before the count could be taken. When every man had at length decided, it was found that a small majority was in favor of organizing a temporary government. Not quite half the Americans voted for the organization, and but for the aid of a few Canadians who were friendly to the missionaries, the victory would have been on the other side.[1]
The dissenters having withdrawn, the report of the committee was taken up and disposed of, article by article. The result of the proceedings was the election upon the spot of the following officers: A. E. Wilson, supreme judge with probate powers; G. W. Le Breton, clerk of the court, or recorder; J. L. Meek, sheriff; W. H. Willson, treasurer; Hugh Burns, L. H Judson, Charles Campo, and A. T. Smith, magistrates; G. W. Ebberts, Reuben Lewis, J. C. Bridges, and F. X. Matthieu, constables ; John Howard, major; Wm McCarty, C. McBoy, and Sidney Smith, captains; David Hill, Robert Shortess, Robert Newell, Alanson Beers, Thomas J. Hubbard, W.H. Gray, James O'Neil, Robert Moore, and Wm M. Doty, were chosen to constitute a legislative committee, whose duty it was to draught a code of laws for the government of the colony. The legislative committee were required to complete their work in six days, and had their salaries fixed at a dollar and a quarter a day, the money to be raised by subscription. The 5th of July was appointed for receiving the report of the committee.
The object for which so much striving and scheming had been carried on for two years was at last accomplished. The people had consented to a provisional government. By judiciously keeping out of sight
- ↑ The journal in the archives says that there was a large majority. Gray says two; Newell, five. Gray also says that none of the Canadians present voted for the organization; but Newell names Gervais, Lucier Bilique, Bernier, Donpierre, and Latourette, who did so besides some others. Gervais and Lucier were on the committee, and could not have voted otherwise. It is probable, therefore, that Newell's account is correct J. L. Parrish, in his Or. Anecdotes, MS. admits that Latourette voted with those in favor of a government.
