Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-02

/ government allowed me a section o
land ii consideration OF my agreeing
to populate the country, and l dic
not think 1t was right to defraud th'
government"
When asked to recall his memor!
OF the notable convention on May 2
1s4s. when the public meeting wai
held at Champoeg to form pro
visional government, he compiled
without hesitation
II remember the event very clear
ly." said he. 'Champoeg at that
time was the capital Of the North.
west, the head Of the canoe naviga
tion. It consisted of one rude build
ing, used as trading post by the
Hudson Bay Company. There
we're 1O2 Of us who attended the con-
vention, so Of these being French
Canadian fur trappers associated
with the Hudson's Bay Company and
so Americans and the other two were
also French Canadians, but with a
strong love for the republican form
of government and for the United
States method of doing things. There
was a good deal of discussion and
when it came to taking the vote the
French Canadians could not read or
write their names and that pre-
sented difficulties. Finally Joe Meek
stepped out and shouted:
All those that want to be under
the American flag to the right; the
others can go to the left / had
been making my home that winter
with French-Canadian by the name
of Lesserer. We had talked the mat
ter over a good many times between
ourselves and so when it came to the
vote / stepped over on the American
side and he followed. On the OPP
posite side, upholding the British
principles, were the so Canadians
beaten by two votes.
ia Committee of Three Rules.
"At this meeting legislative
committee was appointed, and the
committee reported in July, 1843,
recommending that the control of
the country be placed in the hands of
a committee of three to serve for one
year David Hill, Alexander Beers
and Joseph Gale were appointed and
a year later their successors were
elected After a trial of two terms
this was not found to be altogether
satisfactory and the laws were re-
vised abolishing the committee of
three and electing John Abernethy,
governor Governor Abernethy
served until the arrival OF Governor
Lane, sent out by President Polk in
March 1S49.
1--WE sent Joe Meek down to Wash
ington with a memorial to President
Polk and well remember his descrip-
tion Of his reception in Washington.
He went across the country in the
dead OF winter and landed in Wash
ington, dressed like mountaineer,
with HIS buckskin breeches and wolf
skin cap. He went to the hotel and
when he sat down to order his din
ner the waiter asked him what he
would have and he asked him to
bring him some game The waiter
brought him two tiny little birds on
a plate And he looked at them and
said; What do you call that?'
That's game, said the walter Oh,
HI, said Meek, tho smallest game
we've got whore came from Is
yenison and antelope Upon it's be-
ing noised about that Meek had
come all the way from oregon across
the plains. to present the message
Of the people of oregon to the presi-
dent, the senators and congressman
gathered around him and began TO
ply him with questions Later he
met the president. the reception be-
ing all the more warm on account OF
the Relationship existing between
Meek, who was a Virginian, and
Mrs. Polk, AS the result OF this visit
Governor Lane, with an ascort of
bluecoats, was sent out that next
spring, with headquarters at Van
eouver. Joe Meek was the first
United states marshal, being ap-
pointed In lS4S."
Mr., Matthieu has not only re-
memory for the events Of
the past but his sense OF humor Is
still keen. he mcintains an interest
IN ail that goes on about him en-
Toys automobillng and said in speak
Ing OF the long years which had been
granted him; 81 am ready 70 30 at
any time. but / really would like toI
walt until the aeroplanes get per-
feoted, FOR think ia like to 90 that
way"
He has always kept up his inter
est IN politics and twice. ia 1874 and
1878 represented his district In the