loneerkozi.et1ion; - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

30 ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The many important events connected with this good man's life in Oregon
would not only furnish material for a very interesting and profitable address before
this Association, but would fill a liberal sized volume, he having been for
more than a third of a century (commencing with the year 5823) most prominently
connected with the pioneer history of the country. I regret that the
limits of this paper precludes entering into details the better to present before
you, the great executive ability, power over the Indians, and fostering care
which he so generously bestowed upon the infant settlements of Oregon.
Dr. McLaughlin was no ordinary personage. Nature had written in her
most legible hand preeminence in every lineameut of his strong Scotch face,
combining in a marked degree all the native dignity of an intellectual giant.
He stood among his pioneer cotemporaries like towering old Hood amid the
evergreen heights that surround his mountain homea born leader of men. He
would have achieved distinction in any of the higher pursuits of life. He was
born in the District of Quebec, Canada, in I84, of Scotch parentage, reared
under the influence of the Ange/ican or Efiscepal Church, of which he remained
a member until November 18th, 1842. At this date he became connected with
the Catholic Church, of which he continued a devout communicant during the
remainingyears of his long and eventful life. Dr. McLaughlin had Teceived a
liberal education and was a regular bred physician, in stature above six feet,
weighing some 250 pounds, his head was large, his commanding eye of a bluish
grey, a fair florid complexion, his hair had been of a sandy color, but when I
rst met him at Vancouver, in the fall of s8, then sixty years of age, his
great luxuriant growth of hair was white as snow. A business requiring a residence
among the wild native tribes necessarily made the regulations governing
the service of his company partake more of the martial than the civil law. Dr.
McLaughlin was a strict disciplinarian and in his bearing decidedly military in
suggestion; his standard of honor was unviolated truth and justice. The
strong distinguishing traits of his character were true courage, a clear quick
perception and firm reliance. He never hesitated in taking upon himself great
responsibilities when in his judgment occasion required it. The regulations
of the Hudson Bay Company required its officers to give one year's notice of
their intention to quit the service. This notice the Doctor gave at the beginning
of 1845, and the following year established himself upon his land claim at
Oregon City, where he had already built a residence, large flouting mill, sawmills
and store houses. Having located his land claim in 1829, he first made
some temporary improvements thereon in 1830. These enterprises gave to the
pioneer town quite a business like appearance at the time of my arrival in the
country, and employment to a goodly number of needy immigrants. The Doctor's
religion was of that practical kind which proceeds from the heart and en-