TRANSACTIONS
.Y.;Ot~'
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z~o
OF 'l'UF..
THIRD ANIALjE_IrNION
(,
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THB
ANNUAL ADDRESS
ADDNES DELIVEBED
ANNUAL
DELIVERED BY
BY HON
HON.MATTHEW
MATTHEW P.P.DEADY,
DEADY.
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Torrmu1 wrrfl
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BY lION.
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AIFD A
3IOGRAFHY OF~OL
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f3rOGRAPHY OF
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SALEM,
S,\LETlf, OREGON:
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I
TRANSACTIONS
OF
ON THE
THIRD
ANNUAL RE-UNION
RE-UNION
THIRD ANNUAL
OF TEE
THE
OF
,
l'egor
Ø$oiätior;
lork eei'
AND TBE
AND
THE
I
ANNUAL
ADDRESS DELIVERED
DELIVERED BY
BY HON.
RON. MATTHEW
P. DEAD~
MiNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P.
DEAD
TOGETHER
TOGETHER WITH
WITH
THE ADDRESSES
BYHON.
HON. J.
J. W.
ADDRESSES BY
W. NESMITH,
NESMITH, EX-GOY.
EX~OOV. CEO.
OEO. L.
L.CURRY,
CURRY. AND
AND
HON.
OEO. P.
P. HOLMAX.
HOLMAN.
HON. GRO.
AND
AND A
IOGRAPI-IY OF
OL
j3rOGRAPIiY
OF POL.
r
JTO
.Jd
OS.~.
E E K.
J'tEEK.
SALEM, OREGON:
SALEM,
M.WAITE,
WAITE,PRINTER
PRINTERAND
ANDBOORBINDER.
BOOKBINDER.
E. M.
8 76.
11876.
PR
FFA.0 I..
PREFACE
•
It
is a source
source of gratification
gratification to
Committee, that
It is
to the Printing Committee,
they are enabled to present this the
the second
second annual
annual publication
publication of
of
the Transactions
Transactions of the
Association, and
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer Association,
and the addresses delivered
on the
the State
State AgriculAgriculdresses
delivered at
at the
the third re-union held on
tural Society's
Society's Grounds
Groundsnear
nearSalem,
Salem,June
JuneIS,
i, 1875.
tural
1875. The
There-union
re-union
provel
and socially,
socially, and
and a large
prove~ aagrand
grandsuccess,
success, both financially
financially and
number of Pioneers availed
availed themselves
of the
the opportunity to bethemselves of
come members
of the Association;
Association; and it is
is earnestly hoped that
members of
,
the remainder
of the
the Pioneers
Pioneers who
who are
are eligible,
eligible, will
will secure
secure a
the
remainder of
the names
names
membership, so
the Association's
Association's roll will contain the
membership,
so that the
of all
all of
of those
those who
who came
came and
and settled
settled within
within the bounds
bounds of
the
of the
ei,!her by sea
sea or across
across the plains.
plains.
original Territory
Territory of Oregon, either
The addresses
addressesof
ofHons.
Hons.M.
M. P.
P. Deady,
Deady, J.J. W.
W. Nesmith
Nesmith and ExGov.
Geo. L. Curry,
Curry, contain
contain a great deal of history,
history, and
will be
Gov. Geo.
and will
perused with interest.
interest. The address
address of Ex-Gov. Curry
Curry was
was dedeperused
livered
Champoeg, at the first
first re-union of the Association,
Association, but
livered at Champoeg,
furnished, was
the copy not being furnished,
was not
not printed
printed in
in the pamphlet of
year's
i1875,
875, consequently
consequentlythe
thecommittee
committeehave
haveplaced
placeditit in
in this year's
report.
Meek, was
was furnished
furnished
The biography of the late Col.
Col. Joseph L. Meek,
by Mrs.
Mrs. F. F.
F. Victor,
Victor, by
by request.
request.
N. COOKE,
COOKE,
E. N.
F. CHADWICK,
CHADWICK,
S. F.
WILLARD H.
REES,
WILLARD
H. REES,
JOHN MINTO,
MINTO,
J. HENRY
HENRY BROWN,
BROWN,
Committee.
),
MEETING OF
OF THE
THE BOARD
BOARD OF
OF DIRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETING
LEGISLATIVE
LEGISLATIVE HALL,
}
SALEM,
OREGON,May
MayIS,
15, 1875.
i875.
SALEM, OREGON,
,
In pursuance
pursuance to
adjournment, the
Board of Directors
Directors of
to adjournment,
the Board
of the
Oregon
Pioneer Association,
Association, met
Legislative Hall,
Oregon Pioneer
met inin the
the Legislative
Hall, in
Salem,
Salem, at
at 10
io o'clock, A.
A. M.,
M.,and
and was
wascalled
called to
to order
order by
by Hon.
Hon. J.
W. Grim, President
W.
President of
ofthe
theAssociation.
Association.
The Secretary
Secretary of the
the Association,
A~sociation, Willard
Rees, being
being
The
Willard H.
H. Rees,
absent, J.
J. Henry
HenryBrown
Brown was
was elected
elected Secretarypra
Secretary jr(ltern.
tem.
Secretary read the
the published
published proceedings
proceedings of the last meetmeet,
The Secretary
ing of the Board,
Board, which
which met
met at
at Aurora,
Aurora, December
December 3d, 1874.
1874.
J. Herren,
Herren,Chairman
Chairmanof
ofCommittee
Committeeof
ofArrangements,
Arrangements,
Mr. W. J.
had
verbal report of the committee's work;
made a verbal
work; and that they had
procured lumber
lumber to
construct a dancing
dancing floor,
floor, and had
had secured
secured
procured
to construct
vocal
of the
vocal and instrumental
instrumental music
music for the
the occasion
occasion of
the re-union.
re-union.
And a committee
committee had beeu
been appointed
appointed tto canvas
canvas the city for funds
for the celebratjon.
celebration.
Mr.
Mr. Herren submitted
submitted aa programme
programme for the celebration,
celebration, which
which
motion of Mr.
Mr. J. B.
B. McClain,
McClain, was
was referred
referred to a committee of
on motion
J
tour,
Herren, J. N.
four, consisting
consistingofofHon.
Hon.S.S.F.F. Chadwick,
Chadwick,W.
W. J.J. Herren,
Matheny
and
E.
M.
Waite,
whereupon
the
committee\etired
Matheny and E. M. Waite, whereupon the committeeetired for
for
consultation.
While awaiting
awaiting the
the action
action of
of the
the committee,
committee, the
the members
members entered
general exchange
days
tered into a general
exchangeof
of reminiscence
reminiscenceofof the
the early days
of emigration, when they crossed
crossed the plains with ox
ox teams.
teams.
committee on programme
programme submitted
submitted the following
following report:
The committee
report:
4
MEETING OF
OF THE
THEBOARD
BOARD OF
OFDIRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETING
To
Members of
the Board of
of Directors
Directors of
01the
theOregm'a
Oregm
To the
the Chairman
Chairman and
and Members
of the
Association:
Pioneer Association:
Your committee
committee appointed
appointed to
to arrange
arrange programme
programme of
of exercises
tl annual
Your
exercises for
for t~
re-union of the Pioneer Association for
report the
the following:
following:
for 1875,
1875, would
would report
EXERCISES AT
THE FAIR
FAIRGROUNDS.
GROUNDS.
EXERCISES
AT THE
The procession
procession will
the Chief
Chief Marshal, Col.
Col. John
John
will form
form under
under the direction of the
McCracken,
at so
o'clock, A.
the plank walk
IOo'clock,
A. M.,
M., June 15,
15, 1875,
1875, Ofl
on the
walk extending
extending
McCracken, at
at the
the Fair
FairGrounds,
Grounds, in
inthe
thefollowing
following order:
order:
East from
from the railroad track, at
1st. Northwest Band
Band...
2d. Standard
Standard Bearers.
Bearers .
. 3d. President and Vice President.
4th. Chaplain and Orator.
5th. Members
Society of
Members of
of the
the Pioneer
Pioneer and
and.Historical.
Historical.Society
of Oregon.
Oregon.
6th. Secretary and Treasurer
Treasurer of
of the
the Association.
Association.
7th. Invited guests, male and female.
female.
8th.
Members
MembersofofthetheSociety,
Society,male
maleand
andfemale,
female,who
whocame
cameinto
intothe
the Territory
Territory
8th ..
prior to January, 1841,
followed·by
by the
the twelve divisions
each
divisions to January 1853,
1853, each
1841,followed
division with appropriate banner.
Friends of the Association,
female.
9th. Friends
Association, male and.
and female.
...
.
THE STAND.
STAND.
AT THE
1st.
1st.
2d.
ad.
3d.
4th.
5th.
MusicHail
Music-HailColumbia.
Columbia.
Prayer
E. Walker.
Walker.
Prayer by
bythe
theChaplain-Rev.
ChaplainRev. E.
Annual Address by Hon. Matthew
Matthew P. Dearly.
Deady.
Music.
Recess.
AFTERNOON
EXERCISES.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
1st. I o'clock, Picnic
Picnic Dinner.
Dinner.
2d. 2 o'clock, Musical
Musical Entertainment
Entertainment in
in the
the Pavilion,
Pavilion, by
by the
the Pioneer young
and gentlemen.
gentlemen.
ladies and
Nesmith, and
and others.
oth.ers.
3d. Address
Address by Hon. J. W. Nesmith,
4th. At 5 o'clock, dancing in the pavilion.
5th. AtAt7 7o'clock,
o'clock,annual
annualelection
electionofofofficers
officersof
ofthe
theAssociation.
Association.
6th At 8 o'clock,
6th;
o'clock, Pioneer
Pioneer Lova
LOVEFEAST.
FEAST.
MEETING OF
OF THE
THE BOA1D
BOAlm OF
OF rnRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETtNG
5
5
The following
following petsons
petsons have
Floor Managers
Managers of
the Pioneer
Tht
have been
been selected
selected as
as Floor
of the
ball;
ball:
Walter
S. Moss,-Oregon
Moss,-""'Oregon City.
Walter S.
M. L.
L. Savage,Salem.
M.
Savage,-Salem.
D. Thompson,Albany.
D.
Thompson,-Albany.
C. Geer,Butteville.
Geer,-Butteville.
F. C.
Ex-Gov. Geo.
Curry,~Portlan(t
Ex-Gov.
Geo. L. Curry,--Portlancl.
City.
John Thompson,-Eugene
Thompson,Eugene City.
Edward
Taylor,Astoria.
Edward Taylor,-Astoria.
Erastus Holgate.-Corvallis.
Erastus
Holgate.Corvailis.
Chris.
Taylor,Dayton.
Chris. Taylor,-Dayton.
James Applegate,-Yoncalla.
Applegate,Yoncalla.
James
sale of
of intoxicating
intoxicating liquors
liquors andgames
andgames of
of chance
chanCe on the
the ground, positively
The sale
prohibited.
In order
of the
order that
that there
thete will
will be
becomplete
complete success
success of
the picnit
picnic dinner,
dinner, ititisis rerequested
when convenient,
convenient, the Pione&s
Pioneeirs bring their baskets
juested that when
baskets with them.
them.
Pioneers throughout Oregon,
and Idaho
IdahoTerritories
Territoriesare
corThe Pioneers
Oregon, Washington.
Washington and
are cordially invited
invited.
submitted,
Respectfully submitted,
W.
W. J.
J. HERREN,
HERREN,
On motion,
On
motion, the report was
was adopted.
Chairman.
Han.
E. N.
N. Cooke,
Cooke,Chairman
Chairman of
of Committee
Committee on Printing, made
made
Hon. E.
the committee
committee had
had had
had 2,000
2,000
verbal report,
report, stating
stating that
a Verbal
that the
copies
the pamphlet
pamphlet containing
con'taining Constitution
Constitution and
and By-Laws,
By-Laws,
copies of
of the
the
remarks of
Gov. L. F.
F.Grover,
Grover,with
withthe
theAnnual
Annual Address
Address
the remarks
of Gov.
()ff Hon.
Han. S. F.
F. Chadwick,
Chadwick, and a history
history of
the Provisional
Provisional GovGovof the
ernment by
by Hon.
Hon. J. Quitn
oo as first
ernment
Quilln Thornton,
Thornton, instead
instead of
of sooas
first de(
signed
Association, and
printing bill was
was $284.
signed by the Association,
and that
that the printing
284.
pamphlet was
was discussed
discussed by all
all
The question of disposing of the pamphlet
the members
members present,
present,and
and on
on motion,
motion, the
the action
action of
of the comof the
mittee
sending copies to be sold at the
the bookstores
bookstores in
mittee in regard to sending
Salem and
and Portland was
Salem
was endorsed, and
and that
thatcopies
copies should
should be sent
to all
all old
old Pioneers,
Pioneers, and
and that each
each member
member who
who had
had heretofore
heretofore
joined or should
should join
joinsubsequently,
subsequently,should
should recoive
rece.ive aa copy
copy when
when
6
MEETING OF
THE: BOARD
OF t'11.ECTO1tS.
DIRECTORS.
BOMtD OF
MFETING
OI Ttt1
he paid the amount
required at
at the
the time
time of
of joining,
and that the
amount required
joining, and
Secretary keep in
in his
his office
office 250
250 copies
copies for
for future
fUture use.
use.
The President and Secretary
Secretary were authorized
special
authorized to extend special
invitations to old
old Pioneers.
Pioneers.
On motion,
motion, the Printing
On
Printing Committee
Committee was
was instructed
instructed to place
place
copies of
copies
of the
the pamphlet
pamphlet in the hands of the committee to collect money
money in the city of Salem.
Salem.
100
roo
On
N. Cooke,
Cooke, the
the Committee
Committee on Printing
On motion
motion of
of Hon.
Hon. E. N.
was
was authorized
authorizedtoto present
present 50
50copies
copiesofof the
the pamphlet
pamphlettotoHon.
Hon. J.
Quinn Thornton.
On motion
S. F.
F.Chadwick
Chadwick was
was added
motion of
of W.
W.J.J. Herren, Hon. S.
on Printing, and instructed
copies to
to the Committee
Committee on
instructed to send
send copies
old Oregonians.
Oregonians.
N. Matheny,
Matheny, the President
authorized
On motion of Mr. J. N.
President wls
ws authorized
t the Territorial
Territorial officers
officers of WashWashto extend special
special invitafions
invitations to
Idaho Territories
Territories to
to attend
attend our
ourre-union.
re-union.
ington and Idaho
John W.
W. Minto
Minto was
was authorized
authorized to
tosolicit
solicit membermember·
On motion, John
ship of
of those
those eligible.
eligible.
motion, the Committee
Committee of Arrangements
Arrangements were authorized
authorized
On motion,
where they
they had
had not been
to act when
when necessary,
necessary, where
been fully
fully instructed,.
as
as occasion
occasion might require.
On motion, the Board
Board adjourned.
adjourned.
J. W.
W. GRIM,
GRIM, Fresi&nI,
President,
5.
BRowt, Sec'y
J. HENRY
HENRY BROWN,
Sec) jiro
pro tern.
tem.
THIRD
ANNUAL RE-TTh'ION
RE-UNIOR
THIRD ANNITAL
STATE
FAIR GROUNDS,
GROUNDS,
STATu FAIR
SALEM,
Juire 15,
I875.
SALEM, Jun~
IS, 1875.
}
The third annual
annual re-union
re-union of the
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer Association,
Association,
Was
heldatatthe
theState
State Fair
Fair Grounds
June i5,
was held
Grounds near
near Salem,
Salem, June
1$, 1875,
1875,
At an early
under very
very favorable
favorable circumstances.
circumstances. At
early hour,
hour, a vast
vast
concourse
early settlers
their families
families and
ettIers attended
attended by
by their
concourseof
of the
the early
friends,
friends, began
began to arrive.
arrive. The dilterent
different roads
roads were
were lined with
with
wagons
Wagonscontaining
containingparticipants,
participants,who
whoWere
wereanxious
anxioustoto join
join in the
exercises of
of the
the State
State holiday,
huliday, and while
trains from
from
while the
the different,
different trains
exercises
the north and
and south
south materially
materially swelled
swelled the
throng, as they
they disthe throng,
Hearty greetings were exchanged
charged their precious
precious freight. Hearty
by friends who had not
not met
met for
for years,
years, old
oldacquaintances
acquaintances were
were rerenewed, whose
whose long separation had nearly obliterated their
their rememremembrance;
although
they
had
traversed
the
sandy
plains
in
each
brance; although they had traversed the sandy plains
other's company.
'Other's
company. The patriarchs although young
young then, now had
grown old
old and
grown
and gray
gray in
in pioneer
pioneer life,
life, were
were surrounded
surrounded by their
their
children's children,
children,who
whowere
wereassuming
assumingtheir
theirposiposichildren and children's
the development
development of this young and thriving
thriving State, making
making·
tion in the
a happy
happy occasion,
OCCasiOll, which,
which, to
to be
be properly
properly appreciated,
appreciated, should be
witnessed.
10 o'clock,
o'clock,A.
A. M.,
M., Col.
Punctual to the hour of to
Col. John
John McCracken,
McCracken,
Pioneers in
Chief' Marshal,
Marshal,assisted
assistedbybyhis
his aids,
aids, formed
formed the
the Pioneers
column according to the year
year tlff their
theirarrival,
arrival,which
whi~hwas
wasdesigdesigiated by
nated
by an
anappropriate
appropriate banner,
banner, headed
headed by
bythe
theNorthwest
Northwest Brass
Brass
Band, which
which discoursed
discoursed excellent
excellent music,
music, marched
marched through
through the
g
S
THIRD
FHIRD A~~UAL
AINUAL RE-UNION.
REUNION.
F'air groundS
Grounds atid
and halted at
at the
the speaker's
speaker's stand
standin
inaabeatitiful
beautituI grove
grove
Fair
of young
young oak,
oak, where,
where, after
after music
tnusic by
by the
the band,
band, prayer
prayer by
by the
the
Chaplain;
Chaplain, the President
President made
made the
the following
following remarks:
remarks:,
LADIES ANO
AND GENfLEMEN
GENTLEMEN OF
THE OREOON
OREGON PIONEER
PIONEER ASSOCIATION:In
AssoclATION:~In
LADIES
OF ThE
opening
annual re-union,
re.nnion, you
you will permtt
permit the
me on this
opening the
the exerci~es
exercisesof
of your third annual
the Executive
Executive Board
Board and
and Directors,
Directors, to
to greet
greet you
you
happy occasion
occasioninin behalf
behalf of
of the
ascept their heartwith their kindest wishes,
wishes, and
and ask
ask that
thatyou
you may
may be
be pleased
pleased to
to accent
honoted distinction, which, through your favor,
felt thanks for
for the honorud
favor, we
we have
have been
been
permitted
permitted to
to enjoy
enjoy during
during the
the past
past year.
year.
Friends and
fellow citizens
citizens with
assembled, II can
assute you
you that
thitt
Friends
and fellow
with us
us here
here assembled,
can assete
never in
never
in my
mylife
lifehave
haveIIbeen
beencalled
called upon
upon toto discharge
dischargeaa more
more pleasant
pleasant duty,
duty,
allon
their
this
than
than at
at this
this present
presentmoment,
moment,which
which
theirbehalf
behalfand
andiuinthe
the name
name of this
Association, I bid you all
all thrice
thrice welcome
welcome to
to our
our feast.
feast.
honored Association,
wheresoever you maYt
more deserving
deserving or
Turn your eyes wheresoever
mny, I verily believe
believe no more
nobler
nobler minded
mindedmen
menor
orwomen
womenale
aletotobebefound,
found, than
than they
they who
who stand
stand to-day
to-day in
in
the ranks of
of this
this self-sacrificing
self-sacrificing love-devoted remnant o(
of Oregon's
Oregon's early Pioneers.
spaled with
children and friends
friends to
to enjoy
enjoy the
the good
good
Long
Long may
may they
they be
be spared
with their children
inlong
long years
years of isolation,
isolation,
things
favored land,
land, secured
secured by
by their
their valor
valor in
things of
of this favored
privation
privation and
and toil, which
which they
they so
so faithfully
faithfully endured.
endured.
The address*
address* of
of :Hon.
lion. M.
M. P.
P. teady
beadywas
wasreplete
repletewith
withinformainformation and the
the large
large audience
audience Was
Was highly
highly pleased
pleased with that gentlegentleman's effort.
At recess,
recess, the audience
aUdience dispersed
dispersed in
groups to enjoy
enjoy an
in groups
an old
fashioned
to mind.
mind days of yore,
yore,
fashioned picnic
picnic ditlher,
dinner, strongly bringing to
reviewing the
the vicissitudes
vicissitudes of years gone by, recalling flames
barnes of
and reviewing
those
who now
noware
are numbered
numberedwith
Withthe
thegreat"
great "silent
majority,"
those who
silent majority,"
recounting their virtues
virtues and heaving
heaving a sigh
sigh to
to their
their memory.
memory.
musical entertainment was
was had in
in the
the pavilion
pavilion
At 22 o'clock, aa musical
Thos. H. Crawford.
Crawford.
under the direction of Prof.
Prof. Thos.
At 33 o'clock, Hon.
Hon. J.J. W.
W.Nesniith,
Nesmith, Hon.
Hon. Geo.
Geo. P.
P. Holman
Holtna!! and
and
delivered instructive
instructive and
and entertaining
entertaining addresses.
addresses. Mr.
others
others delivered
Nesmith's
which
Nesmith's addJ.-ess
address was
wasabout
aboutthe
theimmigration
immigrationof
of 1843,
1843, of
of which
*See
*See page
pa5e 17,
17. for Address.
Address.
a.
THtRD
ANNUAL RE-UNION.
rHIRD ANNUAL
REUNION.
9
.9
he was one, and
and Was
Was a full and succinct
succinct history of the toils of that
that
history in a
overland immigration.
immigration. Thus placing in history
early day of overland
permanent manner a great deal
deal of imformation
of
imformation that will prove ot
interest
value in after years.
years.
interest and value
o'clock, dancing
commenced in
pavilion, in
in which
which
At 5 o'clock,
dancing commenced
in the pavilion,
many participated who
had notdanced
who had
nofdanced aastep
stepfor
for years,
years, and they
they
entered
enjoyment of the
the hour with a zest that was
was gratentered into the enjoyment
gratifying
floor managers,
managers, who
spared no
no pains
pains to
to make
make the
ifying to
to the
the floor
who spared
success, and their
their labor
laborwas
was well
well rewarded
rewarded.
occasion a success,
4
At 77 o'clock, the
the Association
Association met
met to
to transact
transact the
thebusiness
business that
these annual
annual re-unions,
re-unions, which
whichwas
wasasasfoI1ows
follows:·
is necessary at these
PAVILION,
PAVILION, STATE
STATE FAIR
FAIR GROUNDS,
GROUNDS,
}
SALEM,
June 15, 1875.
SALEM, June
1875.
Association was
Grim, the
the PresPresAssociation
wascalled
calledtoto order
order by
by Hon.
Hon. J. W. Grim,
ident.
to be
be transacted
transacted was
The first
first business
business to
was the election of officers,
officers,
was held with the following
following result:
which was
President, John W. Grim,
Grim, by
by acclamation.
acclamation.
President,
Vice President;
Presidents E.
E. N.
N. Cooke, by
Vice
by acclamation.
acclamation.
Brown.
Secretary,
Secretary, J. Henry Brown.
Treasurer, John M.
M. Bacon.
Bacon.
Three
Directors, Wm.
Alex. P.
Ankney and Bush
Bush
Three Directors,
Wm. J.J. Herren, Alex.
P. Ankney
W. Wilson
Wilson.
W
J.
The committee,
consistingofofHon.
Hon. E.
B. N.
committee, consisting
N. Cooke,
Cooke, John M.
M.
flacon
and Geo.
:Bacon and
Geo. W. Dimick,
Dimick, who
who had
had been
been appointed to
toconfer
confer
with the Pioneer
Societyof
ofOregon,
Oregon, submitted
submitted the
Pioneer and
and Historical
HistoricalSociety
following
following report and correspondence
correspondence;
To the
the President
&esident of
To
of the
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer Associ&ion:Your
Association:-Yourcommittee
committee appointed to confer
confer with the
the Pioneer
Pioneer and
and Historical
Historical Society
Society of Oregon,
Oregon, with
with a
pointed
view of uniting
one constitution the
the two
two organizations,
organizations, beg leave to
to report
report
unitilig under one
10
to
TuRD
ltUlilON.
THIRD A4NUAL
A~NuAt kE-UNION.
th~t they
they have
have communicated
communicated with
officers of
Historical
that
with the
the officers
of said
said Pioneer and Historical
they declinE
decline to
two organizations.
organizations.
Society, and they
to unite the two
Respectfully submitted,
Respectfully
E. N.
N. COOKE,
COOKE,
J. M.
M. BACON,
BACON,
Committee.
Cornmittee
The committee submitted the following
following correspondence
correspondence on
on the
sUbject:
subject
semi-annual meeting
meetingof
of the Oregon
and Historical
At the semi-annual
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer and
Historical Society,
Society,
held on the 4th
4th day
day of
of July,
July, 1874,
1874, at
at Astoria,
Astoria, Wm.
Wm. H.
H. Gray,
Gray,the
the Corresponding
Corresponding
Secretary of
of said
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer
Secretary
said Society,
Society, presented
presented a communication
communication from
from the Oregon
Association,
as follows:
follows:
Association, which reads as
OREGON
CITY, OREGON,
OREGON CITY,
OREGON,
JUNE 17,
57,
JUNE
}
5874.
1874.
Presidmt, Officers
the Pioneer
Pioneer and
and Historical
Historical
To
To tile
t)e President,
Officersand
andMem6&s
Memf*soff tile
ofOrCgOn:-.-GENTS.
Or"gon:-GENTS. The
undersigned were
were appointed
appointed aa commitcommitSociety of
The undersigned
by the
theOregon
OregonPioneer
Pioneer Association,
Association, to
to communicate
communicate with your
your Society,
Society,
tee by
and to
to ascertain
ascertain upon
upon what
what terms
terms or
orarrangements,
arrangements, our
our Association
Association could
could be
be
united with your Society,
Society, believing
believing the
the two
two organizations
organizationsto
to be
be identically the
th~
s!l.me.
Weare
areofofthetheopinion
opinionthat
thatgood
goodwould
wouldresult
resultfrom
from such
suchunion.
union.
same. We
Respectfully yours,
yours, &c.,
E. N.
N. COOKE,
COOKE,
J. M.
M. BACON,
BACON,
W. DIMICK,
DIMICK,
G. W.
Committee,
Cvmmittee.
motion, the above
above letter was placed on file,
file, and whereupon
whereupon the
the following
following
On motion,
were adopted
adopted as
as aa reply,
reply, viz:
viz:
preamble and resolutions
resolutions were
WHEREAS,
to unite
unite with the Pioneer Association of
of Oregon,
Oregon, at
WHEREAS, A proposition to
present
with the
the Pioneer
Pioneer and
and Historical
Historical SociSocipresent located
located in
in the Willamette Valley, with
Oregon, located
located at Astoria,
Astoria, the latter
latter being
beingorganized
organized and
andincorporated
incorporated
ety of Oregon,
under
perpetual in
in its
its existence
existence
under the
the laws
laws of
of Oregon,
Oregon, and
and being
being historical
historical and perpetual
and efforts. Therefore,
Resolved
I. That any
Resolved I.
any material
material change
change in our
our organic
organic existence
existence would
would de
deprime object
object of the Society.
Society.
feat the prime
Resolved . That to
Resolved~.
to facilitate and
and embrace
embrace all
couhtry, we
.11 Pioneers
Pioneers of
of this couhtry,
our Constitution,
Constitution, are entitled
cordially invite such
such as
as by
by the
the seventh Article
Article of
of our
TtnRD ANNUAL
ANNUAL RE-UNtON.
TflIRD
RgUNIOt4.
TI
tD become subscribing and voting
voting members,
members, to
to send their
tbeir names
Mmes to the Recording
to
{)r
they may
may be
be duly
duly entered
enteted on
on our
our Record
Record Book
Book
or Corresponding Secretari~s,
Secretaries, tbat
that they
of members.
Resolvd
That all
all members
members of
of the
the Pioneer
Pioneer Association
Association are invited to
to send
Resolved 3. That
their names to the Executive l3oard
of this Society,
Board of
Society, that
that they
they may
may become
become lionhonorary and
and corresponding
corresponding members.
members.
Resolved 4. That the semi-annual
semi.annual meetings
meetings of
this Society
Society sball
of this
shall be
be held
held at
at
such time and place Its
fts shall
shall be
be designated
designatedby
byits
itsExecutive'
Executive Board;
floard; said Board
Board
taking into
Into account the convenience
convenience and number
number of subscribing
subscribing members,
members, and
of the location
location of such meetings.
thi
011
motion, the Secretary is hereby requested to furnish 11 certified copy of this
On motion,
preamble and resolutions
resolutions to
to the
the Pioneer
Pioneer Association
Association of
of Oregon.
Oregon.
IN WITNESS
WITNESS WHEREOF,
I hereby
affix the
the official
official
IN
WISEREOF,
1 herebysign
signmy
myname,
name, and
and affix
seal of
of said
said Society,
Society, this
this15th
15thday
dayof
ofJuly,
July, 1874.
1874.
SEAL.
TAYLOR,
JT.TAYLOR,
{S}
-.---v---- I
Secr&ary.
Secretary.
The following
following isisArticle
Constitution of the
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer and
Article 7,7, of
of the Constitution
Society, as
as alluded
alluded to
to in
in the
the second
5econd resolution
resolution ahove
above:
Historical Society,
"ARTICLE
may become
become members
membersofof this
this Society!
Society,who
sho arar"ARTl,CLE VII. All persons
persons may
rived upon
rived
uponthe
the coast,
coast, or
or were
were born
bornininthe
the country,
country, prior
priortotoJanuarytst,
January 1st,1851,
iSi,
and
Imd are
are twenty-one
twenty·one years of age at the
the time
time of
ofsigning.
signing. All persons subscribing
to this Constitution
and By.Laws,
By-Laws,shall
shall give
give tbeir
their full
full name,
name, age, nativity,
nativity, and
Constitution and
country as near as possible."
possible."
date of arrival in the country
The committee on Pioneer Banner, consisting of Joseph
Joseph Watt,
A. P. Ankeny
Ankeny and
Minto, made
made aa verbal
A.
and Johfi
johli Minto,
verbal report
report that
that they
had not yet
yet completed
completed the
banner, and
and asked
asked that
that three
three more
more
had
the banner,
persons be
persons
be added.
motion the following
following gentlemen
said comOn motion
gentlemen were
were added
added to said
mittee,
C. A. Reed, M. P. Deady
mittee, C.
Deady and J. W.
W. Nesmith.
Nesmith.
On
motion, the
the Secretary
Secretary was
was authorized
authorized to
to furnish
furnish suitable
suitable
On motion,
badges fOr
for the
year Of
of arrival
each member
member
the members,
members, with the year
arrival of each
ptinted thereon.
thereon.
W.
Herren, chairman
chairman of
of committee
committee to revise
revise and
W. J. Herren,
and amend
amend the
the
Constitution of
of the Association,
an amendment
Constitution
Association, submitted
submitted an
amendment to
VIII, to
Article VIII,
toread
read as
as follows:
follows:
t2
'rHI1<n ANNUAL
ANNUAL RE-UNloN.
flhIItD
REUNIOt.
ARTICLE
AWJICLEVIII.
VIII. All
All immigrants,
immigrants, male
female, who
the
male or
or female,
who reside
reside within
within th
bounds
the original
original Territory
Territory of
of Oregon,
Oregon, under
nnder joint
joint occupancy
occupancy of the
the councounbounds of
of the
by the United States and Great ~ritain,
Britain, and those
try by
those' who
who were
were born, or settled
settled.
within
Territory prior
within said
said Territory
prior to
to the
the first
firstday
day ofof January,
January, 1854,
1854,are
are eligible
eligible to
to bebe.
become
become members of this Association.
Also that Article III
III be
beamended
amended so
so as
as to
to read
read as
as follows:
follows:
Also
ARTICLE III.
officers of
ARTICLE
III. The officers
of this
this Association
Association shall
shall consist
consist of
of President,
President, Vice
President,
Corresponding Secretary,
Treasurer, who
who
President, Recording
Recording Secretary,
Secretary, Corresponding
Secretary, and
and Treasurer,
shall form
Executive Board;
five Directors,
Directors, including
form the
the Executive
Board; and
and aa Board
Board of
of five
including the
President and
and Vice
Vice President,
President,who
whoshall
shallbebeex-officio
ex-officio members
members of the same. All
officers of
officers
of the
the Association
Associationshall
shall hold
hold their respective places for one year, or until
ve been
successors shallha
their successors
shall have
been elected
elected as hereinafter
hereinafter provided.
provided.
motion, the
the above
above amendments
amendments were
were adopted.
On motion,
On motion
On
motion of
of Gen.
Gen. Joel
Joel Palmer,
Palmer, the
the Treasurer
Treasurer was
was required
required
give bonds
the Executive
Executive Board.
Board.
to give
bonds in the discretion of the
On motion,
On
motion, the
the thanks
thanks of the
the Association
Association were
were extended
extended to
to
M. P.
P. Deady
Deady and
and J.
J. W.
W. Nesmith.
Nesmith.
Hons. M.
On motion a vote of thanks
thanks was
was extended
Oregon AgriAgriextended to the Oregon
cultural Society,
Society, for
for the use of the
the grounds.
grounds.
The
Association
voted
their
thanks
the Oregon
Oregon and
andCaliCali.
The Association voted their thanks to
to the
fornia
hands
fornia Railroad
Railroad Company,
Company,for
for kindness
kindness received
received at
at their hands
fare, to persons
persons who
this re-union
re-union.
for
for reduction
reduction to half fare,
who attended this
On motion, the Association
Association adjourned.
adjourned.
themembers
members went
wentfrom
fromthe
thebusibusiAfter adjournment, most of the
ball room,
room, where
where they
they were
were soon
soon mingled
mingled with
with
ness hall
ness
hall to
to the ball
the happy throng
throng,and
andenjoyed
enjoyedthemselves
themselvesonly
onlyas
as Pioneers
Pioneers could
could
until IiiI o'clock,
until
o'clock, when
when the
the Portland
Portlandtrain
traincalled
calledfor
forpassengers.
passengers.
But
those remaining,
remaining, continued
enjoy themselves
themselves until
until the
the
But those
continued to
to enjoy
H
we sma'
sma' hours
hours of morn." Thus
re-union, and
Thus closed
closed the
the third re-union,
"we
all hope to live
live to
to enjoy
enjoy'many
many more
more such
such happy
·happy occasions.
occasions.
THIRD
ANNUAL RE-UNION.
THIRD ANNUAL
REUNION.
13
SALEM,June
June 16,
16, 1875.
SALEM,
1875.
The Board
Board of
of Directors
The
Directors met in the
the Senate
Senate Chamber,
Chamber, Salem,
Salem,
the purpose
purpose of
of transacting
transacting business
business and receiving
receiving reOregon, for the
porth
port's of committees.
Hon. B.
E. N.
N. Cooke
Cooke in
in the
the chair.
chair.
On motion,
motion, the Secretary
Secretary was
was authorized
authorized to correspond
correspond with
request their
votes for W.
W. H.
H.
new Board
the new
Boardof
of Directors
Directors and
and request
their votes
Rees, Esq., who had been
been nominated
nominated for
for Corresponding
CorrespondingSecreSecreRees,
tary.
tary
The following
following is
comis the financial
financial statement
statement as
as per
per reports of corn
mittees:
Amount
Amount received
received from
from all
all sources
sources ................................ $902 25
25
Bills
Bills paid out of
of same
same.......................................... 86
856 i8
18
Balance on hand ..................................... ~ .... $ 46
Balance
46 07
07
On motion, Board
Board adjourned.
adjourned .
...
MEETING OF THE
THE BOARD
BOARD OF
OFDIRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETING
SALEM,
Jan. zoth,.
SALEM, Jan.
20th,. 1876.
1876.
The Board
The
Board of Directors
Directors of
of the
theOregon
OregonPioneer
PioneerAssociation
Association
met in the
the Secretary
Secretary of State's office,
office, at 22 o'clock
o'clock x'.
P. ri.,
M., and
and was
was
called
called to order by Hon. J. W.
W. Grim,
Grim, President.
President.
following members
members of
the Board
Board and
and Asssociation
Asssociation were
were
The following
of the
present:
Hon. John W.
W. Grim,
Grim, President.
Hon. E;
E; N.
N. Cooke,
Cooke, Vice
Vice President.
President.
W. J. Herren,
W.
Herren, Esq.
Esq.
Henry Brown,
Brown, Secretary.
Secretary.
J. Henry
Rees, Corresponding
Corresponding Secretary.
Secretary.
Williard H. Rees,
Hon. F.
F. X.
X. Mathieu,
Mathieu, Ex-President.
Ex-President.
Hons.
F. Chadwick,
Chadwick, Ralph
Ralph C.
C. Geer,
Geer, and
and several
several other genHons. S. F.
men who
who took
took part in the proceedings
men
proceedings.
S. F.
F.Chadwick
Chadwick moved
moved that
that the
the next
next annual
annual re-union
re-union be
be
Hon. S.
at the
the Oregon
Oregon Agricultural
Agricultural Society
Society Grounds
Grounds which
which had been
held at
generously
place ofofgenerouslyproffered,
proffered,and
andasasthere
therehad
had been
been no
no other place
fered.
from Hon.
Elwood Evans
Evans of Washington
Washington Territory,
A letter from
Hon. Elwood
was read, declining
next annual
annual address,
address, on account
was
declining to deliver the next
of previous engagements.
-
On motion, the Printing
Printing Committee
Committee of
of 1875
1875 was
was reappointed,
reappointed,
which
consisted
of
Hons.
E.
N.
Cooke,
S.
F.
Chadwick,
which consisted of Hons. B. N.
S. Chadwick, Willard
H. Rees,
Rees, Esq., and Hon. John
John Minto.
Minto.
MEETING OF THE
THE BOARD
BOARD OF
OF DIRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETING
15
motion, the
the Secretary
Secretary was
was requested
requested to
exhibit of
On motion,
to make
make an exhibit
resources of·
of the Association.
the financial
financial resources
Association.
The Secretary was
Committee on
was added
added to
to the Committee
on Printing.
adjourned until
until 77o'clock,
o'clock,i'.P.M.
M.
On motion, adjourned
SESSION.
EVENING SESSION.
Board
Board met
met pursuant
pursuanttotoadjournment,
adjournment,Hon.
Hon,J.J. W.
W. Grim
Grim in
in the
the
chair.
was received
Secretary from
fro!ll Alex.
Alex.
A telegram was
received and
and read by the Secretary
P. Ankeny,
resigning his
his position
position as
as aa member
member of
of the Board
Ankeny, resigning
Board of
Directors.
On motion, the
the resignation
resignation was
was accepted.
On motion, Joseph Watt of
of Yamhill, was
was elected as aa member
member
of Directors in place of A. P.
P. Ankeny,
Ankeny, resigned.
resigned ..
of the Board of
The Secretary
Secretary stated that
that there
therewere
were 38o
380 contributing members
members
Total
471.
(males),
and
(males), and 91
91 females
femaleson
onthe
theAssociationsroll.
Association's roll.
471.
Rees nominated
Roberts for
for Chaplain.
Chaplain.
Mr. Rees
nominated Rev.
Rev. Wm.
Wm. H. Roberts
Wilbur.
Mr.
Cooke nominated
Mr. Cooke
nominated Rev.
Rev. J.J. H. Wilbur.
H.Wilbur
Wilburwas
was elected
elected as Chaplain
Chaplain and
Rev. Wm.
Wm. H.
H.
Rev. J. H.
and Rev.
alternate.
Roberts, alternate.
Hon. Jesse
was selected
selected to deliver the Annual AdJesse Applegate
Applegate was
Address.
Judge R. P.
P. Boise
Boise was
was selected as alternate.
Mr. Rees moved
moved that'
that aa committee
committee of five
five ladies
ladies be elected
elected to
Mr.
select some
some lady
lady to
to deliver
deliver or
or read
read an
an address at the next
select
next annual
re-union,
and to
to report
report to the Secretary
Secretary by the 22d
22d of February
February
re-union, and
next, who
who they
they have
have selected.
selected.
Mrs.
Miller, Mrs.
Mrs. S.
A. Clarke,
Clarke, Mrs.
Mrs. Werner
Werner Breyman,
Breyman,
Mrs. J.
J. F. Miller,
S. A.
.,..
MEETING OF
OF THE
THE BOARD
BOARD OF
OF DIRECTORS.
DIRECTORS.
MEETINO
16
i.6
Mrs. 1.
Gilbert and Mrs.
Mrs. J.
J..H.
H. Moores,
Moores, were
were appointed
appointed said
said
Mrs.
I. N. Gilbert
committee.
Mr. Thos.
Thos. C.
Shaw was
Marshal, with Col. T.
Mr.
C. Shaw
was chosen
chosen Chief Marshal,
R. Cornelius
and Ralph
Ralph C.
C. Geer, aids.
Cornelius and
aids.
motion, the
the following
following Committee
Committee of
ofArrangements
Arrangements was
was apapOn motion,
pointed: John F.
F. Miller,
Miller, Joseph
Joseph Holman,
Holman, John
John W.
W. Minto,
Minto, Mrs.
Mrs.
Bowman, Mrs.
Mrs. Mary
Mary Minto,
Mrs. J. F.
F. Miller,
Miller, Mrs.
Mrs. S.
S. A.
A.
B.
B. H. Bowman,
Minto, Mrs.
Clarke,
Mrs.
1.
N.
Gilbert,
Miss
Clara
Watt
and
Miss
Maria
Clarke, Mrs. I. N. Gilbert, Miss Clara Watt and Miss Maria
Smith.
Moved
and carried,
the Committee
Committee of
ofArrangements
Arrangements be
Moved and
carried, that the
the invited
invited guests.
guests.
instructed
instructed to attend to the
selectedtoto deliver
deliver an
an address
address and
and call
Hon. John Minto
Minto was
was selected
the roll
roll of
of1844.
1844.
Mrs. F. F.
F. Victor,
Victor,on
onmotion,
motion, was
was invited to
to write
write aa biography
biography
Mrs.
of the late Col. Joseph L. Meek,
Meek, to
to be
be published
published in the
the proceedproceed.
the Association.
Association.
ings of the
Moved al1d
ard carried that the Committee on
on Printing
Printing be
be instructed
instructed
to have
have 2,000
2,000 copies
copies of the proceedings
proceedings and addresses
addresses printed as
as possible.
possible.
soon as
Mr.
