possession of Oregon, which Mr. Black moved to amend by adding Texas, was laid on the table by a large majority.
[From the Picayune, April 5, 1844.]
OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.
In the Saint Louis New Era of the twenty-fifth ultimo, we find a most interesting letter in regard to Oregon and Upper California. The writer appears to be a man of intelligence, and that he had abundant opportunity for observation his letter would afford ample evidence had we room for the whole of it. The writer was one of the party which left the United States for Oregon in 1842, and he has but recently returned to this country by way of the Californias, Mexico, and Vera Cruz. In regard to Oregon his remarks are very brief, as he conceives that public attention has already been sufficiently directed to that territory. He states one fact, however, of which we were entirely unaware before, as to the organization of the American emigrant under a definite form of civil government. We give the writer's own words:
"I arrived in Oregon on the fifth day of October, 1842, with a party of one hundred and sixty [sixteen?] persons. I spent the winter principally at the falls of the Willamette. During the winter the question with reference to an organization was fully discussed. Many were in favor of an independent government, but the majority were favorable to a government dependent upon and subject to the control of the United States for a limited time five years, perhaps when, if the United States had not extended her jurisdiction to that country, they were favorable to declaring themselves independent, not only of the United States, but of all the powers of the world. This discussion resulted in a determination to organize a government subject to the control of the United States, and in the spring following, in accordance with that determination, an organization took place. The various officers were elected a supreme judge, members of the legislature, sheriff, justices of the peace, constables, and the different secretaries and protonotaries. They elected no executive, consequently their government must be very inefficacious. Their legislature was convened in the spring of 1843, and when I left they had a government in full operation."
[From the Picayune, April 14, 1844.]
OREGON.
We alluded the other day to a letter written by an Oregon settler to the editor of the Platte Eagle. The writer had been one year in the territory. He dates from the Falls of the Wallamatte, October 24, 1843. We find room for a short extract: "When I started for this country I did not intend to stay; but then I knew nothing of Oregon. But now I tell you, friend McLane, that nothing could induce me to
