loneerkozi.et1ion; - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

ANNUAL AtDRESS.
Champoeg was the principal Indian village between Chemeketa anti Willamette
falls, aria the home of the Campoeg chieftains from time immemorial.
This point was early in the history of the fur companies of the Pacific coast,
made the place of rendezvous from whence the traders and trappers with their
families annually took their final leave in the spring, on their seasons' hunt and
traffic for Southern Oregon and the Mexican country. These brigades were
usually composed of about 30 men and from 200 to 250 horses.
Col. Nesmith, like a gallant Pioneer as he is, always willing to give his Satanic
majesty his due1 or meet him openly in any frightful attitudes he is wont
to assume, has said in his address before referred to, in speaking of the Canclian
settlers: "They are entitled to share with us what ever ctedit is due the Pioneers,
as they endured the toils of developing and defending the country."
I served under Gen. Palmer during the Cayuse war as Commissary Agent at
French Prairie, and I can assure you, fellow members, that those old pioneer
Canadians gave quite as liberally of their means to supply the volunteers in the
field, as did the people of arty other portion of old Champoeg county. Being
desirous of placing upon our records sontething to show the feelings and position
occupied by this people during that exciting and critical struggle, and in
defence of the truth and their fidelity to the Provisional Government against all
unjust aspersions to the contrary, I will ask Mr. President, the privilege of
reading from the old pioneer paper, the Oregon Spedator, of date, January 20,
5548, the following preamble and resolutions unanimously adopted at a mass
meeting; held on French Prairie, which was composed of more than one hundred
Canadian settlers:
"WHEREAS, It isbeheved that several of the Indian tribes east of the Cascade
mountains have formed an alliance for the purpose of carrying on hostilities
against this clot1y; and
WHEREAS, The exigency of the times calls for prompt and energetic action
on the part of the people of this Territory, in enlfiiting and mustering into the
service the number of volunteers requited by the Executive; therefore,
Resolved, That we deem it highly expedient to raise, arm and equip, one
company of Riflemen to proceed immediately to join the regiment at Portland.
Resolved, That the Cans1ians citizens of Champoeg county, feel it our duty
to assist our adopted country in the prosecution of the war against the Caynse
Indians, for the horrible massacre committed by them upon American citizens
at Waiilatpu.
After which, a call was made for volunteers, when thirty came forward and
enrolled their names.
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