M. Waite
Waite made
made a proposition to print the
theproceedings
proceedings
Mr. E. M.
less than
last year
year (1875),
(1875), and
the
addresses for
for $5.00
and addresses
.00 less
than last
and if the
number
price, and
and if
if the
numb~r of pages
pages are less,
less, at a corresponding
corresponding price,
the
number of pages
pages be
corresponding advance.
advance.
be more,
more, at a corresponding
On motion, the proposition
proposition was accepted.
to
Moved,
Moved, that the Committee of Arrangements
Arrangements be
be instructed
instructed to
examine
have them retouched
retouched ififfound
found necessary.
necessary.
examine the banners and have
warrant be drawn
drawn in
in favor
favor of the
Moved
Moved and
and carried,
carried, that a warrant
Secretary.
Secretary for $15.00.
On motion,
motion, adjourned
adjourned until
until the
the first
first Thursday
Thursday in
in May.
May.
HENRY BROWN,
BROWN,
J. HENRY
Secretary.
THE
THE AMUAL
ANNUALADDRESS.
ADDRESS.
BY
HON. I4ATTHEW
MATTHEW I',
P. DEADY.
DEADY.
BY HON.
4
Hon. Matthew
Han.
Matthew P. Deady,
Deady, of
of Portland,
Portland, was
was then
then introduced
introduced by
by
the President, and in
in aa full
full voice,
voice, with
with his
his usual
usual forcible
forcible manner,
manner,
delivered the following
following address:
OREGON
LADIES AND
AND GENTLEMEN:
GENTLEMEN:
OREGON PrONEERS,
PIONEERS, LADIES
Allow
you upon
upon being
being permitted
permitted to
to assemble
assemble here
here under
under
Allow me to
to congratulate you
the
the Stars
Stars and
and Stripes,
Stripes, on
vn this
this Twenty-Ninth
Twenty-Ninth Anniversary
Anniversary of
the sheen
sheen of
of the
of the
American right to
to the
the Oregon
Oregon terter.
final
final acknowledgment
acknowledgment of
of Great
Great Britain
Britain of
of the American
ritory. Having wisely resolved
your
resolved totomeet
meettogether
togetherannually
annuallyand
and celebrate
celebrate your
into the
the country,
country, and
and brighten
brighten and
and perpetuate
perpetuate the
entry into
the memory
memory of your
your early
early
trials and
and sufferings
sufferings while
engaged in
in making
making the
theweary
wearyjourney
journeyfrom
fromthe
theMisMis.
while engaged
andtransplanting,
transplanting,totothis
thisthen
thenfar
faroff
offshore,
shore,the
thecustoms,
customs,
souri to the Wallamet,
Wallamet, and
laws and institutions
institutions of
of Alfred and Washington, you could
could not
not have
have selected
selected aa
appropriate day for the occasion,
occasion, than
than this. Just twenty-nine years ago, your
more appropriate
only rival and competitor
competitor for the possession
possession of
treaty of
of
of this
this goodly
goodly land,
land, by the treaty
Washington, in
in effect
effect admitted,
admitted,that
thatthethe
OREGON PIONEER,
PIONEER, unaided
his
Washington,
OREGON
unaided by his
the far-reaching
far-reaching
Government, and
interested opposition
opposition of the
Government,
and despite
despite the
the deeply interested
power and
and diplomacy
diplomacy of the
the English
English
Hudson Bay
Bay Company,
Company, backed
Hudson
backed by
by the
the power
Crown, although
bringmg with
with him across
across the
the continent
continent
Crown,
although bringing
the trackless
trackless wilds of the
else than
than the
the Family,
Family, the
the Schooland
School. andthe
theChurch,
Church,had
hadsucceeded
succeededininoccuoccu·
little else
pying the
country and
rearing therein,
therein, upon
upon these
these institutions,
mstitutions, as foundation
foundation
pying
the country
and rearing
stones, the enduring edifice
stones,
edifice of an American State.
But we
struggle for
for the
the
we are
are not
not here
here to
to triumph
triumphover
overthose
thosewho
wh failed
failed in
in the
the struggle
conduet. The object of the Hudson
prize or cast reproach upon their policy or conduct.
Company in
Bay Company
in occupying
occupying the
the country,
country, was
was to
to secure.
secure the
the exclusive
exclusive trade with
such British
British subjects
subjects as might
might suit
suit its
its policy
policy to
to allow
allow therein,
therein,
the Indians and such
and it pursued
pursued this
this object
object as justly and
and considerately
considerately .s
,,-s could
could be
be expected.
expected. Its
autocratic government
autocratic
government and
and discipline
discipline was such
such as
as best
best suited
suited its
its condition
condition and
pursuits. It did not seek
seek to
to build
build towns,
towns, establish
establish political
politicalcommunities,
communities, or
or
except in fJ. very limited measure. Its factors,
factors, traders
even to cultivate the soil, except
22
18
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESS OF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
clerks; though
though generally
generally just
.iust and
andintelligent
intelligentmen,
men,were
were aapart
partof
of an
an unyield
unyield_
and clerks;
system which
ing system
which compelled
compelledthem
themtotoJive
livefor,
far,and
and promote
promote the
the .pecial
special interests
of the Company
Company before those of the country.
c~unt~y.
justice demands
demands that
that I should
should name,
name, at least,
least, one
one notable
notable exception
exception to
But justice
. this general rule.
John McLoughlin
McLoughlin was
the Company,
Company, west
west of the
the Rocky
Rocky
Dr. John
was Chief
Chief Factor of the
mountains,
mountains, from
from 1823
1823 to
to 1845,
1845, when
when he
he resigned
resigned the
the position
positionand
andsettled
settledatat OreOregon City,
City, where
where he
he died
died in
in 1857,
1857,full
fullofof years
years and
and honor.
gon
honor. During
this period
During this
he was the controlling power
power in
in the
the country,
country, and
and did
did more
more than
than anyone
any one else
else to
to
among the conflicting
conflicting and
andsometimes
sometimeslawlawpreserve order,
order, peace and good will among
less elements
the population.
population. Although,
Although, as
officer of
Company, his
elements of
of the
as an officer
of the
the Company,
should prefer
prefer it to the
American immigrant
immigrant
duty and interest
interest required
required that
that he
he should
the American
or missionary,
missionary, yet
of humanity, he
he always forgot
forgot all special
yet at
at the call of
special interests,
interests,
unfortunate of
whatever
and was
was ever
ever ready
ready to
to help
help and
and succor
succor the
the needy and unfortunate
of whatever
creed or clime.
Had he but turned
turned his
his back
back upon
upon the
the early
early missionary
missionary or settler and left them
themselves, the occupation of the country by Americans
Americans would
would have
have
to shift for themselves,
much greater hardship and
and suffering
suffering
been seriously
seriously retarded,
retarded, and attended with much
than it was.
was. As
another: "He
As has
has been
been truly
truly and
and eloquently
eloquently said
said of
of him
him by another
"Ho
was aa great
which
was
great man
man upon
upon whom
whomGod
God had
had stamped
stamped aa grandeur
grandeur of
of character which
few men possess,
possess, and
noearthly
earthlysovereign
sovereign can
can
few
and a nobility
nobility which
which the
the patent of no
confer. His standard of commercial
commercial integrity would compare
compare with
the
with that
that of the
best of men.
men. As a Chritian,
Chri-tian,he
hewas
wasaadevout
devout Roman
RomanCatholic,
Catholic,yet
yetnevertheneverthesense of
less Catholic
Catholic in the largest sense
of that
that word."
....
For at least
least aa quarter
quarter of
of aa century
century McLoughlin
McLoughlin was
was a grand
grand and
and potent
potent figure
figure
of the
in the affairs
affairs of
the Pacific
Pacific slope.
slope. Compared
surroundings and meas
meas
Compared with
with his surroundings
ured
opportunities, in
soul, he
ured by his
his opportunities,
in majesty
majesty of
of appearance
appearance and
and nobility
nobility of
of soul,
was..
As some
Borne tall cliff
form,
"As
cliff that lifts its awful form,
was
storm,
Swells from
from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
tB breast the
the rolling
rolling clouds
clouds are spread,
Though round
round Iits
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
But he has long
long since
since gone
gone to
to his rest.
rest. Peace to his
his ashes!
ashes! Yet
good
Yet the
the good
lasting monument
monument to his memory,
memory, and
deeds done in the body are a lasting
and shall
shall in due
gold in Oregon
Oregon history.
history. As II
time
letters of
time cause
cause his
his name
name to
tobe
be written
written in
in letters
of gold
pass along where he fell out of
of the ranks
ranks of
of life,
life, II reverently
reverentlyturn
turn aside
aside and
and drop
drop
CAIRN,and
and
hope
every
OREGONPIONEER
PIONEER will
will say,
stoneupon
uponhis
hisneglected
neglected
this stone
CAIRN,
hope
every
OREGON
Amen.
\
ANNUAL
OP 1-ION.
P. DEADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
ADDRESS OF
HON. MATTHKW
MATTHEW P.
DEADY.
I9
19
Page upon
upon page has
has been
been written
written to
to prove
prove that
that Oregon
Oregon belonged
bdonged to
to the
the United
discovery, and
and by
by virtue
virtue of
of the French cession
of the
the territory
territory
cession of
States by right 9ff discovery,
of Louisiana of April
April 30,
30, 1803,
and the treaty of limits with Spain, of February
1803. and
Febrnary
1829, by
relinquished her rights
country north
north and
22, 1829,
by which
whichthe
thelatter
latter relinquished
rights to the country
east of aa line therein described and agreed upon.
upon.
But
indefinite grounds
although as good
good as
But these
these indefinite
grounds of
of title, although
as any
any set
set up against
mere makeweights
makeweight, of diplomatic
diplomatic controversy
controversy and
finesse, and
them, were the mere
antI finesse,
had but little,
little, ififany
any effect,
effect, upon the final result. The accidental discovery,
discovery, in
1792,
the mouth
month of the Oregon
1792, of the
Oregon by a private adventurer
adventurer in
in the
the ship
shipColtgm6ia,
Columbia,
who never
attempted to
to make
make any
any use
use of
of the
of the country,
never attempted
the fact
fact or exploration
exploration of
country,
was a very
very insignificant
insignificant and insufficient
insufficient circumstance
circumstance upon which,
which, after
after aa lapse
lapse
of fifty
years, to
to base
base aa claim
claim to
to aa country
crossed by
by seven
seven degrees
degrees of
of latitude
fifty years,
country crossed
more of
of longitude. 'The
and nearly as many as many
many more
entry and
and exex.
The fact
fact of the entry
ploration of the river, for the distance of one
one hundred
hundred miles
miles from
from its
its mouth,
mouth, at
at
latter period
period of the
thesame
same year,
year, by
by the
the British
British navigator,
navigator, Vancouver,
Vancouver, is of the
aIt latter
the absence
absence of
of any other claim to the country, either
same general character. In the
circumstance might be relied
upon by
bythe
theGovernments
Governments of the
the respective
respective disdis.
circumstance
relied upon
by
coverers, as giving them some right to
to the
the possession
possession of the territory
territory drained
drained by
coverers,
the river.
river. But
But upon
upon these
these facts
facts alone,
alone, as 'oetween
Detween Great
Great Britain
Britain and
and the
the United
States, II think the
the better
better right
with the former;
right was with
former; for,
for, as
as II have
have said,
said, Gray
Gray
States,
only a private
private citizen
citizen engaged
engaged in
mere mercantile
mercantile adventure,
adventure, and
and made
made
was only
in a mere
no
the river
river above
above its
itsmouth,
mouth,while
whileVancouver
Vancouver was
was aacommiscommis.
no exploration
exploration of
of the
sioned
sioned officer
officerofofthe
the British
British Government
Government engaged
engaged in
in exploring
exploring the
the coast, who
present town of Vancouver.
Vancouver.
entered the river
entered
river and
and explored
exploreditit as
as far
far east
east as
as the
the present
title derived
derived from
from the actual
actual occupation
occupation of the
the soil
soil by
by any
any concon·
But as against a title
nation, aa claim
claimbased
basedupon
uponsuch
suchinconincon.
siderable number of the people of either nation,
clusive circumstances,
circumstances, onght
weigh a feather.
feather.
clusive
ought not
not to weigh
The only direct result of Gray's discovery,
discovery, has
the name
name
has been the change of·
of the
of the River
River of
ofthe
theWest
Westfrom
fromthethe
OREGON
OREGON to
to the
theCOLUMBIA,
COLUMBIA, in
incompliment
compliment to
his ship. For ffiany
l'Ilany reasons
reasons the
the change
change isis to
to be
be regretted,
regretted, but
but II suppose
suppose it
it is
is
now beyond
the sonorous
sonorons original
original is
is embalmed
embalmed in the
the beautiful
beautiful
now
beyond recall.
recall. Yet the
lines of
of Bryant,
Bryant, and
and will not be forgotten
forgotten while Thanatopsis
Thanatopsis remains
remains to edify
edify
and delight the world:
world:
.. Take the
the wings
wings
"Take
morning-andthe
theBarcan
Barcandesert
desert pierce,
pierce,
Of morningand
Or
Or lose
lose thyself
thyself in
in the continuous woods,
woods,
the OREGON,
OREGON, and hear.
Where rolls the
hears no sound,
Save
hisown
owndashings-yet-the
dashingsyetthe dead
deadare
are there."
there."
Save his
From
the country
country was to depend upon
success·
From the
the beginning,
beginning, the right to the
upon the successful occupation
of it, The race for
was between
occupation of
for possession
possession was
between Great
Great Britain
Britain and
and
20
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF HON.
P. DEADY.
HON. MATTHEW
MATTHEW P.
United States-the
formerrepresented
representedby
byits
itsFur
FurCompanies
Companies with their hierthe United
Statesthe former
archy
archy of educated
educated and
and trained
trained officers
officers and elerks
clerks.and
andmotley
motleyfollowing
following of
of
Canadians, half
latterby
bythe
theEastern
Easterntrader
traderand
and MisMisCanadians,
half breeds
breeds and
and India.ns-the
Indiansthe latter
sionary
and particularly
sionary and
particularly the Western
Western woodsman
woodsman and fanner.
farmer. Primarily,
Primarily, the
English sought to
to occupy
occupy the country for the
the purpose
purpose of
of carrying
carrying on
on the fur trade
with the Indians.
Indians. It was
was to be
sickle and
and preprebe keept
këept from
fromthe
the plough
plough and
and the sickle
for fur
served as a breeding ground for
fur bearing
bearing animals
animals except so far
far as
as the limited
necessities or convenience
of the Company
might otherwise
require. Many
necessities
convenience of
Company might
otherwise require.
Many of
the"
gentlemen"ofofthe
theCompany
Cumpany regarded
regarded the
the country
country as
mere outpost,
outpost, in
i~
the "gentlemen"
as a mere
which they were
were engaged in
in aa temporary
temporary service.
service.
On the
the other
other hand,
hand, the
the American
Americansettler
settler was
wasalways
alwaysanimated-often
animated.often it may
On
theheroic
heroic thought
thought that
thathe
hewas
waspermanently
permanently en.
en·
have
have been
been unconsciously-with
unconsciouslywith the
gaged
home-founding an
anAmerican
American
gaged in
in reclaiming
reclaimingthe
the wilderness-building
wildernessbuilding a homefounding
the area
area of
of liberty.
State and extending
extending the
liberty. He had
had visions,
visions, however
however dimly
dimly seen,
seen,
here to
to do
do for
for this
this country
country what
what his
his ancestors
ancestors had
had done
savage
that he was here
done for savage
England centuries
centuries before-to
planta acommunity
communitywhich
whichin
indue
due time
time should
should grow
grow
beforeto plant
Anglo-American States, wherein
wherein
and
sisterhood of Anglo-American
and ripen
ripen into
into one
one of
of the great sisterhood
spoken by
by millions
millions
the language of the Bible, Shakspeare and Milton should be spoken
then unborn,
Magna C;harta
Westminster Hall
Hallbe
bethe
thebulbulunborn, and
and the
the law
law of
of Magna
çharta and Westminster
wark of liberty and
and the
the buttress
buttress of
oforder
order for
for generations
generations to
to come.
come.
Under these circumstances,
wondered at, that
that this
this British
British army
army
circumstances, itit is
is not
not to be wondered
of occup~tion
occupation failed
failed to.take
totake deep
deep root
root in
in the
the soil
soil and
and hold
hold the
the country
country as against
PIONEER.
Butatatone
onetime,
time,apparently,
apparently,the
the odds
odds were
were largely in
OREGON PIONEER.
But
the OREGON
its favor. Only forty-five
forty-fiveyears
years ago,
ago, aa casual
casual observer might
might have
have concluded
concluded that
its
the arch of the
the American
American Union
Union would
would never
never span
span this continent.
continent. So late as
as that
period, the territory did not
not contain
containan
anAmerican
Americancitizen.
citizen. Practical1y,
Practically, it was under
the subjects
subjects of Great Britain and their
their Indian
the control and in the occupation of the
allies and dependents.
dependents. But to-day not a vestige of the once
once undisputed dominion
of th@
the great
great British
British corporation
corporation remains
remains·10
to be
be seen,
seen, while
while the
the Stars
Stars and
and Stripes
float free
from the mounta,ins
to the
the sea.
sea.
float
free from
from every
every battlement
battlement and
and mast-head from
mount;ins to
Before
great emigrations
emigrations from
from the West
West to Oregon,
Oregon,
Before proceeding
proceeding to
to speak
speak of the great
between the years 1840
1840 and 5846,
1846, which by their
their numbers
numbers and
and character
character finally
finally
the question
question of
of occupancy, let us
us glance
glance at
atthe
theprogress
progress of
ofdiscovery
discovery
determined the
and settlement up to that period.
period_
Between 1804
expedition of
traversed the
Between
1804 and
and 1806,
i8o6, the
the expedition
of Lewis
Lewis and
and Clarke traversed
the
continent
Columbia, and
arid returned
returned
Continent from
fromthe
the mouth
mouth of
of the
the Missouri
Missourito
to that
that of the Columbia,
place of starting.
starting. It wintered
wintered in
country on
the south
south side
side of
to the place
in the country
on the
of the
river, near its mouth.
mouth_ This expedition
expedition was
authorized and
supported by
by the
the
river,
was authorized
and supported
Government, and is more
discovering
National Government,
more properly
properly entitled
entitled to the credit of discovering
\
ANNUAL
ADDRSS OF
OF ION.
ANNUAL ADDRttSS
HON. MATTHEW
MA'l'THEW P.
P. DEADY.
DEADY.
21i
the river than either Gray or Vancorver.
Vancofl'ver. Altogether, it did much
much to attract the
attention
the people
people of the
the United
UnitedStates
Statesto
tothe
thecountry,
country, and
and impress
impress them
them
ettention of
of the
the feasibility
feasibility of
of manking
manking the
the journey
journey to
to the
the Pacific
Pacific shore
shore by
by land.
land.
with the
The entrance
Tonquin into
into the Columbia
Columbia in,
establishentrance of
of the Tonquiv
in, 181
iSsI,i, and
and the establishtrading post
post at
at the
the mouth
mouth of
of the
theriver
riverby
byAstor's
Astor'sFur
FurCompany,
Company, totoment of aa trading
gether with the overland
overland journeys
journeysof
dl Hunt,
Hunt, Stuart, Franchere, and
and others of the
the
Pacific and
companies, prior
1815,also
alsoserved
servedtotofamilfamilPacific
and Ncrthwest
Ncrthwest companies,
prior to
tothe
the year t8s5
iarize the inhabitants
general character
character of the
the
iarize
inhabitantsofof the
the United
United States
States with
with the
the general
tountry
proximity and
acknowledged American
American territory.
country and its proximity
and relation
relation to
to the acknowledged
The war
war with Great Britain
Britain having caused the failure of
of Astor's
A~tor's project
project to occupy
occupy
psuedo American
American fur company,
company, the
the property
property and
and trade
trade of
ofthe
the
the country with aa psuedo
Pacific Fur Company
Northwest Company~-a
BritishPacific
Compajiy fell
fell into
into the
the hands
hands of
of the Northwest
Company--a Britishorganization-some of whose
whose members
members constituted
principal perCanadian organization.-some
constituted the principal
sons in Astor's
Astor's company.
company. Thereupon
sous
Thereupon Astoria
Astoria became
became Fort
Fort George,
George, and
and the
the
Company was
1823, when
Northwest Company
was the
the dominant
dominant power
power in
in the country until 1823,
when it
was
Hudson Bay
Bay Company;
Company; thenceforth
Was merged
mergedinto
into the
the Hudson
thenceforththe
the latter
latter ruled
ruled in
Oregon, until
nntil ititwas
wassuperceded
supercededbybythe
thegovernment
government
PIONEERS. With
\Vith the
of of
thethe
PIONEERS.
of the Hudson
Hudson Bay
Bay Company,
Company, the
the seat
seat of
ofempire
empire was
was removed
removed from
from Fort
Fort
advent of
George to
to Val)couver,
Vaitcouver,which
whichlatter
latter place
place became
of this
George
became the
the western
western emporium
emporium of
great coIonil
colonialcorporation
corporation. There
There for
for full
full twenty years, its Chief Factor, McMcbaronial sway5
sway, governing
Loughlin, held baronial
governingthe
the country
country with
with aa strong
strong hand
hand but
but a
just judgment, and dispensing
dispensing a primitive but generous
weary
generous hospitality to the weary
whatever race
scream of
of the AmeriAmeritraveller or chance tourist of whatever
race or
or land. The scream
can
roamed without
without a
can eagle
eagle was
was unheard
unheard in
in the
the country
country while
while the
the British lion roamed
rival from
from Fort Hall
Hall to
to Fort
FortGeorge
George and
and from
from Colville
Colville to
to Umpqua.
Umpqua.
And now
now diplomacy
diplomacy entered
arid conceded
conceded that,
that,notwithstanding
notwithstanding
entered the
the arena and
the partial discoveries
discoveries of
Mears, Gray,
Clarke,
of Hece.ta,
Heceta, Mears,
Gray, VancclUver,
Vanc'uver, Lewis
Lewis and Clarke,
country was
was open
open to
to be
~e occupied
occupied by the
the people
people of
ofeither
either nation.
nation.
the country
October 20,
was agreed
LonOn October
20, 1818,
j8sS, it was
agreed by
by the
tire third
third article
article of
of the
the treaty
treaty of
of London,
don, ""that
thatany
any country
country that may be
be claimed
claimed by
by either"
either" Great
Great Britain
Britain or
or the
the
United States
"onthe
theNorthwest
Northwest coast
coast of
ofAmerica,
America, westward
westward of the
the Stony
Stony
United
States "on
mountains
**
"*
**
should be free and open
open for
for the term of ten years
to the vessels,
act the
the two
two
vessels,citizens
citizensand
andsubjects
subjectsofofthe
thetwo
twopowers."
powers." By this
this act
world, that
that neither
neither of
of them
them
high cOl1tracting
contracting parties
parties virtually admitted
admitted to the world,
any country
country westward
westward of
Stony
had any perfect
perfect or
or ack,nowledged
acknowledged right
right to any
of the Stony
that at
at most,
most, they
theyhad
hadbut
buta acla&n
claimof
ofright
righttotosome
some undefined
undefined part
mountains, or that
of that
thatcomparatively
comparatively unknown
unknown region.
region. This convention,
convention, apparently acting
acting
admission that neither party had any
any definite
definite right to
to the
the country,
country, and
and
upon the admission
that like
like asiy
any other unsettled
unsettled and
unowned portion
portion of the
the globe,
globe, itit was
was open
open to
to
that
and snowned
22
AICNUAL ADDRPSS OP HON. MATTHEW P. DhAflV.
AN1UAL AJDTSS OF IfON. MATThEW P. DgAD.
coded his early aspiration to found " a virtuous and civilized" community in
occupation by the first corner, expressly recognized the right of the people of
both nations to occupy it5 for the tiftie being5 at pleasure.
Oregon. Yet even this transient visit of his was not without notable results in
favor of American occupation. Somewhere in lower California Kelisy fell in
with Ewing Young, formerly of Missouri, whom he induced, with some others,
Thus was sanctioned that occupation of the country by Great Britain, which
was practically comntenced home yhars before, with the transfer of the property
and business of the Pacific Fur Company to the Northwest. This fosehenient
condition of things Was cohtiftued indefinitely by the treaty of London, of Au-
to come to the country with him. Young soon settled in the Wallamet valley
as a farmet and stock-raiser. He and a few others, of whom he seems to have
been somewhat a leader, early aspired to an independent existence as free Amer-
gust i6, 1827, with liberty to eitheh party "to annul and abrogate" it at an)1
ican settlersnot recognizing any superiority of right or position in either the
time after October o, xSz8, by givihg notice of such purpose.
And now commenced a movement that, if it had been successful, would have
hastened the occupation of the country and the acknowledgment of the Amerb
can title to it by at least ten years. As early as the year 1817, Hall T. Kelley,
of Boston, began to advocate the inimediate occupation of the Oregon territory
by American settlers. He became an enthusiast upon the subject, and spent
his time and some fortune in promoting a scheme for emigration to the couotry
As early as shaq he procured the incorporation, by the commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts, of "The American Society for the settlement of the Oregon territory."
From a memorial presented by the society to Congress, in e83i, it appeare
that it was "engeged in the work of opening to a civilized and virtuouspopulaboo that part of Western America called Oregon." The memorialists state that
"They are convinced that if the country should be settled under the auspices of'
the United States of America, from such of her worthy sons who have drunk the
spirit of those civil and religious institutions which constitute the living fountain
and the very perennial source of her national prosperity, great benefits must result to mankind. They believe that there the skillful and persevering hand of
industry might be employed with unparalleled advantage; that there science and
the arts, the invaluable privilege of a free and liberal government, and the re
finement and ordinances of Christianity, diffusing each its blessing, would haimoniously unite in meliorating the moral condition of the Indisths, in promoting
the comfort and happiness of the settlers, and in augmenting the wealth and
power of the Republic."
After stating "that the country in question is the most valuable of all the unoccupied portions f the earth," and designed by Providence "to be the residence of a people whose singular advantages will gii'e them unexampled power
'
*
and prosperity," the memorial adds "That these things
have settled in the policy of the Britilh nation the determined purpose of possHs
ing and enjoying the country as their own, and have induced their Parliament to
confer on the Hudson Bay Company chartered privileges foi occupying with
27
Company or the Mission. Tn January, 1837, Young, in company with Edwards,
a layman of the Mission, nd a few others, went to Califofnia by sea, to purchase
cattle for themselves and others in the Wallamet settlement. The party returned
4
by land in the spring of the same year with 600 Spanish cattle. This was a
very important event in the history of the colony--almost as much so as the
rape of the Sahine women in the founding of Rome. For without the cheap
labor of the patient ox and the simple foc d of the faithful cow, the plough must
have rusted in the furrow and the young pioneers gone hungry to bed. Thereafter the cattle monopoly of the Company was at an end, and the settlers soon
had a sufficient supply of "long horns" for food and labor.
I suppose that the ''blue blood" of these Castilian cattle has long since be'
come so diluted with that of the ignoble herds driven hither from the West in
after times, that to-day it is scarcely perceptable in the ordinary bovines of the
country, Indeed, the improved short-horns and other wonderful adipose products of modern cow-culture, are rapidly taking the place of all others. But
the time was, when the broad, unbroken prairies of the Wallamet were dotted
over with droves of the fleet-footed descendants of these shed-cattle of Oregon.
Many of you remember their striking appearancea half wild look and motion; a light5 IcIng, round body; Clean, bony limbs, and a handsome head crowned
with a pair of long, tapering, curved horns. When tame or at rest, they were
as mild-looking as gazelles5 but a herd of them alarmed ol' enraged was as
"terrible as an army with banners."
In February, 1841, Young died comparatively wealthy in cattle and horses,
without any known heirs. The necessity of providing for some disposition of
his property forced upon the settlers the question of organization, which was
the beginning of the agitation that resulted in the establishment of a Provisional
government. The result was, that the estate was appropriated to the building
of a jail at Oregon City--prohably the first "prison house" west of the Rocky
mountains. More than twehty years afterwards the State of Oregon refunded
the value of the property taken, to his son, Joaquin Young, of New Mexico.
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF 1-1014. MATT1fW P. UIIADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS O' HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY.
territory; and from all thatwe have learned we should prefer migrating to Botany
bay. With the exception of the lands of the Wallamet, and strips along a few
of the smaller water courses, the whole country is among the most irreclaimable)
barren wastes of which we have read, except the desert of Sahara "
*
*
their settlements the fertile banks of the Columbia.
Already have they flourishing towns, strong fortifications and cultivated farms.
*
*
"
Their largest town is Vancouver, which is situated on a
beautiful plain, in the region of tide water, on the northern bank of the Columbia.
"
Everything, either in the organization of the govern"
ment, or in the busy and various operations of the settlements of this place, at
Wallawalla, at Fort Colville and at De Fuca, indicate the intention of the English to colonize the country. Now, therefore, your memorialiats, in behalf of a
large number of the citizens of the United States, would respectfully ask Congress to aid them in carrying into operation the great purposes of their institutionto grant them troops, artillery, military arms and munitions of war for th
security of the contemplated settlementto incorporate their society with power
to extinguish the Indian title to such tracts and extent of territory, at the mouth
f the Columbia and the junction of the Multnomah with the Columbia, as may
be adequate to the laulable objects and pursuits of the settlers; and with such
other powers, rights and immunities as may be at least, equal and concurrent to
those given by Parliament to the Hudson Bay Company; and such as are not repugnant to the stipulations of the Convention, made between Great Britain and
But flow) after the lapse of years, we can readily see how these simple men
Were really the unconscious instruments in the hands Of HIM who "hath made
the round world" and ruleth the destiny of all nations that dwell thereon. Un.
der His divine guidance, they "builded better than they knew."
Although their mission to the Indians was substantially a failure, they were
of great benefit to the country. They wisely settled in the heart of the great
Wallamet valley, and formed there a nucleus and rallying point for the future
American settlement, and thereby attracted the after coming immigration to
this Goshen of the Pacific. From the first, the lay element and secular spirit
was sufficiently strong among them, to cause them to take root in the country
and gradually become a permanent colony, rather than remain mere sojourners
among the Indians. Before long they hcgan to build and plant as men who
regarded the country as their future home. Comparatively, they prospered in
this world's goods; and when the immigration came flowing into the country
from the west, they found at the " Wallamet Mission," practically an American
settlement, whose influence and example were favorable to order, industry, sobriety and economy, and contributed materially to the formation of a moral,
industrious and law abiding community out of these successive waves of unstratified population.
True, their Indian school had no permanent effect upon the aboriginies of the
vicivage.
"His soul their science never taught to stray.
Far as the solar walk or milky way."
But it was of great advantage as a seat of learning, however primitive, and a
means of education, to the white youth of the country. "As the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land," it attracted to its vicinity, those who were desirous
of protecting themselves as far as possible, from the withering atmosphere of an
ignorant and uncultivated community. Around it, and largely on account of
it, grew up the town of Salemnow the wide-spreading capital of the State,
Long since, it discarded the rustic and uncertain appellation of" Institute," and
now glories in the honor of being a well-endowed and prosperous university)
which many of the foremost young men of this generation are proud to hail as
their Alma Mater.
In 1834, Hall J. Kelley reached the country, via Mexico and C5lifornia. ttn
account of ill-health he returned to the east in the following spring, and thus
the United States, wherein it was agreed that any country on the Northwest
coast of America, to the westward of the Rocky mountains should be free and
open to the citizens and subjects of the two powers, for a term of years; and to
grant them such other rights and privileges as may contribute to the means of
establishing a respectable and prosperous comnounity."
Mr. Kelley was the general agent of the Society. In 1831 he published a
pamphlet, entitled "A general circular to all peasons of good character, who
wish to emigrate to the Orggon Territory," which set forth the general objects
of the Society. The opening paragraph discloses the fact that the subsequent
cry of "Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight" had not then been invented nor the claim
upon which it was based known or understood. It commences" Oregon Settlement. To be commenced in the spring of 1832 on the delightful and fertile
banks of the Columbia river. It has been for many years in serious contemplation to settle with a free and enlightened but redundant population from the
American Republic that portion of her territory, called Oregon, bounding on
the Pacific ocean and lying between the forty-second and foriy-ninth paral1ls of N. latitude."
As appears, the banks of the Columbia were then supposed to be the valuable
portion of the country, while the great WalIamet valley where "the clouds drop
fatness" and seed-time and harvest never fail, was scarcely knownormentioned.
The names of 37 agents of the Society are given isa the pamphlet, from any of
24
24
AUAL A1RESS
AJI<:fiWAL
ADDRESSOF
OF1ON.
HON'. MAftHEW
MAl''THEW P.
P. tEADV.
:DEADY'.
whom, persons
auspices
whom,
persons desirous
desirousofof becoming
becoming emigrants
emigrants to
to Oregon;
Oregon under
under its auspice
the proper
proper certificate
certificate for
for that purpose.
purpose. The agents
agents were scattered
might obtain the
Union. Only two
two of
them-~Nathaniel Wyeth,
Wyeth, of
of Cambridge,
Cambridge, Mass.5
Mass.t
over the Union.
of them--Nathaniel
himself-evervisited
visitedthe
thescene
sceneofofthe
theproposed
proposedcolony.
colony.
and Mr. Kelley himselfever
March, 1832, with aa good
expedition was
startfroM
from St.
St. Louis
Louis illfl March,
good supsupThe expedition
ws toto start
was to
to receiTe
receie aa town
of waggofis
waggons and
and stock.
stock. Each emigrant
emigrant was
town and
and farm
farm lot
ply of
the junction
junction of
of the
the Columbia
Columbia and
and Mu1tnomal
Multnomah rivers,
ri~ers, and at the
the mouth
mouth of the
the
at the
former,
former, where
where seaports
seaportsand
andriver
rivertowns
townswere
werealready
alreadylaid
laidoff-on
offon paper.
bore rio
110 immediate fruit. Congress
Congress was busy
busy with
with some
some p0poBut this scheme bore
litical
could not
spare the time
time or
or stoop
stoop to
attention to a
litical abstraction
abstraction and
and could
not spare
to give
give attention
plan for founding an empire on the Columbia;
Columbia; and
and sosothe
theAmerican
Americanoccispattion
occnpation
of the disputed territory was delayed for at least another decade.
decade. Nevertheless,
of the
the project
project brought
b,rought the
the country
country favorably
faYorably before
before the public, and
and
the agitation of
here
special forces
forces and
and interests
interests in
in motion,
motion, which
which in due
here and
and there
there set
set certain
certain special
time
materially aided the
the consummation,
consummation, Hall
Kelley so
so devoatly
devoutly wished,
wished,
time materially
Hall J. Kelley
and so long labored for.
more than any
any other
other one
one persdn,
person, in
inmy
my judgment,
judgment, may
may be
be justly atatTo him, more
the subsequent
subsequent occupation
occupation of the country by emigrants from
from the United
tributed the
States-and
Oregonshould
shouldininsome
someway
way worthy
worthy of the
the subject
subject and
and herself
herselfyet
yet
Statesand Oregon
acknowledge and commemorate
commemorate that fact.
In the
the year
year 5832,
1832, Nathaniel
Nathaniel Wyeth,
Wyeth, crossed
crossed tbe
the plains to Oregon,
Oregon, and returflreturnsame route
route to
to Boston
Boston in
in 1833,
1833, came
1834 arid
and established
established
ing by the same
came back
back in 1834
sent his
his goods
goods around
around
himself as
as an
an independent
independent trader
trader in
in the
tile country;
country; having sent
establishedhis
hisheadquarters
headquarters
the
the Horn
Horn the
the same
same year
yearininthe
the May
May Dacre.
Dacre. HI-Thestablished
A continuation
continuation of
on
on Wappatoo
Wappatooisland,
island,near
nearthe
themouth
mouthofofthe
theWallamet.
Wallamet. A
of illilllnck, including
including a dearth
dearth of
of salmon
salmClll in
in the
the Columbia
Columbia river
riYer for
for two
two successi'se
successive
luck,
years,
years, induced
induced him,
him, after
after an
an experiment
experiment of
of three
three years,
years; to abandon
abandon the
the enterS
enterprice. He disposed of his
prise.
Hudson Bay
Bay Company,
Company, who placed aa
his property to the Hadson
by the name
name of Sauve
Sauve on
on the
the island,
island, as
as aa dairyman.
dairyman. In after
after years5
years,
, Frenchman by
when the
when
the western
western emigrants
emigrants found
found their
their way
way to
to this
this country,
country, they
they calJed
called itit from
from
this fact,
thus the
theoriginal
original name
name,by
bywhich
which ititwas
was knowfl
knowit
fact, Sauve's
Sauve'sisland-and
islandand thus
was lost.
and settled by Wyeth, was
which itself was largely aIt consequence
cClllsequence of
Kel.
Yet
Yet this
this attempt
attempt of
of Wyeth's, which
of Kel
ley's
scheme, was
was not
not without
without results
results condtictive
conductive to
toAmerican
American occupatiOn.'
occupation:
ley's scheme,
Divers
remailled in the
the e41ntry
cdtlntryand
were th
the
Divers persons
persons employed
employed in
in the enterprise remaihed
and were
beginning of the independent American
American settlers
settlers ill
in the
the country.
country.
Among
Smith.
Amongthem,
them,were
werethe
the well
well known
known names
namesof
of O'Neil,
O'Neil, Hubbald
Hubbafd and
and Smith.
I,
A~~UALA1DRSS
ADDRESSOF
OFHON
HO~.MATTIliW
MATTHE:WP.P.DIfADY.
D"ltADY.
AlUAL
2
25
Afterwards, these
these men
men exerted
exerted aa positive
positive influence
influence in
in favor
favor of American intetests
The last
last named--the
named--the lion.
iind
Provisional government.
government. The
Hon.
.tid the
the formation
formation of
of the Provisional
Solomon
SolothonSmith-is
Smithis still
stillliving
liyingand
·andatatpresent
presentaamember
memberof
of the
the Senate
Senate from
from Clat·
Clat.
sop
Hecame
camehere
herefrom
from New
New Hampshire
Hampshire in
in 1834,
1834, and has
has beett
been aa useusesop county.
county. He
fill
exemt>lary citizen
since. I believe
believe he is the oldest
oldest
fttl and exemplary
citizen of
of the country ever sihee.
Pioneer now living.
liying.
Townsend
Besides
Besidesthese,
these, there
therecame
camewith
withWyeth,
Wyeth,Nuttall
Nuttall the
the naturalist, and Townsend
ornithologist, whose
whose accounts
accounts of
of their
their explorations
explorations and
and observations
observations did
did much
much
the ornithologist,
attract the
the attention
attention of
ofthe
the scientific
scientific and
and curious
curious to
to the
the country.
country.
to attract
To this expedition
expedition we
als~ owe
owe in
part the
the presence
presence of
of the
thefirst
firstMethoMethowe also
in great part
Lees,Shepard
Shepard and
and Edwards,
Edwards, who
who crossed
crossed
dist
dist missionaries
missioneriesininthe
thecountry~the
countrythe Lees,
with Wyeth
Wyeth in
in 1834;
1834; their
theirgoods.
goods. being
being shipped
shipped by
by him
him with
withhis
histtwn
own
the plains with
in
the May
May Dacre.
Dacre. This
This was
was the
the beginning
beginning of
of the
theMethodist
Methodist mission
mission in
in
in the
Oregon.
members of
mission--amongwho
whowere
wereWillson,
Willson,Beers,
Beers, Leslie,
Leslie.
The other members
of the missionamong
to
Waller,
Waller, Hines,
Hines, Judson,
Judson,Parrish.
Parrisl, Abernethy,
Abernethy, Campbell
Campbelland
and Babcock~came
Babcock.came to
them in the latter
latter year.
year.
the
the country
countrybetween
betweenthis
thisyear
yearand
and184o--many
184omany of them
They were mostly
fromthe
the Eastern
Eastern States. Their professed
mostly from
professed object
ohject in
in coming
coming
convertthe
theIndian
Indiantotothe
theChristian
Christianrelirelicountry was
to the country
wasaareligious
religiousone-to
oneto convert
gion~-rather
gion--rather than
thantotooccupy
occupy the
thecountry
countryand
andestablish
establishtherein
thereinan
anAmerican
Americancorncomniunity and
and State. They
mlmity
They came
came simply
simply as
as missionaries
missionariestotothe
the Indians,
Indians, and
and as
such were
were made
welcome by
by the
the Company.
Company. Incidentally, of course,
course, they
they exexmade welcome
pected
to occupy
occupy mission
mission stations,
engage itt
il1 such secular labor
labor as
as might
might
pected to
stations, and
and engage
be necessary
work among the IndiIndi~
necessary and
and convenient
convenient for
for the
the maintenance
maintenanceof
of their
their work
ans. When they landed in the country
country they did
did not
not burn
burn their
their ships.
ships.
would be
be in
in the
the east;
east; and
and after a
It was
was expected that their base of operations
operations would
few
few years
years spent
spent in
in ministering
ministeringtoto the
the heathen,
heathen, the
the missionary
missionaryhimself
himself might rerefriends and
home in
land from
from whence
whence he
he came.
came. Their Board
Board
turn to his friends
and home
in the
the land
of Missions
Missions had
character and
country or
had yery
verylittle
little idea
idea of
of the character
and yalue
value of
of the country
or of
of
far reaching
reMhing results which were to issue from
futile mismisthe important and far
from their futile
sion
to the
the Indians
sion to
Indians of Oregon.
Oregon. So
even, as
as 1844,
1844. their organs
organ! the New
New
So late,
late, even,
York Christian Advocate,
Advocate, published
in
published an
an article
article on
on Oregon
Oregon which
whichwas
was quoted in
Congress during
the resolution
resolution to terminate
terminate the
the treaty
treaty of
ofjoint
jointococ.
Congress
during the debate on the
I:upation,
the country
country was
was hot
tlot worth
worth quarreling about.
article
cupation, to show that the
about. The article
contained
"Wehave
havesome
someopportunity
opportunity from
from our
our
contained the
the following
followingparagraph:
paragraph: "We
position,
productions and
position, to
to found
found aa correct
correct estimate
estimate of
of the
the soil,
soil, climate, productions
and facm.
facilithecountry
country from
from the Rocky
Rocky Mountains
Mountains to
to the
the Pacific
Pacific ocean,
ocean, as
as we
we have
have
ties of the
had a large
several years,
years, distributed
distributed in
in small
small parties over the
large mission
mission there for several
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF 1-1014. MATT1fW P. UIIADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS O' HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY.
territory; and from all thatwe have learned we should prefer migrating to Botany
bay. With the exception of the lands of the Wallamet, and strips along a few
of the smaller water courses, the whole country is among the most irreclaimable)
barren wastes of which we have read, except the desert of Sahara "
*
*
their settlements the fertile banks of the Columbia.
Already have they flourishing towns, strong fortifications and cultivated farms.
*
*
"
Their largest town is Vancouver, which is situated on a
beautiful plain, in the region of tide water, on the northern bank of the Columbia.
