300

ORGANIZATION OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Although McLoughlin had taken no open part in these proceedings, he was naturally and rightly sup- posed by the rebuked and offended originators of the provisional government idea to be responsible for the attitude taken by the French settlers, and a feeling of hatred toward him had much to do with the drawing- up of the Shortess-Abernethy petition, the history of which has already been given.

Meetings were likewise held in other parts ot the colony; one at the Oregon Institute, where Gray resided, being ostensibly called for the purpose ot devising means of protecting the herds of the country from wild animals, 10 but really as a device by which the settlers, French and American, might be brought together, and the plan of a provisional government broached. 11 The minutes of the meeting occupy less +-han half a page, the only business accomplished being the appointing by Babcock, the chairman, of a com- mittee of six, to give notice of a general meeting to be held at the house of Joseph Gervais on Monday the 6th of March.

of March to which it was addressed. Gray, Hist. Or., 273, says that he is surf £ address was not brought before any public meeting of the settlers. TbL suggests an explanation of the absence of records touching this portion of =^e proceedings of the missionaries, namely, that when they found these reasonable Objections of the Canadians so well stated they quietly suppressed Sr reply so that it might not affect the feeling of the American settlers, whom

hey Si more hope of bringing over A compilation of the g"^<°™»£ of the provisional government of Oregon was made in 18o3 by Laiayette Grover P by order of the legislative assembly. Here is what Grover says about his work -In the 'preparation for publication of the Oregon Archives, the com- mlsioner has met with many obstacles to the perfect success and early com-

letion of tne important work assigned him. Within the proper depository SKbUo papers be had not Seen able to find entire and factory records of all that, he is satisfied, has transpired m Oregon of a public, gen- eral nature and which would be of eminent historic importance In tin, case he ha spared no pains to search out from other authentic and reliable resources all such information as would fill existing blanks or *■£«*£»; cient explanation of seeming discrepancies and wants. Pieface to Lnovu s

° r \i wten we came here the wolves ate up many horses-fourteen for one company Cattle would fight them, but horses would run and the wolves wouWrunthemdown.' WaUlo's Critiques, MS., 11 Parnsh also remarks upon the loss of stock of every kind by panthers, wolves, ^-1 cougars r Anec- dotes, MS., 99. White speaks of being driven into a tree by wolves, and ol being rescued by his wife and hired man. Ten Years m Or. 88-J

" Applegate remarks: 'It is new to me that Gray was a prime mover in this matter.' Marginal notes in Hist. Or., 2G4.