a movement to declare Oregon independent of the United States, a measure which Newell opposed in another speech, and which was defeated by one vote.[1] On the other hand, Gray relates that Newell offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to prepare a paper for the signatures of all persons wishing an organization, as if he still doubted the will of the people on the subject. Perhaps this resolution was intended to settle the question of an independent government.
However these forensic contests may have originated or been supported, the work progressed well and was completed in the prescribed time. The judiciary committee, which was embodied in Shortess, finished the organic laws; the other committees performed their work, and the whole was submitted to the people on the 5th of July at Champoeg. Among the usual exercises on the 4th was an oration delivered by Hines, who, while dwelling on the glorious deeds of the founders of the republic of the United States, was careful, in view of the work to be done on the morrow, to avoid offending the proper pride of the other nationalities present.
At an early hour on the 5th the meeting was opened. In the absence of Babcock, chairman of the meeting of May 2d, Hines was called to preside; Robert Moore, chairman of the legislative committee, then presented his report, which being read by the clerk, Le Breton, was accepted, and the adoption of article after article begun.[2]
- ↑ Evans' Newell's Strictures on Gray's Hist. Or., 6. If Gray did not advocate an independent government at this time, it is certain that there were those who did, as well among the Americans as the British subjects. See Hines' Oregon Hist., 422.
- ↑ Report of the legislative committee upon the judiciary. The legislative committee recommended that the following laws upon judiciary be accepted:
'Sec. I. We, the people of Oregon Territory, for purposes of mutual protection, and to secure peace and prosperity among ourselves, agree to adopt the following laws and regulations, until such time as the United States of America extend their jurisdiction over us. Be it therefore enacted, by the free citizens of Oregon Territory, that the said territory, for purposes of temporary government, be divided into not less than 3, nor more than 5, districts; subject to be extended to a greater number, when an increase
