although Homo years may roll by before tho
completion of this great undertaking, yet
we shall anxiously look forward to tho time
when, by such a work, commerco shall stride
with gigantic steps over those wild and soli,
tary regions now known only as the hunting
grounds of tho trapper or tho red man.
In conclusion, your humble memorialists
having presented for your consideration somo
of the most important subjects to tho pros
perity and well-doing of our adopted coun
try, do most earnestly and respectfully pray
thai they, may meet such reception and con
eidoration, as shall redound to-rtho-pcaco and
nmcnoritv nf nil interested, and the further
ance of an attachment 6 the government of J
,tho United Slates of America, as shall ccaile-j
only with our existence. Ann your memo
rialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Attest, A. L. LOVEJOY,
Speaker.
N. Hubbr, Clerk.
1 tSBtVXOaKf
THE SPECTATOR.
Oregon City, December Hi, 1840.
CEO. L. CCkKY, -EDITOR X. W. C0LWELL, MISTER.
RESOLUTIONS
Fatted by the Board of Director at thtir meeting
on Tuetday evening, Dee. 2d, and ordered to be
interted in the "Spectator," till the end of the
pretent volume.
Retohed, That the paper will be continued to all
subscribers who have paid, unless they signify to the
contrary.
Retohed, That the name of all subscriber to ;ie
'Oregon Spectator" who, by the close of this volute,
hall not have paid their subscriptions, be stricken from
the list and the sending of the' paper discontinued.
JNO. P. BROOKS,
Sec'y Board Directors.
Oregon City, Dec. 2d, 1846.
To CoRREtroxDEKT. Some " Compliment to
Mary" shall have a place in next paper; we perceive
Fnget's Sound has got up to the banks of the Colum
bia. Those verses signed r, are capital We
will publish them with pleasure.
" Willamette" is under consideration.
The Veto Message, In another column will be
found the Message of the Governor upon returning the
Liquor Bill" to the House without his approval The
merits of the document, although it did not affect the
result, were generally acknowledged. Col. Hall, of
Tuality, in an admirable speech in favor of the bill,
paid the Executive a very handsome compliment. Mr.
Speaker Lovejoy, in some able and pertinent remarks,
in behalf of the bill, also spoke in complimentary
terms of th-SrasKgerThose for, and those against
the biiHjrsred everv arzumenrUiey could command to
auftheir respective tides of the question. In the op
position, Mr. Newell and Dr. Tolmie were most prom
inent When the final vote cume to be taken, the
scene was serious and impressive.
A Hint. Our subscribers must understand that if
they would wish to see the " Spectator" appear, dur
ing the ensuiug year, in an enlarged form, they must
pay their subscriptions. There is very little prospect
of an enlargement, unless our friends come up to the
work as they ought Fay the printer or yeu get no
Paper.
O A negro man named James D. Saul was
brought to this city recently from the mouth of the
river, charged with having caused the death of his
wife, an Indian woman. He was examined before
Justice Hood, the result of which examination we'
have never been able to ascertain, but the accused is
at large and likely to remain to we suppose.
Drowned. We are pained to state that Mr. V. W.
Dawson, a respected citizen of Tualitin county, was
recently drowned in the Cowlitz river; He was enga
ged in .removing his family to the Sound, where they
were about to make themselves a new home. The
fataily have since returned.
The Memorial-This document will be referred
to and read with a great deal of interest We regard
it as being good, and doubt not but that it will prove
satisfactory to the people. We hardly know whom to
credit the memorial to, so many had a hand in it la
th 1 first place, Messrs. Hall, Peers, Summers, McDon
ald aad Boone were a committee that gave birth to
one, which was referred to a select committee, Messrs.
T'Vault, Summers and Peers. This committee refer
red the whoW badness to Mr. Peers, who revised, re
wftte and balk up ths Memorial as it now ttaads, aad
v thiak it tstow greatly fe tk wtU
COLUMBIA RIVER, AGAIN.
In our last paper, we took occasion to make some
observations relative to the mouth of Columbia river,
in order to show the availability of that river as a
certain w safe channel of commercial communica
tion. We resume the subject with increased confi
dence in our ability to maintain the position we have
taken. n I
There is no want of facta to prove that the entrance
and navigability of the Columbia is comparatively
easy and attended with little or no risk certainly
much leas than has been so contiderately and minute
ly published to the wsrid, from sources too, whence we
ought to have expected better things most assuredly ,
more reliable information. The only difficulty we la
bor under is, to properly arrange, these facts to give
them to the public and the people of other countries,
und more partictularly, our own general government,
in such a shape as to have the desired effect tho de
struction of that inimical feeling which prejudice, er-'
ror and an absence of good and brave seamanship has
alone created. We aro in the possession of informa
tion that we were not aware of when wo prepared our
last article in reference to this matter, and it is with
a great deal of pleasure that we take advantage of
this opportunity to state, that our worthy townsman,
Captain John II. Couch, is eminently deserving of
hot, able mention, in practically proving the access to
the Columbia both convenient and safe, and the navi
gability of the lower Willamette, perfectly feasible.
