in April 1854, J. W. Nesmith, brigadier-general; E. M. Barnum, adjutant-general; M. M. McCarver, commissary-general; and S. C. Drew, quartermaster-general.[1] An act was also passed providing for taking the will of the people at the June election, concerning a constitutional convention, and the delegate was instructed to secure from congress an act enabling them to form a state government.[2] But the people very sensibly concluded that they did not want to be a state at present, a majority of 869 being against the measure; nor did congress think well of it, the slavery question as usual exercising its influence, and although Lane said that Oregon had 60,000 population, which was an exaggeration.
The doings of the alcaldes of Jackson county as justices of the peace were legalized; for up to the time of the appearance of a United States judge in that county the administration of justice had been irregular, and often extraordinary, making the persons engaged in it liable to prosecution for illegal proceedings, and the judgments of the miners' courts void.[3] The business of the session, taken all in all, was unimportant.[4] Worthy of remark was the char-
- ↑ At the June election, Washington county chose J. L. Meek col, R. M. Porter lieut-col, John Pool maj.; Yamhill, J. W. Moffit col, W. Starr lieut-col, J. A. Campbell maj.; Marion, George K. Sheil col, John McCracken lieut-col, J. C. Geer maj.; Clackamas, W. A. Cason col, Thos Waterbury lieut-col, W. B. Magers maj.; Linn, L. S. Helm col, N. G. McDonald lieut-col, Isaac N. Smith maj.; Douglas, W. J. Martin col, J. S. Lane lieut-col, D. Barnes maj.; Coos, Stephen Davis col, C. Gunning lieut-col, Hugh O'Neil maj. Or. Statesman, June 13, 20, 27, 1854. Polk and Tillamook counties elected J. K. Delashmutt col, B. F. McLench lieut-col, B. F. Burch maj.; Benton and Lane, J. Kendall col, Jacob Allen lieut-col, William Gird maj.; Jackson, John E. Ross col, Wm J. Newton lieut-col, James H. Russell maj. Or. Statesman, July 1, 1854. Or. Jour. Council, 1857–8, App. 57.
- ↑ Laws of Or., in Or. Statesman, Feb. 7, 1854; Cong. Globe, vol. 28, pt ii. 1117–8, 33d cong. 1st sess.
- ↑ Or. Jour. Council, 1853–4, 50; Or. Statesman, Jan. 17, 1854. The former alcaldes were John A. Hardin, U. S. Hayden, Chauncey Nye, Clark Rogers, and W. W. Fowler. Laws of Oregon, in Or. Statesman, Jan. 17, 1854. And this, notwithstanding Fowler had sentenced one Brown to be hanged for murder. Prim's Judicial Anecdotes, MS., 10. The first term of the U. S. district court held by Judge Deady began Sept. 5, 1853.
- ↑ Coos, Columbia, and Wasco counties were established. The name of Marysville was changed to Corvallis. Rogue River had its name changed to Gold River, and Grave Creek to Leland Creek; but such is the force of custom, these changes were not regarded, and the next legislature changed