"
Everything, either in the organization of the govern"
ment, or in the busy and various operations of the settlements of this place, at
Wallawalla, at Fort Colville and at De Fuca, indicate the intention of the English to colonize the country. Now, therefore, your memorialiats, in behalf of a
large number of the citizens of the United States, would respectfully ask Congress to aid them in carrying into operation the great purposes of their institutionto grant them troops, artillery, military arms and munitions of war for th
security of the contemplated settlementto incorporate their society with power
to extinguish the Indian title to such tracts and extent of territory, at the mouth
f the Columbia and the junction of the Multnomah with the Columbia, as may
be adequate to the laulable objects and pursuits of the settlers; and with such
other powers, rights and immunities as may be at least, equal and concurrent to
those given by Parliament to the Hudson Bay Company; and such as are not repugnant to the stipulations of the Convention, made between Great Britain and
But flow) after the lapse of years, we can readily see how these simple men
Were really the unconscious instruments in the hands Of HIM who "hath made
the round world" and ruleth the destiny of all nations that dwell thereon. Un.
der His divine guidance, they "builded better than they knew."
Although their mission to the Indians was substantially a failure, they were
of great benefit to the country. They wisely settled in the heart of the great
Wallamet valley, and formed there a nucleus and rallying point for the future
American settlement, and thereby attracted the after coming immigration to
this Goshen of the Pacific. From the first, the lay element and secular spirit
was sufficiently strong among them, to cause them to take root in the country
and gradually become a permanent colony, rather than remain mere sojourners
among the Indians. Before long they hcgan to build and plant as men who
regarded the country as their future home. Comparatively, they prospered in
this world's goods; and when the immigration came flowing into the country
from the west, they found at the " Wallamet Mission," practically an American
settlement, whose influence and example were favorable to order, industry, sobriety and economy, and contributed materially to the formation of a moral,
industrious and law abiding community out of these successive waves of unstratified population.
True, their Indian school had no permanent effect upon the aboriginies of the
vicivage.
"His soul their science never taught to stray.
Far as the solar walk or milky way."
But it was of great advantage as a seat of learning, however primitive, and a
means of education, to the white youth of the country. "As the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land," it attracted to its vicinity, those who were desirous
of protecting themselves as far as possible, from the withering atmosphere of an
ignorant and uncultivated community. Around it, and largely on account of
it, grew up the town of Salemnow the wide-spreading capital of the State,
Long since, it discarded the rustic and uncertain appellation of" Institute," and
now glories in the honor of being a well-endowed and prosperous university)
which many of the foremost young men of this generation are proud to hail as
their Alma Mater.
In 1834, Hall J. Kelley reached the country, via Mexico and C5lifornia. ttn
account of ill-health he returned to the east in the following spring, and thus
the United States, wherein it was agreed that any country on the Northwest
coast of America, to the westward of the Rocky mountains should be free and
open to the citizens and subjects of the two powers, for a term of years; and to
grant them such other rights and privileges as may contribute to the means of
establishing a respectable and prosperous comnounity."
Mr. Kelley was the general agent of the Society. In 1831 he published a
pamphlet, entitled "A general circular to all peasons of good character, who
wish to emigrate to the Orggon Territory," which set forth the general objects
of the Society. The opening paragraph discloses the fact that the subsequent
cry of "Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight" had not then been invented nor the claim
upon which it was based known or understood. It commences" Oregon Settlement. To be commenced in the spring of 1832 on the delightful and fertile
banks of the Columbia river. It has been for many years in serious contemplation to settle with a free and enlightened but redundant population from the
American Republic that portion of her territory, called Oregon, bounding on
the Pacific ocean and lying between the forty-second and foriy-ninth paral1ls of N. latitude."
As appears, the banks of the Columbia were then supposed to be the valuable
portion of the country, while the great WalIamet valley where "the clouds drop
fatness" and seed-time and harvest never fail, was scarcely knownormentioned.
The names of 37 agents of the Society are given isa the pamphlet, from any of
22
AICNUAL ADDRPSS OP HON. MATTHEW P. DhAflV.
AN1UAL AJDTSS OF IfON. MATThEW P. DgAD.
coded his early aspiration to found " a virtuous and civilized" community in
occupation by the first corner, expressly recognized the right of the people of
both nations to occupy it5 for the tiftie being5 at pleasure.
Oregon. Yet even this transient visit of his was not without notable results in
favor of American occupation. Somewhere in lower California Kelisy fell in
with Ewing Young, formerly of Missouri, whom he induced, with some others,
Thus was sanctioned that occupation of the country by Great Britain, which
was practically comntenced home yhars before, with the transfer of the property
and business of the Pacific Fur Company to the Northwest. This fosehenient
condition of things Was cohtiftued indefinitely by the treaty of London, of Au-
to come to the country with him. Young soon settled in the Wallamet valley
as a farmet and stock-raiser. He and a few others, of whom he seems to have
been somewhat a leader, early aspired to an independent existence as free Amer-
gust i6, 1827, with liberty to eitheh party "to annul and abrogate" it at an)1
ican settlersnot recognizing any superiority of right or position in either the
time after October o, xSz8, by givihg notice of such purpose.
And now commenced a movement that, if it had been successful, would have
hastened the occupation of the country and the acknowledgment of the Amerb
can title to it by at least ten years. As early as the year 1817, Hall T. Kelley,
of Boston, began to advocate the inimediate occupation of the Oregon territory
by American settlers. He became an enthusiast upon the subject, and spent
his time and some fortune in promoting a scheme for emigration to the couotry
As early as shaq he procured the incorporation, by the commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts, of "The American Society for the settlement of the Oregon territory."
From a memorial presented by the society to Congress, in e83i, it appeare
that it was "engeged in the work of opening to a civilized and virtuouspopulaboo that part of Western America called Oregon." The memorialists state that
"They are convinced that if the country should be settled under the auspices of'
the United States of America, from such of her worthy sons who have drunk the
spirit of those civil and religious institutions which constitute the living fountain
and the very perennial source of her national prosperity, great benefits must result to mankind. They believe that there the skillful and persevering hand of
industry might be employed with unparalleled advantage; that there science and
the arts, the invaluable privilege of a free and liberal government, and the re
finement and ordinances of Christianity, diffusing each its blessing, would haimoniously unite in meliorating the moral condition of the Indisths, in promoting
the comfort and happiness of the settlers, and in augmenting the wealth and
power of the Republic."
After stating "that the country in question is the most valuable of all the unoccupied portions f the earth," and designed by Providence "to be the residence of a people whose singular advantages will gii'e them unexampled power
'
*
and prosperity," the memorial adds "That these things
have settled in the policy of the Britilh nation the determined purpose of possHs
ing and enjoying the country as their own, and have induced their Parliament to
confer on the Hudson Bay Company chartered privileges foi occupying with
27
Company or the Mission. Tn January, 1837, Young, in company with Edwards,
a layman of the Mission, nd a few others, went to Califofnia by sea, to purchase
cattle for themselves and others in the Wallamet settlement. The party returned
4
by land in the spring of the same year with 600 Spanish cattle. This was a
very important event in the history of the colony--almost as much so as the
rape of the Sahine women in the founding of Rome. For without the cheap
labor of the patient ox and the simple foc d of the faithful cow, the plough must
have rusted in the furrow and the young pioneers gone hungry to bed. Thereafter the cattle monopoly of the Company was at an end, and the settlers soon
had a sufficient supply of "long horns" for food and labor.
I suppose that the ''blue blood" of these Castilian cattle has long since be'
come so diluted with that of the ignoble herds driven hither from the West in
after times, that to-day it is scarcely perceptable in the ordinary bovines of the
country, Indeed, the improved short-horns and other wonderful adipose products of modern cow-culture, are rapidly taking the place of all others. But
the time was, when the broad, unbroken prairies of the Wallamet were dotted
over with droves of the fleet-footed descendants of these shed-cattle of Oregon.
Many of you remember their striking appearancea half wild look and motion; a light5 IcIng, round body; Clean, bony limbs, and a handsome head crowned
with a pair of long, tapering, curved horns. When tame or at rest, they were
as mild-looking as gazelles5 but a herd of them alarmed ol' enraged was as
"terrible as an army with banners."
In February, 1841, Young died comparatively wealthy in cattle and horses,
without any known heirs. The necessity of providing for some disposition of
his property forced upon the settlers the question of organization, which was
the beginning of the agitation that resulted in the establishment of a Provisional
government. The result was, that the estate was appropriated to the building
of a jail at Oregon City--prohably the first "prison house" west of the Rocky
mountains. More than twehty years afterwards the State of Oregon refunded
the value of the property taken, to his son, Joaquin Young, of New Mexico.
28
MATTflEW P.
P. DA1YV.
ANNUAL
lIoN. MATTlI1l:W
DltADY.
ANNUALADDRESS
AtDttESS OF'
OP liON
1837 the
formation of
the Puget
PugetSound
SoundAgricultural
AgriculturalCompany
Co~panywas
wasComtotn·
In 1837
the formation
of the
menced
by some
some of
of the
the principal
of the Hudson
tnenced by
principal persons
persons of
Hudson Bay
Bay Company,
Company, for
the
purpose of
bringing into
country a ~itish
llgricultural population,
popullltion, to
the purpose
of bringing
into the country
British agricultural
to
llid by their
their presence
presence and
and numbers
numbers in
in the
the approaching
llpprollching contest
contest for
for the
the occupation
occuplltion
aid
of the soil. Before
Before 1840
1840 the
the company
companywas
wascompletely
completelyorganized,
organized,llbd
atidinin1841
i84s IIa
party of
settlers was
WllS brought
brought from
from Red
Red river,
river, Repert's
Rl'lpert's Land,
Lllnd, and
and settled
settled at
lit
party
of settlers
Dr Tolmie
on the
the north
north side
side of
of the
the Columbia. In 1843,
1843, Dr
Tolmie
Cowlitz and Nisqually, on
was
pillced in
in charge
charge at
at Nisqually,
Nisqulllly, tile
the principal
principal point
point of
of operations.
opemtions. But the
was placed
settlement never
never throve
throve and
and the
the scheme
scheme failed
failed signally. In many
many respects
respects the
settlement
location
location was
was not
not aa favorable
favorableone
onefor
foragricultural
agriculturalpursuits:
pursuits: and
and some
someof
of the
the
settlers,
settlers, who
who were
were attracted
attmcted to
to the
theWallamet
Wallamet valley
valley on
on account
account of
of its
its superior
superior
advantages, left the
the company
company and eventually
eventually cast their
their weight
weight on
on the
the American
American
the question.
question.
side of the
missionaries "ent
across the Rocky
Rocky mountains
mountains by
American Boail,
Boal'tl,
The missionaries
sent across
by the
the American
theCascade
Cascademountains,
mountains, and
andnever
never became
became
remained among
among the
the Indians east of the
wete not considered
considered aa part
American settlemeut
settlement in
in Oregon.
Oregon. But in
and were
part of the American
mission grounds,
grounds, they did
did much
much towards
towards finding
finding
exploring the pathway to their mission
rortte for
for the future
and marking the rotite
future immigration
immigration to
to the
the country
country and
and facilitating
facilitating
their journey to it.
1836, Whitman,
wives of the first
first two,
In 1836,
Whitman, Spaulding lind
and Gray, with the wives
two, were
were
sent by this
to the Nez Perce Indians. They established
established
this Board
Board as
as missionaries
missionaries to
missions at
lit Lapwai
Lapwai on
on the
the Clearwater
Clearwater.
missions
atWailaptu,
Wailaptu,near
near the
the Wallawalla
Wallawalla and
and at
In the
the fall of 5842,
1842, Whitinan
Whitman went east
ellst and
lind returned
returned totohis
hismission
mission in
in1843,
1843.
travelling
tmvelling a part of the
the way
way with
with the
the great
great immigration
immigration of that
thllt year,
year, and
lind doing
doing
much to encourage
beyond Fort
Fort Hall,
Hall, the
encourage them to take their
their waggons
wllggons beyond
the point
point where
where
Gray went home
and returned
returned in the following
year with
them. Gmy
home in 1837
1837 and
following yellr
he left them.
There came
came with
with him
him Walker
Walker and
and Eells
Eells and their wives,
Mrs. Gray. There
wives, as addi
addi·
Mrs.
tions to the mission.
mission. In 1842,
1842, Gray
Gmy abandoned
abandoned the mission
mission and
lind came
came down
down
into
into the
the Wallamt>t
Wallant valley,
vlllley,where
wherehe
hesoon
soonbecame
became aII settler
settler and
lind an
linactive
activesupsupporter of
of American
American interests
interests and
and aa determined
determined promoter
promoter of
of the
the organization
orgllnization
of the
the Provisional
Provisional government.
government. He
He is
is still
still living
living and
and within
within a few
few years
yellrs
hllS published
published an interesting
interesting chronicle
chronicle of those
those early times.
times. In the
the spring
spring of
has
1839,
wives established
mission on
1839,Walker
Walker and
and Eells
Eells and their wives
established IIa mission
on the
the Spokan, in
vicinity of
Colville, where
where they
they labored
labored until
until 1848,
1848, when
when they
they with
with.
the vicinity
of Fort Colville,
drew from
1849. Mr.
from the
the mission
mission and
and removed
removed to
to the
the Wallllmet
Wallamet valley. In 1849,
Mr. and
Mrs.
Mrs. Walker settled at Forest Grove,
Grove, where
where they
they still
still live
live respected
respected by
by llll
all who
who
know
the American
American women
women now
Mrs. Gray,
Gray, Walker and
lind
now living,
living, Mrs.
know, them. Of the
Eells, are
lire the first
first that
that crosed
erosed the plains-while
theonly
onlyones
oneswho
whoproceeded
proceeded
Bells,
plainswhile the
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESS OF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
29
them were
since numbered
numbered with"
the
them
wereMrs.
Mrs.Whitman
Whitmanand
andSpalding-both
Spaldingboth long
long since
with "the
tht; Lord."
dead who die
die ill
in thç
I
In 1838,
1838, the Rev.
Blanchett and
and Modeste
Modeste De
De Meers
Meers were
were sent
sent from
from Canada
Canada
Rev. F. N. Blanchett
across
to Vancouver.
Vancouver. by
by the
theBishop
Bishopof
ofQuebec,
Quebec,as
asmissionaries
missionaries to
to the
the
across the country to
Canadian French
of the H
Hudson
Bay Company,
Company,had
had
French who,
who, after
after leaviiig
lea villg the
the service of
udson Bay
settled in
De Meers
Meers was
in the Wallamet
Wallamet valley
valley and
and on
onthe
theCowlitz.
Cowlitz. De
was stationed
stationed at
at
the Cowlitz and is now a Bishop
Bishop in British Columbia. Blanchett went
the
went into
into the
St.Paul,
Paul, where
where aachurch
church
Wallamet
valley and
founded there
there the
the mission
mission of St.
Wallamet valley
and founded
and school
have ever
ever since
since been
been maintained.
school have
maintained. This settlement
settlement was
was commenced
commenced
about
1829, and
when Blanchett
there, it contained
contained about
about twenty-five
twenty-five
about 1829,
and when
Blanchett arrived
arrived there,
families-Frenchmen
withIndian
Indianwives--from
wives--fromwhich
whichcircumstance
circumstance the
th"region
region
familiesFrenchmen with
French Prairie."
Prairie-" Among
Amongthem
themwere
werethe
thewell
wellknown
known
came
came to
tobe
be call~d
callçdthe"
the "French
Laframbeaux ..
names
names of Luci, Gervais and Laframbeaux.
These priests were not settlers in the country,
country, but ministers
ministers to
to the
the French
French and
and
Indians. The ultimate
ultimate polsession
po~ession of the
the country
country was
was aa matter
matter in
in which
which they
they
however, subjects of Great Britain and
ostensibly took
took no interest. They were, however,
influence and
favor of
the
their influence
and teaching
teachingamong
amongtheir
their people
people were
were naturally in favor
of the
authority
interest of
the Hudson
Hudson Bay
Bay Company.
Company. They
Theydiscouraged
discouraged the
the
authority and
and interest
of the
at the
the formation
formation of
of a settlers
settlers government
government in the country,
country, but
but subsubearly attempts at
when established.
mitted to it when
Blanchett isisstill
genial, kind
kind old gentlemanupon
gentleman-upon.vhom
whom near
near40
40
Blanchett
stillliving-a
livinga genial,
sea in both
both hemispheres
hemispheres
years of missionary
missionary journeyings
journeyingsand
and labors
laborsby
byland
land and sea
sense he
hehas
has had
had his
his reward.
but little
littleoutward
outwardimpression.
impression. In some 'sense
have made but
become an
the
From a simple priest he has become
an Archbishop,
Archbishop, and
and as
as such
such often
often visits
visitsthe
St. Paul
Paul du
du
place
place where
where he
he first
firsterected
erectedthe
theStandard
Standardofofthe
theCross
CrossininOregon-"
Oregon" St.
Wallamette."
In
and Munger
Monger and
and their wives
In 1839,
1839, Griffin
Griffin and
wives came to the country
country as independindepend.
ent
missionaries, and
ent missionaries,
and settled
settled on
on the
the west
westside
sideof
of the
the Wallamet
Wallamet river,
river, in
in the
the
Tualitin plains. Practically they were
were American
American settlers and,
and. took
took root
root in the
country at once. In the
the same
same year,
year, the
the Americans,
Americans, Sydney Smith,
Smith, Shortess and
some time
time aa noted
noted man
man in the
Geiger,
country. Shortess
Shortess was for some
the
Geiger, settled in the country.
Smith is
is still
still living
living in
in Yamhill
Yamhill county where
where he
he cast
cast his
his
affairs
affairs of
of the colony. S~ith
independent lot, long, long ago.
In 1840,
1840, Harvey Clarke, an independent Congregational missionary, crosse4
crossed
Whitman mission,
mission, and the following
following year came
the plains to the Whitman
came into
into the
the valley
with some
some associates
Among these
these were
were Alvin
Alvin
associatesand
andsettled
settled in
in Tualitin
Tualitin plains. Among
T. Smith
Smith and Littlejohn.
Littlejohn. Smith is
is still
still living in the vicinity,
vicinity, aa well
well to
to do farmer
and good citizen. This settlement
settlement on
plains was
was an important ad.
on the
the Tualitin
Tualitin plains
ditlOn
Am.eriQ.an sentiment in the country.
country. In
In his
his day,
day,
clition to
to the
the active,
active, intelligent Arnerluan
30
ANNUAL
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
Mr.
exemplary man.
Mr. Clarke
Clarke was
was aa leading
leading spirit
spirit in
in itit and
and aa useful
useful and
and exemplary
man. It has
been said
Thecountry
countryisis blessed
biessed by
by his
his having
having lived
been
saidofof him"""':"
him" The
lived in
in it." The
votive
monument of pantheon, cathedral
cathedral or
orabbey
abbey contains
contains no
no
Votive tablet
tablet or mural monument
eulogy of the
the dead
dead than
than this.
this. He was
was the
the principal
principal founder
founder and
and pro
pro.
greater eulogy
moter of
school at
growninto
intothe
thePacific
Pacific University,
University,
moter
of the school
at Forest
Forest Grove-since
Grovesince grown
and one
one of the oldest and best
best seats
seats of
of learning on
on the
the coast.
coast.
In 5840
mountain men--independent
men--independent American
1840 a few
few mountain
American trappers
trappers from
from the
the Rocky
Rocky
mountains-amongwhom
whom were
wereNewell
Newell and
andMeek,
Meek,abandoned
abandoned their
their nomadic
nomadic
mountainsamong
took part
part in
in the
the subsequent
subsequent
the Wallamet
Wallamet valley. ,They
lives and settled in the
They all took
organization of
Provisional government,
government, and
helped to
to Americanize
Americanize the
the
organization
of the Provisional
and helped
the winter
winter of
of 1847-8,
1847-8, during
during the
the Cayuse
Cayuse war,
war, Meek
Meek crossed
crossed the
the
country. In the
as aa delegate
delegate from
from the
the Provisional
Provisional government
government to
to the
the government
government at
at WashWash.
plains as
ington, and
and was
was afterwards
afterwards the first
first United States Marshal
Marshal in Oregon.
Oregon.
In the
the same
same year there
there came
came from
from the States, as independent settlers, Robert
Robert
Moore, Amos
Joseph Holman.
Holman. Moore
Moore,
Amos Cook,
Cook, Francis
Francis Fletcher
Fletcher and Joseph
Moore settled at
bank of the
the river,
river, and
and called
calledhis
hisplace"
place "Robin's
the Wallamet Falls,
Falls, on
on the
the west
west bank
Robin's
until his
his decease,
decease, atat aa good
good old
old age,
Nest," where
where he lived
lived nntil
age, in
in 1857.
1857. Here, in
in
1841,
hold aa section
of land under
under aa purchase
purchase
1841,Wilkes
Wilkes found
foundhim
him claiming
claiming to
to hold
section of
Slacomb, II suppose-and
sneered atathim,
him, because,
because,
from an
from
anIndian
Indian chief-Old
chiefOld Slacomb,
supposeand sneered
, with the true instinct of aa native
native Pennsylvanian,
Pennsylvanian, le
4e saw
saw iron
iron in
in the
the vicinity
vicinity and
expected
before long to be engaged
engaged in
in smelting
smelting it.
it. But
time, which
which tries
tries all
expected before
But time,
things, has
verified""Old
Old Mr.
Mr. Moore's"
Moore's" unlearned
unlearned opinion
opinion and
and confuted
confuted the
things,
has verified
Admiral's scientific
scientific scepticism.
scepticism.
Admiral's
McLoughlin claimed
opposite bank of the
the river.
river. In the
the course
course of
this
of this
McLoughlin
claimed the
the opposite
strife for
for preoccupation,
the
preoccupation, here
here met these two characteristic representatives
representatives of
of the
Pioneer
of the
the Old
Old and the New
claim the respective
of this
New World,
World, to claim
respective shores
shores of
Pioneer of
water power
power and
and commanding
commanding point
point in
in the
the future
future navigation
navigation of
river
great water
of the river
business of
of the
the country.
country. For years
years they
they looked
looked out
outupon
uponone
oue another
another across
across
and business
foaming flood
flood as the
the vanguards
vanguards or
or leaders
leaders of
ofthe
the opposing
opposing armies
armies of
of occupaoccupa.
the foaming
tion. They
bodies lie buried
buried
They died
died within
withinaafew
fewdays
daysofofeach
each other,
other,and
and their
their bodies
which separated them
them in
in life.
life.
the sound
souud of the cataract, which
within the
Conk and Fletcher
Fletcher settled
settled on
au the
the bank
bank of
of the
thebeautiful
beautifulYamhill,
Yamhill, 11er
near the
the
Cook
and soon
soon beCame
farmers in the country,
country. Mr. Cook
CooE; is
is still
still
Falls, and
became the
the leading
leading farmers
first settled. Few men have
short distance
distance of the spot where he first
living within aa short
done more
more with their own
own hands to improve
improve the
the country
country than
than he.
Holman
of of
it~
Holman settled
settled at
at the Methodi~t
Methodistmission,
mission,and
andsoon
soonmarried
mafrieda amember
member
it.
Miss Almira Phelps. For a short time he and his wife had charge of the Indian
Miss
school,
subsequently went
went into
into bu
bu,
school, after which
which he
he waS
was engaged
engaged in
in farming
farming and
and subsequently
•
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
P. DEAD'?.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P.
DEADY.
31
3'
siness
He is
is still
still living
living and
and enjoying
enjoying in
in aalarge
large
siness and
and kept
kept aastore
storeatat Salem.
Salem. He
degree the reward of aa life
life of
of industry and integrity. .
At the close of this
population of the
Com.
this year the population
the country,
country, exclusive
exclusive of
of the ComNineIndians, was
was about
about 200.
200. Of these,
these, one-sixth were
were Canadians. Nine.
pany and Indians,
tenths of them were located
located to
to the
the west
west of
of the
the Cascade
Cascade mountains,
mountains, and
and almost
almost
of them
them in
in the
the Wallamet
Wallamet.valley.
valley. But
Butthe
thepower
powerand
andprestige
prestige resulting
resulting
all of
from
organizationand
and priority
priorityof
of settlement
settlementwere
werestill
still on
on the
the side of
of
from wealth, organization
opinion among
among all
all classes
those who represented Great Britain. It was a common opinion
in the
the final
final settlement
settlem.entof
ofboundaries
boundaries between
between the
thetwo
twocountries,
countries, the
the territory
territory
that in
Ilorth
the Columbia
Columbia might
principal
north of
of the
mightbe
beconceded
concededtotoGreat
Great Britain;
Britain; and
and the principal
settlements
and stations
stations o(
of the
the British
British and Americans
Americans were
were located
located with
with referrefersettlements and
ence to this possibility.
possi bi Ii ty.
So s'.ood
sood the
of the
So
the matter
matterthirty-five
thirty-five years
years after
after the
the American
American exploration
exploration of
Columbia river
river by
by Lewis
Lewis and
and Clarke.
Clarke. AAcasual
casualobserver
observermight
mighthave
haveconcluded
concluded
that the country
country was
was doomed
doomed to remain
and trading
trading ground
ground for
for
remain aa mere
mere trapping and
Company for
for generations
generations to
to come.
come.
the Company
But a new
the long
long propronew force
force was now about to
to appear on the scene and settle the
tracted controversy
controversy in
in favor
favor of
of the
the United
United States.
States. It
It was
was the Oregon Argonauts,
tracted
moving
the continent
in dusty
dusty columns.
columns,with
with their
their wives
across the
continent in
wives and
and children,
children,
moving across
flocks and
found in
in the
the
flocks
andherds,
herds,ininsearch
searchofofthe
the Golden
GoldenFleece
Fleece that
that was·
was to
to be found
groves and
and prairies
prairies of
of the
the coveted
coveted lands
lands of
of the
the Wallamet.
Wallamet.
groves
The actual occupation
occupation of Oregon
Oregon for
for the
the purpose
purpose of
of claiming
claiming and
and holding
holding the
the
country
country as
as against
against Great
Great Britain,
Britain, and
and forming
forming therein
therein an
an American
American State,
State, did
did
not commence
until after
not
commence until
after 1840.
1840. Very
Very naturally the movemeCt
movement began
the
began in the
West, an 1 had
had its
its greatest
greatest strength
strength in
in Missouri,
Missouri,Illinois
Illinoisand
and Iowa. The panic
of 1837
1837 and the
the subsequent
subsequent stagnation
stagnation of business
business had
had produced
produced aafeeling
feeling of
of
dispondency
dispondency in
in the West. Especially, in the States named, was there no market
for stock or produce, and money
money had almost
almost ceased to
to be
be aa circulating
circulatingmedium.
medium.
many persons
Taxes could scarcely
scarcely be
be paid,
paid, and many
personsfeared
feared that
that the
the land must
must ulti.
mately be sold to
to pay
pay the
the public
public debts
debtsand
andexpenses.
expenses. This
This state of things
things
mately
helped very
very much
public attention
attention to Oregon,
Oregon, as
snre place
place of
helped
much to
to turn
turn the
the public
as aa sure
refuge
other ills,
ills, real
realor
orimimrefuge from
frompanics,
panics,bank
bankfailures,
failures,high
high taxes,
taxes, and
and all the other
aginary,
then groaning,
groaning, as
aginary, llnder
iwder which
which the
the extreme
extreme Western
Western States
States were
were then
as they
they
never have since.
theside
sideof
of those
those who
who represented
represented
Notwithstanding the
the apparent
apparentadvantages
advantageson
onthe
Notwithstanding
Great Britain
Britain in
in the
therace
racefor
forpossession,
possession, there
there were
weretwo
twofacts
factsor
orcircumstances
circumstancesin
in·
increasing force
force in favor
the case which were operating
operating, with
with ever
ever increasing
favor of
of American
occupation.,
occupation4and
andwhich,
which,ininthe
theend
endgave
gavethe
thevictory
victorytotothe
the American
Mnerican settler.
settler,
32
ANNUAL,
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. MATTHEW
MATTHEW P.
P. DEADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
DEADY.
were: (x.)
(I.) The contiguity of
These were:
o. the country to the admitted territory of the
the
inclination and
and well
well tried
capacity of
of the
United States; and, (2.) The strong
strong inclination
tried capacity
western
experience in
in self-govself-govWesternAmerican
Americanfor
foremigration
emigrationbybyland,
land,and
and his
his long
long experience
ernment.
The country
south of
of the forty-ninth
country south
forty-ninth parallel of north
north latitude
latitudewas
wasproperly
properly
regarded
United
regarded as
as aa mere
mere prolongatiou
prolongationofof the
the acknowledged
acknowledgedterritory
territoryofof the
the United
States
thaton
onthe
the
States to
toits
itsnatural
naturalgeographical
geographicalboundary-the
boundarythe Pacific
Pacificocean-while
oceanwhile that
such line,
line, for
for a like reason
reason more
more properly
properly belonged
belonged to
to Great
Great Britain.
Britain.
north of such
conflicting claimants to
to unoccupied
unoccupied country,
country, its
itscontiguity
contiguitytotothe
theprinprinBetween conflicting
possessions of
material circumstance
circumstance in
in the
thecontrocontrocipal possessions
of either
either party is always aa material
versy. As
As between independent nations,
nations, convenience
convenienceand
and utility
utility being
being the
the ulti.
mate standard
standard of right,
right, the
the fact
fact of
of greater
greatercontiguity
contiguityhas
hasmuch
much force
force in such a
controversy
and may
may itself be sufficient
sufficient to
to give
give the
the better right.
controversy and
possession of
The possession
ofCalais
Calais by
by the
the English,
English, though
though won
won by force
force of
of arms
arms and
and
sanctioned by
by treaties
treaties and
and lapse
lapse of time, was always a political wrong. It vio.
sanctioned
vio.
lated the integrity and imperiled the security
secnrity of
of the
the French
French territory,
territory, and
and was
was aa
standing men.
men_
constant
constant cause
cause of
of trouble
trouble and
and anxiety
anxiety to
to both
both nations. It was a standing
ace and continuous
continuous injury to France.
France. On
On the other hand, in the case of Ireland,
argument of
of convenience
convenience and utility,
utility, based
based upon
upon its
itscontiguity
contiguity to
to Great
Great
the argument
as against France
Britain, has
Britain,
has always
always prevailed
prevailedand
and justified
justified the
the latter, as
France or
or any
other continental power in taking the
the Gem
Gem of
of the Sea
Sea and
and wearing
wearing ititamong
among the
the
jewels of her crown, The general
general convenience
convenience and utility
utility being
being most
most promoted
promoted
by Oregon's
Oregon's becoming
becoming aa part
American union,
union, rather than
than remaining
remaining aa
part of
of the American
mere Hudson Bay
Bay possession
possession or
or aa distant
distant appanage
appanage of the British crown, the better
better
occupation was
American settler.
settler. But
power
right of occupation
was with
with the American
But he also had the power
enforce that
that Tight.
right. The great
great capacity
capacity and
and experience
experience which
which the
the Western
Western
to enforce
moving across wild and
and uninhabuninhabfarmer and
and woodman
woodman had acquired for moving
trader, farmer
ited regions, and occupying
occupying new
new countries,
countries, and
apd supporting and governing themselves
government aid or direction, constituted their
their power
power
selves while
while there, without government
take and
to take
and occupy
occupy Oregon.
Oregon. In such
such matters,
matters, in
long run, might makes
makes
in the
the long
the possession
of an
an unoccupied
right. In the
the struggle
struggle for
for the
possession of
unoccupied country,
country, the weak
weak
and
strong and
and experienced.
experienced. Under
Under the
the circirnd iguorant
ignorant must
must give
give place
place to the strong
cumstances,
was out
out of
of the question.
question .. The
cumstances, emigration from Great Britain was
The people
eoj'le
country knew
any, interest
interest in
of that country
knew nothing
nothingofof Oregon,
Oregon, and
and took
tookbut
hutlittle,
little, ifif any,
its settlement
settlement or
or acquisition.
acquisition. Besides,
Besides, the Company
Company did
desire aa general
general
did not desire
immigration to
immigration
tothe
the country,
country,even
evenof
of British
British subjects,
subjects, for
for that would
would interfere
interfere
the special
special use
use for
for which
which they
they sought
sought to
to occupy
occupy the
the country,
country, quite
quite as
as much
much
with the
as an American
American one.
one. The policy
policy of the
the Company
Company was to hold the country as aa
possession, within
private possession,
within which,
which, only
only such
such persons
persons should
should be
be allowed
allowed to
to settle
settle
<.
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
33
33
as would
would submit
submittototheir
theircontrol-become
controlbecome in
tenants.
as
in some
some way
way their vassals
vassals or tenants.
the half century
century following
following the
American revolution,
In the
the close
closeof
of the American
revolution, thejwave
thewave
of popUlation
from the Alleghanies,
Alleghanies,
population had
had moved
movednine
nine hundred
hundred miles
miles westward
westward from
improving the
the country
country over
over which
which itit passed.
passed. But
public inoccupying and improving
But the
the public
terest
Oregon was
terest in Oregon
was soon
soontotobecome
becomesosothoroughly
thoroughlyaroused,
aroused,that
thatthis
this slow
slow rate
rate
extending the Western
Western frontier
frontier was
of extending
was to
to be
be abandoned,
abandoned, and the wide space bebethe Missouri
Missouri and
and the
the Wallamet,
Wallamet,then
thenregarded
regardedas
ascomparatively
comparativelyworthless,
worthless,
tween the
crossed
crossed at
at a bound.
In 1836
r836 and 1837,
r837, Irving's
Astoria and
and Bonneville
Bonneville were
were given
given to
to the
the world.
world.
Irving's Astoria
perusal of
of these
these sprightly
sprightly and
and picturesque
picturesque pages was
was well
well calculated
calculated to
to
The perusal
fill the minds
romantic and adventurous
adventurous with
country
fill
minds of
of the romantic
with an
an interest in
in the country
and aa desire
desire to
to make
make that
thatmarvelous
marvelous journey
journey across
across the plains.
The visit
visit of
of Wilkes
Wilkes in
in 1841,
r84r, with the
the exploring
exploring squadron,
squadron, gave
gave the impression
impression
that the national government
government was
was intending
intending to
to take
take measures
measures to
to encourage
encourage the
occupation of
the country
country by its
its citizens.
citizens. His account
account of the
the country,
country, which
which
occupation
of the
was
confirmed the
was largely
largely circulated,
circulated, confirmed
the most
most favorable
favorable reports
reports of
of the fertility of
of the
the climate.
climate.
the soil and the salubrity of
J
Early in the
the year
year 1842,
r842, a special
special impetus was given to immigration
immigration by
by the
the introduction
Linn's bill,
bill,offering
offering aa liberal
liberal donation
donation of
troductioninin the
the Senate
Senate of
of Dr. Linn's
land to
to settlers
settlers in
in Oregon.
Oregon. The promise
promise thereby
thereby implied
implied was
was afterwards
afterwards honorably redeemed
by Congress,
Congress, inin the
the passage
passage of
of the
redeemed by
the well-earned
well-earned Donation
Donation act.
act.
As a result of this
As
thisproposition
proposition and the
the other
othercircumstances
circumstances to
to which
which II have
have adadverted,
crossed the
the plains
plains this
this year
year totoOreg'on-having
Oregonhaving
verted, about
about lao
roo immigrants
immigrants crossed
at Fort
Fort Hall. This
left their waggons
waggons at
fhis was
actual
was the first considerable body of actual
settlers that
that had
had yet
yet come
cometotothe
thecountry.
country. Among
settlers
Among them
them were
were the well-known
well-known
names of Lovejoy,
Shadden,
names
Lovejoy, Hastings,
Hastings, Crawford,
Orawford, Robb,
Robb, Matthieu,
Matthieu, Coombs,
Coombs, Shadden,
Mossand
andMorrison,
Morrison,allallofofwhom
whomare
arestill
stillliving
livingand
andinin the
the front
front rank
rank of
of the
Moss
OREGON PIONEERS. Hastings
OREGON
Hastings and
and Coombs
Coombs reside iii
in California, the
the former
former havhaving been
been aa judge of
of the
Courtof
of that
that State. Lovejoy
ing
the Supreme
Supreme Court
Lovejoy was
was a lawyer
from.
firstlawyer
lawyerin
in the
the colonyand
colony-and
was
prominentininits
itsaffairs
affairs
from Boston,-the
Boston,the first
was
prominent
and councils
councils for the next twenty
twenty years.
years. Crawford
taught in
in the
the Methodist
Methodist MisMisCrawford taught
sion
sion Indian
Indian school
school for
for aa time,
time, and has since
since held various
various positions
positionsof
of honor and
trust under
under the
the National
National and
and State
Stategovernments.
governments. The
The tide
tideof
ofimmigration
immigrationto
to OreOregon had
slacken or
or ebb
ebb until
until itithad
hadcovered
covered
gon
had now
now commenced
commencedtotoflood-never
floodnever to slacken
and rendered
rendered the
theAmerican
American occupation
occupation of
of it
it
the country with permanent settlers, and
an accomplished fact.
This year also witnessed
witnessed the
the first
first successful
successfulattempt
attemptatat independent
independent trade
trade in
Oregon. In July, Capt.
Capt. John
John H.
H. Couch
Couch brought
brought the
the ship
ship Chenamus
Chenamus into
into the
river with aa cargo
cargo of
of goods
goods from
from Boston,
Boston, which
which he
he placed
placed on
on sale
at
Wallamet river
sale at
3
34
34
ANNUAL ADDRESS
HON. MATTHEW
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
Oi HON.
Wallamet Falls. Prior to this
this event, the
the Company and Mission
Mission had a monopoly
monopoly
of
the mercantile business
business in
in Oregon.
Oregon. Couch
Couch was
pleased with the
the
of th
was so
so well
well pleased
country that he gave
gave up the sea and settled in it. Couch's
addition to the city
country
Couch's addition
of Portland,
few
Portland,isis built
built upon
upon the
the land
land claim
claim taken
taken up
up by
byhim
himinin 1845.
1845. A few
ago he
he was
was carried
carried across
across the
the Wallamet
Wallamet to
to the
the Necropolis,
Necropolis, where
where he lies
years ago
the general
general resurrection
resurrection of
dead; By the early pioneers
pioneers
at anchor awaiting the
of the dead.
be remembered
remembered with
with feelings
feelings of kindness and respect.
will always
always be
he will
November 8th
year aa public
public meeting
meeting was
was held
held at
atA.lton,
Alton, Illinois,
Illinois,
On November
8thof
of this year
which resolutions
resolutions were passed
passed urging
urging the
the importance
importance of the
thespeedy
speedyoccupaoccupaby which
resolutions were
meeting addressed
addressed by
by
of Oregon.
Oregon. The resolutions
tion of
were reported
reported and
and the
the meeting
Semple, of that State,
State, who
who appears
appears to have taken an early
early interest
interest in
in the
the
Gen. Semple,
subject. This was
was followed
followed by
of the
the same
same State
State
by aa large
large meeting
meeting at
at the capital of
on
resolutions were
the same
same effect.
effect.
on February
February 5th,
5th, 1843,
1843,atat which
which resolutions
were passed
passed to the
Many
Many of
of the
the distinguished
distinguishedmen
menofofIllinois
Illinois were
were present
present at,
at, and participated
participated in
this meeting. Col.
Baker, who
who lived
lived to
to become
become aa United
Senator from
from
Col. Baker,
United States Senator
Oregon
Oregon and one
one other
other person,
person,opposed
opposedthe
thepassage
passageofofthe
theresolutions.
resolutions. How true
"Man
July "a
"a canvenit is that
that"
Manproposes
proposes but
but God
God disposes."
disposes." In the
the following
following July
CDnventio1
of delegates
tiOlI of
delegates from
from the States
States and
and territories
territories of the west
west and south-west,"
south-west,"
•
was
the right of
was held at
at Cincinnati,
Cincinnati, which
which passed
passed resolutions
resolutions asserting
asserting the
of the
the
Fifty-four Forty,"
Forty,"and
andurging
urgingConConUnited States to the country
country as
as far
far north
north as
as ""Fifty-four
measures to promote the speedy
speedy settlement
settlement of
of it.
it.
gress to take measures
Whils;
causes were
Missouri to push on
Whilst these causes
were at
at work
work east
east of
of the Missouri
on the column
column
immigration to
to Oregon,
Oregon, the
the settlers
settlerswere
wereearnestly
earnestlypreparing
preparing for
for them,
them, by
by
of immigration
the foundations
foundations of order
order and
aud justice in the
the colony.
colony.
laying the
In the early
early part of 1843
1843 "the
"thecitizens
citizens of the
the colony,"
colony," as
as they
they styled themthemcommenced to
means to
to protect
protect their
their
selves, commenced
selves,
to hold
hold meetings
meetings to
to devise
devise ways
ways and
and means
the germ
germ
stock from the wolves and other beasts of prey. These meetings were the
provisional governmeiit.
government. The first
first one
the
of the provisional
one was
was held
held on
on February
February2d,
2d,atat""the
Oregon Institute." It appointed
appointed aa committee
committee of
of six
six to
to report
report business
business to an adadOregon
the house
house of
of Joseph
JosephGervais.
Gervais.
Monday in March,
March, at the
journed meeting on the first Monday
meeting after
after providing
providing for
for the
the"
destruction of
of all
anwolves,
wolves, panthers
panthers and
and
This meeting
"destruction
bears," took
took a step
step forward,
forward, and initiated
initiated the
the movement
movement for
for the
the establishment
establishment
civil government,
government, by
by appointing
appointing a committee
committee of twelve
twelve persons,
persons, namely,
namely,
of aa civil
Babcock, White,
Shortess, Newell,
Lucie, Gervais,
Gervais, Hubbard,
Hubbard, McRoy,
McRoy,
Babcock,
White, O'Neil,
O'Neil, Shortess,
Newell, Lucie,
Smith and Gay, to
to devise
devise"
measures for
for the
the civil
civil and
and military
military protection
prote'ction
Gray, Smith
"measures
government, and called
committee agreed
agreed upon
upon aa plan
plan of government,
of the colony." This committee
general meeting
meeting of
ofthe
the ditizens
citizens at
at Champoeg
Champoeg on May
a general
May 2,
2, to
to consider
considertheir
their report.
report.
At this
adopted
this meeting
meeting the
the report
report of
of the
the committee,
committee, after
after much
much canvassing,
canvassing, was adopted
vote of
yeas and
and nays
naysrising
rising and
and separating,
separating, while
while
by a vote
of 52
52yeas
yeastoto50
50nays-the
naysthe yeas
1.
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
P. BEADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P.
DEADY.
55
.5
the report. Before adjourning,
Meek led off in
in aa loud
loud voice
voice for
for the
the adoption
adoption of
of the
electing a supreme
supreme judge
judge
meeting set
legs, by
the meeting
set the
the new
new government
governmenton
on its
its legs,
by electing
sundry subordinate
subordinate officers,
officers, and also aa legislative
legislative committee
committee of nine persons,
and sundry
persons,
namely, Moore,
Moore, Hill,
Shortess, Beers,
Newell and
and
namely,
Hill, Shortess,
Beers, Gray,
Gray, Hubbard,
Hubbard, O'Neil,
O'Neil, Newell
Dougherty,
$i .25per
perday,
day, toto prepare
prepare and reDougherty, at the princely
princely compensation
compensation ofof $1.25
vote of
of the
the
the necessary
necessary laws for
port the
for the
the new
new government,
government, to
to be submitted to aa vote
people at
same place,
place, on
on the 5th
5th of
of July.
