Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-29
American Settlement OF Oregon.
lsl3.
Formation of the Provisional Govern
ment.
lnl

Concluded
Though Mr. Blanchet's imperfect
English does not clearly express his
ideas, yet can perceive nothing in
the address to Justify the assertion
that the Canadians were opposed to
the temporary government or to the
government of the L. g., or that
the Hudson's Bay Company were
striving to subject the whole country
to British rule. Father Blanchet
has frequently said to ire what is in
effect written in the Canad:rn re-
monstrance, that be was i'll favor of
government so far as it was neces-
sary to preserve peace ami order,
but wished not to go SO far as to
jeopaidize his flock with the British
government until the boundary was
settled and they were freed from
their Obligations to the British
crown.
1t does not appear from the re-
corded proceedings that the Cana
dian address or remOnstrance was
read at that meeting. 1t was handed
to the Secretary, but no plan of gov
eminent being proposed and the
matter to which it referred being de-
layed until the Committee of twelve
should make report, it naturally and
properly was laid on the table to
come up in order at the same time
with the report recommending or
gahization.
That address or remonstrance thus
reads:
We, the Canadian citizens of
the Wallamet, considering with
interest and reflection the subject
which unites the people at the pre-
sent meeting, present to the Ameri-
can citizens. and particularly to the
gentlemen who called said meeting,
the unanimous expression OF our
sentiments of cordiality, desire OF
union and inexhaustible peace bet
ween all the people, in view of our
duty and the interest of the new
colony, and declare
L. That we wish for laws or re-
gulations for the welfare of our
persons and the security of our pro-
perty and labors.
2. The we do not intend to rebel
against the measures of that kind
taken las. year by party of the
people, although we do not approve
of certain regulations nor certain
modes of laws, let those magistrates
finish their time.
3. That We will not address d
new petition to the Government Of
the United States, because we have
our reasons, till the line he decided
and the frontiers of the States fixed.
T. That we are opposed to the
regulations anticipated, and exposed
to consequences for the quantity,
direction, &c, of lands, and what
soever expense for the same lands,
because we have no direct guarantee
from the government to come, and
perhaps tomorrow all those meas
ures may be broken.
5. That we do not wish q provis.
ional mode of government, too self
interested and full of degrees, USE
less to our power, and overlooking
the colony instead of improving it.;
besides, men of laws and science
are too scarce and have too much to
do in such a new country.
6. That we wish either the mode
of senate or council, to Judge the
difficulties, punish the crimes. lex
cept capital penalties) and make the
regulations suitable for the people.
7. That the same council be
elected and composed OF members
from all parts of the country, and
should act in a body, on the plan of
civilized countries in parliament, or
as a jury, and to be represented, for
example, by the president of said
council, and another member, as
Judge of the peace, in each county.
allowing the principle of recalling
to the whole senate.
s. That the members should be
influenced to interest themselves to
their own welfare and that of the
public, by the love Of doing good
rather than by the hope of gain, in
order to take off from the esteem of
the people all suspicious of interest
in the persons of their representa-
tives.
8. That they must avoid every
law loading and inexpedient to the
people, especially to the new arrivals.
Unnecessary taxes, and whatever
records are of that kind, we do not
want them.
10. That tho militia is useless at
present, and rather c danger of bad
suspicion to the Indians, and q de-
lay for the necessary labors. In the
same time it is a load-we do not
want it, either, at present.
il. That We consider the country
free at present to Gil nations, till
government shall have decided; open
to every individual wishing to settle,
without any distinction of origin,
and without asking him anything,
either to become an English, Span
ish or American citizen.
IL. So we English subjects pro-
claim to be free, as we'll as those who
came from France, California, Uni
ted States, or even natives of this
country; and we desire unison with
all the respectable citizens who wish
to settle in this country; or we ask
to be recognized as free amongst
ourselves to make such regulations
as appear suitable to our wants, save
the general interest of having JUS.
tice from the strangers who might
injure us, and that our reasonable
customs and pretensions be res.
pected.
ID. That we are willing to sub
NIT to any lawful government when
it comes.
IA. That We do not forget that
wa must moka lauo only for pooas