finding occupation inin ridingriding aboutabout the country or visiting the towns that he had seenseen grow upup throughoutthroughout thethe valley valley of of thethe Wallamet.Wallamet. 'Wherever'Wherever he he went, went, aa crowdcrowd ofof curious listeners were wont to gather, eager toto hear, overover and over, the talestales of mountainmountain advcnture,adventure, oror stories of pioneerpioneer times,times, thatthat he~he soso well knewknew howhow to makemake interestinginteresting oror diverting. diverting. To those who knew him only in thisthis character,character, hehe appearedappeared simplysimply as a humorist who could paint a scene as broadly as his audience demanded.demanded. But there was another side to hishis charactercharacter notnot so so well well understood-that, understoodthat, had had his his mother mother lived lived toto cultivate it, oror hadhad hehe marriedmarried aa refined refined womanwoman of hishis ownown race,race, whowho wouldwould have developed it,it, would have beenbeen conspicuousconspicuous forfor itsits gentleness,gentleness, generositygenerosity and courtesy.courtesy. In thethe presencepresence of women hehe waswas court!courtly y andand gallangallant t toto a degree veryvery remarkableremarkable inin a man who had livedlived soso adventurousadventurous aa life.life. Not-Not­ withstanding his livtlylively temperament,temperament, personal beauty, and uncongenial domestic relations, it waswas nevernever reported of him that he was untrue toto hishis marriage-bond. The blame of hishis position he took upon himself; though in reviewingreviewing the cir-cir­ cumstances ofof hishis lifelife therethere seemsseems not much real blame attaching toto it.it. It was unfortunate rather than blameworthy.blameworthy. Many are the humoroushumorous sayingssayiugs thatthat will will long long be be remembered remembered inin OregonOregon of which MeekMeek waswas the the author;author; one ofof the bestbest knownknown of whichwhich probablyprobably is his reply to a young Englishman, who inin ratherrather anan affectedaffected manner,manner, waswas inquiringinquiring of him concerning thethe chaugeschanges whichwhich he,he, stillstill aa youngyoung man,man, and only a few years a resident in the country, hadhad seen in Oregon.Oregon. "Changes?" said Meek, with great animation,animation, "Why,"Why, when when I Icame came to to Oregon, Oregon, MountMount HoodHood waswas aa kalehole in thethe ground!" Concerning his indifferenceindifference to to money, money, and and hishis love ofof reputation, Hon. JesseJesse Applegate relates that there being two offices at at his his disposaldisposal under thethe Provis-Provis­ ional Government, oneone withwith some emoluments, andand thethe otherother with onlyonly glory,glory, the choice waswas oflered oflered Meek,Meek, who who quickly quickly responded-" responded" Give Give meme thethe. oneone with the glory!" I, myself,myself, onceonce askedasked whywhy hehe broughtbrought hishis NezNez Perce Perce wife wife to to the the white white settle- settle­ mentswhyments-why he he did did not not leave leave her her with with her her people? people? "I could't could't dodo it,"it," hehe replied, "she"she had had children, children, andand II couldcould not taketake themthem away fromfrom her." her." On my suggestingsuggesting that that he he couldcould have have left left them them withwith her, her, and and cat ct looseloose entirelyentirely ,

84 ,BIOGRAPHY OF OF COL. JOSEPH L. MEEK.MEEK.

from hishis mountainmountain life,life, hehe replied,replied, tappingtapping hishis breastbreast inin thethe regionregion 'of of thethe heart,heart, "I could could notnot do that,.itthat,it hurlhurt here." here." He waswas a kindkind husbandhusband and and father; father; proud proud of of his his children children and and ready ready to to sacrifice sacrifice himself forfor them. His family, seven in number, resided with the mother, near Hillsboro,Hiflsboro, untiluntil recently, when two ofof the daughters married and removedremoved to other States. Of hishis threethree sons,sons, all remainremain uponupon thethe farm,farm, withwith thethe elderelder andand younger sister,Sister, and and allall are devoted to the NezNez PercePerce mother,mother, whowho sincerelysincerely mourns her widowhood. , The title of' 'Colonel" which which attached to to Meek, was altogetheraltogetherhonorary, honorary, hehe nevernever having heldheld aa commission.commission. But his military air, and the willingnesswillingness with whichwhich he performed military duty when called upon,upon, hishis Marshal'sMarsh~l's costume,costume, decorateddecorated with the U. S. buttons, and similar causes, ledled toto thethe adoptionadoption of of thethe titletitle that seemed so naturally to belong toto him.him. His horsemanshiphorsemanship was perfect, and his appearance uponupon horsebackhorseback inin hishis office office of Marshal extremely imposing; circum·circum- stances that inevitably suggested aa title.title. Such are some ofof the characteristics,characteristics, and suchsuch somesome ofof thethe circumstances circumstances belonging to the subject of this sketch. In thethe" "River River of of the the West,"West," thethe futurefuture historian will findfind preservedpreserved manymany detailsdetails too too voluminousvoluminous forfor thethe purposespurposes ofof this this Association. Colonel Meek dieddied of inflammationinflammation oftheof the stomach, June 20th,2oth, 1875, afterafter anan illness ofof twotwo weeks, exhibitingexhibiting inin hishis sufferingsuffering andand deathdeath the samesame patiencepatience and self-ahnegationself-abnegation which hadhad alwaysalways distinguisheddistinguished him.him. Mourned by hishis family, and regretted by hundreds ofof neighbors and friends,friends, as w~llwell asas by thethe members of the Association. ....

