305 ORGANIZATION OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.

a movement to declare Oregon independent • of the United States, a measure which Newell opposed in another speech, and which was defeated by one vote On the other hand, Gray relates that Newell offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to pre- pare a paper for the signatures of all persons wish- ing an organization, as if he still doubted the will of the people on the subject. Perhaps this resolution was intended to settle the question of an independent

government. . .

However these forensic contests may have origi- nated or been supported, the work progressed well and was completed in the prescribed tune the judiciary committee, which was embodied in bhortess, finished the organic laws ; the other committees per- formed their work, and the whole was submitted to the people on the 5th of July at Champoeg. Among the usual exercises on the 4th was an oration delivered by Hines, who, while dwelling on the glorious deeds of the founders of the republic of the United States, was careful, in view of the work to be done on the morrow, to avoid offending the proper pride ol the other nationalities present.

At an early hour on the 5th the meeting was opened In the absence of Babcock, chairman of the meeting of May 2d, Hines was called to preside; Robert°Moore, chairman of the legislative committee, then presented his report, which being read by the clerk, Le Breton, was accepted, and the adoption ot article after article begun. 13

» W Newer, Strictures on Gray's Hist. Or 6. " Grayed not ad vo- ente an independent government at this time, it is certain that there wen Sose who dhhas well among the Americans as the British subjects. See

^f^oToS'le^iatiye committee upon the judiciary.. The legislative committee recommended that the following laws upon judiciary >* accepted 'Sec I We, the people of Oregon Territory, for purposes of mutual pro- tection and to secure peace and prosperity among ourselves agree tc .adopt he following laws ami regulations, until such tome*- he United St ate o America extend their jurisdiction over us. Be it theretore enacted, uy u £ e citizens of Oregon Territory, that the said territory, for purposes of