developed resource of commercial wealth that have brought millions to the State and coast and spread the name of Oregon all over the civilized world. The following letter was received by Gov. Abernethy from James Douglas, Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, which contained the first news of the Oregon treaty received in the Territory. Although meagre, it afforded great relief to the public mind, although not as explicit as it was wished. GEORGE ABERNETHY, ESQ., FORT VANCOUVER, Nov. 3, 1846. DEAR SIR: Very important news for all parties in Oregon has just been received by the barque Toulon, from the Sandwich Islands. It appears that the boundary question is finally and fully settled. This intelligence rests on the authority of Sir George Seymour, the British commander-in-chief in the Pacific, and I think may be relied on. I forward a copy of Sir George's communication on the subject to our agent at Sandwich Islands. The British Government has surrendered more than strict justice required; but John Bull is generous, and was bound to be something more than just to his promising son Jonathan, who will no doubt make a good use of the gift. At all events, I am glad to see this vexing question settled so quietly. The Hudson's Bay Company is fully protected in all its interests. Yours truly [COPY.] Extract from a private letter of A. Forbes, Esq., Consul at Tepic, to Sir George Seymour: "I send you an American newspaper which Mr. Beckhead has requested to be forwarded to you, and which shows that the Oregon question is entirely settled; the 49th degree is to run on the Straits of Fuca, the whole island of Vancouver being left in the possession of England, and the said Straits of Fuca, Puget's Sounds, &c., remaining free to both parties. The Columbia river is also free to both parties until the expiration of the charter of the Hudson's Bay Company, when the whole to the south of the 49th degree is to belong to America, with the exception mentioned." NOTES.-The Postmaster General (of Oregon), contracted with Mr. Hugh Burns, to carry the mail from Oregon City to Weston, Missouri, one trip at fifty cents per letter. Mr. Burns receiving twenty-five per cent. on the amount of postage that the department receives for sending letters east, and only fifty cents can be charged for a single letter. H. M. Frigate Fishgard (at Vancouver), 42 guns. Captain, J. A. Duntre; Lieutenants, John Rodd, Charles Dyke, Geo. Y. Patterson, Edward W. Lany, Edward D. Ashe; Marines, Lieuts. Henry H. McCarthy, Fleetwood J. Richards; Master, Edmund P. Cole; Chaplain, Robert Thompson; Surgeon, Thos. R. Dunn; Purser, Thos. Rowe; Second Master, James Crosby; Instructor, Robert M. Jaship; fourteen midshipmen; crew, 350 men. The Hudson's Bay Company built and launched a sailing vessel at Vancouver, in June, 1846, of the following dimensions: Length, 76 feet over all, breadth of beam 18, 14 feet below, and registered 74 tons. On June 21, 1846, Dr. John E. Long, Secretary of Territory, was drowned in the Clackamas river. He was a physician by profession; came to the United States from England in 1833, and to Oregon in 1843. He took a firm and decided stand in favor of establishing the Provisional Government. June 25, 1846, Jesse Applegate, David Goff, B. F. Burch, John Owen, J. Jones, W. Sportsman, B. Ausbuan, Robert Smith, Lindsey Applegate, and Mr. Goodhue, started to survey a route for emigrants through Southern Oregon. A slight disturbance took place between the Molalla Indians and the white settlers on the Molalla creek about the first of July. Col. James Finley with a company of volunteers went to the scene of trouble, but their services were not needed. The citizens celebrated 4th of July at Salem, in a becoming style. Capt. Bennett's company paraded; the oration was delivered by W. G. T'Vault, and Joseph Smith, who afterwards was Representative to Congress, read the Declaration of Independence. I am told that one of the toasts at the barbecue dinner was : "Salem for beauty, Champoeg for pride, If not for salmon, Oregon City would have died." The U. S. Schooner Shark arrived in the Columbia, July 18, 1846. Her officers were Lieut. Com'dg. Neil M. Howison; Lieut. W. S. Schenck; Acting Master, Jas. D. Bullock; Acting Purser, Wm. S. Hollins; Asst. Surgeon, Edward Hudson; Past Midshipman, T. McLanahan; Midshipmen, T. J. Sirens, H. Davidson. Thr Spectator of Aug. 6th, says that there were lately two cases of trouble with the Indians. One in Clatsop county in which an Indian was killed, and