July. The report
report of
of the
the legislative
legislative
people
at the same
committee was
was by
by this
thisCOLONIAL
COLONIAL COMITIA
adopted;
yet
COMITIA
adopted;and
andthus
thus begun,
begun, while yet
Oregon
occupied by
by British
British subjects,
subjects, aa government,
government,
Oregon was
was claimed
claimed and
and partially occupied
which,
however feeble
American.
which, however
feeble or
or limited,
limited, was
was in form
form and
and spirit purely American.
•
How appropriate it
it was,
was, under
under the
the circumstances,
circumstances, that
that these
these isolated
isolated and
and selfselfreliant
reliant people
people should
should inscribe
inscribeupon
upontheir
theirbanner,
banner,the
theold
oldmotto
mottoofofThanetThanetALIs VOLAT
May
ALI5
VOLATPROPRIIS.
PROPRHS.
Maytheir
theirdescendants
descendantsnever
never forget
forget its
its significance
significance or
it
prove themselves unworthy of itl
immigration of
of that
that year
yearnumbered
numbered about
about900
900 men,
men, Women
women and children.
The immigration
They brought
brought their.
their waggons
toWallawalla
Wallawalla and
and The Dalles, where
They
waggons to
where they
they were
were
abandoned for the time being. Their cattle,some
cattle, some1,300
1,300 in
in number,
number, were
were driven
driven
into
upon aa trail
trail around
aroundthe
thebase
baseofofMount
MountHood.
Hood. The main
main body
body
into the valley
valley upon
of the
the immigrants
immigrants were
were brought
brought down
down the
the Columbia
Columbia river
river in
in the
theCompany's
Company's
consideration of
boats,
kindness and
boats, for
for which
whichthey
theywere
were indebted
indebted to
to the
the kindness
and consideration
of Dr.
Dr.
McLoughlin. The immigration
immigration of
of 1844
1844 amounted
amounted in
inround
roundnumbers
numbers to
to800,
800, so
so
close of this
this year,
year, there
there were
were near
near2,000
2,000American
American citizens
citizens in the
that by the close
The immigration
immigrationofof 1845
1845was
wasstill
stilllarger
largerthan
than that
that of
of either
either of
of the
country. The
two
two preceding
preceding years;
years; containing
containing near
near 3,000
3,000 persons
personsand
and 2,500
2,500head
headof
of cattle.
cattle.
It was
was largely from
from Iowa
was the
that
Iowa and
and was
the means
means of
of introducing the statutes of that
State into
Iowa law was substantially
into the
the country,
country, from
from which time until 1854,
1854, Iowa
of Oregon.
Oregon.
~
the law of
great majority
majority of
of the
the American
American population
population were plain,
The great
plain, substantial people.
Many of them were persons
personsof
ofgreat
great force
force of
ofcharacter
characterand
and much
muchnatural
natural ability,
ability,
and experience
experience in
inpublic
publicaffairs.
affairs.
while some few were men of education and
j
1843 stood somewhat
the early
early settlers.
settlers. This
Those of 1843
somewhat pre-eminent
pre-eminent among the
immigration was
any which
which preceded
preceded it.
it. It
It brought
brought the
the first
first
immigration
was much
much larger
larger than any
many persons
persons of
waggons
waggons to
to The
The Dalles,
Dalles, and it contained many
of subsequent
subsequent note and
distinction in
the country.
country. Among
Among these
these were
were Applegate,
Applegate, Burnett,
Burnett, Waldo,
Waldo,
distinction
in the
Holman and Nesmith,
Nesmith, and
and others
others equally
equally worthy
worthy of being mentioned
mentioned if
Holman
if time
would admit.
andsurveyor
surveyorfrom
from Missouri.
Missouri. Full
Full of
of original
original
was aa farmer,
farmer, trader
traderand
Applegate was
suggestion, of great
thought and suggestion,
great energy
energy and
and endurance,
endurance, he
he has
has written
written his
his plain
36
ANNUAL
MATTHEW P.
DEADY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. MATTHEW
P. DEADY.
Saxon
Saxon name
name upon
upon every
every page
page of
of the
the early
early annals of the
the country,
country, but
but lacking the
useful talent for
minority
useful
for either
either leading or
or following
following others,
others, more
more often
often in the minority
otherwise.
than otherwise.
said in
in aa sketch
sketch of
ofhim
himwhich
whichwas
waspublished
publishedsome
some ten
ten years
years ago:
ago:
As I said
being in
in any sense
sense aa party
men and
"Without being
party leader
leader or
or direct
direct manager
manager of
of men
having
having but
but little of the huckstering talent that conduces
along in
in the
the
conduces to getting along
world, yet by force
ever
world,
force of
of his
his self
self abnegation
abuegationand
andCatonian
Catonianindependence-his
independencehis ever
individuality and persistent
persistent pressure
pressure upon
upon the
the mobile
mobile masses,
masses, he
he has
has
asserted individuality
thoughts, opinions
opinions and
.left
impress of
left the impress
of his thoughts,
and prejudices
prejudices all
all along
along the
the pages
pages of
of
our history. He is
is now
now well advanced
advanced in years, audI
and I suppose
suppose will
will end
end his
his toiltoilsome
some life,
life, within the sound of the sweet babbling brook,
brook, in which he
he has so long
long
performed
base of
ofthe
the cloudcloudperformed his
hisearly
earlymorning
morningablutions,
ablutions,and
andbe
be buried
buried at the base
capped mountain,
capped
mountain, that
that gives
gives name
name to
to his early
early home.
home. It
pleasant to
to think
think
Itisis pleasant
that in after years,
years, coming
coming generations
generations while
while enjoying
enjoyingthe
the fruit
fruit of
of his
his early
early priprivations and
and labors,
labors, will,
will, as
as they
theypass
passtoto and
and fro,
fro, slip
slip aside
aside from
from the highway,
vations
highway,
and pause a moment
moment to contemplate
contemplate the tomb of The Sage of
of Yoncalla."
Yoncalla."
knowledge and
and experexperlawyer from
from the same State. His legal knowledge
Burnett was a lawyer
ience were
were of
ofgreat
greatbenefit
benefit to
to the
the young
young community
communityin
inremodelling
remodelling the
thegoverngovernment in 1845.
1845. In i8
1844 he wrotea
wrote a seriesof
series of letters, giving
giving an interesting account
of the country and the immigration of the
theprevious
previousyear,
year,which
whichwere
were published
published
in
in the
the east,
east, and
anddid
didmuch
muchtotoattract
attractfavorable
favorable attention
attentionto
tothe
thecountry
country and point
organization of
the territorial
territorial government
government in
in 1848,
1848, he
he
the way to it. Upon the organization
of the
position of justice of the supreme court, and removed
removed to California,
declined the position
still living,
living,
where he was
was made
made governor,
governor, then justice of the supreme court and is still
surrounded
surrounded with-with-"that which
should
accompany
"-that
which
should
accompanyold
old age.
age.
As honor.
honor, love,
love, obedience,
troops of
of friends."
As
obedience, troops
was a substantial
substantial farmer
farmer from
from Missouri
Missouri also.
also. He settled
settled in
in the
the red
red
Waldo was
SalelP, and
sat in
in
hills, east of Salens,
and impressed
impressed upon
uponthem
themhis
hiseuphonius
euphoniusname.
name. He sat
of the
the provisional
provisional government. I believe
believe he has never
never held any
the legislature of
measures has
has commonly
commonly affected
affected
other office,
office, but
but his
his opinion
opinion of
of public men and measures
Hestill
stilllives,
lives, and
and while Waldo Hills are Waldo
the vote of his
his neighborhood.
neighborhood. He
Hills, his
hisname
namewill
willbeberemembered
rememberedas
asaasynonym
synonym for
for independence
independence and inintegrity.
Holman was
was aa respectable
respectable farmer,
farmer, aa native
native of
ofKentucky,
Kentucky, but
butfrom
from Missouri
Missouri to
Oregon. He
Hewas
wasthe
theforerunner
forerunnerof
of a alarge
largefamily
familyconnection,
connection, that
thatfollowed
followed
Oregon.
him to the country,
the good
good order,
order, morality
morality and
and well
well
country, and contributed largely to the
colony.
being of the colony.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
ANNUAL
ADDRESS OF
OF HON. MATTHEW
MATTHEW P.
P. DEADY.
DEADY.
37
37
Nesmith was a roving
roving
"-youth
to fortune
and
fameunknown,
unknown,
"youth to fortune
and
to tofame
Tair science
frown'd not on
on his
Fair
science frown'd
his humble
humble birth."
person of
natural ability
abilitycould
could not
notlong
longremain
remain in
in the
the backback.
But a person
of his great natural
ground
community. He
ground of this
this young
young and free
free community.
Hesoon
soon wore
wore the
thecolonial
colonial ermine,
ermine,
leislative halls,
commanded in the armies
armies of the
the provisional
provisional
and sat in the leislative
halls, and commanded
government.
Hehas
hassince
sinceheld
held many
manyresponsible
responsible public
public positions,
positions, including
including
government. He
the office
of Representative and
office of
and Senator
Senatorin
in the
theCongress
Congress of
of the
the United
United States,
States, with
with
usefulness
to the
the country
country and
and credIt
credit to
braid Scotch
Scotch humor
humor and
and
usefulness to
to himself.
himself. His braid
shores of the
peerless,
made him famous
famous on
on both
both shores
peerless, pitiless,
pitiless, pungent
pungent wit,
wit, have
have made
Republic.
remain, may
mayexclaimexclaim.
Republic. When
Whenhis
hisbrief
briefcandle
candle isis out,
out, any
any of
of us who
who remain,
"-He
man,take
takehim
himfor
for all
all in
in all,
all,
"He waswas
man,
II shall
like again,"
again."
shall not look upon his like
Among the
the immigrants
Among
immigrants of 5844
1844 were
were Stephens',
Stephens', Johnson,
Johnson, Perkins',
Perkin';', Welch,
Ford, Gough,
Gough, Smith, Watt and
and Lee.
Lee. The majority
majority of them have
have passed
passed away,
away,
in their
their lives
lives they
they did
did their
their duty
duty by
by the
the country.
country. Stephens still lives where
but in
Portland has
has spread
spread over
over his land
land
first settled,
he first
settled,but
but in
in the
the mean
mean time
time East Portland
claim. Welch still
still flourishes
flourishes like
like a green bay tree, down
down by
by the
the deep
deep sounding
at Astoria,
Astoria, and
and looki
looksas
asififhe
hemay
maylive
live long enough to see that most
most ancient
sea, at
city of
of the
city
the Pacific
Pacific rival
rival in
in grandeur
grandeur and
andcommerce
commerce the
the Bride
Bride of the
the Adriatic.
Adriatic.
Smith has long been a man
man of mark in
in business
business circles
circles and
and public
public affairs.
affairs. While
answered to
to the
the name
name of
of Oregon,
Oregon, at
at the
the roll
roll call
call in the House
he answered
House of
of RepresentRepresent·
atives, she had no
atives,
no cause to blush for
for her Pioneer
Pioneer Congressman.
In 1847,
Watt went
wentEast
East and
and returned
returned the
1847, Watt
the following
following year
year with the
the first
first or
second
thethecountry.
materially in the
secondflock
flockofofsheep
sheepever
everdriven
drivento to
country. He
He aided materially
establishment
theSalem
SalemWoolen
WoolenMill,
Mill,in in1857.
1857.He
He has
has been
been aa steady
steady
establishment ofofthe
worker
and builder and generally
of mankind,
generally aa benefactor
benefactor of
mankind, according
according to the
worker and
Jeffersoniantest,
test,by
bycausing
causingthe
theportion
portionofofthe
the earth
earth committed
to his
his care
care to
to
committed to
Jeffersonian
increase
increase and double its products.
The roll of
of immigration of 1845
1845 contains
Rector,
contains among
among others,
others, the
the names
names of
of Rector,
Wilcox, Barlow,
Barlow,Stephens,
Stephens,Terwilliger,
Terwilliger,Bennett,
Bennett,Cornelius,
Cornelius,King,
King,Palmer,
Palmer, and
and
Wih:ox,
Most of
of them
them are
are yet
yet in
in the
the ranks of the living. Barlow cut
Greenbury Smith. Most
of Mount
Mount Hood,
Hood, across
across the
the Cascade
Cascade mountains,
mountains,
the waggon road around the base of
in 1846.
1846. The
Thebuilding
buildingofof
railways
railwayssince
sincehas
hasbeen
beenofofless
lessimportance
importancetotothe
thecomcom·
munity, than
than the
the opening
openingof
ofthis
thisroad,
road,which
whichenabled
enabledthe
th settlers to
to bring
bring their
their
munity,
waggons
waggons and
and teams
teams directly
directly into
into the
the valley.
Wilcox
hai served
in the
the Legislature
Legislature and
and held many
many other
other positions
positions with the
Wilcox has
served in
With his
his ability
ability and
and popularity, he only lacked
lacked audacity
audacity or
hig)1est integrity. With
highest
S
38
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESS OF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
to have long since
since been
the foremost
foremost men
men ininOregon.
Oregon.
industry, or both, to
been one of the
Uneasy lies
lies the head that wears
wears aa
has chosen
chosen the better part. ""Uneasy
But perhaps he has
crown."
crown."
this or
or any
auy country,
country, have
have labored
labored harder
harder or
or more
more disinterestedly
disinterestedly
Few men, in this
for the
ardent temperament,
temperament,
for
the public
public good
goodthan
thanGeneral
GeneralJoel
JoelPalmer.
Palmer. A man of ardent
for and
and confidence
confidence in his fellow men, he has
full of
of hope
hope for
strong friendships, and full
unreservedly given
of
unreservedly
given the
the flower
flowerof
ofhis
hislife
lifefor
forthe
thebest
bestinterests
interestsofofOregon-and
Oregonand of
all the
Pioneersititmay
maybebejustly
justlysaid
saidofofhim-"
him" He
the early Pioneers
Hedeserves
deserves well
well of his
his
country."
Rector was
was no
no ordinary
ordinary man.
man. Amid
Amidthe
thesneers
sneersand
andindifierence
indifference of the
thecomcommunity, he projected
projected and
and established,
in 1857,
the Pioneer
established, in
1857, the
Pioneer woolen
woolen mill of the
the
town of Salem
Salem has
has good
good reason,
reason, because
because of her
her facfacPacific coast. To-day, the town
power, to be thankful that
that he
he ever
ever settled
settled within
within her
her borders.5
borders. *
tories and water power,
across the
The journey across
the plains
plains was
was one
oneof
of great
great length
length and risks,
risks, to be undertaken with
with ox
ox teams,
teams, and
and without
without roads,
roads, or
orany
anyconveniences
conveniences or supplies, except
such as could be carried along. The waggon was the ship
ship by day and the house
fortress by night. Occasionally
caravan,
and fortress
Occasionallydeath
deathinvaded
invadedthe
the ranks
ranks of
of the caravan,
and then a fresh
fresh grave
grave denoted
denoted the
the stricken
stricken wayfarer's
wayfarer's last
last camping
camping place
place on
on
earth;
earth; while
while not
not unfrequently,
unfrequently, aalittle
littlestranger
strangerwas
wasintroduced
introducedtotothe
thecamp
campwithwithout the aid of Esculapius or the expense
expense of aa trousseau.
trousseau.
*Slnce
very of
oration, Mr.
5Since the
the dell
delivery
of this oration,
Mr. Joseph
Joseph Watt,
Watt,thinking
thinking that
that the
the foregoing
foregoingstatestate.
ment In
in regard
regard to
to Mr. Rector's connection
connection with the
the woolen
woolen mill,
mill, needs
needs qualiiication,
qualiflcation, has
has
ment
me an
an account
account of the
thefounding
founding of
of this
thisimportant
Importantwork,
work,from
fromwhich
whichI Icondense
condense
written me
the following:
following: InInthe
the
summer
1855as
aswool
wool was
was almost worthless for exportation, Mr.
the
summer
ofof1855
Watt conceived the idea
Idea of building a woolen
woolen mill In
In Oregon.
Oregon. After conferring with
with Mr.
Mr.
Wallawalla), and
Reynolds (now
(now ofReynolds
of-Wallawalla),
and aafew
fewothers,
others, he
he drew
drewup
up articles
articles for
for the
the government
.. TheWailamede
Wallamette Woolen
Woolen Manufacturing
Manufacturing Co.,"
Co.," with
withaa capital
capitalof
of$25,000
$25,000 divided
divided Into
into
of "The
shares
sharesof
of$250.
$250. This was
company and
is still
still on
on the
the files
files
was the
the name
name given
given the
the company
and that
that paper Is
offioe. The articles
of the office.
articlea provided
provided that
thatthe
themill
millshould
shouldbebelocated
locatedwherever
wherever$4,000
$4,000 of
of
the stock was
Watt was
was anxious
anxious to
was subscribed.
subscribed. Watt
to locate
locate at Salem,
Salem, because
because he
he thought
thought the
the
people of
of that place would
would take
take an
an interest
interest in
in the matter, not so
for itself, but as
ao much for
aa a
means
am brought
means of
ofgetting
gettingthe
thewater
waterfrom
fromthe
theSanti
Santlam
broughtinto
intothe
thetown.
town. By
Bythe
the spring
spring of
1856 the
in Yamblll
Yamhill and
and Polk
Polk
1858
the necessary
necessaryamount
amountofofstock
stockbeing
beingtaken-principally
takenprincipally in
counties--a meeting to locate
locate was
was held
held at
at Dallaa,
Dallas, and
and Watt
Watt and
andReynolds
Reynoldshaving
havingamajoramaorSty of
ofthe
the votes
votesdecided
decidedthe
thequestion
questionininfavor
favorof
ofSalem.
Salem. After
ity
After much labor and time, the
the
Salem
peoplewere
wereinduced
inducedtototake
takestock
stockininthe
theenterprise.
enterprise. The
Salem people
The most
mostactive
active of
of them
them in
in
Holman, Minto,
Minto, Rector,
Rector, Joe
Joe Wilson,
Wilson,Williams
Williams and
and Boon,--thø
the matter,
matter, being
being Waldo,
Waldo, Holman,
Boon,--the
latter giving the company
companythe
thevaluable
valuableproperty
propertyupon
uponwhich
whichthe
themill
millwas
wasbuilt.
built. In the
summer of 1856,
1856, Rector
east the
the following
foIlowing fall
faIl to
to pro
pro'
Rector waa
wasmade
made Superintendent
Superintendent and went east
cure
During the summer
summerof
of1857,
1857, Watt
Watt snperintended
superintended the
cure workman
workmanand
and machinery.
machinery. During
the
construction of
ofthe
the mill
mill building
building and
and the
the race
race from
from the Santiam, both of which
construction
which labors
labors
that year.
year.
MATTHEW P.
DEADY.
were completed by November of that
MATTHEW
P. DE.SDY.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
39
39
When we
we consider
considerhow
howlittle
little was
was known
knownof
of the
the country in
in those
those early days,
days,
\lnd the dangers and hardships
hardships which
encountered and
and suffered
suffered along
and
which might be encountered
rout~, who
heroism which
which led
led those
those Pioneers,
Pioneers,
the route,
who can
can hesitate
hesitate to admire
admire the
the heroism
with their wives
wive;; and
and children,
children, to
to undertake
undertake such
such aa journey
journey and
and sustained
sustained them
them
through the weary length of it. Nothing
occurred on
on this
this conconNothing like
like it has
has ever
ever occurred
tinent. The
The 0)11y
onlyparallel
paralleltotoit,it,ininprofane
profanehistory,
history,is isthe
thefamous
famous"Retreat
"Retreatofof
Thousand"-and
that
casethe
thedistance
distancetraversed
traversedwas
wasless
lessthan
than1000
1000
the Ten Thousand"aod
ininthat
case
miles compared
compared with 2,000
miles
2,000 in this.
this. What a theme
theme it affords
affords for
for the poet
poet and
and
the painter. Not the showy,
upon which
which the
showy, sneering
sneering caricature
caricature of
of Bierstadt,
Bierstadt, upon
ignorant
lavishes his surplus
coin, but the
the truthful
truthful and
and
ignorant and
and ostentatious
ostentatious Dives
Dives lavishes
surplus coin,
some noble
grandeur and
and
heroic delineation of some
noble soul,
soul, capable of appreciating the grandeur
simplicity of
of the motives
which induced
and
simplicity
motives which
induced those humble and
and unknown
unknown men
men and
women
women to
to undertake
undertakethis
this marvelous
marvelousjourney-that
journeythat Oregon
Oregon might
might be
be brought
brought
under the regis
gis of the
the American
American Union
Union and her
her hills
hills and
and valleys
valleys become
become the
the ininheritance of their children.
But
Oregon's poetic
few rough-hewn
rough-hewn
But yesterday
yesterday one
one of
of Oregon's
poetic sons
sons showed
showed us
us ina
ma few
but graphic, imaginative
imaginative stanzas,
stanzas, what high
high inspiration
inspiration can
can be
be drawn
drawn from
from this
reveals and sugsugmemorable march
memorable
march by
byone
one capable
capableofof appreciating
appreciatingall
all that
that it reveals
Here are a few
few lines,
lines, taken
taken at random
gests. Here
random from
from the poemPIoNEERs
poem-PIONEERS o
OF
THE
THE PACIFIC,
PACIFIC, by
byMiller:
Miller:
*
*
,.
,.
,.*
,.
,.
,.
"The
" Thewild
wildman's
man's yell,
yeIl, the
thegroanthg
groaning wheel,
wbeel,
The train that moved
like drifting
drifting barge;
barge;
The
moved like
The duet
dust rose
rose up
uplike
likeaaCloud,
cloud,
Like smoke
battle I1 Loud
smoke of
of distant battle
Tbe
sbot, and steel
The great wbips
whips rang like shot,
cbarge.
Flashed back as in some battle charge.
,.
They
their rest
Tbey sought,
sougbt, yea, they di
did find
find their
Along
that long and lonesome
Along tbat
lonesome way,
Those
'rbose brave men buffeting the West
West
faces. FnIl
With lifted
lifted faces.
Full were they
Of great endeavor.
endeavor.
,.*
..*
,.*
..*
..
When
Adown
Adowntbe
the shining
shining iron
iron track
trsck
We sweep, and fields of corn
corn flash
flash back,
back,
And herds
herds of lowing steers
And
steers move
move by,
I turn to
to other days, to men
Who made
Who
made aa pathway
pathwaywith
with their
their dust."
citizens,that
that you
you cherish
It is
is well, fellow
fellow citizens,
cherish the
the memory
memory of these
these early
early days
days
and magnify
and extol
extol the conduct
magnify and
conduct and
and qualities
qualities of
of these
theseworthy
worthyfounders
founders of
of
this great and
and growing
commonwealth. You
and those
growing commonwealth.
You and
those who
who come
come after
after you,
you,
40
ANNUAL
ADDRESS OF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
will in turn
tnm be
be elevated
elevated and
andimproved
improved by
bythe
the proud
proudconsciousness
consciousness that your propredecessors deserved
honor and esteem
esteem
genitors and predecessors
deservedand
and received
received the
the meed
meed of
of honor
for lives spent in noble and useful
is a pride of ancestry
useful deeds. Doubtless there is
care for
for posterity
posterity which
which is
is only
only disguised
disguised selfishness.
selfishness.
which is a weakness and a care
But there is both beauty and truth in the
the Sentiment
sentiment of Webster,
Webster, expressed
expressed on a
alsoaamoral
moraland
andphilosophical
philosophical respect
respect for our ansimilar occasion:
occasion: "There
'There isisalso
ancestors,
elevates the
the character
character and
and impresses
impresses the
the heart.
heart. Next
Next to the
cestors, which
which elevates
sense
know what should bear with
sense of
of religious
religiousduty
duty and
and moral
moral feeling,
feeling,II hardly
hardly know
mind, than
thanaaconsciousness
consciousness of
of
stronger
stronger obligation
obligation on
onaa liberal
liberal and
and enlightened
enlightened mind,
alliance
alliance with excellence
excellence which
which is depated;
depa~ted;and
anda consciousness
a consciousness too,
too, that in
in
and even
even in its
its sentiments
sentiments and thoughts
thoughts it
it may
may be
be actively
actively
its acts and conduct, and
operating on the happiness of those
those who
who come
comeafter
afterit."
it."
With the influx
influx of the
the immigration
immigration of
of 1843
1843 and
and1844,
1844, the
theCommittee
Committee governgovernment
ment of the
the former
former year
year was
was found
foundinsuflicient
insufficientfor
forthe
thepopulation.
population. An enlarged
and more absolute form
form of government was accordingly prepared by some of the
leading minds
minds of
of the
the colony,
colony, and
and by
by the
theLegislative
LegislativeCommittee
Committee submitted
submittedto
to the
the
leading
people, on July 5, 1845,
people,
1845, when it was
was approved by a majority of 203
203 votes. By
this change,a
Executive Committee
Committee of
change, a single Executive was
was substituted
substituted for the
the Executive
three, while the Legislative
of nine
nine was
was superseeded
by ""aa House
Legislative Committee
Committee of
superseeded by
House
of Representatives,"
Representatives," consisting
consisting of
of not
not less
less than
than 53
13 nor
nor more
more than
than 6x
61 members.
members.
who came to the country
country as
as the
the Steward
Steward of
ofthe
theMission,
Mission, was
waschosen
chosen
Abernethy, who
Governor annually for the next four
late paper
paper from
from the
the facile
facile pen
pen
four years.
years. In a late
one of
of Oregon's
Oregon's distinguished
distinguished Pioneers,
Pioneers, I find
find the following
following notice
of one
notice of
of him:
"George
"GeorgeAbernethy,
Abernethy, an
an intelligent
intelligent Christian
Christian gentleman,
gentleman, unassuming,
unassuming, indisposed
indisposed
to court popular favor,
favor, with
with strong
strong common
common sense,
sense, and
and a desire
desire to do his duty
consciously
occasion, and whatever
whatever prepreconsciouslyand
andquietly
quietlywas
was the
the light
iight man for the occasion,
judice may
may assert
assert to
to the'
thecontrary,
fortunate for
for the
the colony
colony that
that just
judice
contrary, it was fortunate
just such
such
couldbe
be had
had to
to fill
fill the
the highest and
and most
most responsible
responsible position
position in
in the
the
a person
person could
pioneer government."
established, by
by a mere
handful of
of people, on
And thus, thirty years ago, was established,
mere handful
inaccessible land, that
that famous
famous Provisional
Provisional Government,
Government,
this then remote
remote and
and inaccessible
carried the
the country
country with honor
honor and
and credit
credit through
through the
the vicissitudes
vicissitudes of peace
which carried
war, until March
March 3, 1849,
1849, when
when the Territorial
Territorial Government
Government provided
provided by
by
and war,
Congress was
rejoicings of
by
Congress
was proclaimed
proclaimed at
at Oregon
Oregon City, amid the rejoicings,
of the people, by
its first
GovernorGeneral Joseph
first Governor-General
Joseph Lane.
Lane,
by
the country
country was
was practically
practically the
the territory
territory of the United States, by
But already, the
the highest
highest and
and best
besttitle
titleinin existence-the
existencethe actual
actualoccupation
occupation and
andcontrol
controlof
ofitit
by her citizens.,
citizens., The
Thesubsequent
subsequentacknowledgement
acknowledgementby
bythe
the treaty
treatyof
of5846,
1846, of
of the
byher
American
right to Oregon,
Oregon, was only
only aa formal
formal recognition
recognitionofofthe
the fact,
fact, that the
American right
ANNUAL ADDRESS
MATTHEW P. DEADY.
DEADY.
ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. MATTHEW
41
contest for
country had
terminated in
in favor
favor of
of the
the
long contest
forthe
the occupation
occupationof
of the
the country
had terminated
OREGON
OREGON PIONEER.
by Gov.
Gov. Grover
Grovel in
i!1 his
his address
address to
to you
you on
on
Nor was this all. As was well said by
great events
events generally
generallyfollow
follow in
in clusters,
clusters, the
theacquisiacquisia former
former occasion:
occasion: ""As
As great
sition of California followed
followed in 1848,
1848, by military
military occupancy.
occupancy. It is
is fair
fair to
to claim
claim
government never
that our government
neverwould
would have
have ventured
ventured with the
the small
email force
forceitithad
had at
at
command, to
territory, during the
the war
war
command,
to push
push its
its arms
arms to
to the
the Pacific,
Pacific, in
in Mexican
Mexican territory,
Mexico, if we
quarter, and
and aa relireliwith Mexico,
we did
did not
not already possess
possess aa domain
domain in that quarter,
able
American population
population in Oregon.
Oregon. So that the
the Pioneers
Pioneers of
of Oregon
Oregon were
were
able American
really the
the fathers
fathers of American
American jurisdiction
jurisdiction over all that magnificent
magnificent domain
domain of
of
United States,
empire in
the United
States, west
westof
ofthe
theRocky
Rockymountains-an
mountainsan empire
in itself."
itself."
Yes!
WORTHY PIONEERS,
to you,
whom
Yes! WORTHY
PIONEERS,
to you,
whomHeaven
Heavenhas
haskindly
kindlygranted
granted to see
friends, who
this day,
your absent
absent but not forgotten
day, and your
forgotten brethren
brethren and
and friends,
who made
made aa
pathway to
to the
the country
country with
with their
theirdust,
dust,or
orhave
have since
since given
given their
theirlives
livesfor
for its
its dedefense,
fense, or
or fallen
fallen asleep
asleep in
in its
its valJeys,
valleys, are
are we
we chiefly
chieflyindebted
indebtedfor
for this
this grand and
benificent result. By your great endeavors
limits has
has been
been added
added
endeavors an empire in limits
to the jurisdiction of the
to-day the
the sun
sun in his
his journey
journey across
across
the United
United States,
States, and to-day
the heavens
heavens shines
shines down upon
upon a continuous
continuous Union of American States, from
from the
the
Pacific. Verily you have
come after
Atlantic to the Pacific.
have your reward! and they who come
honor.
you shall rise up and do you honor.
f
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS.
ADDRESS.
THE
BY HON.
HON. J.
J. W.
W.NESMITI-I.
NESMITH.
BY
PRESIDENT, LADIES
LADIES AND
ANDGENTLEMEN
GENTLEMEN
MR. PRESIDENT,
OF
OREGON PIONEER
PIONEER ASSOCIATION:
ASSOCIA TlON:
OF THE OREGON
Having been
been honored
honored with
with an
an invitation
invitationtotoaddress
address you
you at
at this
this your third annual re-union,
re-union, with
with the
the understanding
understanding that
that my
my remarks
remarks are
are to be preserved
preserved in
your archives as a portion
portion of
of the
the recorded
recorded history
history of
of your
your society,
society, I have
have reduced
writing the
have to say,
and'shall
shall submit
submit it
it in
in the
the form
form of mere
mere
to writing
the little
little that I have
say, and
dry narrative, feeling
feelmg more
more than compensated
compensated if my
my humble
humble effort
effort shall contribcontribute to the
the value of the
to gather
gather up and
and
ute
the records
records which
which your
your society
society proposes
proposes to
preserve for
edification of those
those who
who are
are to
to be
beour
oursuccessors.
successors. Hisfor the use and edification
tory
is said
tory IS
said to
to be
be "Philosophy
"Philosophyteaching
teaching by
by example."
example." Among
Among all
allcivilized
civilized
people there exists a ,desire
informed relative
desire to be informed
relative to
to the
the past.
The example
example taught by the acts of those
those who
who have preceded
preceded us,
us, have
have doubtdoubtless
edification. Historians,
Historians, philosophers
philosophers and
and antiquarians
antiquarians
less contributed
contributed to our edification.
have devoted
ages to
to the
the most
most laborious
laborious investigation
research, spreading
spreading
devoted ages
investigation and research,
attemptsto
to elucidate
elucidateincidents,
incidents, phases
phases
barrels of ink over tons of paper
paper in
in their attempts
facts which
which might
preserved by
by those
those whose
whose lives
lives were
were cocoand facts
might and
and have
have been
been preserved
temporaneous with the subjects sought to be investigated.
temporaneous
philosophic presentation
presentationofof,those
those examples
examplesofof the
the past have
The philosophic
have not
not always
always
of the
the most
most relial,le
reliable or definite
definite character,
is to
to be regretted that .so
,so
been of
character, and
and it is
wasted in
conclusions called history,
history,
much valuable
valuable time
time has
has been
been wasted
in arriving at conclusions
but
but only
only worthy
worthy to
to be
be regarded
regarded as
as mythical
mythicalfictions.
fictions. If
If the
the founders
founders of
of ancient
ancient
empires and kingdoms
kingdoms could
could be recalled to
to earth they
theywould
would feel
feel
and extinct empires
like
recorded their acts,
like instituting
instituting suits
suits for
for libel
libel against
againstthe
thehistorians
historians who
who have recorded
if their remedy
remedy in that
that direction
direction was
was not barred by the
the statute
statute of
oflimitation.
limitation. In
if
the rude
rude and
and barbaric
barbaric ages
ages of
of the
thepast,
past,when
whenthe
thepreservation
preservation of
of facts
facts and
and inciincidents depended solely upon the uncertainty of tradition, they must have suffered
suffered
thatfaulty
faultymode
modeof
ofpreservation.
preservation.
mutations incident
incident to
to that
terrible mutations
Human nature is
is so
so constituted with its bias of prejudice
prejudice anti
and self-interest,
self-interest, to
to
say nothing of defective
defective memory,
memory, that itit is
is rarely
rarely that
thattwo
twopersons
personswho
whowitness
witness
•*
THE
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W.
W. NESMITH
NESMITH.
43
43
honest intentions,
intentions, give a similar version
version of
the same incident can,
can, with the most honest
of
what actually did occur.
It seems
seems to
accepted maxim,
maxim, and
doubtless with some
some foundation
foundation in
to be
be the
the accepted
and doubtless
in
that no
no man
man is
is qualified
qualified to
Lo write
write the
the history
history of the time
time in
in which he lives,
reason, that
and that aa truthful
truthful record
record of
of current
currentevents
events requires
requires the
the conservative
conservative and
andmelmellowing
influenceofoftime
timetoto render
render them
them perfectly
lowing influence
perfectly impartial and reliable.
reliable. It
It
seems to be the mission
mission of historians
historians to
to gather up
up facts
facts and
and incidents
incidents of
of the
the past,
past,
with their cot.mporaneous
cot",mporaneous illustrations,
illustrations, and
and weave
weave them
them together
together in a web
web of
probabilities,
prejudices of the
probabilities, often colored
colored by
by the passions and prejudices
the writer.
The proof
proof of
historians look
the past
past
of the
the fact
fact that
that historians
look at
at objects
objects and
and incidents
incidents of
of the
lenses is to be found in what is recognized as
through magnifying or contracting lenses
both sacred
sacred and profane.
profane.
History, both
condition, situation
and surroundings
surroundings of.
of the early
A correct narration
narration of
of the condition,
situation and
our State will be of
us. Their
settlers of our
of interest to
to those
those who
who succeed
succeed us.
Their mode
mode of
of
manufactories, agricultural
and
dress, manners,
life, dress,
manners, occupation,
occupation,state
stateofof their
their manufactories,
agricultural and
other industries,
industries, and
and all
allthat
thatpertained
pertainedtototheir
theircomparatively
comparativelyrude
rudeand
andprimitive
primitive
condition must be of value to their successors
successors in
in estimating
estimating the
the progress
progress and
and benbenefits of civilization.
the far-off
far-off future,
New Zealander
Zealander will
will sit
sit upon
upon the ruined pier
In the
future,when
whenthe
the ""New
London bridge,"
antiquarian cogitations
cogitations relative to the past,
of London
bridge," and
and indulge
indulge in
in antiquarian
it might
for him
him or
or some
someother
otherdelver
delverinin historic
historic mine,
mine, to
to refer
refer to
might be
be convenient
convenient for
the archives of the Oregon Pioneer Society to establish the fact that
that the
thefounders
founders
of our State, unlike Romulus
Romulus anct
and Remus,
Remus, derived
derived their
their sustenance
sustenance from
from somesomething more respectable than aa she
she wolf.
wolf.
It is then
then evidently
second article
article of
of
evidentlyaaduty
dutythat
thatwe
weowe
owetotoposterity-as
posterityas the second
your
constitution has
collectfrom
from living
living witnesses
witnesses such
such facts relating
your constitution
hasit-"
it" ToTocollect
relating
to the Pioneers
Pioneersand
and history
history of
of the Territory of Oregon
Oregon as
as the
the Association
Association may
may
deem worthy
worthy of preservation."
preservation."
deem
treasures thus gathered up
up may
may seem to be of little present value to
to their
their
The treasures
possessors, but
come when posterity
posterity will
will highly
highly prize
prize and appreapprepossessors,
but the
the time
time will
will come
them. It
It will
will be
be of
of interest
interesttotothose
tho,e who
whoare
areto
toinhabit
inhabit this
this country
country cencenciate them.
know in what manner
manner and
and by
by whom
whom it was
was settled and
and reclaimed
reclaimed
turies hence to know
may be
be true
true that
that the
the progress
progress of
of civcivfrom the dominion
dominion of
of savages.
savages. It may
from
ilization and
place our
ilization
and the
the accompanying
accompanyingarts
artsand
and sciences
sciences will
will be
be such
such as
as to place
posterity upon a plane so
so high
high above
above us
us as
as to
to induce
induce them to look
look upon
upon the
the trials
trials
and privations
privations of the pioneer with contempt, just
just as
as the
the modern
modern pleasure.
pleasure·seeker
seeker
in' aa well appointed
appointed steamship
steamship fails
fails to
to discover anything
crosses the
who crosses
the Atlantic in
in tiat
t:latexploit
exploit which
which should
shouldconfer
conferimmortality
immortalityupon
uponChristopher
ChristopherColumbu,s,
Columbu,s,
•
44
THE
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W.
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
who
who previously
previously performed
performedthat
that voyage
voyage without
without some
some of
of the convenient applian.
appliances developed by modern sciences.
years hence,
hence, as
as the
the traveler
traveler iu
in search
search of
of pleasure,
In a few
few years
pleasure, crosses
crosses the conticontinent,-when
nent,when every
everyfoot
foot of
of ititshall
shall be
be occupied
occupied with
with thrifty
thrifty farms
farms and
and smiling
smiling
villages,
and'enjoyenjoyvillages, and
and with
with luxury in every form
form contributing
contributing to
to his
his comfort
comfort and
he will
will wonder
wouder what sort of
ment, he
of stupid
stupid people
peopleLewis
Lewisand
andClark,
Clark, a~d
and the
the early
emigrants were
emigrants
weretotospend
spendfrom
fromsix
sixmonths
monthstototwo
twoyears
years wandering
wandering about,
about, half
starved, in
crosses in
sixty hours
hours without
without suffering
suffering any
any disstarved,
in aa country
countrythat
that he
he crosses
in sixty
inconveniences. Indeed,
early exploits
exploits of
of discoverers,
discoverers, naviganavigacomforts or inconveniences.
Indeed, the early
and warriors,
warriors, dwindle
dwindle into
into insignificance
insignificance when viewed in the light of
of modtors, and
ern science
science and improvement.
improvement.
performances of
Hingurst, Christopher
Christopher Columbus,
Columbus, Americus
Americus
The performances
of Horsea and Hingurst,
Vespucci, Cortez,
would excite
excite no
nocomment
commentin
in
Vespucci,
Cortez,Pizarro,
Pizarro,and
and Lewis
Lewis and
and Clark,
Clark, would
modern
modern times
times if accomplished
accomplished by
by the
the aid of modern
modern appliances.
of Modern
Modern artillery
artillery
Darius did not resist
resist Miltiades
Miltiades at
at Marathon
Marathon with
with a battery
battery of
and Leonidas
failed to use
Leonidas failed
use Gatling guns and revolvers
revolvers against the hosts of Xerxes at Thermopylw.
Thermopylre.
Had.the
patriots on
been armed
armed with
with the
the Springfield
Springfield breechbreechHad the patriots
on Bunker
Bunker Hill been
no red-coat
red-coat would
would have
have entered
entered that
thathistoric
historic redoubt.
redoubt.
loader, no
those failures
failures or
neglects simply
simply illustrate
illustrate the
the progress
progress of the world.
world.
But those
or neglects
progress which
That progress
whichhas
hasreceived
receivedsuch
suchananimpetus
impetuswithin
withinthe
thelast
last quarter
quarter of
of a
century as
as to astonish
astonish those
those of
&f us
uswho
whohave
have witnessed
witnessedit,it, isis not
not likely
likely to
to be
be rerecentury
impeded, and
and two
two or
or three
hence wiIllook
will look back
tarded or impeded,
three generations
generations hence
back upon
upon us
us
as a very primitive sort of people.
people. While they will pity
pity our
our ignorance,
ignorance, itit may
may
read of
of our lives
lives and adventures
adventures as
as pioneers.
pioneers.
interest them to read
looking over
over the
the former
former proceedings
proceedings of your society, at
at the
themeetings
meetingswhich
which
In looking
have the
perceive that the
questions relative
I did not have
the pleasure
pleasure of
of attending,
attending, II perceive
the questions
relative
to the organization
organization of
of the provisional
provisional government
government have
have been
been ably
ably presented
presented in
however, some
inaccuracies, which
which would be incident to
to
the main, with, however,
some slight inaccuracies,
occurrence. Not desiring
desiring to
to go
go over
any
any narration
narration of
of facts
facts so
so long
long after
after their occurrence.
the same
same grounds
grounds so
so ably
ably occupied
occupiedby
by others
othersat
at your previous
previous re-unions,
re-unions,II have
have
Oregon as
found
confine myself
concluded to confine
myself in this address to a statement of Oregon
as I found
it in 1843,
1843, who
who came
came here
here with
withme,
me,and
andwhom
whomwe
wefound
foundwhen
whenwe
wecame.
came. II
might at this
this point add, by
by way
way of an
anapology,
apology, my
my regrets
regrets that
thatthe
thevarious
various and
and
pressing demands
demands upon
upon my
my time
time have
have not
notpermitted
permitted me
me to
to exhaust
exhaust the
the facts and
and
the early
early history
history and
settlement of
data at my disposal,
disposal, which
which bear
bear upon the
and settlement
of the
country. I have therefore
therefore condensed
communication to
condensed my
my present
present communication
to the
the narrownarrowest possible limits.
estpossible
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS'
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON.J.3. W.
45
45
As early
1840, being
As
early as
as the
the year
year 1840,
beingthen
thenan
an adventurous
adventurous youth
youth in
in what
what at that
time
was known
knownasasthe"
the "Far
as a"
a " Terra
time was
Far West,"
West," II had
had heard
heard of
of Oregon
Oregon as
Terra InIncognita"
upon the
the western
slope of the
cognita" somewhere
somewhere upon
western slope
the continent,
continent, as
as aa country
country to
to
which the United States had some
some sort of aa claim, and
which
sound,
"Where rolls the Oregon,
Oregon, and hears no sound,
Save his own dashings."