In the year 1840, Captain Couch, in command of
the brig Maryland, brought that vessel in safety, not
only into the Willamette, but up to tho Falls of the
Willamette, now better known as Oregon City. This
was achieved too, be it understood, previously to Cap
tain Wilkes' explorations, without a chart of the Co
lumbia, much less of the Willamette river, when
there were no pilots, and the commander could not
obtain that information and assistance which now may
be enjoyed in a variety of forms. Judgment wai his
chart, and experience his pilot, and "making" the
mouth of the Columbia in the evening, he entered it
in safety the next morning, without having been sub
jected to any delay. Since that time, he has gone
out of and entered the river se'.eral times, in the dis
cbarge of his duty as a commander of vessels, and
all his trips have been of essential service in illustra
ting the practicability of commercial communication
by meant of the Columbia, and how easy the difficulties
at its mouth may be overcome if a proper degree of
prudence it only exercised. The same may be said of
Captain Sylvester, of the Chenumus. The sea officers
of the Hudson' Bay Company's service have likewise
done much in attesting the truth of tho position we
have here assumed. '
If we had but a steam tow boat, and it cannot be
long, in the nature, of things, ere we will have one, our
commerce would enjoy a facility that would immedi
ately, by a rapid enlargement, give it a value and
an importance which otherwise it may be years in at
taining. Vessels in the winter time are liable to be
subjected to delay in performing the extent of river
navigation necessary to a communication with our
markets. The currents of the Columbia are strong
apd swift, and the winds are not always to be depend
ed upon, nor are they always available. Hence the
importance the necessity of steam " tugs" ; for, in
giving facilities to commerce, we most certainly for
ward the interests of Oregon. i
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS. I
The Legislative Assembly having now adjourned, '
we propose in the following article, to give a summary
of their deliberation. On the third day of the session,
the member from Champoeg, Mr. R. Newell introdu
ced the following resolution: Resolved, That the
House adjourn on Saturday, the 5th of Dec. 18-1G, to '
convene the first Monday in May, 1847. But the
House preferred to make but one job of its legislation,
and to laid the resolution on the table. The standing
committees were composed at follows: On Elec
tions Messrs. Lownsdtle, Peers and Chamberlain.
Ways and Mean Newell, Lownsdale and Straight
Judiciary T'Vault, Tolmie and Looney. Post Offi
ce! and Pott Roads Boone, T'Vault and Peers.
Commerce Tolmie, Hembree and McDonald. In
dian Affairs Peers, Newell and Williams. Militia
Hall and Looney. Foreign Affairs Summers, Mc
Donald and Boone. Currency Hembree, Meek and
Chamberlain. Claims McDonald, Straight and Sum
mers. Seat of Government Straight, Lownsdale
and Meek. Education T'Vault, Tolmie and Hall.
Engrossed Bills Hall, Boone and Newell. Enrolled
Bills Summers, Peers and T'Vault.
Upon "reference to the Journal of the House, we
find that a bill entitled " An Act to regulate the writ
of Ad quod damnum" introduced by the member for
Clackamus, Mr. T'Vault, was the first important mea
sure whereon the yeas and nays were called, which
on Its third reading, waa rejected by the following vote.
Yiat, Chamberlain, Straight, T'Vault and Speaker.
Kay; Boom, Hall, Lownsdale, Looney, McDonald,
Meek, NeweU, Peers, Summers and Tolmie. Mr.
Uwwdtk bUWaetdaWlto losste sA eubusha
Territorial road from I'orttand to the mouth of Mary's
river which successfully pissed through its several
stage and became a Jaw. Dr. Tolmie offered a rcso
lution "That the Judiciary Commiite be discharged
from any further duties, as the present legislature
derm it inexpedient to organize the Judiciary at the
present time, in any manner different from the present
organization;" but the " congregated wisdom" thought
it would have a " lick," at the Judiciary nny how, and
so this excellent resolution wus laid on the table; we
say excellent, because in view of the duily expected
extrusion of the jurisdiction uf the United .States, lha
expense of a reorganization of this brunch of our gov
ernment was not warruutcd.
O
The member for Tuality, Col. Hall, in an early
part of the session, brought forward " An Act to regu
late Weights and Measures, which is now a law.
