Collection is open for research.
Tax assessment roll, gift of Henry E. Reed, August 1929 (RL2021-056-RETRO). Transcribed records by George R. Schreiber and Esther L. Plumer were most likely gift of George R. Schreiber in 1914 and in 1916 or 1917 (RL2021-062-RETRO, RL2021-063-RETRO). Oregon Institute promissory note most likely acquired in 1903 (RL2021-064-RETRO). Promissory notes of Joseph Gale, Asa Lovejoy, and Francis W. Pettygrove, as well as Washington County court petition, gift of Richard H. Corning (Lib. Acc. 14294). All other materials most likely acquired in either the late 19th or early 20th century (RL2021-065-RETRO).
The Oregon Provisional Government was formed with the passing of the Organic Law on July 5, 1843, following the Champoeg meetings that May, where Euro-American emigrants and Hudson's Bay Company employees voted on whether to establish a provisional government for the Oregon country. Euro-American emigrants to Oregon had determined that a governmental structure was necessary to handle issues such as organizing the protection of livestock from predatory animals and settling the estate of Ewing Young, who had died in 1841 without a will.
The Provisional Government consisted of a three-member executive committee, a secretary, a treasurer, and a nine-member legislative committee. In 1845, the three-member executive committee was replaced by a single governor, a role which George Abernethy (1807-1877) filled. The Provisional Government passed laws, instituted taxes, and established a militia in the form of the Oregon Rangers.
In 1848, the United States Congress created the Oregon Territory, and the Provisional Government came to an end in March 1849 with the arrival of Joseph Lane (1801-1881), who had been appointed governor of the Oregon Territory. The Territorial Government lasted until 1859, when Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state of the United States.
Originals of transcribed documents held in the Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon.
Oregon Provisional Government and Territorial Government records, Mss 1226, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Collection was titled "Oregon Provisional Government records" prior to reprocessing in July 2021.
Copies of records held at the Oregon State Archives are available on microfilm at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library under the title "Oregon Provisional and Territorial Government Records Access Project."
Ewing Young account book, Mss 499, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
The collection includes original and transcribed records of the Oregon Provisional Government and Oregon Territorial Government. Original documents include a volume of laws; promissory notes for Joseph Gale, William Holmes, Asa Lovejoy, the Oregon Institute, and Francis Pettygrove; a document appointing David Leslie to administrate the estate of Ewing Young; court notices, summons, receipt, and petition; land claim documents; and tax assessments. Most transcribed records were copied by George R. Schreiber and Esther L. Plumer (later Esther Schreiber McGraw) from materials held at the Oregon State Capitol in 1913 and 1916, and they include a significant amount of correspondence and records regarding Ewing Young and his estate. The transcribed records and correspondence also relate to legislation passed by the Provisional and Territorial governments. Individuals represented in these records include George Abernethy, Joseph Lane, and John McLoughlin.
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Scott, Leslie M. "Oregon's Provisional Government, 1843-1849." Oregon Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, No. 3 (September 1929), pages 207-217.