Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/402

 

Saturday, April 1, 1843.

The meeting was organized by calling David Hendershott to the chair, and Silas A. Hudson as secretary; when, on motion of James G. Edwards, the report of the committee read in part on Saturday last, was ordered to be read in full.

Mr. Hight, from the committee of correspondence, made the following report:

Your committee of correspondence beg leave to report that they have written to Independence, Missouri, and to Columbus, Ohio, and have requested information, and also have proposed to join at some point this side of the mountains. Your committee have also thought it proper to submit a set of resolutions for your consideration, which ought to govern the company. It is expressly understood that we emigrate to Oregon for the purpose of settlement; men of families are requested to join; we have already engaged a physician, and expect a chaplain to accompany the enterprise.

Organization of the Oregon Emigration Society.—There shall be elected one captain, four sergeants, and as soon as the company shall arrive at the gap of the Rocky Mountains, and consists of not less than one hundred men, they may choose one first and one second lieutenant. The captain and the four officers next in rank shall direct all the movements, and make all arrangements of the society for their march; and they shall act as directors, and shall qualify candidates and receive them as such at their discretion. They shall have charge of the funds of the company; shall choose their own clerk, who shall keep a regular account of all moneys expended and the amount on hand; and the directors shall report to the company monthly. The clerk shall keep a regular journal of the march. No negroes or mulattoes shall be allowed to accompany the expedition under any pretenses whatever.

Equipment.—Rifle gun, to carry from thirty-two to sixty bullets to the pound, and a tomahawk and knife, $16; one chopping axe, spade, etc., $2; 100 pounds side bacon, $3; 1 barrel flour and one peck salt, $2.25; | pound cayenne pepper, 1 barrel beans, $1; 1 canteen, and 1 blanket, $5; 1 tent to every six men, $6; 1 wagon and 2 yoke of oxen to six men, $150; 1 pony or mule, $60; teams and horses to be shod, and spare shoes; i barrel, iron hooped, to each wagon, for carrying water, $1.50. To each wagon 3 sets plow irons; 1 cradling scythe to each wagon, all mechanical tools to be taken; $20 cash to be deposited with the directors for company use.

Every man ought to carry with him a Bible and other religious books, as we hope not to degenerate into a state of barbarism.

The whole amount necessary for each man, without a horse, will be about $65.

As soon as fifty men shall have joined and been inspected, and found competent, they shall choose their officers, and then agree as to the