PIONEER DAY.DAY . • \ It isis generally conceded that that thethe suggestionsuggestion of of thethe fifteenth of of JuneJune for thethe annual meeting of thethe Pioneers waswas aa good one,one, andand has done much toto makemake the • meetings a success.success. In the selection ofof thisthis day, bothboth thethe usefuluseful andand beautifulbeautiful are promoted.promoted. It is thethe most convenientconvenient and pleasant season of the year forfor an out of doordoor meeting; and is the leisureleisure seasonseason ofof thethe farming farming community,community, whowho constitute the greater portion ofof thethe peoplepeople and thethe Pioneers.Pioneers. ItIt alsoalso servesserves to commemorate thethe final acknowledgmentacknowledgment byby Great Britain of the American right to thethe countrycountry and thethe triumphtriumph ofof thethe Pioneer Pioneer inin the the race race for for thethe pre-occupationpre-occupation of it.it. ItIt will be seen from thethe followingfollowing letter, letter, aa copycopy of of which has.has been obtainedobtained from JudgeJudge Grim, that Hon. StephenStephen F.F. ChadwickChadwick isis thethe authorauthor of the suggestionsuggestion and that to him wewe are are indebted indebted for for this this happyhappy choicechoice ofof what we venture to call PIONEER PIONEER DAY.

SALEM. Nov. Nov. 19th, i9th, 1873. JUDGE GRIM,GRIM, VICEVICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT OF OF O. 0. P. P. A. DEAR SIR.-Some SIR.Some of of our our Pioneer'sPioneer's feel as ifif thethe meetingmeeting ofof our our folksfolks should be in the spring.spring. In June would be thethe best timetime I1 think. think. I would callcall your attentionattention to the 15th ofof June asas a very appropriate day for thethe meeting.meeting. InIn 1846,1846, June 15th,i5th, thethe treatytreaty withwith GreatGreat BritainBritain settlingsettling thethe boundaryboundary ofof OregonOregon waswas signedsigned at Washington, by JamesJames Buchanan onon ourour part, part, andand byby Richard Pakenham onon the partpart ofof GreatGreat Britain.Britain. These PlenipotentiariesPlenipotentiaries were appointed by the respective nations to settle thethe limitslimits ofof Oregon"Oregon "westward westward of the Rocky Mount­Mount- ains," making the boundary thethe 49th parallel. By this treaty, allall thosethose con-con­ sidering themselves BritishBritish subjectssubjects before,before, or or nearly nearly all,all, became citizenscitizens ofof the United States andand recognizedrecognized the AmericanAmerican governmentgovernment overover them.them. It is a fine idea connected withwith thisthis circumstance.circumstance. By this treaty,treaty, allall those those hailinghailing from the twotwo different nations, now accepted the situationsituation andand became became American citizens and pioneers ofof one great people. All bornborn abroad,abroad, allall from from different different ,..

86 PIONEER DAY..DAY.

parts, still by this treaty broughtunderbrought,under oneone flag, one government, andand enabled to work inin harmony forfor theirtheir commoncommon interest. The eventevent is a good one and belongs to the Pioneers.Pioneers. It is true this treaty was not proclaimed until thethe 5th5th of August,August, 1846, stillstill itit waswas signed signed and and becamebecame the the lawlaw on the 15th15th ofof JuneJune 1841846.6. If aa changechange isis mademade toto spring, spring, the the 15th 15th of of June June is is the the bestbest timetime forfor the meeting. The 5th of AugustAugust is in the midst ofof harvest, otherwiseotherwise that wouldwould do.do. The 15th of JuneJune is a season ofof rest,rest, if there is such a thing in Oregon.Oregon. You will find thisthis treatytreaty inin thethe laws ofof thethe UnitedUnited States,States, Vol.Vol. 9,9, pagepage 869;869; also in Judge Deady's Code, page 55. By the aid of this letter you will under-under­ stand thethe datesdates thereintherein mentioned.mentioned. Please get the Code and read thethe treatytreaty and letlet meme knowknow what youyou think ofof the idea.idea. Yours truly, S. F.F. CHADWICK.CHADWICK.

