It was in 1849 that the conspiracy against Dr. McLoughlin
and his land claim began to become effective. In 1846 Governor Abernethy
became the sole owner of the Oregon Milling Company and its property on
Abernethy Island, Abernethy and his son claiming to own the island, which
was then known as "Governor's Island," in supposed compliment to Governor
Abernethy. W. P. Bryant, the first Territorial Chief-Justice of Oregon,
arrived in Oregon April 9, 1849. May 29, 1849, fifty days after his arrival
he purchased all said interests of Gov. Abernethy and son. Bryant gave his
promissory notes to Gov. Abernethy, aggregating $30,000 in principal, as
part consideration for the purchase. Bryant also bought from Gov. Abernethy,
on time, wheat, flour, and staves for about $2500 and a quantity of lumber
and logs, the value of which I am unable to give. Bryant's judicial district
included Oregon City.
In June, 1849, Samuel R. Thurston was elected Territorial
Delegate to Congress from Oregon. He arrived in Oregon in the fall of 1847.
He was shrewd enough to obtain the support of the Mission Party. He
skillfully made his canvass largely against the Hudson's Bay Company. Having
the support of the Mission Party, and many of the voters being then in the
California mines, Thurston was elected. The vote was as follows: Thurston,
470; Columbus Lancaster, 321; J. W. Ne-smith, 106; Joseph L. Meek, 40; and
J. S. Griffin, 8. The most important measure for Oregon was the passage of a
land law, for no person had or could then obtain a legal title to land. It
was all owned by the United States except the small portions granted to the
Missions. Thurston used his best endeavors to obtain the passage of such a
bill. But he was anxious for re-election and to ingratiate himself with the
Mission Party and the conspirators against Dr. McLoughlin.
