The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-06-17
Pioneers Reunion.

pdtGu. EA--ehdlOi oo1Co i>y
being introduced. alluded briefly
to the wilderness existing in Ore
gon when the early pioneers first
entered its boundaries, recountered
the dominion of the Hudson
Bay company in the early day, be-
fore any form of governmental
law was or could be enacted by |
the incoming American settlers;
spoke of the formation of the
provisional government by the
settlers in the year 1S43; outlined
the state of affairs existing on this
northwest coast, under the joint
occupancy of American and Brit
ish subjects, whose respective
governments claimed the country
and for years disputed for its final
possession; briefly outlined the
coming, the objects of it, and the
trials and hardships of the early
missionaries, showing that their
intentions at first were simply to
christianize the Indian tribes, but
whoe labors finally aided so ma
terially in the settlement and early
development of the country;
spoke of the class known as "the
free trappers" who, in the course
of their predatory wanderings,
drifted into the Willamette
Valley and became "Independent"
settlers, aided by their beldncss,
energy and inherent love of coun-
try, in finally wrestling this rich
domain from the dominion of the
Hudson Bay company, and conse-
quently from the British govern
ment: detailed the efforts of the
settlers and their few friends in
Congress to secure the extension
of the United States laws over tho
young territory, and the long and
persistent neglect of Congress tc
heed the petitions and urgen
wants of the new settlers; paid d
merited tribute, in passing, tc
Senator Linn, the best friend the
pioneers ever had in those carl,
days Of struggle and privation
spoke of the first attempts to for n
provisional government by thu
settlers which took place il
1871, appointing IA committee
into whose hands was placed th'
responsible duty Of administerin:
certain laws and regulations. Thi
committee was short-lived, goin,
out of. existence in the fall OF tha
year. In 1S43 another effort wa
made in the same direction, whic
met with better success, and finall
resulted in the formation OF wha
is known as the provincial govern
ment of the territory, which wa
consummated at Il meeting held a
Champoeg on the second day {
May, 1913. A legislative com
mittee was elected to frame neces
sary laws, their session being lin
tied to six days, and their emolu
ment being $1.25 per day, to b
raised by subscription. The con
mittee reported to general meet
ing held on the 9th of July fol
following. Their report was adopte
and the organic law was forme
and went into operation under a
executive committee of three, col
sisting of David Hall, Alansc
Burr and Joseph Gale. The gov
ment thus formed was an impor
ant factor or agency in finally con
pelling the attention of congres
and the final adjustment of tn
vexed question of joint occupatic
of. this section Of our governmcl
and that of Great Britain, and Il
settlement of the dispute betwee
the two governments as to til
Boundary lines; reeounted the fac
of the Whitman massacre an
=ts startling effect upon tt
young aad unprotected settlement
then related the promptness vii
which volunteers we're raised, az
the offending tribe quickly ar
severely chastised. The speak
spoke of the final and formal re
- ognition of our existence al
wants by the congress of Il
United States, and the establis
ment of territorial governme
over Oregon.