AURORA, MARION COUNTY, OREGON, November 23d, 23d, 1875. i85. Hol'T.HON. S. F.F. CHADWICE: CHADWICIt: DEAR SIR:-ISIR:I thank thank you you for for your your suggestion suggestion of of the the 15th15th ofof June, as the proper time forfor thethe annualannual meeting of thethe OregonOregon Pioneers.Pioneers. It is aa goodgood day, andand it belongs toto thethe Pioneers.Pioneers. I have writtenwritten toto PresidentPresident F. X. Mathiew, W. H. Rees, Dr. Wm Keil,Keil, E.E. C. Cooley and and others, others, and and allall agree withwith you that the 15th of June, in remembrance ofof that dayday inin 1846,1846, whenwhen thethe finalfinal settlementsettlement ofof the vexed question of boundary of OregonOregon waswas brought about between the con-con­ tending powers, isis aa suitablesuitable day for ourour re-unions, andand II have nono doubt when the Association meets, meets, it it willwill setset apartapart the 15th of JuneJune asas thethe anniversaryanniversary dayday of the Pioneers of Oregon,Oregon, according to your suggestion. Yours very truly, J. W.W. GRIM.GRIM. SONG OF TilETHE PIONEERS.PIONEERS . .... S The followingfollowing song was composed byby Mr.Mr. S. A. Clarke,Clarke, forfor the occasionoccasion andand sungsung byby Prof.Prof. T.T ..H. H. Crawford, Crawford, who who waswas assistedassisted by several young ladies,ladies, atat thethe re-union ofof the OregonOregon PioneerPioneer Association, held at Salem, June x5,IS, 1875.1875. It waswas the intention to put thethe songsong inin itsits properproper placeplace inin thethe proceedingsproceedings ofof thethe cele-cele­ bration, butbut waswas inadvertantlyinadvertantly omitted.omitted. ,ft I Oh?Ohl So many years have flown,flown, Since the news of Oregon.Oregon, Reached our homes heyondbeyond the mountains far awaylaway; Since we harnessedharnessed up our teams,teams. When the Spring-time'sSpring-tlme's sunny gleams, Showed thethe pathpath across thethe plainsplains andand mountainsmountatn grey. grey.

CHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, the trainstrains camecame marching, Westward, still westward,westward, seesee them them come? cornel Sometimes savage tribes they fought, But the starry flag tbeythey brought, While beneath Its folds each freeman found a home. IIn Up the Rocky Mountain' helgbt,height, Now theirthSir camp-fires blaze by night; Or upon the savage plains they thicklythiOkly gleamglean; I Now the weary legions pass, Where the frowning canyonscanyons mass, Or they SWimswim andand ford the swiftly running stream.

CHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, thethe trainstrains came came marching; Westward, stillstill westward, day by day, Standing guardguard thethe live·live-long long night;night; EverRver readyready forfor the fight; Here to plant our flag three thousandthousand milesmiles away.away • • ".----

88 SONG OF THETHE PIONEERS.PIONEERS.

III.'II. Through the landland ofof savagesavage foes, See, the long procession goes,goes, Till Itit camps upon Columbia of the West; Where the mountains block the stream, And the CascadesCascades flash and gleam, As the Sunsun sinks to his distant ocean rest.

CHORUs.OHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, thethe trainstrains camecame marching, At length the deadlydeadly plainsplains are are pass&l; pass&; But there's still the river trail, Or the CascadeCascade Range to scale,scale, Then the fair Willamette homes are reached at last.

IV. And 'tis'us well that Pioneers Should thus meet with passing years, While the lockelocks that once were dark are turning snow, snow, To recall the oldenolden story, That shall be their children's glory,glory, , How we crossed the plains and mountainsmountains longlong ago.ago.

CHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, thethe trainstrains came came marching,marching, 'SingingSlnging and marching to the West; Till allall dangersdangers were behind, And the homes we came to find, Smiled upon us from Willamette's Vale of Rest.Best. CI

OFFICERSOFFICER$ FOR 187S-6Li875-

JOH~JOHN \V.IV . GRIM,GRUd, Auror~L1rorL...... I'RESIDENT. PRESIDENT. E. N.N. COOKE,COOKE, SalemSale;ll ...... VICE PRESIDENTPRESIDE~T. J.j. HENRYHEKRY BROWN, URO\VN, Salem.....RECORDINGSalem .. ... RECORDIKG SECRESEC REFARY.'T' .'\RY WfLLL\IZDWILL:LRD H.I-I. REES,REES, Puttevifle D[ltleville ...... COR.Cog. SECRETARY.SECRET.\RY. JOHNllN M.l\L BACON,nACO . •Oregon Oregoll Cityity ...... TREASDRER. TIZEASLTRER. , BOARDOAED OPOF DIREOTORS.DIREOTORS. \V\V.. Jj.. HERRE.NI-lERREN ... ,...... Salem.S.llelll. nB.. IVW.. \YIILSONIYILSON ... , ...... CorvallE.Corl'zdlls. JOSEPHJOS:El'H WATTIVATT ...... · ...... · .. Forest Grove.Grove .

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