Political Parties in Oregon 337 culties of this. The American genius for self-government had here a work worthy of all its achievements in the past. The story of the organization of the Provisional Government has been often told and will not be dwelt upon here. Those phases only of the movement and its period will be touched upon which affect the general question of the purely political capacities and tendencies of the founders of the first American government on the Pacific Coast. The movement was launched in February, 1841, but the allied opposition of the British and Catholic interests proved too strong to warrant immediate action. There was no unanimity of opinion and attitude among the Americans. There was a not unnatural jealousy existing between the missionary element of the population, the first in the field and in a measure subsidized by the Missionary Board of the M. E. Church, and the independent American settlers, placed absolutely upon their own resources. As the latter rap- idly became more numerous and their influence increased accordingly, the leaders of the former relaxed to some degree in their zeal in the cause which they themselves had first pro- moted. 1 To some it was questionable whether it would not be better, in order to enlist the co-operation of the British settlers as represented principally by the French Canadians, to organ- ize a government independent of any reference either to Great Britain or the United States. Even if this had generally been acceded to, as a matter of policy the continued attitude of aloof- ness on the part of the latter would have weakened such a position. The conflicting ideals of the two peoples, above referred to, is clearly shown in the "Address of the Canadian Citizens of Oregon" in protest against the proposed govern- ment. 2 In a long list of objections, they say: "We do not wish a provisional mode of government, too self-interested and full of degrees, useless to our power and overloading the colony instead of improving it. . . We wish either the mode of senate or council to judge the difficulties, punish the crimes iS. A. Clarke, "Pioneer Days of Oregon History," Vol. 2, pp. 660, 661. H. S. Lyman, "History of Oregon," Vol. 3, pp. 290, 291. 20regon Archives, pp. 12, 13. Compiled by L. F. Grover.
