—the Portlanders organized an association, and elected trustees for the purpose of erecting a building to be used as a meeting-house for religious services, and for a school-house. It was used also as a court-room; and continued to serve the public in its triple capacity for several years.
The gold excitement of 1848–9 for a time had a tendency to check improvements in Oregon; but finally the wandering gold-seekers began to return, and cultivate their neglected farms. California demanded grain and lumber; and these things Oregon could furnish in abundance. Vessels now came frequently to Portland from San Francisco and the Sandwich Islands; and in 1850 Couch & Co., of Portland, dispatched a vessel—the brig Emma Preston—to China. In the same year Captain John H. Couch had his land claim surveyed into town lots, and formed what is known as "Couch's Addition," on the north side of town. In this year, also, the pioneer steamboat of Oregon—the Lot Whitcomb—was launched on the Wallamet at Milwaukee, on Christmas day; and the pioneer newspaper of Portland—the Weekly Oregonian—was started by Thomas J. Dyer.
In January, 1851, Portland was incorporated, having then about one thousand inhabitants. In April the city officers were elected, and Hugh D. O'Bryant chosen Mayor. Oregon having been erected into a Territory by the Act of Congress, 1848—her Governor arriving in the spring of '49—an election for delegate to Congress was held in June, 1851 (just twenty-one years ago), at which Portland cast two hundred and twentytwo votes. In March of that year began the regular montlily mail service between Portland and San Francisco, per the steamship Columbia, Captain Dall.