During the winter of 1841-2,
1841-2, being in Jefferson
Jefferson county,
Iowa, II incidentally
incidentally
county, Iowa,
heard that
or June,
that aa party
partycontemplated
contemplated leaving
leaving Independence
Independence in
inMay
Mayor
June,1842,
1842,
Elijah White,
White, who
who had
hadformerly
formerly been
been
for Oregon,
for
Oregon, under
under the
the leadership
leadership of
of Dr. Elijah
in Oregon connected
connected with
with the
the Methodist
Methodist missions,
and who
missions, and
who was then
then about
aboutrereTerritory in the
the service
service of
of the
theU.
U.S.S.Government
Government as
as Sub-Indian
Sub-Indian
turning to
to the Territory
this a good
good opportunity
opportunity to
which I had some
some
to make
make the
the trip which
agent. Thinking this
mounted my
time contemplated,
contemplated, I mounted
my horse
horseand
and rode
rodeacross
across Western
Western Iowa,
Iowa, then
then aa
Independence seventeen
wilderness, and
wilderness,
and arrived
arrived at
at Independence
seventeendays
days after
after White
White and his
them up alone,
first contemplated
contemplated following
following them
alone, but learning
party had left. I at first
that the
the murderous
murderous Pawnees
Pawnees were
were then
then hostile,
hostile, II was
was advised
advised not
not to
to attempt
attempt
the dangerous experiment. I therefore
therefore abandoned
abandoned the
the trip
tripfor
for the
the present,
present, and
and
spent most
most of
of the
the ensuing
ensuing year in the employment
employment of the
thegovernment
government as
as a carcarspent
penter, in the construction
construction of
of Fort
Fort Scott,
Scott, in
in Kansas,
Kansas, about
about 100
100 miles
miles south
south of
Independence.
1842-3, Dr. Marcus
Marcus Whitman,
Whitman, then
then aa missionary
missionary in the
During the winter of 1842-3,
Walla Walla valley visited Washington
to intercede
intercedein
in behalf
behalf of the
Washington to
the American
American
interests on this coast.
Dr. Lewis
Lewis F.
Senate, from
from Missouri,
Missouri, and
F. Linn
Linn was
was then
theninin the
the U. S. Senate,
and took
took aa
Oregon. The means
means for
for the
the transmission
transmission of
great interest in the settlement of Oregon.
news
at that time
time was
was slow
slow and
and meagre
meagre upon
upon the frontier,
frontier, it
it being
being before
before the
the
news at
day of railroads,
day
railroads, telegraph
telegraph and
and postage
postage stamps.
stamps. But the
the Oregon
Oregon question
question
Dr. Whitman, did create
create
through the medium of Senators Benton
Benton and
and Linn,
Linn, and Dr.
Far
some
somecommotion
commotionininWashington
Washingtonand
andenough
enoughofofititfound
founditsitsway
way to
to the"
the "Far
West," to
West,"
to make
make some
some stir
stir among
among the
the ever
ever restless
restless and
and adventurous
adventurous frontiersmen.
frontiersmen.
pubWithout any formal promulgation it became
became fairly understood,
understood, and
and was
wasso
so published in
in the
lished
the few
few border
border papers
papers then in
in existence,
existence, that our
our emigration
emigration party
party
would rendezvous
at Independence
Independencetotostart
startfor
forOregon
Oregonasassoon
soon as
as the
the grass
grass would
would
rendezvous at
subsist
subsist the stock.
Without orders
orders from
from any
quarter, and
without preconcert,
preconcert, prompt'y
promptly as
as the
Without
any quarter,
and without
grass
grass began
began to
to start,
start, the
the emigrants
emigrants began
begantotoassemble
assemblenear
near Independence,
Independence, at
at a
place called Fitzhugh's Mill. On the
place
the 17th
17th day
day of
ofMay,
May,1843,
1843,notices
noticeswere
werecircirthrough the
the different
different encampments
encampments that on the
the succeeding
succeeding day,
day, those
those
culated through
46
THE
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS·
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W.
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
contemplating
emigration to
at aa designated
designated point
point to
to ororcontemplating emigration
to Oregon,
Oregon,would
wu1d meet at
ganize.
Promptly
appointed hour the
the motley
motley groups
groups assembled.
assembled. It
It consisted
consisted
Promptly at the appointed
people from
nationalities. The
of people
from all
all the
the States
States and
and Territories,
Territories, and
and nearly all nationalities.
most however,
however, from
fromArkansas,
Arkansas, Illinois,
Illinois, Missouri
Missouri and
and Iowa,
Iowa, and all
most
all strangers
strangers to
to
one
hut impressed
impressed with
with some
some crude
idea that
thatthere
there existed
existed an
an imperaimperaude idea
one another, hut
tive
tive necessity
necessity for
for some
some kind
kind of
of an
an organization
organization for
formutual
mutual protection
protection agaiust
against the
the
Iudians inhabiting
inhabitiug the great
great unknown
unknown wilderness
wilderness stretching
stretchiug away
away to
to the
the
hostile Indians
shores
aud which
which they
they were
were about
aboutto
to traverse
traverse with
withtheir
theirwives
wives and
and
shores of the Pacific, and
household goods and all their
their earthly
earthlypossessions.
possessions.
children, household
Many of
of the emigrants
were from
from the
the western
western tier
tier of
of counties
counties of
of Missouri,
Missouri,
Many
emigrauts were
know as
Purchase, aud
was Peter H.
H.Burnett,
Burnett, aaformer
former
know
as the
the Platte Purchase,
and amoug
among them was
merchant, who
had abandoned
abandoned the
theyardstick
yardstickand
andbecome
become aa lawyer
lawyer of
of some
some celebwho had
his ability
ability as
as aa smooth-tongued
smooth-tonguedadvocate.
advocate. He
rity for
for his
He subsequently
subsequently emigrated
emigrated
and was
was elected
elected the
the first
first Governor
Governor of the Golden State,
State, was
was afterafterto California, and
ward Chief Justice,
Justice, an
an still an honored
honored resident
resident of
of that
that State. Mr.
Mr. Burnett, or,
designated, "Pete,"
"Pete," was
as he was familiarly
familiarly desiguated,
wascalled
calledupon
uponfor
for aa speech.
speech. Mounting a log,
iug
log, the
the glib-tongued
glib-tongued orator
orator delivered
delivered aa glowing,
glowing, florid
florid address.
address. He
commenced by
western tier
tier of States
States and
and
commenced
byshowing
showinghis
hisaudience
audiencethat
that the
the then western
was overcrowded
overcrowded with a redundant population, who had not
Territories was
not sufficient
sufficient
elbow room
room for
for the
the expansion
expansionofof their
their enterprise
eoterprise and
and genius,
genius, and it was a duty
duty
owed to
posterity to strike
strike out in search of aa more
more expanexpanthey owed
to themselves
themselves and
and posterity
field and more
more genial
richest return
return for
for
ded field
genial climate,
climate, where
where the
the soil
soil yielded the richest
slightest amount
amount of cultivation,
cultivation, where
where the
the trees
trees were
were loaded
loaded with
with perenperenthe slightest
nial fruit
fruit and
and where
where aa good
good substitute for bread, called La
La Camash,
Camash, grew
grew in the
the
ground, salmon
principal
ground,
salmonand
andother
otherfish
fish crowded
crowdedthe
the streams,
Streams, and
and where
where the principal
labor of the settler
settler would
would be
be confined
confined to keeping
keeping their
their gardens
gardensfree
free from
from the
the ininwild turkeys.
tnrkeys. He appealed
appealed to
to our
our patriotism
patriotism by
by
roads of buffalo,
buffalo, elk, deer and wild
picturing
glorious empire
empire we
shores of
picturing forth
forth the
the glorious
we would
would establish
establish upon the shores
of the
Pacific. How, with our trusty
trusty rifles,
rifles, we
wewould
woulddrive
drive ont
out the British
British usurpers
usurpers
who
pretensions
who claimed
claimed the
the soil,
soil, and
and defend
defend the
the coun.try
countryfrom
fromthe
the avarice
avarice and
and pretensions
of the British lion, and
and how
how posterity
posterity would honor us for placing the fairest
fairest porportion of
land under
under the
the dominion
dominion of
stars and
and stripes.
stripes. He concluded
concluded
tion
of our land
of the stars
dan~
with aa slight
slight allusion
allusiontotothe
thetrials
trialsand
and hardships
hardships incident
incident to
to the
the trip
trip and
and dangers
encountered from
from hostile
hostile Indians on the route,
route, and
those inhabiting
gers to
to be
be encountered
and those
inhabiting
the country
country whither
Hefurthermore
furthermore intimated
intimated aa desire
desire to look
whither we
we were
werebound.
bound. He
look
redmen"
men"that
thatthe
thevaliant
valiantand
andwell
w:llarnieci
armed crowd
upon
upon the tribe of noble"
noble "red
crowd around
around
him could not vanquish in a single encounter.
Other
were made,
made, full
full of
of glowing
glowing descriptions
descriptionsofof the
the fair
fair land of
of
Other speeches
speeches were
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOFOFHON.
HON. J.J. W.
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
47
47
promise,
seen,
promise, the
the far
far away
awayOregon
Oregonwhich
which no
noone
oneininthe
the assemblage
assemblagehad
had ever seen,
and of which
which not more
dozen had ever read any account. After the
more than half a dozen
election
and other
other necessary
necessary officers,
officers, the meeting, as
election of Mr.
Mr. Burn~tt,
Burnett, as captain, and
motley and
motley
and primitive
primitive aa one
oneasas ever
ever assembled,
assembled, adjourned,
adjourned, with
with "three
"three cheers"
for
aud Oregon.
Oregon.
for Capt. Burnett and
1
On the
tbe 20th
20th day of
of May,
May,1843,
1843, after
aftera.a.pretty
thorough military
military organization,
organization,
pretty thorough
Gautt, an
an old
old army
army officer,
officer, who
we
we took
took up
up our
our line
line of
ofmarch,
march, with
with Capt.
Capt. John
John Gantt,
who
in
combined
of trapper
trapper and
and mountaineer,
mountaineer,as
as our
our guide.
guide. Gantt had in
combined the character of
his wanderings
wanderings been
beenasasfar
farasasGreen
Greenriver
riverand
and assured
assured us
usof
of the
the practicability
his
practicability
thus far. Green river,
river, the extent of our
our guide's
guide's knowledge
knowledge in
in that
that
of a wagon road thus
direction, was
tben only inhabited
inhabited
direction,
wasnot
not half-way
half-waytotothe
the Willamette
Willamette valley,
valley, the
the then
not the
the slightest
slightestconjecture
conjecture of
of the
the conconportion of Oregon. Beyond
Beyond that we had not
dition of the
Wewent
wentforth
forthtrusting
trustingto
tothe
thefuture
future and
and would
would doubtless
doubtless
dition
the country.
country. We
Whitman
encountered more
have encountered
more difficulties
difficultiesthan
than we
we experienced
experienced had
had not Dr. Whitman
overtaken
overtakenususbefore
beforewewereached
reachedthe
theterminus
terminusofofour
ourguide's
guide'sknowledge~
knowledge. He
He
was familiar
familiarwith
withthe
thewhole
wholeroute
route and
and was
was confident
confident that wagons
·was
wagons could
could pass
through the
the canyons
canyonsand
and gorges
gorgesof
of Snake
Snake river
river and over
over the
the Blue
Blue mountains,
mountains,
through
Hall declared
declared to
to be
be aa physical
physical
which
which the
the mountaineers
mountaineersinin the
the vicinity
vicinityof
of Fort
Fort Hall
impossibility.
then in charge
charge of
of the
theHudson
HudsonBay
BayCompany
Company at
at Fort
FortHall,
Hall,enenCapt. Grant then
deavored
with our
our wagons,
wagons, and showed
showed
deavored to
to dissuade
dissuade us
us from
from proceeding
proceeding further
further with
us the wagons
preceding year had
had abandoned,
abandoned, as
as an
an
us
wagons that
that the
the emigrants
emigrantsof
of the
the preceding
of our determination.
determination.
evidence of the impracticability of
wagons could
could proceed
proceed as
as
Dr. Whitman
Whitman was persistent
assertions that wagons
persistent in his
his assertions
far as
as the
the Grand
Grand Dalles
Dalles of the
the Columbia
Columbia river,
river, from
from which
which point
point he
he asserted
asserted
they could be
be taken
taken down
down by rafts or batteaux
batteaux to
to the
the Willamette
Willamette valley,
valley, while
stock could
Cascade mountains,
mountains, near
our stock
could be
be driven
drivenby
by an
an Indian
Indian trail
trail over
over the Cascade
near
Mt. Hood.
Hood.
Whitman's advice
advice prevailed, and
and aa large
large number
number of
of the
the wagons
wagons with
Happily Whitman's
of the stock,
stock, did
did reach
reach Walla
WallaWalla
Wallaand
andthe
theDalles,
Dalles,from
fromwhich
whichpoints
points
portion of
a portion
following year.
were taken
they were
taken to the Willamette the following
Had we
we followed
followed Grant's advice
advice and abandcned
abandc,ned the
thecattle
cattleand
andwagons
wagons at
at Fort
Fort
Hall, much
muchsuffering
suffering must
must have
have ensued,
ensued, as
asaasufficient
sufficient number
number of
of horses
horses to carry
Hall,
women and
children of
party could
could not
not have
have been
been obtained,
obtained, besides
besides
the women
and children
of .the
the party
indispensible to
wagons and
wagons
and cattle
cattle were
were indispensible
to men
men expecting
expecting to live by farming
farming in
in a
country destitute of
of such
such articles.
articles.
At Fort Hall,
Hall, we
we fell
fell in
in with
with some
some Cayuse
Cayuse and
and Nez
Nez Perce
Perce Indians
Indians returning
returning
from the buffalo
buffalo country,
was necessary
necessary for Dr. Whitman to precede us
from
country, and as itit was
us
48
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE
ADDRESSOFOFHON.
HON.J.J. W.
to Walla Walla, he
he recommended
recommended to
Cayuse
to us
us aa guide
guide in
in the
the person
person of
of an old Cayuse
called"
Sticcus." HeHe
wasa afaithful
faithfulold
oldfellow,
fellow,perfectly
perfectly familiar
familiar with
Indian called
"Sticcus."
was
all the trails
trails and
aud topography
topography of
country from
and
of the country
fromFort
FortHall.t0
Hall to The
The Dalles,
Dalles, and
although
speaking aa word
our party
party aa word
word of
of
although not
not speaking
wordof
of English,
English, and
and no
no one
one in our
succeeded by pantomime
ronghest wagon route
Cayuse, he succeeded
pantomime in
in taking
taking us over the roughest
I ever
ever saw.
saw. Sticcus
Sticcns was
and the
the only
only InInwas aa member
memberof
ofDr.
Dr. Whitman's
Whitman's church,
church, and
ever saw that II thought
th':mght had
had any
any conception
conception of,
the ChrisChrisdian I ever
of, and
and practiced
practiced the
tian religion.
religion. I met him
him afterward
He did
did not
not participate
participate
afterwardinin the
the Cayuse
Cayusewar.
war. He
in the murder of
of Dr.
Dr. Whitman
Whitman and
and his
his family,
family, and
and remained
remained neutral
nentral during the
war between his tribe and the
the whites,
whites, which
which grew
grew out
out of
of the
themassacre.
massacre. I once
once
dined with Sticcus,
StiCCllS, in his
his camp,
camp, upon
upon what I supposed
supposed to
to be
be elk
elk meat. I had
that conclusion
conclusion because,
cooked meat and then at the
the
arrived at that
because, looking
looking at
at the cooked
old Indian interrogatively,
he held
held up
up his
his hands
handsininaamanner
mannerthat
that indicated
elk
interrogatively, he
indicated elk
horns;
horns; but,
but, after dinner,
dinne~, seeing
seeing the
the ears,
ears, tail
tail and hoofs
hoofs of
of a mule near camp,
camp, II
became satisfied
ears"
became
satisfiedthat
that what
what he
he meant
meant to
to convey
conveyby
byhis
hispantomime
pantomimewas"
was "ears"
not
"horns,"
not"
horns,"but
butdigestion
digestionwaited
waitedupon
uponappetite,
appetite,and
andafter
afterthe
thedinner
dinnerwas
wasover
over·
did not
not make
make much difference
difference about
the animal
animal that
that furfurit did
about the
the appendages
appendages of the
your patience
patience with
with aa detailed
detailed narnarnished it. It not being my intention to weary your
ration of our
our toilsome
toilsome march
march across
across the
the continent,
continent, II shall
shall leave
leave that
that portion
portion of
the subject
more convenient
convenient season,
season,with
with the
the assurance
assurance to
to you that the
subject for
for some
some more
the
data in
in my
my possession,
possession, if in
in the
thehands
handsof
of a askillful
skillfulDefoe,
Defoe,would
wouldbe
beaasufficient
sufficient
data
and truthful
truthful basis
basis for
for aa narrative
narrative as
as entertaining
entertainingas
asRobinson
Robinson Crusoe.
Crusoe.
comprising the emigration
emigration to
to the
the position
position
Having been elected by the people comprising
Sergeant, with the duties
Adjutant, itit devolved
devolved upon
upon me to make
of Orderly Sergeant,
duties of Adjutant,
up a complete
complete roll
roll of
of the male
male members
members of the company
company capable
capable of
of bearing
bearing arms,
all above
above the
the age
age of
of sixteen
sixteen years.
years.
and including all
They were divided into
into four
four details
details for
for guard duty,
duty, thus
thus giving
giving one-fourth
one-fourth of
the company
company aa turn
every fourth
fourth day, or as the soldiers
soldiers express
express
turn of
of guard
guard duty every
we had
had"
threenights
nights in
in bed." I have that old
aid roll before
before me,
is the
the
me, and
and it is
it, we
"three
authentic copy
copy extant.
extant.
only authentic
has lain
lain among
among my
my musty documents
documents for
It has
for nearly
nearly aa third
third of aa century,
century, and
and I
now proceed
sad consciousness
consciousness that the
shall now
proceedtotocall
call over
over the
the names
names with
with the sad
answered to their last roll-call
roll-call upon
upon earth,
earth, and
andIIhope
hopehave
have
most of them
them have
have answered
better exchange
exchange for the
the troubles
troubles of
of this
this life.
life. Still, I would
would take it as a
made a better
favor of
those present
great favor
of those
present would
would answer
answer promptly
promptly as
as their
their names
names are
are again
called after
after aa lapse
lapse of
ofthirty-two
thirty-two years,
years, and Twill
I will mark
mark those
those who
who have
have survived
survived
long period
period and
here" as present/or
that long
and answer"
answer "here"
present for duty.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOFOFHON.
HON.J.J. W.
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE
ROLL OF
OF 1843.
1843.
THE ROLL
Applegate, Jesse
Jesse
Charles
Applegate, Charles
Applegate, Lindsey
Lindsey
Athey, James
James
William
Athey, William
Atkinson, John
John
Arthur, Wm.
Wm.
Robert
Arthur, Robert
David
Arthur, David
Amon
Butler, Amon
George
Brooke, George
Burnett,
Burnett, Peter
Peter H
H
Bird,
Bird, David
Brown, Thomas A
Brown,
Blevins, Alexander
Alexander
Blevins,
Brooks, John
John P
Brooks,
Brown,
Brown, Martin
Martin
Brown,
Brown, Oris
Oris
Black, J.
P.
Black,
J. P.
Bane, Layton
Layton
Andrew
Baker, Andrew
John G.
G.
Baker, John
William
Beagle, William
Beagle,
Levi
Boyd, Levi
William
Baker, William
Nicholas
Biddle, Nicholas
Beale, George
George
Braidy, James
Beadle, George
Boardman,Boardman,
Baldridge, Wm.
Wm.
Cason, F. C.
Cason,
Cason, James
Chapman, Wm.
Wm.
Cox, John
Cox,
Champ, Jacob
Cooper,
Cooper, L. C.
Cone, James
Cone,
Childers, Moses
Moses
4
Carey, Miles
Miles
Cochran,
Cochran, Thomas
Clymour, L.
Copenhaver,
Copenhaver, John
Caton, J.
J. H.
Caton,
Alfred
Chappel, Alfred
Cronin,
Cronin, Daniel
Cozine,
Cozine, Samuel
Costable,
Costable, Benedict
Childs, Joseph
Clark, Ransom
Ransom
John G.
Campbell, John
Chapman,
Chapman, - Chase, James
James
Solomon
Dodd, Solomon
Wm. C.
C.
Dement, Wm.
Dougherty, W.
Dougherty,
W. P.
William
Day, William
Duncan, James
James
Dorm,
Dorin, Jacob
Jacob
Thomas
Davis, 'Ihomas
Delany, Daniel
Delany,
Delany, Daniel,
Daniel, Jr.
William
Delany, William
Doke, William
Davis, J.
J. H.
Davis,
Davis,
Davis, Burrell
Dailey, George
George
Doherty, John
Dawson, Dawson,Eaton, Charles
Eaton,
Eaton, Nathan
Etchell, James
James
Emerick, Solomon
Solomon
Eaker, John W.
Eaker,
G.
Edson, E. G.
Eyres, Miles
Miles
John W
East, John
Everman, Niniwon
Niniwon
Ninevah
Ford, Ninevah
Ford, Ephram
Ford, Nimrod
Ford, John
Francis, Alexander
Frazier,
Frazier, Abner
Frazier, Wm.
Wm.
Frazier,
Fowler, Wm.
Fowler,
Wm.
Fowler,
Fowler, Wm.
Wm. J.
Fowler,
Fowler, Henry
Fairly, Stephen
Fairly,
Stephen
Fendall, Cha'fles
Cha'Hes
Gantt, John
Tohn
Gray,
Chiley B.
Gray, Chiley
Garrison, Enoch
Garrison,
Garrison, J.
Garrison,
T. W.
Garrison, W. J.
Garrison,
Gardner, Wm.
Wm.
Gardner, Samuel
Gilmore,
Gilniore, Mat.
Goodman,
Goodman, Richard
Gilpin, Major
Major
Gray,
Gray, - B.
Haggard, B.
H.
Hide, H. H.
Holmes, Wm.
Holmes, Riley
Riley A.
A.
Holmes,
Hobson, John
John
Wm.
Hobson,
Hobson, Wm.
Hembre, J.
J. J.
J.
Hembre,
James
Hembre, James
Andrew
Hembre, Andrew
Hembre, A. J.
Hall, Samuel
Samuel B.
B.
Hall,
Hook,
Houk, James
James
Hughes, Wm. P.
Abijah
Hendrick, Abijah
Hays, James
James
Hensley, Thomas
Hensley,
Thomas J.
49
49
50
THE
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W.
1;HE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE ROLL
ROLL OF
OF 1843.Con,inued.
1843.-Continued.
THE
B.
Holley, B.
Hunt,
Huut, Henry
Henry
M.
Holderness, S. M.
Hutchins, Isaac
Isaac
Hutchins,
A.
Husted, A.
Hess, Joseph
Haun, Jacob
Jacob
Howell, John
John
Howell, Wm.
Howell, Wesley
Wesley
Howell, G. W.
Howell, Thomas E.
Hill, Henry
Hill, Willis.n
Willifl#lll
Hill,
Hill, Almoran
Almoran
Hewett, Henry
Hargrove,
Hargrove, Wm.
Hoyt, A.
Holman, John
John
Holman, Daniel
B.
Harrigas, B.
James, Calvin
Jackson, John B.
Jones, John
Johnson, Overton
Overton
Keyser, Thomas
Keyser,
J. B
B~
Keyser, J.
Keyser,
Keyser, Pleasant
Kelley,--Kelley,
Kelsey, - Kelsey,
Lovejoy,
Lovejoy, A.
A. L.
Lenox,
Lenox, Edward
Lenox, E.
Lenox,
Layson, Aaron
Looney, Jesse
Long, John E.
Lee,
A. G.
Lee, H. A.
Lugur,
Lugur, F.
Lew
Linebarger, Low
Linebarger, John
Laswell, Isaac
Loughborough, J.
Loughborough,
Little, Milton
Milton
Little,
Luther, - Luther,
Lauderdale, John
McGee, - McGee,
Martin, Wm. J.
Martin, James
James
Martin, Julius
McClelland, - McClelland,
McClelland, F.
McClelland,
Mills, John B.
B.
Mills, Isaac
Mills,
MiTIs, Wm. A.
Owen
Mills, Owen
McGarey, G:
G. W.
McGarey,
Mondon, Gilbert
Mondon,
Matheny, Daniel
Matheny,
Matheny, Adam
N.
Matheny, J. N.
Matheny, Josiah
Matheny, Henry
Mastire, A. J.
McHaley, John
John
Myers, Jacob
Manning. John
Manning, James
M.
McCarver, M. M.
McCarver,
McCorcle,
McCorcle, George
Mays, William
Mays,
Millican,
Millican, Elijah
McDaniel, William
McKissic,
McKissic, D.
Malone, Madison
McClane, John
John B.
McClane,
Mauzee, William
Mclntire,
McIntire, John
John
Moore, Jackson
Matney, W. J.
Matney,
Nesmith, J.
W.
Nesmith,
J. W.
Newby,
Newby, W. T.
Newman,
Newman, Noah
Noah
Naylor, Thomas
Thomas
Osborn, Neil
Osborn,
Hugh D.
O'Brien, 1-lugh
O'Brien,
O'Brien, Humphrey
Owen,
Owen, Thomas A.
Owen,
Owen, Thomas
Otie, E.
E. W.
Otie,
W.
Otie, M. B.
O'Neil, Bennett
Bennett
Olinger, A.
Jesse
Parker, Jesse
William
Parker, William
Penniugton, J. B.
B.
Pennington,
Poe, R.
Poe,
R. H.
Samuel
Paynter, Samuel
Patterson, J. R.
Patterson,
Pickett,
Charles E.
Pickett, Charles
Prigg, Frederick
Paine, Clayborn
Reading,
Reading, P. B.
Rodgers,
Rodgers, S.
S. P.
Rodgers,
Rodgers, G. W.
l<.ussell,
Russell, William
Roberts, James
W.
Rice, G. W.
Richardson, John
Richardson,
Richardson,
Richardson, Daniel
Ruby, Philip
Ricord, John
John
Jacob
Reid, Jacob
Roe, John
Roe,
Roberts, Solomon
Solomon
Emseley
Roberts, Emseley
Toseph
Rossin, Toseph
Rives, Thomas
Smith, Thomas H.
Smith, Thomas
Smith, Isaac W.
Smith, Anderson
Smith, Ahi
Ahi
Smith, Robert
Smith,
Smith, Eli
Sheldon, William
!:)tewart, P. G.
G.
Stewart,
•
"
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W. NESMITH.
5I
5X
TILE ROLL
ROLL OF
THE
OF 1843.Concluded.
1843.-Concluded.
Sutton,
Sutton, Dr. Nathaniel
Stimmerman, C.
Sharp, C.
Summers, W. C.
Summers,
Sewell, Henry
Stout, Henry
Stout,
Sterling,
Sterling, George
Stout,- Stout,
Stevenson, Story, James
Swift, --Swift,
Shively, John M.
Shively,
Shirley, Samuel
Samuel
Stoughton, Alexander
Spencer, Chancey
Spencer,
Hiram
Strait, Hiram
Summers, George
Stringer, Cornelius
Cornelius
Stringer, C.
C. \V.
Stringer,
W.
Tharp, Lindsey
Lindsey
Thompson,
Thompson, John
John
Trainor, D.
Teller, Jeremiah
Tarbox,
Stephen
Tarbox, Stephen
Umnicker, John
John
Vance, Samuel
Vance,
Vaughn,
Vaughn, William
Vernon, George
George
Vernon,
Wilmcnt, James
James
Wilson, Wm.
Wilson,
Wm. H.
Wai,r,
Wair, J. W.
Winkle, Archibald
Archibald
Williams, Edward
Williams,
Wheeler,
Wheeler, H.
Wagoner, John
Williams, Benjamin
Benjamin
Williams, David
Wm.
Wilson, Vim.
Williams, John
John
Williams,
Williams, James
James
Williams, Squire
Squire
Williams, Isaac
Isaac
Williams,
B.
Ward, T. B.
White, James
James
Watson,
Watson, John
John (Betty)
Waters, James
James
Wm.
Winter, Wm.
Waldo,
Waldo, Daniel
Waldo, David
Waldo, William
Zachary, Alexander
Alexander
Zachary, John
my 295
Alas! alas! of my
295 comrades
comrades who
who marched
marched across
across the
the border
border at
at Fitzhugh's
Fitzhugh's
mill, with
with rifles
rifles on
on their
their shoulders,
shoulders, on
on the
themorning
morningof
ofthe
the20th
20thofofMay,
May,3843,
1843, but
but
mill,
13 are here to-day to respond
respond to
13
to the roll-call.
Time has sadly decimated
that to-day
to-day presents
presents ititdecimated our ranks, and the
the thin
thin line that
themelancholy
melancholy contrast
contrast with
self as
as the
the remnant
remnant of
of the
the old
old guard
guard of
of "43"
"43" isisinin the
with
that gallant
gallant battalion
battalion of
of brave
brave hearts
hearts and
and strong
strong arms
arms which
which so full
full of life
life and
and
Many of
of them have
have fallen
border thirty-two
thirty-two years
years ago.
ago. Many
hope marched over the border
defense of
surrounded
in defense
of our infant
infant settlement
settlement against
against the ruthless
ruthless savages that surrounded
now fill
fill honored
honored but
butundecorated
nndecorated graves.
graves. Some
Some II have
have with
with my
my own
us, and now
consigned to their last
last resting
resting place;
place;others
othershave
have found
found homes
homes in the
the sursurhands consigned
rounding States
States and
and Territories,
are scattered
scattered about over
rounding
Territories, while
while aa few
few are
over Oregon.
Oregon.
In a few
few years, the last of
of us will have taken our
our departure
departure for
for a better land as I
and our
our places
places will
will be
be occupied
occupied by
by strangers.
strangers. Posterity
Posterity will
willnot,
not, however,
however,
hope, and
forget
forget the
the sacrifices,
sacrifices,the
the trials
trials and
and privations
privations we
we have
have endured in our efforts
efforts to
the"
wilderness bud
bud and
and blossom
blossom like the rose."
make the
"wilderness
My duty did
did not
not require
requireme
meto
to make
make Out
out a list of the women and children,
children, and
and
My
I have
have always
always regretted that
that itit was
was omitted.
omitted. Such a list would
would be of interest to
52
52
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOFOFHON.
HON.J.J. W.
who were then
then young
young and
and whose
whose names ought to
to be
be enrolled
enrolled as
as belonging
belonging
many who
to the emigration
emigration of
of 1843.
1843.
The ladies
who accompanied
accompanied us
c<llltributed so much
ladies who
us and
and who have cuntributed
much to
to the
the
our young
young State,
State, deserve
deserve to
to be enumerated
enumerated in the list of early setprosperity of our
important duty
duty seems
seems to
to have
have been
been neglected
tlers,
tlers, but that important
neglected by those
those who
who had
had
had.
more time at their disposal than I had.
Men
their actions
Men are generally governed in theiy
actions by some
some rational
rational motive.
motive. I have
often
refined and
Washington the reason
reason for
often been asked by refined
and cultivated
cultiyated people in Washington
and II have
have found
found ititaadifficult
difficult question
question
coming to
my coming
to Oregon
Oregon at
at that
that early day, and
to answer.
answer. I was
was a poor,
poor, homeless
homeless youth,
of friends,
friends, money
money and
youth, destitute alike of
education. Actuated by
by aa reckless
reckless spirit
spirit of
of adventure,
adventure, one place was to me the
same as
as another.
another. No
Notie
tieof
ofnear
nearkindred
kindredororpossessions
possessions bound
bound me
me to
to any
any spot
spot
same
surface. Thinking my condition
of the earth's surface.
condition might
might be
be made
made better,
better, and knowcould not
the dark.
dark. But
ing it could
not be
be worse,
worse,II took
took the
the leap in tbo
But in the emigration
that accompanied
accompanied me, there
there were
were staid
staidmen
menof
ofmature
mature years
yearsand
andcultivated
cultivatedintiintilects-men
wholeft
leftcomparatively
comparativelycomfortable
comfortable homes
friends, with
lectsmen who
homes and
and friends,
with their
their
wives and children, gave
gave up
up the
the advantages
advantagesof
ofcivilization
civilization to
to cross
cross aa desert
desert conconwives
with hostile
hostile savages,
savages, to
to go
go they
they knew
knew not whither, and
and with
with the
the cercertinent beset with
that in
inthe
theevent
eventof
ofaa defeat
defeat by
by Indians,
Indians,ororfinding
finding Oregon
Oregon uninhabitable,
uninhabitable,
tainty that
chances were
were more
more than even
there could be no possibility
possibility of
of returning. The chances
they escaped
escaped the
the scalping
scalping knife
knife of the savages, it would
would only
that ifif they
only be
be to
to perish
perish
starvation. So far as lands at reasonable
reasonable rates
rates and
and aa fruitful
fruitful soil
soilwere
were desirdesirby starvation.
were surrounded
No momoable, they were
surroundedwith
withthem
themininthe
the homes
homes they
theyabandoned.
abandoned. No
narchical or
or arbitrary
arbitrary government
government oppressed them,
them, no
noreligious
religious zealots
zealots persecuperseclited them. They fled
fled from
the pilgrims
pilgrims or
or cavaca vafrom no
no such
such evils
evils as
as brought
brought either the
to the
the New
New World;
World;nor
norwas
wastheir
theiravarice
avaricetempted
temptedby
bythe
theinducements
inducements which
which
liers to
the existence
existence
sent
Cortez and his companions
companions to
sent Cortez
toMexico,
Mexico,ororPizarro
PizarrototoPeru-for
Perufor the
of precious
then unknown.
unknown.
precious metals
metals in
in this region
region was
was then
Then it
may be
asked, why
Then
it may
be asked,
why did
did such
suchmen
menperil
peril everything-burning
everythingburning their
ships
possibilities of massaships behind them, exposing their helpless families to the possibilities
massaam not
not quite
quite cerfor what
whatpurpose?
purpose? 1
I am
cercre and starvation, braving death--and
death--and for
any rational answer
answer will
will ever
ever be given
given to
to that
thatquestion.
question. At the time
time
tain that any
we came,
ofthe
thepossessions
possessions to which
which we
we
came, there
therewas
wascomparatively
comparativelynothing
nothingknown
knownof
disputed title
title on
on this
this coast.
coast. Lewis
Lewis and Clark had only beheld the valley
had aa disputed
The,missionaryreports
reportswere
wereconfined
confined principally
principallytotoexagexagof the Columbia river. Themissionary
gerated accounts of Indian conversions,
conversions, while
while other writings
writings upon
upon the subject of
Oregon were a mixture of fiction
fiction and perverted
perverted fact
fact that
thatcontained
contained no
nodefinite
definite
Oregon
and its.resources.
its,resources.
information of the country and
,
1
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON.J.J. W.
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
53
53
Nathaniel Pendleton
Pendleton had written
written aa report,
report, submitting
submitting to
to the
the House
House
The Hon. Nathaniel
of Representatives,
was a member in 1841
1841 or
which was
Representatives, of which
which he
he was
or '42,
'42, which
was mostly
mostly
of such
such information
information as
from the meagre sources
a compilation
compilation of
as he
he could gather up from
existing.
then existing.
best informed
informed men
men in
in both
both Houses
Houses of
of Congress,
Congress, excepting, perhaps, BenBenThe best
value upon
upon the
the country,
country, while
while some
some of them
them deprecadeprecaton and Linn, placed no value
any attempt
ever becoming
becoming aa
ted any
attempt at
at its
its settlement,
settlement,and
and derided
derided the
the idea
idea of
of its ever
portion of the American
American Union.
Union.
,
about"
54:40 or
or fight"
fight" was
was raised
raised subsequently,
subsequently, when
The furor about
"54:40
when that
that alliteraalliterabecame the rallying cry of a political party. But whatever might have been
tion became
the early
early settlers,
settlers, their
theirlabors
labors resulted
resultedin
inthe
theacquisition
acquisition of
ofone
one of
of
the motive of the
portions of the
the American
American Union,
Union, and
andtheir
theirefforts
effortsininthat
thatbebethe most valuable portions
half will be
be recognized
recognized and appreciated by posterity.
half
to the
the consideration
consideration of
the facts
facts connected
connected with the
the emigration
emigration
But to return to
of the
of 1843,
as shown
shownby
by the
the roll
roll just
1843, as
just called.
called. There were 295
295 male persons
persons above
age of
of sixteen,
sixteen, capable
capable of
of bearing
bearing arms.
arms. There were
were IIII
I I wagons
wagons and
and vehivehithe age
cles or different
different kinds, but no
no pleasure
pleasure conveyance.
conveyance. The greater portion of the
of oxen.
teams consisted of
.8,
the following
following named
named persons
persons turned
Nich.
Of the party, the
turned back
back on
on the
the Platte:
Platte: NichLugur,
John
Loughboroughand
and Jackson
Jackson
olas
olas Biddle,
Biddle, Alexander
Alexander Fis, F. F.
Lugur,
John
Loughborough
Moore.
hearts weakened
weakened at
at the
the prospect
prospectofof the
the toil,
toil, privations
and dangers
of
Their hearts
privations and
dangers of
the great
great uncertainty
uncertainty of
of its
itstermination.
termination. In view
view of all
all the
the sursurthe trip and the
rounding circumstances
circumstances then
of the opinion
opinion that those
those who turned
then existing,
existing, I am of
manifested more descretion,
descretion, but less
less valor than
than those
those of
of us
us who
who braved the
back manifested
dangers and uncertainties of the trip.
The following
following named
points
on on
thethe
route:
named persons
personsdied
diedatatdifferent
different
points
route:- - Stevenson died
Clayborn Paine
the Sweetwater;
Sweetwater; Daniel
Daniel RichRichson
died on
on the
the Sandy;
Sandy; Clayborn
Paine died,on
diedon the
ardson died
McClelland, Miles
Miles Eyers and
and C.
C. M.
M. Stringer
Stringer were
were
ardson
died at
at Fort
Fort Hall; McClelland,
Fort VanVan.
drowned in
drowned
inthe
the Columbia;
Columbia; William
WilliamDay
Day arrived
arrived sick,
sick, and
and died
died at Fort
couver.
Hall, the
thefollowing
following named
named persons
persons turned off
off and went
went to
to California:
California:
At Fort Hall,
Atkinson, -- Boardman,
Boardman,Joseph
Joseph Childs,
Childs, ---Dawson,
Dawson, John
John Gantt,
Gantt,Milton
Milton LitLitJ. Atkinson,
Capt. Wm.
Wm. J. Martin,
Martin, Julius
Julius Martin,
Martin, F.
F.McClelland,
McClelland, -.:.-McGee,
McGee, John
JohnMcMe.
tle, Capt.
Williams, James Williams, Squire
John Williams,
Intire, John
Squire Williams,
Williams, Isaac
Isaac Williams,
Williams, P. B.
Reading and Thos. J. Hensley.
Hensley.
those who died on
on the
the road,
road, together
together
Deducting those
those who
who turned
turned back and those
54
54
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITII.
NESMITH.
THE
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON.J.3. W.
with those
those who
who wertt
wenttotoCalifornia,
California,left
left the
the actual number
number of
of our
ourimmigration
immigration
268. Upon
we found
found in the country
country the following
following
who arrived here, 268
Upon our arrival, we
persons, exclusive
exclusive of
lTIissionaries, and.
who might be
be included
included in
in the
the general
general.
persons,
of missionaries,
and who
settlers. They had found
fouud their
their way
way here
here from
from different
different points,
points, some
some
term of settlers.
from the
the Eastern
EasternStates,
States,some
some of
of them
them sailors who
who
mountains from
crossing the Rocky mountains
abandoned the sea, while others
others were
were trappers who
who had exchanged
exchanged the unun·
had abandoned
certainties of
nomadic life for
for farming;
farming; others
others had
had found
found their
their way
way from
from Call.
Cali.
certainties
of nomadic
fornia
fornia:
Armstrong, Pleasant
Armstrong,
Burns, Hugh
Brown, Brown,
Brown, William
Brown,- Brown,
M.
Black, J. M.
Baldro, - Baidro,
Balis, James
Bailey, Dr.
Brainard, - Brainard,
Crawford, Medorem
Medorem
Carter, David
Samuel
Campbell, Samuel
Campbell, Jack
Campbell,
Craig, Wm.
Wm.
Cook, Amos
Amos
Cook,
Cook, Aaron
Conner,
Conner,- Cannon, Willi
William
am
Davy, Allen
William
Doty, William
Richard
Eakin, Richard
Squire
Eebbetts, Squire
Edwards, John
J"hn
Foster, Philip
Force, John
Force, James
James
Fletcher, Francis
Francis
George
Gay, George
Gale Joseph
Joseph
Girtman,Girtman, Hathawy, Felix
Hathawy,
Felix
Hatch, Peter H.
Hubbard, Thomas
Thomas
Hewitt, Adam
Adam
Horegon, Jeremiah
Jeremiah
Joseph
Holman, Joseph
Hil,
H 11,David
David
Weberly
Hoxhurst, Weberly
Hutch'nson, ~Hutchnson,
Johnson, William
K ng, -Kelsey, -Lewis,
Lewis, Reuben
LeBreton,
W.
LeBreton, G. W.
Larrison,
Larrison, Jack
Meek, Joseph
Joseph L.
Meek,
Mathieu, F. X.
Mathieu,
McClure,
McClure, John
John
Moss,
Moss, S.
S. W.
Moore,
Moore, Robert
McFadden,- McFadden,
McCarty, William
Charles
McKay, Charles
McKay,
McKay, Thomas
Morrison,
Morrison, - W.
Mack, J. W.
Newbanks,
Newbanks, - -
Newell Robert
Robert
Newell
O'Neil, James A.
Pettygrove,
Pettygrove, F.
F. W.
Pomeroy,
Pomeroy, Dwight
Pomeroy,
Pomeroy, Walter
Prry,
Perry. -Rimmick,
Rimmick, - Russell, Osborn
Osborn
Russell,
Robb, J.
J. R.
Robb,
Shortess,
Shortess, Robert
Smith, Sidney
Smith,-Smith,
Smith, Andrew
Smith,
Andrew, Jr.
Smith, Andrew,
Smith,
Smith, Darling
Spence,- Speuce,
Sailor, Jack
Sailor,
Joel
Turnham, Joel
Turner, Taylor, Hiram
Tibbetts,
Tibbetts, Calvin
Trask, Walker, C. M.
M.
Warner, Jack
Warner,
Wilson, A. E.
