Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/389

DOCUMENTS 381 I was appointed to my present office in December last to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Babcock, who left for New York by water. I received the nomination of the Champoeg Convention and ran for the office at the election which took place on the first Tuesday of the present month at which I received the unanimous vote of the whole Territory happening to be on all tickets, two of which I send you enclosed which were printed for Champoeg County. They are the first tickets printed in Oregon. You should preserve them as curiosities. The question of adopting a constitution was before the people at the late election, but was rejected. All names marked thus X on the tickets were elected. Everything appears prosperous and flourishing in the colony. By the Brig Cowlitz from California via the Sandwich Islands, we have American and English papers up to the first of January, 1845, which informs us that Polk is elected and Texas annexed, also a revolution in California. The patriots will be reinforced from this place, Don't fail to write every opportunity ; you can send letters by the Hudson Bay Co.'s express by paying the postage to Mon- treal or Quebec, direct to Fort Vancouver, Columbia River. Dr. White, U. S. Sub. Ind. Agent west of the Rocky Moun- tains, will bear this letter to the States, as he goes through Cincinnati ; he may call on you. If he does, I know that you will receive him kindly for my sake. He is a most worthy man, indefatigable in the discharge of his duties, full of his urbanity and kindness, besides being my particular personal and political friend. Law books are scarce here. I sent last year to St. Louis for a few volumes, but have heard nothing from the agent since. We have a very good circulating library in town, but few books that are of much aid in the study of law. The Cowlitz brought President Tyler's message ; we are all waiting with great anxiety to see what Congress will do for Oregon.