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Coming 1 in greater state than his predecessor, the
new governor was more royally welcomed, 4 by the
firing of cannon, speeches, and a public dinner. In
return for these courtesies Gaines presented the ter
ritory with a handsome silk flag, a gift which Thurs-
ton, in one of his eloquent encomiums upon the
pioneers of Oregon and their deeds, reminded con
gress had never yet been offered by the government
to that people. But Governor Gaines was not sin
cerely welcomed by the democracy, who resented the
removal of Lane, and who on other grounds disliked
the appointment. They would not have mourned if
when he, like Lane, was compelled to make procla
mation of the death of the president by whom he was
appointed, 5 there had been the prospect of a removal
in consequence. The grief for President Taylor was
not profound with the Oregon democracy. He was
accused of treating them in a cold indifferent man
ner, and of lacking the cordial interest displayed in
their affairs by previous rulers. Nor was the differ
ence wholly imaginary. There was not the same
incentive to interest which the boundary question,
and the contest over free or slave territory, had
inspired before the establishment of the territory.
Oregon was now on a plane with other territories,
which could not have the national legislature at their
beck and call, as she had done formerly, and the
change could not occur without an affront to her feel
ings or her pride. Gaines was wholly unlike the
energetic and debonair Lane, being phlegmatic in
store-ship Supply, in November 1849, arriving at San Francisco in July 1850, where they were transferred to the Falmouth. California Courier, July 21, 1850; Or. Spectator, Aug. 22, 1850; Strong s Hist. Or., MS., 1, 2, 13.
4 The Or. Statesman of March 28, 1851, remarks that Gaines came around Cape Horn in a government vessel, with his family and furniture, arriving at Oregon City nine months after his appointment, and drawing salary all the time, while Lane being removed, drew no pay, but performed the labor of his office.
5 President Taylor died July 9, 1850. The intelligence was received in Oregon on the 1st of September. Friday the 20th was set for the observance of religious funeral ceremonies by proclamation of Gaines. Or. Spectator, Sept.