CHAPTER V.
ADMINISTRATION OF GAINES.
1850–1852.
An Official Vacancy—Gaines Appointed Governor—His Reception in Oregon—The Legislative Assembly in Session—Its Personnel—The Territorial Library—Location of the Capital—Oregon City or Salem—Warm and Prolonged Contest—Two Legislatures—War between the Law-makers and the Federal Judges—Appeal to Congress—Salem Declared the Capital—A New Session Called—Feuds of the Public Press—Unpopularity of Gaines—Close of his Term—Lane Appointed his Successor.
From the first of May to the middle of August 1850 there was neither governor nor district judge in the territory; the secretary and prosecuting attorney, with the United States marshal, administered the government. On the 15th of August the United States sloop of war Falmouth arrived from San Francisco, having on board General John P. Gaines,[1] newly appointed governor of Oregon, with his family, and other federal officers, namely: General Edward Hamilton of Ohio,[2] territorial secretary, and Judge Strong of the third district, as before mentioned.[3]
- ↑ According to A. Bush, of the Oregon Statesman, Marshall of Indiana was the first choice of President Taylor; but according to Grover, Pub. Life in Or., MS., Abraham Lincoln was first appointed, and declined. Which of these authorities is correct is immaterial; it shows, however, that Oregon was considered too far off to be desirable.
- ↑ Hamilton was born in Culpeper Co., Va. He was a lawyer by profession; removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he edited the Portsmouth Tribune. He was a captain in the Mexican war, his title of general being obtained in the militia service. His wife was Miss Catherine Royer.
- ↑ The other members of the party were Archibald Gaines, A. Kinney, James E. Strong, Mrs Gaines, three daughters and two sons, Mrs Hamilton and daughter, and Mrs Strong and daughter. Gaines lost two daughters, 17 and 19 years of age, of yellow fever, at St Catherine's, en route; and Judge Strong a son of five years. They all left New York in the United States
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