in Champoeg county, with some Walla Walla Indians, in which two were murdered by whites for stealing cattle. The editor, H. A. G. Lee, reads the people a severe lecture for not first calling on the Governor. It afterwards turned out that the Clatsop Indian tried to kill a white man by the name of Owens while arresting him, and Mr. Owens shot him. The following is the estimate of the amount of wheat raised in 1846 in the Willamette valley: Champoeg county, 60,000 bushels: Tualitin, 30,000; Yamhill, 20,000; Polk, 15,000; Clackamas, Vancouver, Clatsop and Lewis, 15,000,-total 150,000 bushels. John H. Couch was appointed treasurer vice Francis Ermatinger resigned, March 4, 1846. Fredrick Prigg appointed Secretary of Territory vice J. E. Long, deceased, June 26, 1846. Theopolis M'Gruder elected Territorial Recorder by the Legislature, Dec. 8, 1846. 90 Representatives- Sheriff William Holmes... Treasurer John H. Couch.. Assessor S. W. Moss J. E. Williams. Henry N. Peers... Thomas Lowe..... George Aitken....... D. H. Lownsdale.. A. Chamberlain. W. B. Howell.. Treasurer W. P. Hughes... Sheriff Wm. Martin. Wm. Howell... Assessor J. C. Fruit.... James Powell... Representative George Simmons.......................... Representatives A. J. Hembree... Sheriff J. G. Baker. Henry Hill.... Assessor Wm. Newby. Abj. Hendrick.... For Legislature to elect Judges: Champoic, 10; Yamhill, 5; Clackamas, 12; total, 27. People to elect Judges, Champoic, 154; Yamhill, 97; Clackamas, 67; total 318. Counties not voting on this question, Polk, Vancouver, Clatsop and Tuality. *No returns for county officers or vote on election of Circuit Judges from counties indicated by * 58 35 Treasurer's Report. Amounts due on appropriations of 1844 and 1845, December 1846— Governor's salary-whole amount paid ending his last quarter, October, 1846-- 80 00 Judge of supreme court, quarter ending, December 6, 1846- Paid of the above up to date P. H. Burnett, Dec. 8th. one-quarter's salary, supreme Judge Balance due December 9, 1846. -$289 82 Signed: JOHN P. BROOKS, Deputy Treasurer. Treasurer's Report.-State of the Treasury, December, 1846. Absentee taxes paid by J. R. Jackson, Vancouver county The receipts since December 1, 1846, have been paid me wholly in scrip. Signed: December 9, 1846. JOHN P. BROOK, Deputy Treasurer. 1847. ABERNETHY'S RE-ELECTION; PUBLIC MEETINGS; FIRST NEWS OF THE NOTICE TO ENGLAND AND THE TREATY; INDIAN TROUBLE AT THE DALLES; J. QUINN THORNTON GOES TO WASHINGTON; LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT; Nesmith's RESOLUTIONS; LETTER OF ABERNETHY IN REGARD TO THEM; A BILL TO ORGANIZE OREGON TERRITORY; OFFICERS OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT, ETC.; GOVERNOR ABERNETHY'S MESSAGE; BUCHANAN'S LETTER TO SHIVELY; BENTON'S LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF OREGON ; DOUGLASS' BILL TO ESTABLISH A TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT; NOTES; ELECTION REturns and reports of OFFICERS; CAyuse War. THE HE year opened with general prosperity for all the settlers in Oregon. Crops were abundant with a good prospective market, created by the large emigration that was confidently expected in the fall to increase the demand for supplies. There were also to be elected a Governor and other officers besides the members of the Legislature; consequently there was more interest taken in politics than at any previous time. It was known that Governor Abernethy was a candidate for re-election, and as he had proved himself a conscientious and conservative officer, it was almost a foregone conclusion that he would succeed himself. Still there was quite a number of the people who desired that there should be some one elected who was not connected with the dominant church (the Methodist Mission), as they conceived, whether with good grounds or not is uncertain, that this church was inclined to run the political as well as the religious affairs of the community. The non-sectarian element cast about for a candidate and selected Hon. A. Lawrence Lovejoy as their strongest man to compete with Governor Abernethy. It was expected that the Hudson's Bay Company would throw all of their influence for Mr. Lovejoy, and that he, of course, would control the Catholic vote, which, combined with all who did not affiliate with the Methodists, would elect their candidate, and thus retire that church from politics to its legitimate calling of preaching and teaching. The canvas was conducted with spirit, but not as much acrimony as could be expected, |