Oregon Lyceum - Government Debate

Government Debate

Beginning in the fall and winter of 1840-1841 the members of the Lyceum debated the future of the region. At the time neither the United States nor Great Britain could claim the Oregon Country under the terms of the Treaty of 1818 signed at the conclusion of the War of 1812. During these debates in Oregon City the European settlers argued about whether an independent country should be formed, or if a provisional government should be formed.

Those lyceum members advocating an independent country were mainly British, including Dr. McLoughlin and his HBC employees, although many former fur trappers (predominately French-Canadian Roman Catholics ) and the region's Jesuit missionaries sided with McLoughlin on this issue. Both groups viewed the formation of an independent country as preventing the territory from eventually becoming a part of the United States. McLoughlin’s attorney L. W. Hastings, introduced a resolution on his behalf to the Lyceum as follows:

Resolved, That it is expedient for the settlers of the coast to organize an independent government.

The resolution was adopted but at that same meeting George Abernethy of the Methodist Mission introduced a competing issue following the vote to be discussed the next week. This new resolution was in essence in favor of waiting for the United States to annex the territory instead:

Resolved, That if the United States extends its jurisdiction over this country during the next four years it will not be expedient to form an independent government.

After debate of the issues, (which by now, according to later observers, included the option of no provisional government if an independent nation was not formed) the resolution in favor of a four year delay passed and ultimately the side favoring America prevailed.