The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-22
From the Platte (Slo) Argus
prGoN-LETTER FROM PETER III. BUR-
ppH NET ESQ

From the Platte (So) Argus
op eGoN-LETTER FROM PETER II. BUR
NET, esq.
The following letter was received yesterday, by
,,i,sn ~ this county from MIR. Burnet, by the way
r. Oabua. and forwarded by the American consul
ghs details will be deemed interesting by his oil
s;snds and neighbors, and are indeed OF import
anc, 10 all who take interest in the affairs oil UT
sgon. ,o,A
FALArNE PLANS, Oregon, Nov. 4, 1914.
-. -s The emigrants are now daily ar
living and will all be here in few weeks at FAR
,hes,. and expect to receive other letters and pa
w. which, | am informed, are on the way. have
Pc an opportunity to write hasty letter, as one o.
,he Hudson Bay Company's ships (the Columbia.
isayss Vancouver, in few days, for the Sandwich
o"r country is most beautiful, fertile, and well
catered. with the most equabe and pleasant climate
Our popula,ion is rapidly increasing, and the coun'
,rv Is making great progress III wealth ana rehhe-
ment have never yet before seen apopuiauoh 80
;ndnstrious, sober, and honest as this. l know
o,anv very many young men, who were the yerl-
a., yavabonds in the States, who are here respecta-
Me and doing exceedingly well. Our crops the
~, year 1SIl) have been most bountlfu!; and
we have not only full supply Of wheat for our
consumption, but large quantity for expectation.
T arye numbers Of cattle are raised here, which are
10 four hundred head of cattle. Sheep can be had
Lsre in any desirable number, as the Hudson Bay
Company have large flock, and many private in
diyiduals have them.
Ere this reaches you, perhaps you will have
learned that we have regular government IN most
successful operation in Oregon. When first reach
ed this region, about year ago, thought any at
tempt al organization might be premature. mad
not however, been here long, before 1t was con-
oeiyed that government of some kind was inevita-
HE Ii grew out Of Stern, inrncible necessity. Our
commercial and business transactions were consld-
erable Difficulties were daily occurring between
individuals in relation to their claims the estates
of deceased persons were daily deyoured and help
less orphans pmndered; crimes were committed,
and the base and unprincped, the reckless and tur-
buent were hourly trampling upon the rights OF
the honest and peaceable. civilized population,
numerous as we were, could not exist without gov
eminent The thing was impossible. We there
fore organized a government of our own.
We had no money, no means. was member
of the legislature had most of the business to do.
We passed tax bill, appointed an assessor, and
permitted every man not to pay tax, If he chose SO
10 do; but if he did not pay, being able, debarred
him from suing in the courts as plaintiff. At the
same time we passed acts to protect all bona de set
tiers in their claims to the extent Of GAO acres. The
tax bill operated like charm Nearly all of the
whole population paid without hesitation. We Sc
lected a tall East Tennessean, Joseph l.. Meek, for
our sheriff. He had been in the mountains with
VIM L. Sublette for eight or ten years, is exceed
ingy good humored, very popular, and as brave as
julius Caesar. The very first warrant he had de-
liyered to him. was issued for the apprehension of
very auarrelsome and turbulent man, who resisted
Meek with broadaxe; but Meek presented a
cooked pistol and took the fellow, noiens Uoiens The
next and only case Of serious resistance to laws,
was on the part Of Joel Turnham, of Missouri, son
Of May Turnham, of Clay county. He had as
saued an individual, and warrant was issued by
justice of the peace. Turnham was himself con-
stable, and John Edmunds was deputzed to arrest
him. Turnham resisted with large butchers
knife; but Edmunds had pistol with six barrels
well charged He shot Turnham four times, the
last ball entering above the temple; when he imme-
dately expired. These are all the distractions to
the administration Of justice we have had; and, in
Edmunds's case he was fully justifable in killing
Turnham even il he had had no warrant, as Il. as
sauted him first, and pursued him with great vio-
lcnce to the last.
We have now five counties, and two terms of the
circuit court in each county, in every year. We
have but one Judge, who discharges the duties of
probate Judge, chancellor, and what not IN fact, we
have only as yet circuit courts and justices of the
peace. Our government was intended only as pro-
could be established. We adopted the statute
laws of Iowa, where applicable to our condition,
and not modified by our legislature.
We are now waiting most anxiously for the re-
suit of Pakenham's mission; and if the two govern
ments have not settled the question between them,
the moment that fact is known there will be one
universal movement made. A regular convention
will be held, and constitution adopted, (republi-
can, no doubt,) and an independent government put
in operation at once. Necessity will compel US to
the step. The population of this country are no
doubt DESTROYS TO live under the government Of the
United States; but if she will never do anything for
us, we must and will do it for ourselves. The peo-
pie here are worn out by delay, and their condition
becomes every day more intolerable. | speak to
you with great candor; for you know me, and know
that withhold nothing, and disguise nothing We
are all well satisfied that the United States govern
ment, as well Great Britain, could not object, and
would not object if we form independent govern
ment for ourselves, situated as we are. Treaties
must be made with the Indians, and many other
things of importance must of necessity be DONE
Our population about doubles every year, and
eur business trebles. We will soon have printing
press, and paper Of our own. We can then pub
lsh our laws.
The practice of the law has commenced and l
have several important suits on hand"
have fine m'--perhaps among the best in
uregon--sltuated in the centre Of one of the most
beautiful pralries, called the Falatine Plains. am
IN excellent health, contented, and happy. Mrs.
BIS health has improved and my children are all
well, fat, and fine. Your friend,
PETER HI. BURNETT.