The measure was much needed, and the benefit of it
will soon be inado apparent to all. Upon the final pas
sage, tho vote was us follows: Yea Iloone, Cham
berlain, Hall, Hembree, Iowimdnle, (uoney, McDon
ald, Meek, Newell, Peers, Summers, Straight, Tol
mie and Speaker. A'ays TVuull and Williams.
Mr. Hembree, member for Vninhill, brought forward
" An Act to amend an act in relation to tho currency,
and subjecting property to execution," the uimmnt of
which was a restoration of the currency to gold
and silver basis. The House however, rejected it,
Messrs. Hembree, TVault and Speaker being the only
voles in its favor. Mr. Iloone, member for Polk, re
ported "An Act to provide for laying out und con
structing a road from the S. W. end of Main street,
in Oregon city, to the bridge leading to the Island
Mills," as prayed for in petition of 11. M. Knighton
and others, which was indefinitely postponed : Yeat
iloone, Chamberlain, Hall, lownsdale, Ixwney, Mc
Donald, Newell, Peers, Summers, Tolmie and Will
iams. Any Hembree, Meek, Straight ntul Speak
er It wus argued that the County Court enjoved full
powers to act in reference to this matter, tinii which
grouud alone the bill was defeated. In our poor judg
ment, it were us Well to have granted the petition,
rather than to have ttated it off in that fashion. On
the 11th intvn resolution of Mr. Hall's was adopted,
" That tho present legislature will adjourn Tuesday
next, tine die." But they "tlid'nt" though, for ubout
that time they had got too deep into the mire to get out
conveniently.
The northern boundary line of Yamhill county was
defined and established by the passage of an Art in
troduced by Mr. Hembree. A Territorial roud from
Salem, Champoeg county, to the mouth of Mary's
river, was located and established by the passage of an
Act introduced by Mr. Boone. In reference to the
location of the Seat of Government, the Houso deci
ded that it was inexpedient to legislate thereon the
present session.
An Act for the erection of a Jail, which was
presented by Mr. T'Vault, was rejected by strik
ing out the enacting clause and first section of the
bill. This bill occasioned considerable discussion, and
there were some u arm passages between the honora
ble members for Clackamas and Tuality. While the
bill to " regulate the manufacture and sale of ardent
spirits was on "i's winding waj" through the House,
Dr. Tolmie, of Lewis, introduced the following feeler.
Resolved, That the present legislature deem it inex
pedient at this time, to legalize the manufacture and
sale of ardent spirits, which the House incontinently
thyed by the following vote : Yeat Chamberlain,
McDonald and Tolmie. A'ays Boone, Hall, Hem
bree, Lownsdale, Looney, Meek, Newell, Peers, Sum
mers, Straight, T'Vault, Williums and Speaker. A
bill to prevent gaming introduced by Mr. T'Vuult, was
euchered by the following vote on n motion to reject :
Yeat Chamberlain) Hull, Hembree, Lownsdale,
Looney, McDonald, Peers, .Summers, 'Straignt and
Williams. iVoys Boone, Meek, Tolmie, T'Vault
and Speaker. A bill amendatory to an Act establish
ing County Courts, from tho Judiuiury Committee
passed Uie House by a voto of twelve to four, the
Nay were Halt, Pccrz, Summers oi.d Tolmie. This
bill take from the County Courts their jurisdiction in
civil and criminal cases, and confines them entirely
to county business. An Act to divorce Nathunlel W.
Col well, reported from a select committee by Mr.
Boone, passed through it several readings and became
a law. "An Act to regulate the manufacture and
tale of ardent spirits," which had been proposed in va
rious shapes by various members at various times,
commited to various committee and variously argued,
finally came up on its third reading, and wus passed by
the following vote, after several ineffectual attempts to
lay it on the table and to recommit it : Yeat Boone,
Hall, Hembree, Looney, Meek, Summers, Straight,
T'Vault, Williams and Speaker. Nayi Chamber
lain, Lownsdale, McDonald, Newell and Tolmie. An
Act wat passed amending the Organic Law, by strik
ing out the words " or more" in Article 3d, Sec. 3d,
preventing a partnership of more than two persons in
holding land claims. An Act on apportionment, in
troduced by Mr. Newell, giving an additional rente
tsatativt aob to Champoeg, Yamhill, aad Folk
counties, tuccosnvely passed tho ordeal, and Is now a
law.