Wilson,
Winslow,
Winslow, David
Wilkins, Caleb
Wilkins,
Wood, Henry
Wood,
Williams, B.
of immigration
immigration in the
the fall
fall of
of 1843,
1843, we found
found in the country the
On the arrival of
following named
missionaries, or
the mismis.
following
named persons,
persons, as
as Protestant missionaries,
or connected
connected with the
sions:
-
i
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.3. W.
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITIL
NESMITH.
Dr. Marcus
Marcus Whitman,
A.
Waller,
A. F. Wailer,
David Leslie,
Hamilton Campbell,
Campbell,
George Abernethy,
H. Wilison,
Willson,
Wm. H.
Wm
L H.
L.
H.Judson,
Judson,
•
W.
Gray,
W. H. Gray,
E. Walker,
E. Fells,
Eells,
Alanson Beers,
Jason Lee,
Gnstavus Hines,
Gustavus
Perkins;
-- Perkins,
55
55
-- Brewer,
Brewer,
Dr. Babcock,
Babcock,
Dr. Elijah White,
White,
Harvey Clark,
Harvey
Spaulding,
W.
W. H. Spaulding,
J. L. Parrish,
Parrish,
H. W. Raymond.
Raymond.
absolute accuracy
accuracy for
for the
the lists
lists of
of persons
I do not claim absolute
persons who
who were
were in
in Oregon
Oregon
prior to
to the
the emigration
of 1843,
as it is
is made up
prior
emigration of
1843, as
up from
from the
the memory
memory II retain
retain of
of
persons known
century ago.
ago. I am
am more
more ororless
lessacacpersons
knowntotome
me nearly
nearly aa third
third of aa century
with the
the history
history of
of those
those persons
persons and
quainted with
and the time of their arrival
arrival here,
here, but
to go into such details would
would swell
swell this
this address
address to
to aa volume.
volume .
Suffice itit to
were thereal
realPioneers
Pioneersof
ofOiegon,
Olegon,and
andamong
among them
them were
were
Suffice
to say,
say, they werethe
mine will
will one
one day
day
some
some of
of the
the nohlest
noblestmen,
men,and
andI Ihope
hopethat
thatan
an abler
abler pen than mine
Some names
names may
may have
have escaped
escaped me;
me; if
if so,
so, II beg
beg that
that
delineate their true merits.
merits. Some
those
forward and
those who
who have
have been
been unintentionally neglected
neglected will step forward
and assert
assert their
their
rights.
n this connection
'In
connection I should
should say
say that
thatsome
someof
ofthe
the persons
persons in this list are perhaps
perhaps
not designated by their
their Christian
Christian names.
names. I have
have not
not had the
the opportunity
opportunity to
to exexamine
record, and some
some names
may be
recorded which
which would
would
amine their
their baptismal
baptismal record,
names may
be recorded
astonish their
their sponsors.
sponsors.
best that
thatI Icould
couldininthe
theway
wayof
ofpatronymics,
patronymics, and
and
have, however,
however, done
done the
the best
I have,
where I have erred.
erred. I have
have given
given the names
names
shall be pleased to be
be corrected where
that the
the early
early Pioneers
Pioneers were
were then
mistakes it
then known
known by,
by, and
and if I am guilty of mistakes
it is
the assumed duty,
duty, incumbent upon those
truth
those who
who know
knowbetter
bettertoto "vindicate
"vindicate the truth
of history."
While
interest of
of absolute
absolute cercerWhile upon
upon the
the subject
subject of
of apologies,
apologies, perhaps in the interest
tainty, II should
should say that Uncle
Uncle Dan Waldo with
with his
his party
party did
did not
not join
join us
us at
at the
the
rendezvous,but
but overtook
overtookususon
onthe
theBig
BigBlue,
Blue,and
andthat
that Ransom
Ransom Clark, John G.
rendezvous,
G.
Campbell, ~ Chapman and Maj. Gilpin, though crossing
crossing the
the plains with Lieut.
Fremont, they did not properly
belong to
to our
ourparty;
party; still,
still, II have
have included
included them
properly belong
them
year.
as they arrived in that year.
There were
also at that
that time
time aa. few
few Roman
Roman Catholic
Ca.tholicmissionaries
missionaries in
inOregon,
Oregon,
werealso
knowledge of
them was
was not
notsufficiently
sufficiently definite
definite to
to undertake
undertake aacorrect
correct
but my knowledge
of them
list of their names.
This is
'true of the
the settlers
settlers of Canadian
is also
also'true
Canadian birth
birth who
who had
had formerly
formerly belonged
service, but
but who
who had
had left
left it. I knew
to the Hudson Bay
Eay Company's
Company's service,
knew the
the most
most of
of
56
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITIT.
NESMITH.
THE
ADD1ESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J. W.
can bear
bear testimony
testimony to the fact that they
they were
were quiet, honest,
them, and can
honest, industrious
industrious
good citizens, who
who helped to develop the country and assisted
assisted in its
settlers and good
My limited
limited acquaintance
acquaintance with
withtheth
themwould
wouldforbid
forbid
defense in
defense
in our
our Indian
Indian wars.
wars. My
my
correct list
their names.
names. Among
Amongthem,
them,however,
however,I Irememrememmy attempting a correc.t
list of
of their
ber Chamberlane, Plamondon,
Plamondon, Gervais
Gervais and
andLuce,
Luce,and
andmany
manyothers
otherswho
whoare
areenentitled to share with us
us whatever
whatever credit
credit is due to
to the
the Pioneers,
Pioneers, as they
they endured
endured
the toils
toils and
and privations
privationsof
of developing
developing and
and defending
defending the
the country,
country, and
and I trust
trust
the
that some
some of
their· own
own number
number will file
archives aa correct
their
of their
file in
in our
our archives
correctlist
list of
of their
names. One
One of
of these
these Canadians
CaQadians (I think
think his
his name
name was
was DeLoar)
DeLoar) lived
lived near
Champoeg, was
was one
one of
of Lewis
Lewis and
and Clark's
Clark'sparty
party'that
cametotoOregon
Oregoninin1804,
1804,
Champeg,
that came
subsequently returned
service, and for
and subsequently
returned here
here in
in the
the Hudson
Hudson Bay Company's
Company's service,
many
many years
years enjoyed
enjoyedthe
theappellation,
appellation,"oldest
"oldest inhabitant."
William
another very
very old
old man
William Cannon,
Cannon, another
man who
who resided
resided near
near Chanipoeg
Champoeg and
and
few years since, came
came to
to the
the country
country in
in the
the service
service of Astor, in Wilson
Wilson G.
died a few
Hunt's
party, and
andresided
residedhere
herethe
theremainder
remainder of
of his
his life. Washington Irving, in
Hunt's party,
his Astoria,
Astoria, makes
makes Cannon
Cannon the
the hero
hero of
of aa ludicrous
ludicrousadventure
adventurewith
withaa bear,
bear, and
and II
givehis
hisversion
versionof
ofthe
the affair
affair wherein he figured
figured in aa tree,
have heard the
the old
oldman
mangive
his position secure in its elevation, while bruin
bruin watched
watched below.
below.
Estimating the Catholic missions
missions and
and the
the Canadians
Canadians who
whohad
had left
left the
the Hudson
Hudson
at 50
50 persons,
persons, added
1843, at
Bay Company's
Company's service
service in
in the
the country
country in
in the
the fall
fall of 1843,
Protestant missionaries,
missionaries, would
make the
the white
white male
male
to the other settlers and Protestant
would make
popnlation
157; add
add to
to this
this those
those who
who crossed
crossed the
we have
population 157;
the plains
plains that year ana
and we
have
territory now
the State of Oregon,
Oregon,
in that vast territory
now comprised
comprised within
within the
the limits
limits of
of the
ayproximating 424
424 male
male white
white persons
persons above
above
Washington and Idaho Territories, approximating
age of
of i6,
16, and
andin
inthis
thiscommunication
communication you
you have
have their
their names.
names. At that time
time
the age
mountains,
between the Missouri
Missouri border
there were no settlers between
border and
and the
the Cascad~
Cascad' mountains,
MyoId
Mike Simmons,
Simmons,
and no
no Americans
Americans north
north of
of the
the Columbia
Columbia river.
river. My
old friend Mike
to the
the honor
honor of
of being
being the
the first
first American settler in diat
that
now deceased, is entitled to
no better man
man has
has ever
ever inhabited itit since.
since. ,The
region, and no
The settlements west of
Cascades were
were confined
confined to the counties
the Cascades
counties of
of Clatsop,
Clatsop, Washington,
Washington, (then known
Tualatin plains)
plains) Clackamas,
Clackamas, Champoeg,
Champoeg, (now
(now Marion)
Marion) and Yamhill. There
as Tualatin
the east
east side
side of
of the
the Willamette,
Willamette,south
south of
ofMarion,
Marion, and
~nd George
George
were no settlers on the
southern border
~order of
Yamhill county,
county, was the
the most
most southern
southern
Gay, living in
in the
the southern
of Yamhill
west of
the river.
river. Sutter's!ort,
Sacramento city, at aa distance
distance of
settler west
of the
Sutter's fort, now Sacramento
600 miles south,
south, was the nearest white settlement in any direction. Oregon City
was located
located by
town west
the Rocky
Rocky mountains.
mountains. It was
was then
then the principal town
west of
of the
of the Hudson Bay Company,
on the east
Dr. John
John McLoughlin,
McLoughlin, then Governor
Governor of
Company, on
side of the river,
consisted of
dozen houses.
river, and consisted
of about
about half aa dozen
On
Linn City, more
more
On the
the west
west side
sideatat the
the Falls,
Falls, as
as itit was
was all
all then
then called, was Linn
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.J. W.
57
57
commonly known
owned by Robert
Moor, Esq., and
and just
commonly
knownasasthe
the Robin's
Robin's Nest,
Nest, owned
Robert Moor,
below it, at the
the terminus
terminus of
of the
thepresent
present canal,
canal,was
was Multnomah
Multnomah City
Cityunder
under the
the
below
proprietorship of Hugh Burns,
Burns, aa shrewd
shrewd Hibernian,
Hibernian, and
and the
the principal blacksmith
the Rocky
Rocky mountains.
mountains. Salem
Salem contained
contained three
houses, and
and no
no other
other
west of
of the
three houses,
towns
knbwn.
towns were known.
present site of Portland
Portland was
was aa solitude
solitude surrounded
surrounded with
with aa dense
dense forest
forest of
of
The present
fir
ought to
to devote
devote a paragraph to its early history.
history.
fir trees. Perhaps I ought
river, at a point
comrades, II left
emigration on
With three
three comrades,
left the
the emigration
on the
the Umatilla
Umatilla river,
near the present
present Indian
Indian Agency,
Agency, and after
after aa variety
variety of
ofadventures,
adventures, which
which II may
may
some time
time narrate,
narrate, we
we arrived
arrived in
in aa canoe
canoe at Fort
Fort Vancouver
Vancouver on
on the
the evening
eveuing
at some
,
23d of
We encamped
encamped ou
the bank of the
the liver
river about
about
of the 23d
of October,
October, 1843.
1843. We
on the
greater part
part of
of our
our slender
slender means
the government
government wharf
wharfnow
now stands.
stands. The greater
where the
the purchase
purchaseof
ofprovisions
provisions and
andhickory
hickoryshirts,
shirts,consigning
consigningthose
those
were expended in the
continuous service,
service, with
with their inhabitants,
inhabitants, to
to the
the
that had done
done such
such long and continuous
Columbia. On
Onthe
themorning
morningof
ofthe
the 24th,
24th, we
we started
started for
for what was
was known
known as
Columbia.
as the
" Willamette" settlement
Falls.
settlement at
at the
the Falls.
Dr. McLoughlin
told us
McLoughlin told
us that at
at aa distance
distance of
of seven
seven miles
miles below
below the
the Fort,
Fort,
would encounter
entering the
the Columbia
Columbia from
from
we would
encounter the
the waters
waters of
of the Willamette entering
south. At about the
the distance
distance indicated
indicated by
by the
the Doctor,
Doctor, we
we reached
reached what we
the south.
thf' river
river and after paddling
paddling up
up itituntil
untilnoon,
noon,looked
looked
the mouth of the
supposed to be the
then flashed
flashed
across, and
our astonishment
astonishment discovered
discovered Fort
Fort.Vancouver.
Vancouver. It then
across,
and to our
upon us
us that we had circumnavigated
circumnavigat~d the
We retraced
retraced
upon
the island
island opposite
oppositethe
theFort.
Fort. We
way, and
and that
thatevening
eveningdiscovered
discoveredthe
the mouth
mouth of
of the
the Willamette
Willametteand
andencamped
encamped
our way,
next evening
evening we encamped on the prairie opposite Portland
upon its banks. The next
upon what is now
site of
of East
East Portland,
Portland, owned
owned by
by James
James Stephens,
Stephens, Esq.
Esq.
now the town site
r
In i8,
1844,
William
.Overton,a Tennesseean,
a Tennesseean,located
locatedupon
uponthe
thepresent
present town
town site
William
Overton,
and engaged in making shingles, and set
set up
up aa claim
claim totothe
the land,
land,which
whichwas
was then
then
like the other continuous
continuous wilderness
wilderness lining the banks of the
the river. Overton sold
his claim to
toPettygrove
and Lovejoy,
Lovejoy, who,
who, in 1845,
1845, laid out some
some lots and called
Pettygrove and
name in Maine,
Maine, from
from which State they
the
the place
place Portland, after the city of that name
they
emigrated. Overton was a desperate, rollicking
rollicking fellow,
fellow, and
andsought
soughthis
hisforforhad emigrated.
wilds of
of Texas, where,
where, as
as II have
have heard,
heard, his
hiscareer
careerwas
wasbrought
brought to
to aa
tunes in the wilds
sudden termination
termination by a halter.
In 1843,
1843, the
old English
English
theonly
onlysettler
settleron
onthe
the river
river below
belowthe
theFalls,
Falls, was
was an
an old
sailor by the
William Johnson,
Johnson, who
who resided
resided upon
upon aa claim
claim about
about aa mile
mile
the name
name of William
specimen of
of the British tar,
Portland. He was
was a fine
fine specimen
above
above the
the present
present city
city of
of Portland.
his allegiance
allegiance to
to the
the British
British lion
lion and taken
abandoned his
and had at an early day abandoned
service
Constitution. I have
have frequently
frequently listened to
to his
his narranarra·
service on
on the
the old frigate ConsiEution.
•
58
W. NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
NESMITH.
THE
ADDIESSOF
OF HON.
HON. J.
J W.
and the
the Guerriere, on
tive of
of the action
action between Old
Old Zronsides
Ironsides and
on which occasion he
served
head,
scar upon
upon his
hishead,
served with the boarding party. He used to exhibit an ugly scar
made
made in
in that
that memorable'action
memorabl&actionbybya aBritibh
Britishcutlass,
cutlass,and
and attributed
attributed his
his escape
escape
from
the fact
fact that
that he
hehad
hadaacouple
coupleofofpieces
piecesof
ofhoop-iron
hoop-iron crossed
crossed in
in his
from death, to the
cap, which
which turned
turned the
the cutlass
cutlass and
and saved
saved his
his life.
life.
all the
the incidents
incidents which
which occurred
occurred in
in connection
connection with
with the
the early
early setsetTo narrate all
country would
tlement of the country
would exceed
exceed what
what II have
have intended
intended as
as aa brief
brief address,
address, to
unreasonable limit. Suffice
immigration of 1843
1843 arrived
arrived
an unreasonable
Suffice itit to
to say
say that
that the immigration
safely
and early
early part
partof
of the
the winter,
winter, and
and found
found homes
homes
safely in
in the valley during the fall and
in the then
then settled
settledneighborhoods.
neighborhoods. Dr. John
John McLoughlin,
McLoughlin, then
then at the
the head of
Bay Company,
Company, from
resources, rendered
new
the Hudson Bay
from his
his own
own private
private resources,
rendered the new
food, clothing
clothing and
and
settlers much
much valuable
valuable aid
aid Ily
by furnishi'ng
fnrnishihgthe
the destitute
destitute with food,
•
for his pay
pay until
until they
theyhad
hadaasuplus
todispose
dispose of.
of. Dr. John
John McLoughMcLoughwaitingfor
seed, waiting
suplus to
lin was
was aa public
public benefactor,
benefactor, and the
the time
timewill
willcome
come when
when the
the people
people of
ofOregon
Oregon
ho
to his
his memory.
memory. Of foreign
foreign birth
do themselves
themselves credit by erectmg
will do
erectiag a statue to
and lineage,
lineage, he
he gave
gave the
the strongest proof of his devotion
devotion to
to republican
republican institutions,
becoming an American citizen,
citizen, while
whileall
all his
his personal
personal interests were
were identified
identified
by becoming
with the
the British
Britishgovernment.
government. Thus far, detraction
detraction and
and abuse
abuse have
have been
been his
his prinprincipal reward. There was
was at
country, and
all transtransat that time no
no money
moneyinin the
the country,
and all
actions
individual who
who
actions were
were bas.ed
basedupon
uponbarter
barteroror trade,
trade, and
and fortunate
fortunate was
was the individual
could
procure an
on the
the"
HudsonBay
BayCompany"
Company" for
for goods,
goods, which
which
could procure
an "order"
"order" on
"Hudson
at remarkably
remarkably reasonable
reasonable rates considering
considering all the surroundings.
surroundings.
were
sold at
were then
then sold
During the early period of the
thesettlement
settlement of'
0( Oregon,
Oregon, there
thereexisted
existed aa wonderful
wonderful
who possessed
possessed a few
few
equality among the population
population in
in point
point of
of wealth. Those who
were considered
considered the
property was
was too
too equally
equally didicattle were
the most
most fortunate;
fortunate; still
still the property
too scanty to admit of distinctions
The means
means
vided and too
distinctionson
onthe
thescore
scoreofofwealth.
wealth. The
of transportation
transportation consisted
consistedof
of pack
pack horses
horses by
by land
land and
and canoes
canoes by
by water,
water, with
with an
an
as late as
standing with
occasional
Bay batteax. I remember,
remember, as
as 1847,
1847, standing
with
occasional H\1dson
Hudson Bay
some
when we discussed
discussed the possibilsome friends
friends upon
upon the
the banks
banks of
of the
the Willamette, when
bosom disturbed
disturbed by
by the
the wheels
wheels
ity of any of our number living to see
see its
its placid bosom
of a steamboat. At that time,
time, the
the rude
rude hospitality
hospitality of the settlers was dispensed
hand. The traveler
.traveler went
went forth
forth with
with his
his own
own blanket
blanket and
and lass.
lass·
with a liberal hand.
rope,
furnishing his
rope, thus furnishing
his own
own bed
bed and
and security
security for
for the
the safety
safety of
of his horse, while
the cabin door of the
the settler
settleralways
always stood
stood open
open to
to furnish
furnish him
him shelter
shelterand
and food,
food,
without money
money and
and without
without
without price.
price. In the
the summer
summer of
of 1846,
1846, my
my wife
wife and
and self
self,
entertained
two British
British officers.
officers_ I staked out
out their
their horses
horses on
on the grass; they had
entertained two
their own
residence, which conconown blankets
blankets and
and slept
slept on
on the
the floor
floorof
of our
our palatial
palatial residence,
sisted of
of a pole
feet square,
pole cabin
cabin fourteen
fourteen feet
square, the
the interstices
interstices between
between the
the poles
poles
sisted
" Stuffed with clay
clay to
keep the
the wind
wind awsy,"
away,"
"Stuffed
t keep
1
•
THE OCCASIONAL
ADIDRESS
HON.J.J. W.
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
OFOFHON.
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
59
59
and aa mud
mud chimney,
chimney, and
and not
pane of
of glass
glass or
or particle
of
aa puncheon
puncheon floor
floor and
not aa pane
particle of
sawed lumber about the institution. The furniture,
furniture, consisting
consisting of such
such articles
articles
sawed
as I had manufactured
froma afirfirtree
treewith
withananaxaxand'
and'augur.
augur. We
We regaled
manufactured from
regaled our
our
beef, without
without sugar,
sugar, coffee
coffee or
guests bountifully
bountifully upon
uponboiled
boiledwheat
wheat and
and jerked beef,
tea. A Aquarter
ofof
a century
one
quarter
a centuryafterward
afterwardI met
I met
oneofofthese
theseofficers
officers in Washington.
Washington.
reminded me
When that
that fact
fact
He reminded
methat
thathe
hehad
hadonce
oncebeen
beenmy
myguest
guestininOregon.
Oregon. When
was
recalled to
to my
mymind,
mind, II attempted
attempted an
an apology
apology for
for the
the brevity
was recalled
brevity of our
our bill of
of
fare,
"My dear
dearSir!
sir!
fare, but with
with characteristic
characteristic politeness,
politeness,he
heinterrupted
interrupted me
me with,
with, "My
don't mention it. The fare
fare was
was splendid and
and we
we en)oyed
enjoyed it hugely. You gave
gave
the Prince
Prince of Wales could do no more."
us
us the best you
you had,
had, and the
As an
illustration of
honest and
and simple
simple directness
directness which
which pervaded
pervaded our
As
an illustration
of the honest
legislative
will mention
mention that in 1847,
1847, I had the
the honor
honor
legislative proceedings
proceedingsof
of that
that day,
day, I will
of
seat in
in the
the Legislature
Legislature of
of the
the Provisional
Provisional Government;
Government; it
my first
first
of a seat
it was my
step upon
upon the
the slippery
slippery rungs
rungs of
of the
the political
political ladder. The Legislature
Legislature then
then
step
the old
old Methodist
Methodist church
the
consisted of
but one
one' house
consisted
of but
house and
and we
we sat
sat in the
church at
at the
Falls. Close
Close by
constructed aa "ten-pin alley"
alley"
by the
the church,
church, Barton
Barton Lee
Lee had
had constructed
relaxawhere some
some of
of my
my fellow
fellowmembers
memberswere
wereininthe
thehabit
habit of
of resorting to seek relaxafrom their Legislative toils. I had aspired to the SpeakerSpeakertion and refreshment from
ana supposed
supposed myself sure
positiOl\,but
butthe
thesame
sameuncertainty
uncertaintyininpopo·
ship and
sure of the positioj,
matters existed
existed then
have seen
seen so
so much
much of
of since.
since. Some
litical matters
then that II have
Some of my
friends threw
friends
threwoff
offon
onme
meand
andelected
electeda abetter
betterman,
man,inin the
the person
person of Dr. Robert
Robert
Newell. God
God bless
bless his
his old
old soul. In the small collection
collection of
the Falls
of books
books at
at.the
knownas
as the
the Multnomah
Multnomah Library,
Library,II found
found what
what I had
known
had never
never heard
heard of
of before,
before.
aa copy
copy of
" Jefferson's Manual,"
Manual," and
and after
after giving
giving itit an
an evening's
evening's perusal
perusal by
by the
the
of "Jefferson's
light of an armful
armful of
found that
of pitch knots,
knots, II found
that there
there was
was such
such aa thing
thing in
in parliaparliamentary
usage as
as ""the
mentary usage
the previous
previous question."
question."
I had
had aa bill
billthen
thenpending
pendingtotocut
cutoff
offthe
thesouthern
southernend
endof
ofYamhill,
Yamhill,and
andto
to estabestab-
lish the
in the
violent opposition
opposition in
the body.
body.
the county
county of Polk,
Polk, which
which measure
measure had violent
morning while
opponents of my
my bill
bill were
were amusing
amusing themselves
themselves
One morning
while most
mostof
of the opponents
" horse billiards"
billiards" in
in Lee's
Lee's ten-pin
ten-pin alley, I called
called up
up my bill, and, after
after makat "horse
now, Mr.
Mr.
ing
ing tbe
the best
best argument
argumentII could
could in
in its
its favor,
favor,I Iconcluded
concludedwith:
with: "And
"And now,
bill II move
move the previous
previous question." Newell looked confused,
Speaker, upon this bill
and
was satisfied
and I was
satisfied that
that he
he had
had no
no conception
conceptionofof what
what II mennt;
meant; but
but he
he rallied,
rallied,
and, looking wise and severe (I
(lhave
since seen
seen presiding
preSiding officers
officers in
have since
in Washington
"Sitdown,
down, sirl
sir! Resume
Resumeyour
your seat!
seat! Do
Doyou
youintend
intend to
to
do the same thing), said
said: "Sit
trifle with
Chair! when
when you know
know that
that we
we passed
passed the
theprevious
previous question
question two
two
trifle
with the
the Chair!
was the
the Arsi
first thing
thingwe
we done!"
dOl1e!" I got a vote,
vote, however,
however, before
before
weeks ago?
ago? It was
the return of the"
the"horse
horsebilliard"
billiard"players,
players,and
andPolk
Polkcountry
countryhas
hasaalegal
legalexistence
existence
•
60
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON.J.3. W.
to·day, notwithstanding
notwithstanding the
adverse ruling upon
upon aa question
question of
ofparliamentary
parliamentary
to-day,
the adverse
usage.
Genial, kind-hearted
kind·hearted Newell!
Howmany
manyof
ofyou
yourecollect
recollecthis
hisgood
good qualities
qualities
Genial,
Newell! How
how heartily
around the camp fire
fire at his
his favorite
favorite song,
song,
and how
heartily have
have you
you laughed
laughed around
"Love
" Love and
and Sassingers."
Sassingers." I can
can yet
yet hear
hear the
the lugubrious
lugubrious refrain
refrain describing
describinghow
how
his dulcena was captured by the butcher's boy.
""And
And there sat faithless
faithless she
A frying sassingers
sassingers for he."
his robe
robe about
about him and
He has folded
folded his
and lain
lain himself
himself down
down to rest, among
among the
the
mountains he
mountains
he loved
loved so
so well,
well, and
and which
which have
have so
so often
often echoed
echoed the
the m.erry
merry tones
tones of
his voice.
voice.
In these
these primitive
few of the
the vices
vices of civilization.
civilization. Intemprimitive days,
days, we
we had
had but few
perance in strong drink was
was unknown,
unknown, and there was comparatively no
no litigation.
litigation.
Lawyers and
honest men
mento
toprocure
procure their
their daily
daily
Lawyers
and doctors
doctors had
had to
to till
till the
the soil
soil like honest
bread. Every
neighborhood had
stated
Every neighborhood
hadaarough
roughlog
log school-house
school-houseininwhich"
which "stated
was dispented
dispensed on
on Sunday
Sunday by divines
divines who
who had
had cultivated
cultivated their
theirfields
fields
preaching" was
during
upon the ragged
ragged edge
edge of
despair" and
during the
the week,
week,and
andwho
whodid
didnot
not "sit
"sit upon
of despair"
were
"aa moral
sections of
were not
not troubled
troubledwith
withvisions
visionsofof"
moral Niagara,"
Niagara,"or
or""sections
of the day
j
•
of judgment." Every neighborhood had also
also its
its violinists,
violinists, who
who furnished
furnished music
musIc
for
devotees of
buckskin,
for the
the innocent
innocent and
and rational devotees
of Terpsichore,
Terpsichore, who,
who, clad
clad in buckskin,
tripped
light fantistic
fan tis tic toe
toe in
in moccasins
moccasins on
on puncheon
puncheon floors.
floors. In fact,
fact, the
tripped the light
of the
the long
long dreary
dreary winter
winter in
in that
thatsort
sortof
ofamuseamuseyoung people whiled away much
much of
ment.
" We
We danced
danced all
all night
night till
till broad daylight,
And
And went
went home
homewith
withthe
the gals
galsin
in the
the morning."
As aa result
social intercourse,
half
As
result of
of such social
intercourse,there
there was
was often
oftenaaunion
unionofof two"
two "half
sections," to
to one
one of which
which each of
of the
the dancers
dancers was
was entitled
entitled when
when they
they concluded
concluded
waltz together
together through
through life.
life.
to waltz
the Eastern
Eastern States,
States, II have
haveoften
often been
been asked
asked how
how long
long itit was
was after
after Fremont
Fremont
In the
discovered Oregon
emigrated there.
there. It is true
true that
that in
in the
the year
year1843,
1843,
discovered
Oregon that
that I emigrated
Fremont,
then aa Lieutenant
Lieutenantinin the
the Engineer
Engineer Corps,
Corps, did
did cross
cross the
the plains, and
and
Fremont, then
brought his party to the
and visited
visited Vancouver
the Dalles,Dalles,- and
Vancouver to procqre
prOCljre supplies.
supplies. I
him on
on the
the plains,
plains, though
though he
he reached
reached the'
the Dalles
Dalles in the rear of our
saw him
our emigraemigration. His outfit
outfit contained
the conveniences
conveniences and luxuries
luxuries that
that aa GovernGoverncontained all
all of
of the
ment
roughed it" in a covered
covered carriage,
ment appropriation
appropriation could
could procure,
procure,while
whilehe
he ""roughed
carriage,
to the
the States
States
surrounded
surrounded by
by servants
servantspaid
paid from
fromthe
thepublic
public purse. He returned to
was afterward
afterward rewarded
rewarded with a Presidential nomination
Pathfinder."
and was
nomination as
asthe"
the "Pathfinder."
The path he found
found was
the hardy
hardy frontiersmen
frontiersmen who preceded
preceded him
him to
was made
made by the
\
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOF
OFHON.
HON. J.J. W.
6
61
the Pacific,
andwho
whostood
stoodby
bytheir
theirrifles
rifleshere
here and
and held
held the country
Pacific, and
country against
against
hostile Indians and British
until
British threats,
threats, without
without Government
Government aid or recognition
recognition until
1849,
1849, when
when the
the first
first Government
Government troops
troopscame
cametotoour
our relief. Yet Fremont, with
" finding" everything
everything west
west of
of the
theRocky
Rockymountmountpeople, has the credit of "finding"
many people,
suppose his
pretensions will
recognized by
future historian,
historian,
ains, and I suppose
his pretensions
will be
be recognized
by the future
path,unaided
unaidedby
byGovernment,
Government, will
will be
be
deserving men
men who
who made
made the
the path,
while the deserving
" Andsuch
such is
is history."
history."
forgotten. "And
rude prosperity,
prosperity, contentment
contentment and
happiness pervaded
pervaded our society,
society, and
and
A rude
and happiness
while
posterity may
more refined,
refined, cultivated
wealthy, II doubt
while our
our posterity
may be more
cultivated and
and wealthy,
doubt if
they
any better, more
more contented,
contented, virtuous
their rude
rude
they will
will be any
virtuousoror happier,
happier, than
than their
ance~tors_
Pioneer ancestors.
President and
and Pioneers,
Pioneers, II am
amnot
nothere
heretotodraw
drawinviduous
inviduousdistinctions
distinctionsorordedeMr. President
preciate any
anyone
one man's merits
merits by
by referring
referring to
to those
those of
of another;
another; but
but II feel
feel it is an
occasion when
tribute to
to an
an early
earlyPioneer
Pioneer (who,
(who, II am
am sorry
sorry
occasion
when II might
might pay a slight tribute
to say,
say, is
absent, and
and has
has left
left our
our State),
State),without
withoutpartiality,
partiality, as
as we
we have
have
is absent,
political opponents.
opponents. If at
at this
thistime,
time,after
after the
the lapse
lapse of
of nearly
nearly a
always been
been political
third of a century, I were
theimmigration
immigration
were called upon
upon to designate the
the man
man of the
1843, or
or any
any other
other immigration,
immigration, who
had made
made the
the most
most personal
personal sacrifices
sacrifices
of 1843,
who had
reward, II should
should
for the benefit of our common
common State
State and
and had
had received
received the least reward,
that deservedly
deservedly heads
heads the
the roll
roll of
of1843,
'1843,
mention the name that
""UNCLE"
UNCLE"JESSE
JESSE APPLEGATE.
APPLEGATE.
I traveled in his company
neighbor to
to him
him for
for years,
years,
company across
across the
the plains,
plains, lived neighbor
controversies with
did not
not
and have had many controversies
withhim,
him,in
in which,
which, I regret to say, I did
contest unscathed.
unscathed.
always come out of the contest
He was
was at the rendezvous
rendezvous at
17th day of May,
May, 1843,
1843,
at Fitzhugh's Mill on the 17th
more by his
his silence
silence than
th~n by
bywhat
whathe
hesaid,
said,gave
gavecharacter
characterto
toour
ourproceedings.
proceedings.
and more
and encourage
encourage the
the weak.
No man did
did more
more upon
upon the
the route
route to
to aid
aid the
the destitute
destitute and
divided his
his rations
same reckless
reckless liberality
liberality with
with which
which he
he signed
signed
He divided
rations with
with the
the same
of those
those who
who have
have victimized
victimized him and
and reduced
reduced him
him to
to poverty
poverty in
in his
his
the bonds of
old age.
f
He
He was
was one
one of
of the
the first
first settlers
settlers in
in Polk county,
county, as
as he
he has
has been
been in
in Umpqua,
Umpqua, and
and
now is
is in Northern California. He presents
of a gentle.
now
presents the singular
singular anomaly
anomaly of
gentleman of the
the highest
highest culture
culturewho
who shrinks
shrinks from
from contact with society.
society. In his
his prespresence
feel the power
genius, while
ence all feel
power of
of his genius,
while he
he has
has not
not the
the volubility
volubility to
to utter
utter a
dozen consecutive
is scarcely
scarcely
dozen
consecutivewords;
words;but
but give
give him
him pen,
pen,ink
ink and
and paper,
paper, and there is
subject upon
upon which he cannot
cannot shed
shed' a flood
flood of light.
a subject
He was
was the leader
leader in
in forming
forming our
our Provisional
Provisional Government
Government in
in 1845,
1845, as
as he
he was
was
62
THE
OCCASIONAL ADDRESS
W. NESMITH.
NESMITH.
THE OCCASIONAL
ADDRESSOFOFHON.
HON.J.J. W.
of the party of 1846
the first
immigrationby
bythe
theSouthern
Southernrouteroute.
1846 that
that escorted
escorted the
first immigration
unselfish service
life to
to ruin
ruin himseli
himself pecuniarily.
pecuniarily.
an unselfish
serviceininwhich
whichhe
he periled
periled his
his life
The services
services and reputation of Jesse
Jesse Applegate
Applegate are
are the
the common
commonproperty
propertyof
of the
the
Pioneers. ""Such
Such aa man
man might
might be a copy
copy to these younger
younger times." In
Oregon Pioneers.
language of
the language
ofthe
thegreat
greatpoetpoet" This
Thiswas
was the
thenoblest
noblestRoman
Roman of
of them
them aU.
all.
was gentle: and the elements
elements
His life was
So mixed
So
mixed in
in him
him that
that Nature
Itature might stand up
was a man."
And "8Y
say to
to all the world, This was
As a frontiersman
intelligence, he
he is the equal
equal
frontiersmaninin courage,
courage, sagacity
sagacity and
and na,tural
natural intelligence,
of Daniel Boone.
Boone. In culture
culture and
andexperience,
experience, he
he is
is the
the superior
superior of half
half the
the living
living
neighbor, he has no superior
statesmen of our
As a generous, kindhearted neighbor,
our land.
land. As
cross between
old-fashioned, honest
honest notions
notions
anywhere. In politics, he is a cross
between the old-fashioned,
Hamilton and
andJefferson.
Jefferson. In religion,
religion, while he broke none
none of the
the commandcommand.
of Hamilton
provocation occurMoses, if
ments, separately or intentionally; still, like Moses,
if aa proper
properprovocation
occurhd would
to throw
throw down
down the
the tablets,
tablets, and
andwhile
while extemporizing
extemporizing awkawk·
red, ho
would be likely to
ward profanity, might break
en masse
masse.• He was too
too impracticable
impracticable to
to be
beaaparty
party
break them en
leader, and
and too
too independent
independent to
recipient of political
politicalfavors.
favors. The future
future
to be
be the
the recipient
merits, the ability and
and the
the sacrifices
sacrifices of the "Sage
historian will do justice
justice to the merits,
of Yoncalla."
Yoncalla."
f
Mr. President
President and
and Pioneers,
the time rapidly
Mr.
Pioneers, the
rapidly approaches
approaches when
when we,
we, the
the first
first
settlers of
of Oregon,
settlers
Oregon, must
must go hence
hence and
and leave
leave to
to our
our posterity
posterity the fruits
fruits of our
our
feel this
this to
tobe
bean
anoccasipn
occasi9n when,
when, ififanimosities
animosities or
or ununtoils and our labors, and II feel
kindness
out of sight
kindness have existed
existed among
among us,
us, they
they ought to be buried
burie<l out
sight and
and for
for.
us at least
least leave
leave to
tothose
those who
who are
are to
to come
come after
after us
us aa heritage
heritage of
of
gotten. Let us
charity,
hope that our
our descendants
descendants may
may
charity, kindness
kindness and
and good
good feeling,
feeling,and
and let
let us hope
themselves an honest, patriotic race of
of men
men and women,
women, worthy to inherit
iuherit
prove themselves
the
goodly land we spied
spied out
out for
for them,
them, and
and in your
your and
andtheir
their pursuit
pursuit of all
the goodly
that is great and good,
"
Inploughman's
ploughman'sphrase,
phrase,' God
' Godsend
sendyou
youspeed.'
speed'
"In
Still
Still daily
daily to
to grow
grow wiser,
And may
may you
you better
better reck
reck the
the rede
cede
And
Than ever
ever did
did th'
th' adviser."
1
ADDRESS.
BY
HON. GEORGE
GEORGE P.
P. HOLMAN.
HOLMAN.
Y HON.
MR. PRESIDENT,
PRESIDENT, PIONEERS,
PIONEERS, LADIES
LADIES AND
AND GENTLEMEN:
GENTLEMEN'
By
Association, I find
find recorded,
By referring
referring to
to the
the Register of our Association,
recorded, Jas.
Jas. W. Nes.
Geo. P. Holn-ian,
1820; arrived
arrived in
in Oregon,
Oregon, 1843.
1843. Geo.
Holman, born in
born in
in Maine,
Maine, 1820;
mith, born
arrived in
in the
Salem,
6, 1842, arrived
the State
State about
about the
the same
same day.
day.
Salem, Oregon,
Oregon, Feb.
Feb. 6,
Thus you
will perceive
perceivethat
thatI Icame
camenot
notbybythe
the"" Horn
Horn around"
around" or
or the"
the "plains
you will
plains
across," yet
yet the
thedate
dateof
ofmy
myarrival
arrivalin
in the
theState
Stateisissome
sometime
timeprevious
previous to
to that
that
across,"
who has
of the honorable gentleman who
has so
so ably
ably addressed you,
you, and places me upon
indigenou~ Webfooter.
Webfooter.
the record as
as aa genuine,
genuine, indigenous
few words in behalf
behalf of that portion •
By request of your
your committee,
committee, II will say a few
of our
our population
population born
bornwithin
within the
the State'
State of Oregon,
Oregon, prior
prior to
to January
January1st,
1st,1853,
1853,
Pioneers.
recognized as native Pioneers.
Representing, then,
then, this
thisparticular
particularbranch
branchof
ofour
ourAssociation,
Association, itit is
is with
with emotions
emotions
Representing,
pride, tilat
ttat we
we have
have assembled
assembled with you, honored
honored Pioneers,
Pioneers, to
to celebrate
celebrate ananof pride,
anniversary of
re-union; and,
and, as
as we
we look
look over
over this
this assembly
assembly and find
find
other anniversary
of our re-union;
here and
and there,
there, those
those whom
whom we
we have known
known for
for years,
years, we can
can not
not forget
forget the
the
scenes
the history
history of
'of these
these brave
brave men and
scenes and
and incidents
incidents of their earlier life. In the
fathers and our mothers, we recognize
recognize that spirit of enterprise
noble women, our fathers
and advancement,
advancement; both
intellectual, so
so universally
umversally charactercharacterboth moral,
moral, social
social and
and intellectual,
of our Pioneers.
Pioneers.
istic of
few years ago, and
and the
the country
country extending
along the
the shores of
of the Atlantic,
Only a few
extending along
AlJeghanies on the west,
west, embraced
embraced .the
touching the
the lakes on
on the
the north
north and
and the Alleghanies
the
origional
origional States
States of
of this Republic.
Republic. To-day,
To-day, how
how different
How
differentthe
the picture!
picture! How
grand!
how glorious
glorious the
grand! how
thechange!
change! Not
Not only
only have new
new States
States started
started into
into life,
life,
between
Father of
between the
the Alleghanies and the Father
of Waters,
Waters, founding
founding beautiful
beautiful and
and wealthy
wealthy
teleburdening the
therivers
rivers with
with commerce,
commerc,e, stretching
stretching the iron
iron track
track and
and telecities, burdening
graph, and
and opening
opening classic
classic halls
halls and
and consecrated
consecrated temples
temples throughout
throughout all this
but the
the government
government has carried
carried the chain
chain of
of Union,
Union, not
not only
only over
over this
this
domain,
domain, but
but beyond
beyond the
the Mississippi,
Mississippi, and still on
on beyond the
the Rocky
RockyMountains,
Mountains, and
and
region but
the rocks
rocks which
which roll
roll back
back the
thewayes
wll;ves of
of the
the Pacific.
Pacific.
finally linked it to the
64
ADDRESSOF
OF HON.
HON. GEORGE
ADDRESS
GEORGE P.
P. HOLMAN.
HOLMAN.
American Pioneer
unparThe American
Pioneerhas
hasever
everbeen
beenthe
thechief
chief actor
actor in this drama of unparalleled national progress.
progress. "Westward
"Westward the course
course of
empire takes
of empire
takes its
its way,"
but westward
westward no further. The progress
progress of population,
population,improvement
improvementand
andcivilicivilization, stretching from
mountain toto plain,
plain, and
and from
from plain to the
from mountain
the western
western ocean,
ocean,
had reached
reached our own beautiful
beautiful valley
valley of
of the
the Willamette,
Willamette, and here amid toils and
suffering,
suffering, privations
privationsand
and defeat,
defeat, the
the Pioneer
Pioneerofof Oregon,
Oregon, laid
laid the
the foundation
foundation of aa
commonwealth, destined
become the
Pacific.
commonwealth,
destined to become
the chief of our
our Empire
Empire on
on the Pacific.
Animated
Animated by
by aa strong
strong love
love of
of country,
country, and a veneration for
the institntions
institutions of
for the
their fathers, possessed
possessed of consummate
consummate moral courage, imbued with
with indomitable
indomitable
energy
energy and
and trusting
trusting to
to the
the prote.ction
protectionofofHeaven,
Heaven,they
theybegan
begantotobuild
buildupon
upon this
this
foundation, soon
foundation,
soon reared
reared the
the superstructure
superstructure of
of aa State
State Government,
Government, and
and lit
lit up the
land with
with the
thelights
lightsof
ofliberty,
liberty,religion
religion and
and science;
science; lights
lights which
which to-day
to.dayare
are
illuminating the
the most
most distant portions
portions of
of this continent.
