Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/133

OREGON PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT 125 afterwards Supreme Judge of the Provisional Government and the first Governor of the State of California. In his book "Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer" he sets forth many of the defects in the original organic laws of 1843. The Legislative Committee of 1844 determined that none of these organic laws were a part of a constitution, but were all statutes and could be amended or repealed. They proceeded on this theory. The land law of 1843 was repealed and another en- acted which did away with the grant of six miles square to missions and with the unfair attempt to rob Dr. McLoughlin of his land claim at Oregon City. This amended land law con- firmed the right of all persons who had theretofore made, and granted to all who should thereafter make, with a bona fide intention of occupying and holding the same for himself, 640 acres ; and provided that all claims thereafter made should be "in a square form, if the nature of the ground should permit ; and in case the situation will not permit, shall be in an oblong form;" and that "in all cases where claims are already made, and in all cases where there are agreed lines between the par- ties occupying adjoining tracts, such claims shall be valid to the extent of six hundred and forty acres, although not in a square or oblong form." (Laws of Oregon, 1843-9, page 77.) An Act was passed for the collection of taxes. The number of the Legislative Committee was increased from nine to thir- teen. June 27, 1844, an Act was passed that at the next an- nual election one person should be elected as the executive or governor, in whom should be vested all executive powers, in place of the, Executive Committee of three (Laws of Oregon 1843-9, page 98). A commission form of executive had been found unsatisfactory. June 18, 1844, the Executive Committee sent its message to the Legislative Committee in which it was said: "In view of the present state of affairs, gentlemen of the Assembly, we would recommend to your consideration the adoption of some measures for a more thorough organization." In this message the Executive Committee also recommended vesting the executive power in one person. When the Legislative Committee met, at an adjourned ses- sion December 16, 1844, the Executive Committee sent an-