Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-08-26

An INDEPENDENT Or "gRSS!E"T ~ OREGON
Letter from a citizen OF Oregon, Peter II. Bennett,
who appears 10 be man OF note among Inc SCI
l.r. is published in Inc Platte Argus OF The 2ad
inst. Ere this reaches YOU, says Mr.. Bennett
.soeIbaps YOU will have learned tina, we have
regular government in most successful operation
in Oregon. When ! first reached This region,
about year ago, thought any asiemps al organ
iza,ion might he premature. had no', now
ever. been here long, before II was conceived that
a government OF so,ae kind was lnevitaoIe. IL
arew out Of s,.Tn iapGac,J,c neteSsha. Our com
mefcial and business transactions were consite-
ralIe. Difficulties were daily occurring between
individuals in relation 10 thei. claims The es-
tates OF deceased persons were daily tevouTed,
and helpless orphans plnndered; crimes were
committed, and lhe base AMI unprincipled, The
reckless and turbulent, were hourly tfa!nrlin2
upon The rights OF the honest and peaceab,e. a
cirilizm population numerous as we were, could
no, exist without government. The thing was
impossible We, therefore, organized govern
ment Of our own
The territory i divided into FIVE countess in
each of which there are Two terms OF The CNcuh
DISCHARGES the duties Of probate Judge, and CHAN
cellor, and all other judicial duties, except such
rs pertain 10 justices OF The peace. The sauie
laws OF Iowa have been adopted BY the Provl-
sional Government
The letter states. that The country is most beau
uml fertile and well waered. The popu.atlon
joubles eeery year The -rops OF ioli were
abundant: the settlers will have wheat Tor eX-
narration. A newspaper is about 10 be esiah-
iished. ave can Their, says ihe letter publish
our laws" The following passage has intefes'
ave are now waiting most anxiously !of lie
result of Pakcnham> mission, and il the two Co
~ Ia Iai
them. The moment that tact IS known, theie VIII
H.. one universal moyement made. a regular
Convention will h.: held. a6d Constitution
adoped. (Republican no doubi) and an lni.Pena'
emf Government put in operation al once Ne
cessily will compel rs 10 The step. The popula-
tior of this COUNTY, are no doubt 1esIioos 10 lIve
under the Government oil Tie United STATES, ou' J,
She viii Meyer do anything lor Us, We must, ana
will do il for ourselves. The people here are worn
ont By DELAY, ard their condition becomes every
,lay more inlolerable. ] speakto yon with great
candor, for yoi know me, AMI KNOW ihat wi'h-
hold nothing, and disguise nolhing. We are
well satisi Il thai the United States Government,
as we'll as Greal RrMaiG, couli M, object and
would no, Object il we form n ihdePt nd'nt Go
.srnmcnt Tor ourselves. ,'iualed a We are. lfea-
ties must be made with the indians, and many
other things O. Importance must OF necessity lie
dune"
There are force ard justice in these remarks.
Whether The writer is correct, however, in his
supposilion that Great Britain would not inter
,ere with The operations Of an independent Gov.
ernneut In Oregon, is another matter. British
subjects would " ireiHiel, probably. within The
jurisdiction OF the proposed Government, and
Inc question Of authority wond be raised al once.
The United States would look with competency.
no douti, upon me organization Of an Oregon 10
cal Government, because il would be regarded
as mere prelude 10 future annexation. nc
permanent independence OF Oregon is oul o. lie
nresiou We .Su.t rest one extremity OF the
GREAT Republic on The Pacihc, wni!e inc o.nrr re-
Dase, on the shore OF The Atlantic.
TTYH,,Joyr A merriam