•
Those who
who have
have come
comeamong
amongususofoflate
late years,
years, may
may not
not regard
regard the
the progress
progress of
of
Those
Qur State towards
towards internal
commercial enterprise, as marked
marked
nur
internal development
development and
and commercial
in any particular degree.
degree. It isis the
theold
oldOregon
OregonPioneer
Pioneer who
who can
can fully
fully underunderwho can
can fully
fully comprehenñ
comprehen'd this change.
change. Well do I remember
remember when
when only
only
stand, who
two dwellings graced the Capital of
of our State, and
and the
thevoyager
voyagerwas
was carried
carried over
over
waters of the Willamette
the waters
Willamette and
and the
the Columbia,
Columbia, in
in the
the rude
rude canoe,
canoe, with
with the
the red
red
man as
pilot combined.
combin·ed. To-day how
how different!
different! No
as driving
driving power
power and
and pilot
No longer
author of
of Thanatopsis
Thanatopsis sing.
sing.
can the author
U
the continuous
continuous woods,
woods,
Or lose
lose thyself in the
Where rolls the Oregon,
Oregon, and hears no sound
Where
Save his
his own
own dashings."
dashings."
Save
sounds now
now reverberate
reverberatealong
alongthe
thebanks
banksof
of that
that noble
noble river,
river, as
as upon
upon its
Other sounds
broad, deep waters,
waters, are
are borne
borne the intelligence and the
the commerce
commerce of the
the nations.
we witness
witnes s
While we rejoice over
over the
the present
present proud
proud position
position of our young State, we
evidences of still
still greater
greaterprosperity.
prosperity. Our healthful
healthful skies,
skies,
on
on every
every hand
hand the evidences
fertile vallies,
values, our wonderful
mines of
of mineral wealth,
our fertile
wonderful mines
wealth, our
our majestic
majestic forests,
forests,
our noble rivers, our commerce,
commerce, our
our manufacturers,
manufacturers, our busy
busy population,
population, already
Nature's gifts,
here, all these
these assure
assure us
us that
thataaregion
regionenjoying
enjoyingsuch
such aa profusion
profusion of Nature's
gifts,
guided by
by enterprise
enterprise
will soon be densely populated
populated by
by industrious
industrious citizens,
citizens, who
who guided
and science,
nations'
science,will
willbuild
buildup
upaa rich
rich and
and powerful
powerful State,
State, to
to augment
augment the
the nations'
strength, and to adorn its culture.
these scenes
forget to
As
As we
we gather amid these
scenes of
of festivity
festivityand
andsong,
song,let
let us not forget
to pay
tribute to the
the memory
memory of those honored
honored Pioneers
Pioneers who
who are not among us to-day.
associatillns throng
thousand hallowed
hallowed associatiQns
A thousand
throng the
the mind, as
as we
we witness
witness on
on every
every hand
the results of their patient, heroic,
heroic, Christian lives. But alas! They have
have gone
gone
.I
•
ADDRESS OF
GEORGE P.
P. HOLMAN.
HOLMAN.
ADDRESS
OF HON.
HON. GEORGE
.
6
andthough
thollghno
no splendid
splendid monument
monument towers
towers above
above the spot
and gone in triumph; and
of their
theirdede.
where rests
ashes, yet, their memory
memory shall
live in
hearts of
where
rests their
their ashes,
shall live
in the hearts
scendants, as
remain to
to recount their
their deeds
deeds of
of goodness
goodness and
and
scendants,
as long
long as
as one
one shall remain
virtue.
Pioneers, assembled
assembled as
these .noble veterans
veterans who
who still
Native
Native Pioneers,
as we
we are
are with
with these
linger on
time, how
how befitting
befitting that
that we
wepledge
pledgeourselves
ourselves to
to guard
guard
linger
on the
the shore
shore of time,
with a jealous
heritage of
of our fathers
name
jealous care the sacred
sacred heritage
fathers and protect the fair name
of the
maintain all
all the
theorganized
organized institutions
institutions of
the land
land of
of our birth. Let us maintain
of an
enlightened people,
people, institutions of law,
law, education,
education, benevolence,
benevolence, religion
religion and
and all
all
the adornments
adornmentsofof the
the highest
highest civilization
civilizationand
and then
then shall
shall our
our native
native State
State of
Oregon,
power and grandeur
Oregon, not only contribute to the power
grandeur of
of this
this Republic,
Republic, but
but like
ascending sun, rising still higher,
higher, shed
shed its
itsglorious
glorious influence
influence backward upon
upon the
the
States of Europe and forward
forward upon the Empires
Empires of
of Asia.
Asia. •
5
•
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
ADDRESS.
FIRST
DELIVERED
lIEFORE TEE
THmOREGON
OREGONPIONEER
PIONEEBASSOCL&TOE.
ASSOCIATION.
DELIVERED BEPORE
BY EX-GOV.
EX-GOV. GEORGE
GEORGE L. CURRY.
CURRY.
BY
AT
13t1rrEVtt.LE, MARION
SIXTEENT!f: ANNIANNIAT BVTTEVXLLE,
MARSONOOUNTY,
OOUNTT,OREGON,
OREGON,ON
ON'lItE
THE OCCASION
OCCASIONOF
OPTHE
TEE SIXTEENTH
VERSARY
ADOPTION OP
OF THE
'tHESTATE
STATECONSTITOTION,
CONSTITUTION.
VERSAET OF
OP THE ADOPrION
NOVEMBXE
11TH, 1873.
NOVEMB'EB 11m,
1873.
PRESIDENT, AND
AND LADIES
LADIES AND
AND GENTLEatEN:
GENTLEMEN:
MR. PRESIDENT,
When, a short
time since,
since, I received
received the
the invitation
invitation of your
your committee
committee to be
When,
short time
preient and
firstre-union
re-union of
of the
thePioneers
Pioneers of
of
present
and address
address you
youon
on this
this occasion-the
occasionthe first
Oregon-I
feltthat
thatI should
I shouldbe
begreatly
greatlygratified
gratified to
to be
be able
able to
to do
do so,
so, and I an.
anOregonI felt
would ifif II could,
could, for
for II was
was then
then closely
closely engaged
engaged in the
the discharge
discharge
swered, that II would
of aa public
public duty.
duty. That
That engagement
engagement has
has been
been concluded,
concluded, and I am
am glad
glad to
to reremyself here to-day,
to-day, among
among the Pioneers,
Pioneers, to take with
with them
them aa brief
brief review
review of
port myself
circumstances attending
attendingthe
thefirst
first formation
formation of
ofcivil
civil Society
Society and
and civil
civil governgovernthe circumstances
in Oregon.
Oregon.
ment in
Spain,
Spain, through
through the
the courage
courage and
andperseverance
perseverance of
ofColumbus,
Columbus, discovered
discovered the
was a Pioneer
Pioneer of the sea, greater than the old Vikings
Indies of the West. Here was
of the Norsemen,
discovery, and
Norsemen, because he was
was able
able to
to establish
establish the
the proof
proof of
of his discovery,
that discovery
discovery was
was for
for the
the benefit
benefitof
of his race.
race. It was
was aa great
great event.
event. It occaoccasioned and shaped other
other great
great events
events of
of the
thefirst
firstconsequence
consequence in
in the
the progress
progress of
sioned
humanity. Men
Men turned
turned with
with gladness
gladness to
prospect, and
humanity.
to the
the bright prospect,
and inhaled the
the
new world.
world. A A
wide
and
new
fieldwas
was
openedfor
forthe
theaccompaccompinspiration of the new
wide
and
new
field
opened
lishment of many
many grand
grand and noble undertakings. The spirit of adventure seized
the opportunity.
unscrupulous men
Cortez and
and Pizarro,
Pizarro, first
first
opportunity_ Bold
Bold and
and unscrupulous
men like
like Cortez
planted Christian
Christian civilization
civilization on the shores
shores of
of aa new
new hemisphere
hemisphereand
andmade
made their
their
nearly 300 years Spain was a great
names odious
odious by
by their
their cruelties
crueltiesand
andcrimes.
crimes. For nearly
great
nation; part
nation;
partofofthat
thattime
timeininthe
the'iead
leadofofnations,
nations,for
forher
hermaratime
maratimediscoveries,
discoveries,
and conquests
bysea
seaand
andland,
land,were
werethe
themost
mostbrilliant
brilliantand
and important
important that
that the
conquests by
The most
most formidable
formidable power
power in
in Europe,
Europe, her
herinfluence
influence
world
world had
had ever
ever known.
known. The
was
entire continent,
continent, and
and her
was felt
felt throughout
throughout the entire
herauthority
authorityacknowledged
acknowledged and
and
its dominions.
"dominions. She successfully
successfully colonized South
South
obeyed
centre of
obeyed in
in the
the very centre
of its
FIRST
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOY. GEO.
67
and part
partof
ofNorth
NorthAmerica
Americafrom
from ocean
ocean to
to ocean.
ocean. Her early
early navigators
navigators explored
and
possessions, giving
western coast line from
from Cape
the entire western
Cape Horn to the Russian possessions,
giving
names
names to the principal rivers, bays and headlands. The mutations
mutations of time have
her now
now only
only the
the memory
memory of that
that splendid
splendid past to console
console her under
under the
left her
bitter fortune.
fortune.
·vicissitudes
vicissitudes of bitter
five months,
months, after
after the
the discovery
discovery made by CoJust three hundred
hundred years,
years, within
within five
lumbus,
lumbus, a ship bearing the
the flag
flag of aanew
newnation,
nation, which
which his
his grand
grand achievement
achievement
sailing upon
upon the
the Pacific
Pacific ocean,
ocean, entered
entered the
the mouth
mouth of
of
had brought into existence,
existence, sailing
a large
large and
and unknown
unknown river,
river,which
whichwas
wasnamed
namedafter
after the
thevessel,
vessel, and
and is
is now known
Subsequent explorations
explorations proved
proved the
the country
our own
own magnificent
magnificent Columbia. Subsequent
as our
to contain
fine timber,
timber, and
and beautiful
beautiful valleys of
of fertile
fertile land.
contain magnificent
magnificent forests
forests of fine
It obtained
obtained the
the name
name Oregon,
Oregon, through
through the
appellation Oregano
Oregana given
given to the
the
It
the appellation
country north
north of
of California,
from the
the circumstance
of the prolific
country
California, from
circumstance of
prolific growth of a
plant or
or shrub,
shrub, perhaps
perhaps the
the"
AI'temesia,"which
whichthe
theSpanish
Spanishnavigator
navigator likened
likened
plant
"Artemesia,"
of nothing
wild Marjoram,
Marjoram, the meaning
" Oregano."
the word
word"
Oregana." I know
know of
nothing
to wild
meaning of the
sustain the
word"
Oregon" is
is derived
derived from
from Indian
to sustain
the beautiful
beautiful idea,
idea, that
that the word
"Oregon"
tradition, signifying
the land nearest
signifying the
nearest the
the setting
setting sun,
sun,ororthe
themost
mostwestern
western land.
land.
traders at
at Oak Point,
The first
first settlement
settlement was
was made
made by American
American traders
Point, on
on the
the
ColUJ;nbia river,
river, where
where Capt.
Capt. Smith
Smithof
ofthe
the shipAlbatross,
ship Albatross,ofofBoston,
Boston, in
in the
the spring
spring
Columbia
18ID, cleared, fenced
fenced and cultivated a piece
piece of
of x8so,
ofland,
land, but the
the annual freshet
freshet of
abandon the
the place.
place.
the river submerged
submergedhis
his improvements
imjrovements aud
aud caused
caused him
him to
to abandon
of the a6th
26th of
of Match,
March, of the year following,
following, 1811,
TonOn the night of
i 8i i, the
the ship
ship Tonquin, the
the pioneer
pioneer ship
ship of
of the
thePacific
Pacific Fur
FurCompany,
Company, as
as John
John Jacob
Jacob Astor's
Astor's enen9cm,
terprise was
crossed the
bar of
of the
theColumbia
Columbiariver,
river, under
under circumstances
circumstances
was called, crossed
the bar
of great
This bay
bay
great danger,
danger, involving
involvingloss
lossofoflife,
life,and
andanchored
anchoredininBaker's
Baker'sBay.
Bay. This
was
after the
the Captain
was named
named after
Captain of the
the vessel
vessel which
which first
first used
used that
that anchorage.
anchorage.
was selected
called Astoria,
Astoria, which
which
Point George was
selected as
as a site of the settlement, and called
Onthe
the12th
12thof
ofApril,
April, the
the work
work was
was
is now
now the
the flourishing
flourishingtown
townofofthat
that name.
name. On
commenced,
and in due
due time the requisite buildings
commenced, and
buildings were erected and protected
stockade. Expeditions
F.xpeditionswere
by a stockade.
were fitted
fittedout
out and
and sent up the river; one
one as
as far
far as
as
trading post
post was
was established, another
another up
up the WilWi!the Spokane country, where a trading
river, where
where in 1812,
1812, Mr. Halsey
Halsey built
built aa trading
trading establishment
establishment in
in the
the
lamette river,
vicinity of the present town site of Halsey,
Halsey, so
so called
called inincompliment
compliment to
to the
theVice
Vice
Oregon and
Here is
is aa remarkremarkPresident of the Oregon
President
and California
CaliforniaRailroad
RailroadCompany.
Company. Here
coincidence, and
able coincidence,
and the
the question
questionmight
mightwell
wellsuggest
suggest itself
itselfwhich
whichofof the
the HalHal.
honor of
the place
place named
named after
after him.
him.
seys' is
is the
the better
better entitled to the honor
of having the
The presence
of the
the first
first white
white man,
man, and
and he an
presence of
an American
American on
on the
the Calapooiah
Calapooiah
was aa circumstance
circumstance of great
great interest
interest and
and importance,
importance, and
and the
the whistle
whistle of
of
Prairie, was
68
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
the first locomotive
locomotive was
equal grandeur
grandeurand
andsignificance.
significance. The first
first
was an
an event
event of
of equal
promise of
of the
the advent
advent of
of aa new
new order
order of
ofthings,
things, while
while the
the other
otherredeems
redeems
gave the promise
with the
the assurance
assurance of
of beneficial
beneficial influences
influences and continual
continual prosperity.
the pledge with
with England,
England, and
andother
otherunpropitious
unpropitious circumstances,
circumstances, so discouraged.
The war with
discouraged
the
Pacific Fur Company
Company as
to pass
pass into
the operations
operations of
of the Pacific
as to cause
cause its
its interests to
other and foreign
foreign hands,
hands, and
and ultimately
ultimatelyinto
intothose
those of
of the
the Hudson's
Hudson's Bay
Bay Company
-an
incorporation
Britishsubjects
subjectsfor
forthe
thesame
samebusiness.
business.
an
incorporation
ofof
British
The
recognition on
country as
as Oregon,
Oregon, occurred
occurred
The first
first recognition
ou the part
partof
of Congress of such aa country
in the
the introduction
introduction of
ofaa bill,
bill, by
by Mr.
Mr. Floyd
Floyd of
of Virginia,
in the House
in 1825,
r825, in
Virginia, in
House of
Representatives, "authorizing
the occupation
occupation of
the Oregon
Oregon river,"
river," providing
providing
Representatives,
"authorizing the
of the
maintenance of
establishment, the
collection of
customs
for
for the
the maintenance
of a military establishment,
the collection
of the customs
the last
donation of
lands to
to settlers. With the
last provision
provision stricken
stricken out, it
and the donation
of lands
passed
passed that body.
body. On
Onthe
the26th
26thofofFebruary,
February,during
duringthe
thesame
same session,
session, Mr.
Mr.
Dickerson of
Mahlon Dickerson
of New Jersey,
Jersey, assailed the measure in a sarcastic speech
speech in
the Senate, to
events and
and our
our present
present
the
to which
whic!!; II must
must briefly
briefly allude,
allude, for
for subsequent events
situatIOn
logic and
situation and prosperity,
prosperity, have played the mischief with
with the logic
and wit
wit of this
amusing
Senatorial effort.
effort. Mr.
Mr. Dickerson
Dickerson said:
said: "But
this Territory
Territory of
"But isis this
amusing Senatorial
Oregon
Healluded
alludedtotothe
thegreat
great distance
distance it
Oregon ever to become
become aa State? Never!" He
was
the Federal
Federal Government,
Government, fixing
fixing it at 4,650 miles.
miles. "The
" The
was from
from the
the seat
seat of
of the
thataamember
memberof
ofCongress
Congress of
of this
this State of Oregon
distance therefore," said he, "" that
Oregon
will be
be obliged
obliged to travel
of government
government" and returning,
returning,
will
travel in
in coming
comingtoto the
the seat
seat of
would
be 9,300
9,300 miles.
would be
miles. 1'1his
$8 for
for every
every 20
20 miles, would make
hisatat the
the rate of $8
his travelling
travelling expenses
expenses amount to
to $3,720.
$3,720. Every member
Congress ought to
member of Congress
see his
his constituents
constituents once
once a year.
year. This is already very
very difficult
difficult for those
those in
in the
the
most
Atthe
therate
ratewhich
whichmembers
membersofofCongress
Congress travel
travel
most remote
remote parts
parts of
of the
the Union.
Union. At
according
20 miles
miles per
per day,
day, ititwould
would require
require to
to come
come to the seat
according to
to law,
law, that isis20
465 days. But
he should
should travel
travel at the
of government
government and
and return, 465
But if
if he
the rate
rate of
of 30
miles aa day,
day, itit would
would require
miles
require 306 days.
days. Allowing for
for Sundays,
Sundays, 44 days,
days, it
would require 350 days. This would
would allow the member
member a fortnight
fortnight to rest himself at Washington, before
before commencing
commencing his
journey home.
home. This rate of traveltravelhis journey
the way
way is
is exceedingly
exceedingly bad,
ing
ing would
would be
be aa hard
hard duty,
duty, as
as a greater part of the
bad, and
and
over rugged mountains, where
where Lewis
Lewis and Clark found
a portion of it over
found several
several feet
feet
snow the
the latter part
of snow
part of
of June. Yet, a young,
young, able
able bodied Senator,
Senator, might
might travel
from
from Oregon
Oregon to
to Washington
Washington and
and back
back once
once aayear,
year,but
but he
he could
could do
do nothing
nothing else.
else.
It would
would be more
more expeditious,
expeditious, however,
however, to
to come
comeby
bywater
water round
round Cape
Cape Horn,
Horn, or
through Behring's Straits, round
round the
the north
north coast
coast of
of the
the continent
continent to Baffin's
Baffin's Bay,
Bay,
through
Atlantic ocean,
ocean, and so
so on
on to
toWashington.
Washington. It is
is
through Davis
Davis Straits
Straits to
to the
the Atlantic
true
discovered except
except upon
maps, but it
it will
will be
be as
as
true this
this passage
passage isisnot
not yet
yet discovered
upon the maps,
soon as
as Oregon
Oregonwill
willbe
beaa State."
State." Alas
soon
Alas for
for all
all human
human expectations!
expectations! Oregon
Oregon is aa
State and there
there is
is no
no North-west
North-west passage
passage yet. Time and distance
distance are well
well nigh
nigh
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OF EX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
69
annihilated by
bysteam
steamtravel
traveland
and the
the telegraph,
telegraph, and
and but
but one-fourth
one-fourth part
part of
of the
annihilated
Mr. Dickerson
Dickerson isis now
now required
requiredtotomake
make the
the trip around the world.
time-table of Mr.
The merciless
coffin, which
merciless Senator
Senator drove
drove the
the last
last nail
nail in the coffin,
which he
he was
was making
for
by the
the following"
following "clincher:"
for the measure,
measure, by
clincher:" "As
" As to the Oregon Territory,
Territory, it
can never
never be
be of any
any pecuniary
pecuniary advantage
advantage toto the
the United
United States."
States."
Senator Benton,
Benton, always
always the
the friend
of Oregon,
remarked in reply: "It
Senator
friend of
Oregon, remarked
"It is
is aa
country
civilized inhabitcountry too
too great
great and
and too
too desirable
desirableto
toremain
remain longer
longer without
without civilized
extent, soil
soil and
and climate,
climate, ititis
is superior to the old
ants. In extent,
old thirteen
thirteen United
United States."
States."
Still the Senate
have been
been convinced
convinced by
by the
the argument
argument of
of Senator DickerDickerSenate must
must have
son,
refused to
son, for
for it refused
to pass
pass the
the bill.
Other
meantime, the
Other ineffectual
ineffectual attempts
attempts at
at legislation
legislation occurred,
occurred, and
and in
in the
the meantime,
people themselves
themselves took
took the
the matter
matter in
in hand. The Pioneers came and established
people
industries.
communities, churches,
Communities,
churches, schools
schoolsand
and aa government,
government, and
and prosperous
prosperous industries.
preserve all
all this
this great
great NorthThese, our adventurous
adventurous fellow
fellow citizens, did more
more to preserve
western section
section to
to the
the United
United States,
States, than
than all
all the
the skillful
skillful diplomates
diplomates and
and astute
western
statesmen.
American character was placed upon the country
statesmen. The stamp of the American
its institutions,
institutions, in
inthe
themanagement
managementofofpublic
publicaffairs,
affairs, in
in its
its churches,
churches, schools
schools
and its
the business
business of
of every
every day
day life.
life. It may
may appear
appear strange
strange that a handful
handful of
and the
Americans in
should have so
so acted
acted as to have
have imimAmericans
inOregon,
Oregon,atatthat
that early
early day,
day, should
New countries
countries develope
develope character.
character.
pressed events
events then in the womb of
of the
the future.
future. New
performing the
pioneer life.
life. Whatever
Man cannot
cannot be a hypocrite in performing
the duties
duties of
of pioneer
bador
orindifferent,
indifferent, must
must come
come out.
ant. It is a life of
is in
in him,
him, whether
whether good,
good, bad
there is
action, incessant
incessant action.
action. Men
Men are
are called upon to think quickly. Often there is
little intervening
intervening time
time between
between conception
conception and
Men are
are known
known
and performance.
performance. Men
by what
what they
they do,
do, rather
rather than
than by
by what
what they
by
they say.
say. Practice is always
always so much
much
than theory.
theory. In the wilderness,
wilderness, men cannot
cannot afford
afford to
to be
be otherwise
otherwise than
better than
true to nature. This life of
of independence,
independence,affixes
affixes manhood
manhood to
tothe
thehumblest
humblestinindividual, for
dividual,
for it educates
educates him as to
to aa knowledge
knowledge of himself,
himself, and inspires him
him to
depend solely
solely upon
uponhis
his own
own exertions
exertionsfor
for his
his ultimate
ultimate success.
depend
success. This induces
induces
industry and energy
energy of
of purpose.
purpose. Such
say they
they
industry
Such men
men never
never give
giveup-never
upnever say
areareconfident
""cannot,"they
cannot, "-they
confidentininall
allthey
theyundertake.
undertake. The idea
idea of
of failure
failure is
is
determination never
never flags,
flags, the
the greater
greater the
thedifficuldifficulnever contemplated. Their determination
the more
more they
theyare
are resolved
resolved to
to overcome
overcome them. They take
take hold
holdo!
work to
to
ties, the
of aa work
do
do at
at it. Thus
find them
them pressing
pressing into new
new and
and unexplored
unexplored
do it-not
itnot totodo
Thus we
we find
country, with
with aa hardihood
hardihood and
and resolution
resolution to
to be
be admired
admiredand
andcommencommentracts of country,
ded-planting
civilizationeverywhere.
everywhere. Here is
type of
of that
thatcharacter
character which
which
dedplanting civilization
s aa type
made the
that same
same unconquerunconquerhas made
the Pacific
Pacificside
sideofofour
ourcontinent
continentall
all that
that itit is;
is; that
able, enterprising spirit
worthy rival of the
the Atlantic
Atlantic
spirit which
which will
will yet
yet make
make itit the
the worthy
sea-board. Alas, that so
so many of those
those indefatigable spirits
spirits should
should have
have been
been
70
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OF EX-GOV.
EX-GOV. GEO.
GEO. L. CURRY.
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
CURRY.
compelled to sacrifice
sacrifice their lives
lives in
in order
order to
to advance
advance the
the success
success of the
the great
compelled
before them. Their whitened
whitened bones,
bones, where
where the
the wolves
wolves have
have scattered
scattered
work before
them,
there to this
mountain land, as
as melancholy
melancholy
them, are there
this day in the desert
desert and
and the
the mountain
evidence
evidence of
of the
the enterprise
enterprise and courage
courage of the American
American Pioneer.
first permanent American
American settlers in Oregon, were trappers or mountainThe first
men,
these, Mr.
Mr. Sol.
Sol. Smith,
Smith, who
who came
came in
men, so called from their occupation. Of these,
Clatsop county,
county, is our oldest American Pioneer.
1832, and
1832,
and isis stillliviug
still living in Clatsop
Pioneer. Jas.
A. O'Neil, Thomas
Thomas Hubbard
Hubbard and
and others,
others, came
came with
with Capt.
Capt. Wyeth
Wyeth of
of Boston,
Boston, in
in
Lee, and
and others
othersof
of the
the Methodit
Methodi<;t Mission,
Mission, came
came also
also the
1834. The brothers
brothers Lee,
H. H.
H.Spaulding,
Spaulding, with
with their
their
same
Rev. Dr.
Dr. Whitman
Whitman and
and Rev.
Rev. H.
same year. The Rev.
wives, and
and Mr.
Mr. Wm.
Wm. H.
H. Gray, of the
"American
wives,
the"
AmericanBoard
Boardof
ofForeign
ForeignMissions,"
Missions,"
Mrs. Whitman
Whitman and
and Mrs.
Mrs. Spaulding were the
arrived in 1836.
1836. Mrs.
the first
first.white
whitewowoTheir children
children were
were the
the first
first American
American
men who crossed the Rocky Mountains. Their
children born in Oregon.
Oregon.
In 1840,
1840, there
were only about
250 white
people in the
the country,
country, of
of which
which
there were
about 250
white people
140 were Americans.
number, 540
was made
made in
in 1841,
1841, to
to form
form aa government
government without an
an executive,
executive,
An attempt was
Supre~e Judge the highest functionary,
functionary, with
State of
of
making a Supreme
with the
the laws
laws of
of the State
New.York as
as the
the law
law of
of the land. Rev.
Rev.Dr.
Dr.Babcock
Babcockofofthe
theMethodist
Methodist Mission,
Mission,
NewYork
that position.
position. The'movement,
however, does
to have
The movement, however,
does not appear to
was elected to that
the New
New York
York Statutes
Statutesnot
notbeing
beingconvenient
convenient per.
percopy of the
been popular,
popular, and a copy
the undertaking
undertaking proved
proved abortive.
abortive.
haps, the
of March, 1843,
1843, a meeting of the
On the 4th of
the settlers of the Willamette valley
for the
the purpose
purpose of determining upon some method to protect
held for
was held
protect their stock
from the
wild animals.
animals. This gathering not inappropriately has been
been
from
the attacks of wild
denominated
Wolf Scalp
Scalp Meeting,"
Meeting," and has
has become
become noted
noted from
from the
denominatedthe"
the "Wolf
the fact
fact
for the
the establishment
establishment
the first
first successful
successful measures
measures were there
there inaugurated
inauguratedfor
that the
1846, 1I saw the original record of the
the proceedings
proceedings on that
of a government. In 1846,
One side of
of aahalf
halfsheet
sheetofoffoolscap
foolscap contained
contained the
the minutes
minutes of the
the
occasion. One
Meeting, and the other,
other, the
the graver
graverdoings
doings of
of the
the more
more important
important ununWolf Scalp Meeting,
dertaking. AAcommittee
committeeof
oftwelve
twelve were
were appointed
appointed to
to report a plan of governgoverndertaking.
ment, who
of July
Julyfollowing,
following,
ment,
who did
did their
their duty exceedingly
exceedinglywell,
well,and
and on
on the
the 4th of
the first
first system
system of
of polity
polity for
for the
the North
NorthPacific
Pacific coast.
coast.
announced in mass meeting the
It placed
placed the
the executive
executive power
power in
in three
three persons,
persons, the
the law
lawmaking
makingpower
powerin
in aa comcommittee
mittee composed
composed of twelve
twelve members,
me~bers, and the
the judiciary
judiciary power
power in
in aaSupreme
Supreme
Judge, with Justices
districts. The first two branches of
Justices of the Peace in various
various districts.
authority were modestly
styled "Executive
"Executive Committee"
Committee" and
and"
"Legislative
LegislativeCorn.
Commodestly styled
mittee."
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GRO.
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
71
W. H.
H. Gtay,
Geay,now
now of
of Astoria,
Astoria, was a leading
leading spirit
spirit throughout
throughout the
the whole affair,
affair,
doubtless contributed
contributed much
much towards
towards its
its success.
success. This civil authority was
and doubtless
Americans, English,
to control a mixed
mixed population composed
composed of
of Americans,
English, Scotch,
Scotch, Cana,
Canadians and half-breed
half-breed Indians. At that time,
time, there
there were
werethree
threereligious
religiousdenomdenomrepresented by
by missionaries,
missionaries, Methodist, Presbyterian and
and Catholic,
Catholic, and
and
inations represented
a~tive anti-mission
anti-mission party.
party. The first Executive
Executive
there were
were manifestations
manifestations of
of an active
Committee consisted
consisted of
of one member
member of
of the
Committee
the Methodist
Methodist Mission,
Mission, Alanson
Alanson Beers,
Beers,
two farmers,
farmers, David
and Joseph
Jos~h Gale.
Gale.
and two
David Hill and
years after,
after, in
in 1845,
1845, this frame
Two years
frame work
work was
wasso
so perfected
perfected as
as to
to assume
assume the
the
dignity of aa constitutional
with the executive
lodged in a
constitutional government,
government, with
executive power
power lodged
Governor
right of
of veto,
veto, and
andthe
thelegislative
legislativefunctions
functionsininaaHouse
Houseof
ofRepRepGovernor with the right
existed until March
form of government
government existed
March 3d,
3d, 1849,
1849, when
when the
the
resentatives. This form
jurisdiction of the United Satates
Satates was
was extended
extended by
by virtue
virtue of
of the
theAct
ActofofCongress
Congress
general acceptance,
Oregon; The general
acceptance, if
Government of Oregon.
organizing the Territorial Government
approval by
by our
our people
people of
of the
theProvisional
ProvisionalGovernment,
Government, made
made itit
not the entire approval
and enforced
enforced its authority.
authority. Under it,
it, life
life and
and property
propertywere
were protected,
protected,
strong, and
contracts maintained,
the people
people were
were prosperous and happy.
happy. Coined money
Contracts
maintained, and the
scarce, wheat
te.nder in the
the payment
payment of all
all demands.
demands.
being scarce,
wheat was made a legal tender
War
and '48,
War was
was vigorously
vigorously and successfully
successfully prosecuted. In the winter of 1847
1847 and'
48,
over 300 men
men were
were kept in the field
field beyond
beyond the
theCascade
Cascade mountains,
mountains, in
in offensive
offensive
the Cayuse
Cayuse Indians.
Indians. In
In thirteen
thirteen days
days from
from the receipt
receipt of
of the
operations against the
information at the seat
seat of
of government, Oregon City, of
of the
the massacre
massacre of
of the
the mismissionaries
at Wa-il-at-pu,
Wa-il-at-pu,aaforce
force of
offifty
fifty armed
armed men
men were
were in
inpospossionaries and immigrants at
session of
the Mission
Mission station
The Dalles
Dallesofofthe
theColumbia
Columbia river,
river, having
having
session
of the
station at The
distance of
of one
one hundred
hundred and
and fifty
fifty miles.
miles. There were
were no
no steam
steam facilfacilmarched aa distance
march was
was made
made in
in the
the
ities for travel and transportation in those
those days and the march
inclement month
month of
of December.
December. As
fast as the companies
companies could be equipped,
equipped,
As fast
Thetwo
twofights
fights
moved to
they moved
to the
the front
front by
by the
the old
old pack
pack trail
trail up
up the
the Columbia.
Columbia. The
at the
the canyon
canyon of the
the Des
DesChutes,
Chutes, in
in which
which the
theenemy
enemywere
were driven
driven each
each time
time
at
loss, occurred on
Umatilla,
with loss,
on the
the last two days
days of February. The battle of Umatilla,
repulsed with
with serious
serious loss,
loss, was
was fought
fought on the 2nd
2nd
where the enemy were
were again
again repulsed
March. On
Onthe
the4th,
4th,the
theadvance
advanceofofthe
thecolumn
columnoccupied
occupied Wa-il-at-pu,
Wa-il-at-pu, Whitof March.
Mission, now
miles away
away from
from the
the seat
seat of
of
man's Mission,
nowWalla
Walla Walla,
Walla, three
three hundred
hundred miles
government, and almost
almost the
the same
same distance from
from any settlement of
this
of note.
note. All this
energy and power which
which would
would be regarded
was a display of energy
regarded as
as remarkable
remarkable in
of any
as that
that
the operations
operations of
any government;
government; but
but in
in one
one so new and inexperienced
inexperienced as
of the Pioneers
Pioneers of Oregon,
y satisfactory
of
Oregon, it
it must
must be
be proof
proof eminent!
eminently
satisfactoryasastotothe
the abil·
aba.
ity and
and efficiency
efficiency ofof it,
it, that itit was
was not
not one
one only
only in name,
name, but
but aa government
government
The
founded
founded in
in the
the esteem
esteemand
andsustained
sustainedby
bythe
thewill
willand
andmajesty
majestyofofthe
thepeople.
people. The
72
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
highest compliment has been paid to
to the
the integrity
integrityand
and patriotism
patriotism of
of those
those Amer.
Americans who
who really
really created
created and administered
administered this
this early organization,
organization, in the simple
part of
of those
those of
of foreign
foreign birth,
birth, who
who shared
shared with
with
circumstance that
circumstance
that the·
the greater part
that govenment,
govenment, as
as soon
soon as
as an opportunity was afforded them
them the fortunes of that
became citizens
United States.
States. It is indicative
indicative of
good faith
faith and
of the
the good
became
citizens of
of the United
honest dealing which
which had
had characterized
characterized the
the association.
association.
In 1846,
1846, when
virtuous and
and
whenII arrived
arrivedininthe
the country,
country,I Ifound
foundan
anintelligent,
intelligent virtuous
industrious community,
industrious
community, actuated
actuated by
by the purest motives,
motives, and
and the
the highest
highest sense
sense of
of
There was
was an
an intense
intenseanxiety-made
anxietymade keener
keener by suspense
suspense and
and the
the deferduty. There
ment
of hope-for
hopefor the
of the
thetime
timeto
to come,
come, when
when the
the jurisdiction
jurisdiction of
the Union
Union would
would
ment of
be
off, they
be extended
extendedover
overthem,
them,and
and they
they could
could,realize
realizethat,
that, though
though far off,
they were
were
still at home,
home, and benerth
beneath the
the protection
protection of the
the glorious
glorious banner
banner of
of our
our country.
country.
Oregon comprised
comprised six
Columbia river
At that time Oregon
six counties,
Counties,north
northofof the
the Columbia
river the
two counties
counties of
of Lewis
Lewis and
and Vancouver;
Vancouver;south
southof
of itit Clackamas,
Clackamas, Tuality, Yamhill
and Champoeg, now Marion.
Marion.
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneers
Pioneers belongs
belongsthe
thehonor
honorof
ofhaving
having established
established the
thefirst
firstnewsnewsTo the
Pacific coast, at Oregon
Oregon City, in February,
February, 1846.
1846. The paper
paper press on the Pacific
was
Oregon
was called
called the
the Oregon
OregonSpectator,
Spedator, and was
was issued
issued semi.monthly.
semi-monthly. The Oregon
first weekly
weekly news
continent, was also
Free Press,
Press, the first
newssheet
sheeton
onthis
this side
side of
of the continent,
published
March, 1848,
1848, from
country, and
published at that place in March,
fromaapre~s
pressmade
made in
in the
the country,
wrought out of wood.
with display type wrought
coinage of gold
gold on this Coast
tookplace
place at
at Oregon
Oregon City
Cityin
in the
the spring
spring
The first coinage
coast took
of 1849. Our people returning from
from the gold
gold mines
mines in
in California,
California, could get
get but
but
eleven
dollars per
per ounce
ounce for
for their gold
gold dust
dust in
in trade,
trade, when
when itit was
was worth
worth from
from
eleven dollars
sixteen
To remedy
remedy this,
sixteen to
toeighteen
eighteendollars
dollarscash.
cash. To
this, the
the Legislature
Legislature in
in the
the winter
winter
of 1848-9,
1848-9, passed
The assaying,
assaying, melting
melting and
and coining
coining of
passedan
an act
act authorizing"
authorizing "The
gold,"
but the
the advent
adventof
ofthe
thenew
neworder
orderof
ofthings
things under
under the
the Federal
Federal Government,
Government,
gold," but
precluded
enterprise however,
however, within
within a
precluded the
the carrying
Carryingout
outof
of the
the law. Private
Private enterprise
short
Beaver" coin,
short time
time after,
after, issued
issuedwhat
whathas
hassince
sincebeen
beencalled
calledthe"
the "Beaver"
coin, five
five and
ten dollar gold
gold pieces,
pieces, with
with the
theimpression
impression of the beaver
beaver on one side, over
over·which
which
appeared
appeared the
the innitialletters
innitial letters of
of the names
names of the
the company,
company, Kilborn, Magruder,
Magruder,
Taylor, Abernethy,
Wilson, Rector,
Rector,Campbell,
Campbell,Smith;
Smith;underneath,
underneath,"0.
"0. T.
Taylor,
Abernethy, Wilson,
1849." On
Onthe
thereverse,
reverse,was
was"
OregonExchange
ExchangeCompany,
Company, 130
130 grains
grains Native
Native
1849."
"Oregon
Gold.
Theonly
onlyalteration
alterationon
onthe
thefaces
faces of
of the $Io
$10 pieces
pieces was,
10 pdwts
Gold, 5 D." The
was,"" 10
pdwts
20
Thedies
diesfor
forthis
this coinage
coinage were
were made
madeby
by Hamilton
Hamilton CampCamp20 grains,
grains, Ten
TenD."
D." The
bell, since dead; the press and rolling mill were
were made
made by Wm. H.
H. Rector,
Rector, now
now
removed
The intrinsic
intrinsic worth
worth of
of these gold pieces
pieces was some
some eight
removed to California. The
per cent.
cent, more
more than
than their
their representative
representativevalue,
value,and
and therefore
therefore they
they were
were readily
readily
interchanged and soon
soon passed
passed from
from general
general circulation.
circulation.
)
FIRST
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST ANNUAL
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
73
73
In concluding
concluding this
this brief
brief and desultory
address let
let us
us hope that
desultory address
that the coming
cominggeneragenerations, who
are to
up the
the State
State of
of Oregon
Oregon to
to aa scale
scale competing
competing with
with the
the
tions,
wlo are
to build
build up
grandeur and
and power
power of other States, will the more and more appreciate the work
work
Pioneers, as
glimpses after glinipses
glimpses of
of the Pioneers,
as in
in the
the performance
performance of
of that duty, glimpses
of
the grand future
future are
are disclosed.
disclosed.
doubt a high
high regard
regard will
willbe
becherished
cherished for
for them
them when
when they
they shall
shallhave
have
No doubt
thrilling incidents
inciden:s of
passed away,
passed
away, totolive
liveagain
again in
in the
the grateful
grateful stories
stories of
of the thrilling
frontier and wilderness
wilderness life.
life. Few deeds will be found
found within
within the
the'period
period of
of that
anyone
will care
care to
to have
have disclaimed,
disclaimed, or
or which
which will cause the
pioneer rule which any
one will
least reproach. The
The Oregon
Oregon Pioneers
Pioneerswere
were aa class
class of
of men
men possessing
possessing the
the superior
superior
virtues which make
make aa superior manhood. Already they have
have been distinguished
by the higher
thepulpit,
pulpit,on
onthe
the bench,
bench, at
at the
the bar,
bar,as
asGovernors,
Governors, as
higher honors-in
honorsin the
fheydid
did their
theirwork
work unostentatiously,
unostentatiously, but
but did
did it well,
Congressmen, as
as Senators. rhey
leaving aa broad
for the
the more
more complete
complete
in leaving
broad and
and substantial
substantial foundation,
foundation, at
at least for
perfect work
work of
of those
those who were to
to come
come after them.
them.
and perfect
The world with laurel
laurel garlands
garlands
Victorious
Victorious warriors crown,
croWD,
And life-like
life-like forms in marble,
And
marble,
renown;
Proclaim
Proclaim their
their high renown;
On crimsoned fields of carnage,
deeds are
are done,
done,
Where desperate deeds
Where
Where brother
brother strikes a brother down,
That he may wear the victor's crown,
kind of
of fame
fame is
is won.
won.
That kind
But, Peace
Peace in
in her achievements,
But,
No pain,
pain, or ill,
ill, imparts;
How
How grand
grand her
her scope of usefulness,
Her wonder-work
wonder-work of
ofarts
arts!I
Her
Our
hopes,our
ourlives-the
livesthe homes
homesofofearthearth
Our hopes,
All that makes
makes life
lifeof
ofany
anyWorth
worth
To her are consecrate,
Which once
once destroyed
destroyed in
in war's
war's wild
wild wrath,
wrath,
re-create.
War cannot re-create.
Her rule
rule developes
developes manhood,
manhood,
Her
And makes a people great
In that
thatwhich
which tends
tendsto
tohuman
humangood,
good,
In
In
In all
all that
that links
linksaa brotherhood,
brotherhood,
And glorifies
glorifies the
the State.
74
74
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
For those beneath her banner,
Who
Who wrought
wrought our
our pleasant ways,
Who
Who toiled
toiled and suffered
suffered to
to the
the end,
That man might be his
his own
own beet
best friend,
Be honor and all praise.
Be
Is there no song of
of triumph?
No
No word of lofty cheer?
Now
Now that
that the Wilderness
Wilderness is ours,
brave Pioneer?
Pioneer?
For the brays
What was
was there
there so
so enticing,
him to
to his
his fate?
fate?
That charmed him
hero's name?
name?
Was he to win aa hero's
To
wodd with
with loud
loud acclaim?
acclaim?
To fill
fill the world
And rank among the great?
And
There was no
no sound
sound of
of greeting,
In
In deserts where
where he trod;
With a stout heart to do
do and dare,
Hardships and
and perils
perils were
were his
his share,
share,
Hardships
Far off-alone
offalone with
withGod!
Godl
On!
for the
the good
good of
of others,
On! for
That end for all atones;
To fell
fell the forest, make the
the home-To
To
come,
To mark
mark the
the path for them to come,
If
If need
need be with
with his
his bones.
bones.
On dreary wastes, in mountain pass.
pass,
Mournful mementoes tell
tell
desperate strife-Of sudden
suddenstrait-of
straitof desperate
Where fiercely
life,
fiercely fighting
fighting for
for his life,
A brave
brave man
man bravely
bravely fell.
he wins
wins high
high guerdon!
guerdon!
At length he
Jis star of fortune shines!
"~is
shines I
their flinty pores,
The mountains ope' their
Naturereveals
revealsher
herprecious
preciousstoresstores
Nature
The gold and silver mines;
The world is in a tumult!
tumult!
It rushes for the prize!
It
prize I
A
A miracle
miracle is
is wrought--how grand!