One of the best acts of tho session was an Act to
establish "A Pilotngo on the bar of tho Columbia
river, and from thenco to tho limits of navigation
mi tho Columbia and Willumette rivers." The Crimi
nal Court was abolished and an Act passed " To es
tablish Circuit Courts." The following hutch of bills
wus passed on Thursday Inst "An Act to amend an
Act authoriiing S, K. Harlow to construct a road a
cross tho Cascade Mountains;" "An Act piuviding
for the election of County Judges;" "un act to estab
lish the county seat nf Yamhill county ;" "an act to
prevent the desertion iifseauieii," nn excellent enact
ment, introduced originally by llm member from Tu
ulily, Mr. Mrek "an net to provide for an inspection
of wheat ;" "an act tu revive an urt to establish a
road from Multnomah city to moiitli of Mary's river."
That mouth of Mary's river is some fur a new coun
try, we reckon, us it swallows nearly if not quite all
of our Territorial roads. The House refused, und we
think justly too, so to amend the organic law, as to per
mit claimants to hold six hundred ucrr in tho prairie
and forty acres in the timber, though said tracts do not
joim We may hereafter sjieuk upon this subject more
at length. Mr. T'Vuult proposed to amend Art 2nd
Sec. (ilh of the organic law, by striking out the word
regulate and inserting iu its stcud the word prohibit,
which failed by a vote of five to eleven those in fa
tor were Boone, Chamberlain, Newell, Tolmie, and
T'Vuult
The "act regulating the manufacture and sale of
ardent spirits" or otherwise speaking, the I.irentt Aair
having been returned by the Governor with sundry
objections in the sliajw of a Veto Message, the House
proceeded to a reconsideration of it and by the follow
ing vote It became a law. Yeat Iloone, Hull, Hem
bree, IxiwumIuIc, Looney, Meek, Summers, Straight,
T'Vault, aud Speaker. A'ayt Chamberlain, McDon
ald, Newell, Peers und Toluue. On the eeiiiug prior
to the ndjourumeiit, the following bills were pawed
"an act establishing a Probate Court ;" "an uct estab
lishing the officu of Auditor of public accounts;" "an
act fixing the salary of Piurscutiug Attorney ;" "a
bill in relation to the Milan of Circuit Judge." A bill
was passed abolishing the Post Office Department, in
troduced by Mr. Straight A bill in rilslion to Reve
nue und an Appropriation bill, of course, were pawd.
A bill divorcing Elizabeth (iillihun wus "rushed"
through, on the day of adjournment. A ver) excel
lent Memnnul to the Congress of the Uilited Slates,
was unanimously adopted, which may be found on the
first page, of this pacr. The following Territornl of
ficers urrc elected: Frederick Prigg, Secretary of
the Territory : Alomo Skinner, Circuit Judge:
II. M. Kuighton, Murihall : John II. Couch, Trent
urer: Gen. W. Hell, Auditor. After making pro
vision for the ihlicutiou of the luus, and pacing the
accustomed resolution of thanks to the Speaker, the
House adjourned sine die.
1J" A salvo of urtillrry wus furd on Saturday eve
ning lust three bg guns and Die American flag was
living nil day. What was null ubout' Was it for
the adjournment of the legislature, or the pauage of
the liquor law '
tnjocA.sjoiNr nf the Lkcislvtuhe. On Satur
day night last, the legislature adjourned tine die, af
ter u session of nineteen duvs in which thirty two
acts and sundry rctolutions were passed. The appro
priation bill with siecial iippropiiulious, amounts to
something like five thousand dollars, which, in addition
to our previous debt of five thousand dollars, makes
the whole indebtedness of the Territory amount to a
bout ten thousand dollars, Wc huvn had eight hun
dred and seventy seven dolls, worth of legislation, that
is to say, our legislation fur this year has cost us this
sum, winch we rrully hope will lie of its full conse
quence to the public. The mrmbepi of the (louse
iiuve hern truly industrious, nothing occurred to dis
turb their good undrrstunding, nor the hurmony of the
session. AW the proceedings were characterised by
order and decorum, and if errors wero committed, we
are satisfied they were not of the heart. The Speuker,
A. L. Lovrjoy Esq., discharged his duty promptly
and well,' ami to the sa .faction of tho House, which
was expressed in a resolution of thanks, to which he
made an appropriate and happy r.'ply, upon the eve of
the adjournment.
QJ'Capluin N. M. Howison, U. S. N hat pre
sented the colon of the late U. S. Schr. Shark to the
Territory. The letter of presentation was appropriate
ly answered by Gov. Abeniethy. We have now, there,
fore, a beautiful emblem of our country's glory, whose
folds we will fling out to the breece on brave days.
Progression. VVhut in man born for but
to bo a reformer a romakor of what man
was made a rcnouncor of falsehood a re
storer of truth and good imitating that
great nature which embosoms us all, and
which sleeps nov moment on an olden past.
But ovory hour repairs horsolf, yielding us
every morning a now day, and every puis.
tlon a new Ufa.- Emerton.
M