As
As ifif by
by magic
magicthrough
through the
the land,
See
See towns and traffic rise!
As
As the farmer tills his
his broad
broad lands,
And gathers
gathers in
in his grain;
And
arain;
As the
the voices
voices of
of the
the homestead
Swell in a happy strain;
Swell
As
As sUDset
sunset gives
gives itit grandeur,
And herds come
home to
to rest;
rest;
come home
As
As round
round the
the hearth-stone
hearth-stone each loved form
form
Brings wealth of an affection
affection warm,
warm,
The Pioneer is
Is blest.
FIRST ANNUAL
ANNUAL ADDRESS
GEO. L.
L. CURRY.
CURRY.
FIRST
ADDRESSOF
OFEX-GOV.
EXGOV. GEO.
labor
The noise of busy labor
tl1s the
the air,
With music
musi fills
And
And makes
makesthe
thesong
songofo triumph
That .,.,hoes
every where;
where;
erhoe every
designs the
the honorg
honors
While art designs
Which thriving
Which
thriving thrift uprears,
From the mountains
mountains to
to the
the sea-side,
sea-side,
For
For the
the brave
brave Pioneers.
Pioneers.
7S
75
CAPTAIN
LEVEN N. ENGLISH.
ENGLISH.
CAPTAIN LEYEN
BORN
BORN 1792.
DIED
DIED 1876.
Leven
March 25,
25, 1792.
1792.
Leven Nelson
Nelson English
English was
was born
bornnear
near Baltimore,
Baltimore, Maryland, March
When
When quite
quite young,
young, his
his parents
parents moved
moved to
to the
the then
then Territory
Territory of
of Kentucky,
Kentucky, where
where
he
England was
",as
he resided
residedfor
forseveral
severalyears
yearsand
andmarried.
married. When
When the
the war
war with
with England
declared,
volunteered and was
was in several
several of
heaviest battles
battles on
on
declared, (1812), he volunteered
of the heaviest
frontiers ·of
the United
United States and
and the
the Canadas.
Canadas. After
declaration of
the frontiers
of the
After the
the declaration
peace,
immigrated with his
family to
to MaCoupin's
MaCoupin's county, Illinois,
Illinois, where
where he
he
peace, he immigrated
his family
earnestly set himself
himself to
to work
work to
to make
make aa home
homein
in the
the great
great wilderness,
earnestly
wilderness, but these
operations
were temporarily
temporarily suspended
commencement or-the
Indian
operations were
suspended by
by the commencement
of the Indian
Hawk war. At the breaking out
troubles which finally
finally culminated in the Black Hawk
of the
volunteer ,company,
the war,
war, he raised and was elected Captain of aa volunteer
company, and was
commissioned by Governor Reynolds.
Reynolds.
so commissioned
In 1836
1836 he
determined to
he again
again determined
to push
push further
further West,
West, and
and moved
moved to
to the
the Territoryof
Iowa, where
where he settled and
and erected
identified himself with
ritory
of Iowa,
erected aa mill and
and identified
with
the progress of that young and rising population.
In 1845,
1845, he
up stakes" and started for
for Oregon,
Oregon, and
settled in
he again
againpulled"
pulled "up
and settled
the Willamette
Willamette valley
Salem, after aa toilsome
toilsome trip across
across the
valleynear
near and
and east
east of
of Salem,
English built the
the
plains,
plains, losing one
one of his
his sons
sonsby
bydeath
death during
during the
the trip. Capt. English
next year,
year, what
what was
was once
once widely
widely known
known as
as English's
English's mills,
mills, which
which contributed
contribute.~
very materially
materially to
to the
thebetter
betterclass
classof
ofdwelling
dwellinghouses
houses in
in Salem
Salem and
and the
the surroundsurrounding country.
Cayuse war
war broke
broke out,
ont, Capt.
Capt.English
Englishand
andseveral
severalofofhis
hissons
sons responresponWhen the Cayuse
ded to the call
call for
for volunteer with
thus filling his place
with alacrity,
alacrity,thus
place creditably
creditably in three
1869, he
different wars. In 1869,
he moved
moved with
with his
his family
family to
to California,
California, but
but not
not liking
liking
the
climate, he
he returned
returned and
andsettled
settledininSalem,
Salem,inin1871,
187 I, where
where he
he resided
resided the
the
the climate,
of his life.
remainder of
to
was married twice; with
with his
his first
first wife
wife he lived 39 years up to
Captain English was
1851,
1851, when
whenshe
shedied,
died,and
andbeing
beingthe
themother
motherofof twelve
twelve children.
children. By his second
seven, making
wife he
wife
he had seven,
making aa total of nineteen children.
children.
of being
being 85
85 years old.
Capt. English died
died March
March 5,
5, 1875,
1875, lacking
lacking twenty
twenty days
days of
His death occured
after the
the publication
publicationofof the
the title
title page
page of
of this publication,
occured after
publication, or
it would have appropriately
appropriately appeared therein.
COL. JOSEPH
L. MEEK.
MEEK.
COL.
JOSEPH L.
II 8
-. I1875.
875•
81I 00--
_&w
AGE
65..
CAPT.
N. ENGLISH.
ENGLISH.
CAPT. L.
L. N.
I1792--1876.
79 2 .- I 8 7 6 •
S4.
AGE
G-1 84.
COL.
MEEK.
COL. JOSEPH
JOSEPH L.
L MEEK
BORN1810.
iSio.
BORN
DIED
DIED 5875.
1875.
BY Jlma.
5BB. F. F.F.VICTOR.
BY
VICTOR.
Joseph
He was
wasthe
theson
son
oseph L.
L. Meek
Meek was
was born
bornininWashington
Washingtoncouuty,
county,Virginia.
Virginia. He
and his
his mother
motherwas
wasofofaagood
goodVirginia
Virginiafamily-one
familyone of
of the
the Walker's
Walker's
of a planter1
planter, and
---anclaunt
aunttoto the
the wife
wifeof
of President
~and
President Polk.
Polk. But unfortunately
unfortunately for
for her son,
son, this
lady died early, and
and young
young Joseph
Joseph was
was left
left very
very much
much to
to his
his own
own devices,
devices, on aa
where there
there was
was nothing for
plantation where
for him
him to
todo,
do,and
and little
little to
to learn,
learn, except such
out· door sports as boys delight in.
in. These
These he
enjoyed in
in the
the most
most unrestrained.
unrestrained.
out-door
he enjoyed
his father's
father's.slaves,
slaves,
liberty,
having for
for his companions
companions only
liberty, having
oniy the
the children
children of
of his
towards whom he stood in the relation
relation of
of master.
master.
habits of
ofmental
mentalindustry
industryin
in any
any case;
casej
Such circumstances would
wouldbe
be inimical to habits
found his temptations
temptatiqns to
to a busy
busy idleness
and the lad found
idleness so
so many
many and
and strong, that
refused even
he refused
even to
to avail
avail himself
himselfof
of the
the little elementary teaching that he might
stepmother, for
for whom
whom he seems
seems to have felt a
have
have had on the
the plantation. His stepmother,
dislike,
dislike, either
either did not,
not, or
or could
could not
not influence
influencehim
himininthe
thedirection
directionofofstudy;
study; and
fell out
out that when
when he
arrived at
sixteen years,
was a tall,
tall,
it fell
he arrived
at the
the age
age of sixteen
years, he
he was
spelling and
and reading
reading as
as isis conconmerry, active boy, who knew hardly as much of spelling
Why it was that
that his
his father
father neglected
neglected him
him in
tained in
in the
the child's
child's first
firstprimer.
primer. Why
in
so culpable
culpable a manner
does not
not appear;
appear; but what is evident
evident is,
is, that young
manner does
young Meek
Meek
was not happy at
at home,
home, and
and that
thathis
hisnot
notbeing
beingso
sowas
wasthe
thecause
causeofofhis
hisabandonabandonthe plantation
plantation when
when between
between sixteen
sixteen and
and seventeen
seventeen years of age, and underundering the
taking to enter upon
upon a career
career for himself.
himself. This
he did
did by
bygoing
going to
to Kentucky,
Kentucky,
This he
father resided;
resided; and, on dnding
finding things
things not
not to
to his
his
where soniC
some relations
where
relationsof
of his
his father
mind in the new
new place,
place, finally
finally pushing
pushing on
on to
to St.
St. Louis,
Louis, then
thenaamere
mere trading-post
trading-post
of 5828.
1828.
Missouri frontier,
on the Missouri
frontier, where
where he arrived in the fall of
was the
after life.
life. St. Louis was
was the
the
This was
the decisive
decisivestep
stepthat
that colored
colored all his
his after
rendezvous of
who yearly enlisted new
new men for
for service
service in
rendezvous
of fur
fur traders,
traders, who
in trapping
trapping
the Rocky
Rocky Mountains.
Mountains. Young
YoungMeek
Meek offered
offered himself,
himself, and
and though
though
beaver in the
beaver
80
BIOGRAPHY OF
MEEK.
BIOGRAPHY
OFCOL.
COL. JOSEPH
JOSEPH L.
L. MEEK.
younger than
the other
other recruits,
recruits, was
was accepted,
accepted, on
on his
his assurance
assurance that
younger
than the
that he
would
not shrink
shrink from
fromduty,
duty, even
evenifif that duty
would not
duty should
should be to
to fight
fight Indians. The
spring of
of 5829
accordingly found
found him
himininthe
the employ
employ of
of Mr. William Sublette,
Sublette,
spring
1829 accordingly
one of the
the most
most enterprising
enterprising and
and successful
successful of the fur traders, who annually led
led.
a company of men
mountains, and through
through them,
them,froxn
from summer
summer to
to winter
winter
men to
to the mountains,
St. Louis
Louis for the necessary
rendezvous;
to go
go to
to St.
rendezvous; leaving them the following spring
spring to
Indian goods and fresh recruits.
Little did the boy of eighteen
eighteen realize
that for
for
realize the fateful step he was
was taking;
taking; that
carrying
eleven years
eleven
years he
he should
should roam
roam the
the mountaius
mountainsaud
and plains
plains like an Indian, carrying
his
his life
life in
in his
his hand
hand at
at every
everystep;
step; that he
he should
should marry
marry an
an Indian
Indian woman;
woman; and
and
leave
far off
off Oregon,
Oregon, of
leave aa family
familyof
of half-Indian
half-Indian children>
children inin the
the valley
valley ofof that far
which then
name. But a man once
once entered
entered into
which
then he
he had
had hardly
hardly ever
ever heard
heard the name.
the service of the
the fur companies found
found it nearly impossible to
to abandon
abaudon the
the service,
service,
unless he had shown
shownhimself
himselfcowardly
cowardlyand
andunfit-in
unfitin which
unless
whichcase
casehe
hewas
was permitted
permitted
to
when the
to return
return when
the trading
trading partner
partnerwent
wenttotoSt.St.Louis
Louisfor
forgoods.
goods. A
A brave
brave and
and
active
active man was
was sure
sure to
to be
be kept in the Company's debt, or
or in
in some
some other
other way
way in
in
its power;
power; so
so that
that no
no opportunity
opportunity should
should be
be aflorded
afforded of
of leaving,
leaving> the life he had
entered upon however thoughtlessly. Letters were even forbidden
forbidden to be written
or received;
received; lest
lest hearing
hearing from
from home
home should
should produce
produce hoiiesickness
homesiclmess and
and disafdisafservice was
one· fifth
fection. The service
was so
so full
full of dangers,
dangers, that
that it was estimated fully one-fifth
one-fourth of
or died
died by
by accident
accident
if not one-fourth
of the
the trappers
trappers were
were killed
killed by the Indians, or
exposure each year.
and exposure
withall
Yet, with
allthese
thesechances
chancesagainst
againsthim,
him,Meek
Meeklived
livedeleven
elevenyears
yearsininthe
themountmountains,
wild beasts,
beasts, with
that time
time aaserioug
serious
ains, fighting
fighting Indians
Indiins and
and wild
with never
never111in all
all thai
wound from
fromIndian
Indianarrow
arrowororpaw
pawofofgrizzly
grizzlybear;
bear;aafact
factthat
that illustrates
illustrates better
wound
than any words,
words, the address,
Though often
often
address, quickness
quicknessand
andcourage
courageofofthe
theman.
man. Though
sportively alluding
alluding to
to his
his own subterfuges to escape
escape from
from danger,
danger, itit still
still remained
evident that an
an awkward,
awkward, slow
slow or cowardly
cowardly man
man could
could never
never have resorted
resorted to
evident
such
An unnsually
unnsually fine
fine physic,
physic, a sunny temper
ready wit,
wit, made
made
such means.
means. An
temper and ready
him a favorite
favorite with
with both
both comrades
comrades and
and employers,
employers, and
and gave him influence
influence with
with
such Indian tribes as the mountain-men
mountain-men held
held in
in friendly relations.
seasons of
There are certain seasons
of the year when
when either
either the beaver cannot
cannot be
be taken
taken
on account
accountof
of cold,
cold, or
or when
when its
itsfur
furisisworth
worthlittle
little on
on account
accountofof hot
hot weather.
on
weather.
At these
seasons, the
semi-annual rendezvous-that
of winter
winter
these seasons,
the men
men had
had their semi-annual
rendezvousthat of
seasonbeing
beingthe
thelongest-all
longestall of
part of
of the
of the
the men
men going
going into
into camp
camp in some
some part
season
country where they could best subsist themselves
themselves and their horses. During
During some
some
of these winter vacations, Meek applied himself
himself to
to acquiring
acquiring some
some knowledge of
reading; and
and as
as the
the only
only authors
authors carried
carried about
about with
with the
the Company's
Company's goods, were
of
the very
very best-the
Bible,Shakespeare,
Shakespeare, and the
the standard
standaId poets-the
effect
of the
bestthe Bible,
poetsthe effect
BIOGRAPHY
OF COL.
COL. JOSEPH
BIOGRAPHY OF
JOSEPH L. MEEK.
MEEK.
81
8x
was to store
store a mind otherwise
otherwise empty
empty of learning with some
some of
of the
the finest
finest literaliteraEnglish language.
language.
ture in the English
advantage, Meek
Meek had
had for
forcompanions
companions men
men who
who had in
in their
their youth
youth
Besides this advantage,
butwho,
who, for
for
for a very
very different
different life from
from that they were
were leading,
leading, but
been educated for
cause and
become embittered
society and voluntarily
voluntarily
one cause
and another,
another, had become
embittered against
against society
had come
come to the mountains.
mountains.
exiled themselves. Others, from a love of adventure had
Besides his companions
companions in
proportion were
men. Besides
Only a small proportion
were really
really illiterate
illiterate men.
camp,
traveling parties of
camp, Meek
Meek quite
quite often
oftenwas
wasbrought
broughtinto
into contact
contact with
with the
the traveling
English
noblemen, or
and natualists,
natualists, who
who attached
attached themselves
themselves for
English noblemen,
or of
of painters and
for
greater safety
safety to
to the
the caravan
caravan of
ofthe
the fur
fur companies.
companies. In this way
way he was
was enabled
to pick up a fund of miscellaneous
miscellaneous knowledge
knowledge that went
went far
far to
to cover
cover the
thedefi.
defi.
ciency of his early education.
ciency
About 1839,
had become
become so
so scarce
scarce from
from being so
so long and
and steadily
steadily
1839, the beaver
beaver had
the several
several companies,
companies, that
that ititwas
was thought
thought best
best to
to disband
disband them.
them.
hunted by the
hunted
new phase
phase of
life into
into which
which Meek
Meek had
had so
sothoughtlessly
thoughtlessly been
Here was aa new
of the life
twenty-nine, in
in tIe
thevery
very flush
flush of
of young
youngmanhood,
manhood, to
to be
bedeserted
deserted in
in
drawn. At twenty-nine,
mountains by
by his
his employers,
employers, was
was something he had
had not
not foreseen.
foreseen. To return
the mountains
Virginia with
wife and children,
children, was
was not
not to
to be
be thought
thought of, even
even if
to Virginia
with an
an Indian
Indian wife
if
it were
were possible,
possible, as itit was
was not. To
remain in
mountains, except
relinTo remain
in the mountains,
except by
by relinquishing forever
all thoughts
thoughts of civilized
forever all
civilized associations,
associations, was
was equally
equallyimpossible.
impossible.
this juncture, Meek,
Meek, with
with several
several more
more mountain-men,
mountain-men, determined
determined to
to cast
cast
At this
their lot with that
that of
of the
thealmost
almostunknown
unknownOregon,
Oregon,then
thenvirtually
virtuallyininpossession
possession
of the Hudson Bay Company; and in 1840,
1840, did remove
remove with their families
families to
to the
the
Wallamet valley,
valley, where
where at
at that time
Wallamet
time very
very few
few Americans
Americans were
were living
living except
except
those connected
connected with
withthe
theMethodist
MethodistMission-few
Missionfew indeed,
indeed, in
in all.
the winter
winter of
of 1840,
1840, Meek
Meek selected
selected a land claim
claim in the Tualatin
Tualatin Plains,
Plains,
In the
lived upon
upon and where he died,
where
where he
he began
began to farm,
farm, the s.ame
same he
he afterwards
afterwards lived
in June,
June, 1875.
1875.
the time
timethat
thathe
hecame
cametotoOregon,
Oregon,until
untilOregon
Oregonbecame
becameaaState,
State,Meek
Meek was
was
From the
acquainted with
with
actively concerned
concerned in
in her
her affairs.
affairs. Well acquainted
always more
more or
or less actively
character, he
Indian character,
he was
was useful
usefulinin maintaining
maintainingpeace
peacewith
withthe
thenative
nativetribes.
tribes. A
American, he
staunch American,
he resisted
resisted the encroachments
encroachments of
of British
British authority
authority during the
period of
joint occupancy of
When itit was
was at
at last
lastthought
thoughtbest
bestto
tomove
move
ofjoint
of the
thecountry.
country. When
for the orgaization
org3jizationofofaaProvisional
ProvisionalGovernment
Government,he
hewas
wasconspicuously
conspicuously active in
in
calling
do'lillun
'own ';
caJling for.&ne:!tpression
for aa expressionof
ofsen
sentitnept,headiIlgtbe
headisig theAmerican
American
adünrniiiinhisMóiti
hli duties,
perll.Qrl. Beingmad
Be~made~.
governmeat. he
he psxforme&
~~bW'dutiell;
pez*n.
S ffunderth.ne government,
elestëdAsse.
tl$>i&lwayd.htori.e~
He"ft\tki\o:it~t~~.·;
h'p ptitudéand spirit;
sp4ri. He
nt*Iways Rghtoeies, ~:piomptit\td._
"'bl~
&om.'Wash
. . .ncounyporkradng
I:<IUntY~:~~!lis
l
blyman froni
his duties l2prpriety aM
new
82
BIOGRAPHY
OFCOL.
COL.JOSEPH
JOSEPHL.L. MEEI.
BIOGRAPHY OF
MEEK.
otism,
otism, dashed
dashed Sometimes
sometimes with
with the
the wild humor
humor for
for which,
which, whether as aa mounmoun·
was celebrated.
celebrated.
taineer or a legislator, he was
When
massacre of
the missionaries
missionaries and emigrants
emigrants at Wailatpu,
When the
the massacre
of the
Wailatpu, startled
all Oregon
Oregon in 1847,
1847, he accepted the
the toilsome
toilsome and
and dangerous
dangerous duty of
of messenger
messenger
Congress; having to perform the journey overland
to Congress;
overland in
in the
the depth
depth of
of winter,
winter, with
He arrived
arrived after
after
two companions,
only two
companions,one
oneofofwhom
whomgave
gaveout
outupon
uponthe
theway.
way. He
much hardship,
hardship, on
on the Missouri
frontier early in March,
de·
Missouri frontier
March, without
without money
money or
or decent
he appeared
appeared until
cen~ habiliments,
habiliments, and
and by
by his
his address
address won
won his
his way
way wherever
wherever he
until
presented himself,
White
he presented
himself, aa forlorn
forlorn messenger
messengerindeed,
indeed,atatthe
the door
door of
of the
the White
subsequent life,
sensation he
life, he
he delighted
delighted to
to recall
recall the
the sensation
House. During all his subsequent
was able
No other
other man
man in
in
was
able to
to produce
produceon
onbeing
beingpresen1:ed
presentedtotoPresident
PresidentPolk.
Polk. No
would have
have thought
thought of
of standing
standing so
so entirely
entirely on the merits
merits of
the United States
States would
cause; or
or of
of making
making his wretchedness
his cause;
wretchedness aa subject
subjectof
ofsuch
such self.railery
self.railery as to divert
seem only a very
attention from
from its pitifulness and make itit seem
very good
good jest.
jest. Such was
teIl)perament of
of the
the man,
man, that
that when
when he
he chose
chose to
hisown
own
the teiperament
to be
be merry-and
merryand atathis
expense-therewas
wasuniversal
universalenjoyment
enjoymentin
inbeholding
beholding it.
it.
expensethere
Meek
remained in
in Washington,
Washington,aaguest
guestofof President
President Polk,
Polk, until the
Meek remained
the passage
pas~age
Oregon was
was by
by this
this Act,
Act, constituted
constituted aa
ofthe
of the Organic
Organic Act,
Act, August
August14th,
4th, 1848.
1848. Oregon
Territory of the Uoited
United States,
States, and
and ititbecame
becamenecessary
necessarytotoappoint
appointits
itsofficers
officers as
as
possible in order that they
they might
might reach
reach their
their field
field of
of action before the
quickly as possible
expiration
office. AAcommission
commission was
was given
given Meek
Meek of
U. S.
S.
expirationof
of Polk's
Polk's term
term of office.
of U.
and he
he was
was entrusted
entrusted with
with the
the duty
dutyof
ofconveying
conveying to
to Gen.
Gen. Joseph
Joseph Lane,
Lane,
Marshal; and
his commission
commissionas
asGovernor
GovernorofofOregon,
Oregon,with
withauthority
authoritytototake
take an
an escort
escort of
of U.
U. S.
S.
dragoons
for their
their safe
safe conduct
conduct
dragoons from
from Fort
Fort Leavenworth
Leavenworth in
in the
the Kansas Territory, for
very different
This was aa very
differentorder
orderofoftravel
travel from
fromthat
that he
he had
across the plains. This
pursued six
six months
months previous,
previous,when
whenhe
hehad
had skulked
skulked through
through aa thousand
thousand miles
miles of
of
Indian country
country almost·
almost alone,
alone, poor,
poor, ragged
ragged and
and often
often in danger
danger of
of starving,
starving, to
carry news
news to
to the government
government of
of the
the awful
awful straight
straight in
in which
which the
the little
little American
American
colony.in
Oregon found
found itself.
colony
in Oregon
Sante Fe trail,
trail, the
theOregon
Oregon Governor
Governor and
and
By taking the
the southern
southern route,
route, or Sante
By
Oregon on
zd of
Marshal arrived
California in
February, 1849,
1849, and
Marshal
arrived in
in California
in February,
and in Oregon
on the ad
March, just
for Lane to
to be
be proclaimed
proclaimed Governor
Governor of the
the new
new territory
territory
March,
just in
in time
time for
term. They
found the
Indians in
state of
before the
expiration of
before
the expiration
of Polk's term.
They found
the Indians
in a state
tranquility. waiting
would do
do further
furtherto,venge
tovenge the
armed tranquility,
waiting to
to see
see what
what the
the whites
whites would
the
the murders
Wailatpu. Lane demanded
demanded the
the principal
principal murderers from
from their
murders of Wailatpu.
tribe, and had them
them hanged,
Meek officiating
officiatingasase:Kecutioner-a
executionera duty
tribe,
hanged, Meek
dutywhich
which he
he
performed
with less
lessreluctance
reluctance since
since one
oneof
of his
his own'
own children
children had been
been among
among
performed with
the victims.
victims.
I
.....
----~------------
BIOGRAPHYOF
OFCOL.
COL.JOSEPH
JOSEPH L.
L. MEEKt
BIOGRAPHY
MEEK\
83
Meek was
was now
now atathis
hisprime,
prime, being
being about
about forty
forty years of age; gay, handsome, and
of aadignified
dignified carriage.
carriage. He might have been
been wealthy,
wealthy, had
had he
he possessed
possessed either
the avariciousness or the business acumen necessary to the
the accumulation
accumulation of money.
money.
having either,
either, the
the money
money that
that came
came into
into his
his hands
hands slipped easily away.
But not having
When the
the
When
the Territory
Territory became
becameaa State,
State, offices
oflices passed
passed into
into other
other hands,
bands, and the
rarely conducted
conducted its
itsaffairs.
affairs. Meek
thenceforth lived quietly
quietly upon
upon his
Pioneers rarely
Meek thenceforth
farm near Hillsboro,
farm
Hilisboro, laboring
laboring little,
little, and
and finding
finding occupation
occupation in
in riding
riding about
about the
the
country or
seen grow up
up throughout
throughout the
the valley
valleyof
of
or visiting
visiting the
the towns
towns that he had seen
the Wallamet.
Wallamet. 'Wherever
wont to
'Whereverhehewent,
went,aacrowd
crowdof
of curious
curious listeners
listeners were
were wont
to
to hear, over
over and over, the tales
tales of mountain
mountain advcnture,
adventure, or
or stories
stories
gather, eager to
pioneer times,
times, that
that he
~he so
so well knew
knew how
how to make
make interesting
interesting or
ordiverting.
diverting.
of pioneer
To those who
who knew him only in this
this character,
character, he
he appeared
appeared simply
simply as
as a humorist
But there was
who could
demanded. But
was
who
could paint a scene as broadly as his audience demanded.
hadhis
hismother
motherlived
lived
another side
side to
to his
his character
character not
notso
sowell
wellunderstood-that,
understoodthat, had
or had
had he
he married
married aarefined
refined woman
woman of his
his own
own race,
race, who
who would
would
to cultivate it, or
developed it,
would have been
been conspicuous
conspicuous for
for its
its gentleness,
gentleness, generosity
generosity
have developed
it, would
In the
of women
he was
was court!
courtly
and gallan
gallant
to a
and courtesy.
courtesy. In
the presence
presence of
women he
y and
t to
degree
who had lived
lived so
so adventurous
adventurous aa life.
life. Notdegree very
very remarkable
remarkableinin aa man
man who
withstanding his livtly
lively temperament,
temperament, personal
personal beauty, and uncongenial domestic
domestic
was never
never reported of him
was untrue to
to his
his marriage-bond.
marriage-bond.
relations, it was
him that he was
The blame
he took
took upon
upon himself;
himself; though
blame of his
his position
position he
though in reviewing
reviewing the circumstances
his life
life there
there seems
seems not much real blame attaching to
to it.
it. It was
cumstances of
of his
unfortunate rather than blameworthy.
blameworthy.
unfortunate
humorous sayings
sayiugs that
that will
willlong
longbe
beremembered
remembered in
in Oregon
Oregon of
Many are
are the humorous
which Meek
best known
known of which
which probably
probably is his
which
Meek was
wasthe
the author;
author; one
one of
of the best
his
affected manner,
manner, was
was inquiring
reply to a young Englishman,
Englishman, who
who in
in rather
rather an
an affected
of him concerning
few years
concerning the
the chauges
changes which
whichhe,
he, still
still aa young
young man,
man, and only a few
seen in Oregon.
Oregon. "Changes?"
Meek, with
a resident
resident in
in the
the country,
country, had
had seen
"Changes?" said
said Meek,
great animation,
animation, "Why,
"Why,when
whenI Icame
cametotoOregon,
Oregon, Mount
Mount Hood
Hood was
was aa kale
hole in the
the
ground!"
Concerning his
Hon. Jesse
Jesse
Concerning
his indifference
indifferencetotomoney,
money,and
andhis
his love
love of
of reputation, Hon.
Applegate
the ProvisProvisApplegate relates
relates that there being two offices
officesatathis
his disposal
disposal under the
Government, one
only glory,
glory,
ional Government,
one with
with some
some emoluments,
emoluments,and
and the
the other
other with only
choice was
Give me
me the
the.one
one with
the choice
wasoflered
ofleredMeek,
Meek,who
whoquickly
quicklyresponded-"
responded" Give
the glory!"
I,
I, myself,
myself, once
once asked why
why he
he brought
brought his
his Nez
NezPerce
Percewife
wifetotothe
thewhite
whitesettlesettlements-whyhe
hedid
didnot
notleave
leaveher
herwith
withher
herpeople?
people? "I
could't do
do it,"
it," he
he
mentswhy
"I could't
replied, "she
"shehad
hadchildren,
children, and
and II could
could not
not take them
them away
replied,
awayfrom
fromher."
her." On
my
loose entirely
entirely
my suggesting
suggestingthat
thathe
hecould
couldhave
haveleft
leftthem
them with
withher,
her,and
andcat
ct loose
,
84
,BIOGRAPHY
MEEK.
,BIOGRAPHYOF
OF COL.
COL. JOSEPH
JOSEPH L.
L. MEEK.
from his
from
his mountain
mountainlife,
life,he
he replied,
replied, tapping
tapping his
his breast
breast in
in the
the region
region'of
of the
the heart,
heart,
"Icould
could not
not do that,.it
hurthere."
here."
"I
that,it hurl
He was
was a kind
kind husband
husbandand
andfather;
father;proud
proudofofhis
hischildren
childrenand
andready
readytotosacrifice
sacrifice
number, resided
resided with the mother,
for them. His family, seven in number,
mother, near
near
himself for
Hillsboro,
daughters married
married and removed
removed to
Hiflsboro, until
until recently,
recently, when
when two
two of
of the daughters
to
other States. Of his
his three
three sons,
sons, all remain
remain upon
upon the
the farm,
farm, with
with the
the elder
elder and
and
younger
devoted to
Nez Perce
Perce mother,
mother, who
who sincerely
sincerely
younger sister,
Sister,and
and all
all are
are devoted
to the Nez
widowhood. ,
mourns her widowhood.
The title of'
of' 'Colonel"
'Colonel"which
which attached
attachedto
to Meek, was altogether
honorary,he
he never
never
altogetherhonorary,
having held
held aa commission.
commission. But his military
military air, and the willingness
willingness with which
which
he performed
performed military duty when called upon,
upon, his
his Marshal's
Marsh~l's costume,
costume, decorated
decorated
buttons, and
with the U. S. buttons,
and similar
similar causes,
causes, led
led to
to the
the adoption
adoptionofof the
the title
title that
that
seemed so
so naturally to belong to
to him.
him. His horsemanship
horsemanship was
was perfect,
perfect, and his
appearance upon
upon horseback
horseback in
in his
hisoffice
office of Marshal extremely imposing;
appearance
imposing; circum·
circumstances
suggested aa title.
title.
stances that inevitably suggested
Such are
some of
characteristics, and such
such some
some of
of the
thecircumstances
circumstances
Such
are some
of the characteristics,
belonging to the subject of this sketch. In the
the"
Riverof
ofthe
the West,"
West," the
the future
future
"River
will find
find preserved
preserved many
many details
detailstoo
toovoluminous
voluminous for
for the
the purposes
purposes of
of this
this
historian will
Association.
inflammation ofthe
Colonel Meek
Meek died
died of
of inflammation
of the stomach,
stomach, June
June 20th,
2oth, 1875,
1875, after
after an
an
illness
same patience
patience
illness of
of two weeks,
weeks, exhibiting
exhibiting in
in his
his suffering
sufferingand
and death
death the same
his
and
self-abnegation which
always distinguished
distinguished him.
him. Mourned
Mourned by his
and self-ahnegation
which had
had always
regretted by hundreds
hundreds of
neighbors and friends,
friends, as
family, and regretted
of neighbors
as w~ll
well as by the
members of the Association.
....
DAY .
PIONEER DAY.
•
\ It is generally conceded
the
concededthat
thatthe
the suggestion
suggestionofof the
the fifteenth
fifteenthofof June
June for
for the
annual meeting of the
the Pioneers
Pioneers was
was aa good
good one,
one, and
and has done
done much
much to
to make
make the
• meetings a success.
success. In the selection
selection of
both the useful
useful and
and beautiful
beautiful
of this day, both
promoted. It is the most convenient
convenient and pleasant season
season of the year for
for an
are promoted.
of the
thefarming
farmingcommunity,
community, who
who
door meeting; and
leisure season
season of
out of door
and is the leisure
constitute the
the greater
greater portion
portion of
of the
constitute
the people
people and the
the Pioneers.
Pioneers. It
It also
also serves
serves to
commemorate the
commemorate
the final
final acknowledgment
acknowledgment by
by Great
Great Britain of the American right
of the
thePioneer
Pioneer in
in the
therace
racefor
for the
the pre-occupation
pre-occupation
country and the
the triumph
triumph of
to the country
it.
of it.
It
obtained
It will be seen from
from the
the following
followingletter,
letter,aa copy
copyof
of which
which has.
has been obtained
from
Hon. Stephen
Stephen F.
F. Chadwick
Chadwick is
is the
the author of the suggestion
suggestion
from Judge
Judge Grim,
Grim, that Hon.
and
venture to
and that
that to
to him
him we
weare
areindebted
indebtedfor
forthis
this happy
happy choice
choice of
of what
what we
we venture
to
PIONEER DAY.
DAY.
call
call PIONEER
SALEM.Nov.
Nov.19th,
i9th, 1873.
SALEM.
1873.
JUDGE GRIM,
OFOF
O.0.P.
JUDGE
GRIM,VICE
VICEPRESIDENT
PRESIDENT
P. A.
DEAR
ofour
our Pioneer's
Pioneer's feel
feel as
as if
if the
the meeting
meetingof
of our
our folks
folks should be
be
DEARSIR.-Some
SIR.Some of
in the spring. In June would be the
the best time
time I1think.
think. I would call
call your
your attention
attention
the 15th
of June
June as
as a very appropriate
appropriate day for the
to the
15th of
the meeting.
meeting. In 1846, June
15th,
the treaty
treaty with
with Great
Great Britain
Britain settling
settling the
the boundary
boundary of
of Oregon
Oregon was
was signed
signed
i5th, the
at Washington,
Washington, by
by James
James Buchanan
Buchanan on
onour
ourpart,
part, and
and by
by Richard
Richard Pakenham on
the
of Great
Great Britain.
Britain. These
Plenipotentiaries were
the part
part of
These Plenipotentiaries
were appointed
appointed by
by the
respective nations
westward of the Rocky Mountrespective
nations to settle the
the limits
limits of
of Oregon"
Oregon "westward
Mountboundary the
treaty, all
all those
those conconains," making the
the boundary
the 49th parallel. By
By this treaty,
sidering
sidering themselves
themselves British
British subjects
subjectsbefore,
before,orornearly
nearly all,
all, became
became citizens
citizens of
of
States and recognized
recognized the American
American government
government over
over them.
them. It is a
the United States
fine idea
connected with
treaty, all
all those
those hailing
hailing
fine
idea connected
with this
this circumstance.
circumstance. By this treaty,
from
from the two different nations, now accepted the situation
situation and
andbecame
became American
born abroad,
abroad, all
allfrom
fromdifferent
different
citizens and
citizens
and pioneers
pioneers of
of one great people. All born
,..
86
PIONEER DAY.
.DAY.
PIONEER
one government,
and enabled
parts, still by this treaty broughtunder
brought,under one
one flag,
flag, one
government, and
is aa good
work in
in harmony
harmony for
for their
their common
common interest. The event
event is
good one
one and
to work
until the
Pioneers. It is true this treaty was not proclaimed
proclaimed until
the 5th
5th
belongs to the Pioneers.
of August,
August, 1846,
1846, still
15th of
of June
June
still itit was
wassigned
signedand
and became
becamethe
the law
law on
on the 15th
1846.
If
If a change
change is
is made
made to
tospring,
spring,the
the15th
15thofofJune
Juneisisthe
the best
best time
time for
for the meeting.
The
August is in
harvest, otherwise
otherwise that would
would do.
do. The
The 5th
5th of August
in the midst
midst of
of harvest,
15th of June
Oregon.
June is
is aa season
season of
of rest,
rest, if there
there is
is such
such a thing in Oregon.
the United
United States,
States, Vol.
Vol. 9,
9, page
page 869;
869;
You will
You
will find
find this
this treaty
treatyin
in the
the laws
laws of
of the
also
Code, page 55. By the
also in
in Judge
Judge Deady's Code,
the aid of this letter you will underget the
and read
Please get
the Code
Code and
read the
the treaty
treaty
the dates
dates therein
therein mentioned.
mentioned. Please
stand the
let me
me know
know what you
you think of
of the idea.
idea.
and let
Yours truly,
S.
F. CHADWICK.
CHADWICK.
S. F.
AURORA,
COUNTY, OREGON,
OREGON,
AURORA, MARION
MARION COUNTY,
Hol'T.
CHADWICIt:
HON. S. F.F.CHADWICE:
November
23d,1875.
i85.
November 23d,
DEAR SIR:-I
thankyou
youfor
foryour
yoursuggestion
suggestionof
ofthe
the 15th
15th of
of June, as the proper
DEAR
SIR:I thank
proper
the Oregon
Oregon Pioneers.
Pioneers. It is aa good
good day, and it
time
time for
for the
the annual
annual meeting
meeting of
of the
belongs
belongs to
to the
the Pioneers.
Pioneers. I have
have written
written to
to President
President F. X. Mathiew,
Mathiew, W.
W. H.
Rees, Dr.
Dr. Wm
Wm Keil,
Keil, E.
E. C.
C. Cooley
Cooleyand
andothers,
others,and
andall
all agree
agree with
with you that the
Rees,
of June,
June, in remembrance
of that day
15th of
remembrance of
day in
in 1846,
1846, when
when the
the final
final settlement
settlement of
of
the vexed
of boundary
boundary of Oregon
vexed question
question of
Oregon was
was brought about between the contending
tending powers,
powers, is
is aa suitable
suitable day for
for our
our re-unions,
re-unions, and
and II have
have no
no doubt
doubt when
June as
as the
the anniversary
anniversary day
day
the Association
Associationmeets,
meets,itit will
will set
set apart
apart the
the 15th of June
Oregon, according to your suggestion.
of the Pioneers of Oregon,
Yours very
very truly,
Yours
J. W.
W. GRIM.
GRIM.
SONG OF
OF TilE
THE PIONEERS.
PIONEERS.
SONG
S
....
The
following song
was composed
composed by
S. A. Clarke,
Clarke, for
for
The following
song was
by Mr.
Mr. S.
occasion and
and sung
sung by
by Prof.
Prof. T.
T ..H.
H.Crawford,
Crawford,who
who was
was assisted
assisted
the occasion
several young
Oregon Pioneer
Pioneer
by several
young ladies,
ladies,atat the
the re-union
re-unionof
of the Oregon
Association, held
IS, 1875.
1875. It was
was the intention
Association,
held at Salem, June x5,
the song
song in
in its
its proper
proper place
place in
in the
the proceedings
proceedings of
of the
the celeceleto put the
but was
was inadvertantly
inadvertantly omitted.
omitted.
bration, but
,
ft
II
Oh?
Ohl So many years have
have flown,
flown,
Oregon,
Since the news of Oregon.
far awayl
away;
Reached our homes heyond
beyond the mountains far
Since
teams.
Since we
we harnessed
harnessed up our teams,
Spring-tlme's sunny gleams,
When the Spring-time's
Showed
the path
path across
across the
the plains
plains and
and mountains
mountatn grey.
Showed the
grey.
CHORUS.
CHORUS.
the trains
trains came
came marching,
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the
Westward, still
still westward,
westward, see
seethem
themcome?
cornel
fought,
Sometimes savage
savage tribes
tribes they fought,
starry flag tbey
But the starry
they brought,
While beneath Its folds each freeman
freeman found a home.
home.
n
II
Up the Rocky Mountain'
Mountain' helgbt,
height,
night;
Now their
thSir camp-fires blaze by night;
Or upon the savage
savage plains
plains they thickly
thiOkly gleam
glean;I
Now the weary legions pass,
Now
Where the frowning canyons
canyons mass,
Or they
they SWim
swim and
and ford
ford the
the swiftly running stream.
Or
CHORUS.
tramp, the
the trains
trains came
came marching;
Tramp, tramp, tramp,
Westward, still
Westward,
still westward, day by day,
Standing guard
long night;
guard the
the live·
live-long
night;
Ever
Rver ready
ready for
for the fight;
Here to plant our
our flag three
three thousand
thousand miles
miles away.
away •
•
".----
88
SONG OF
THE PIONEERS.
PIONEERS.
SONG
OF THE
III.
'II.
Through the land
land of
of savage
savage foes,
foes,
See,
goes,
See, the long procession goes,
Till It
it camps
camps upon Columbia
Columbia of the West;
stream,
Where the mountains block the stream,
Cascades flash and gleam,
And the
the Cascades
As
ocean rest.
As the
the Sun
sun sinks to
to his distant ocean
rest.
OHORUS.
CHORUs.
the trains
trains came
came marching,
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the
the deadly
deadly plains
plainsare
arepass&l;
pass&;
At length the
But there's still the river trail,
Or the Cascade
Cascade Range
Range to
to scale,
scale,
Then the fair Willamette
are reached
reached at
at last.
Willamette homes are
IV.
And
'us well that Pioneers
And 'tis
Pioneers
Should thus
thus meet with passing years,
years,
Should
While the locke
locks that once were dark are turning
turning snow,
snow,
To recall the
the olden
olden story,
story,
That shall be their children's
children's glory,
glory,
How we crossed
crossed the plains
plains and
and mountains
mountains long
long ago.
ago.
CHORUS.
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the
the trains
trainscame
came marching,
marching,
'Singing
Slnging and
and marching to
to the West;
West;
Till
Till all
all dangers
dangers were
were behind,
And
find,
And the
the homes we came to find,
Best.
Smiled upon us from Willamette's Vale of Rest.
,
CI
OFFICERS
FOR 187S-6L
OFFICER$ FOR
i875JOH~
IV . GRIM,
GRUd, Auror~
....................... ...I'RESIDENT.
PRESIDENT.
L1rorL.
JOHN \V.
E.
N. COOKE,
COOKE, Salem
Sale;ll ...................... VICE
VICE PRESIDENT
PRESIDE~T.
E. N.
SEC REFARY.
J.
HEKRY BROWN,
URO\VN, Salem.....RECORDING
Salem .. ... RECORDIKG SECRE'T'.'\RY
j. HENRY
Cog. SECRETARY.
WfLLL\IZD
I-I. REES,
REES,Puttevifle
D[ltleville . ........ COR.
SECRET.\RY.
WILL:LRD H.
llN M.
l\L BACON,
nACO . •Oregon
Oregoll City
ity .................. TREASDRER.
TIZEASLTRER.
JOHN
BOARD
OF DIREOTORS.
DIREOTORS.
OAED OP
\V
I-lERREN ... ,. .......................................... Salem.
S.llelll.
\V.. J.j. HERRE.N
n.
IYILSON ... , ............................................. CorvallE.
Corl'zdlls.
B. IV
W.. \YIILSON
JOS:El'H WATT
IVATT .............................. · ........ · .. Forest
Forest Grove.
Grove .
JOSEPH
,