Oregon Lyceum
TheOregon LyceumorPioneer Lyceum and Literary Clubwas founded inOregon City,Oregon Countryaround 1840. Theforumwas a prominent fixture for the leadingpioneersettlers during its brief existence. It would begin publishing the first American newspaper west of theRocky Mountainsin 1846 and had several names during its existence.
Founding
[edit]One source lists the founding of the institution as 1844,[1]but this is unlikely as there are many references to debates regarding forming a government in 1842.[2]The forum was likely started at that time with the goal of producing a newspaper in the region.[1][2]That paper, theOregon Spectator,began publishing in 1846.[1]
The Lyceum's first meeting was held at the home of Sidney Moss who had purchased his land in Oregon City from Dr.John McLoughlinof theHudson's Bay Company(HBC).[2]Frederick Priggwas another member of the Lyceum that assisted in building the organization.[3]So was Portland co-founderFrancis Pettygrove.[4]
In addition to debates on government and the creation of a press, the group discussed literary items, scientific pursuits, and other local issues.[4]Literary works of the group were published in theSpectator.[5]The group as also known asThe Willamette Falls Debating SocietyorThe Falls Association.[5]
Other notable members during its existence include:[5][6]Henry A. G. Lee,William H. Gray,Lansford W. Hastings, Elisha Applegate,Jesse Applegate,Asa Lovejoy,Sidney W. Moss,Robert Newell,James W. Nesmith,William C. Dement,Medorem Crawford,Hiram Straight,William Cushing,Philip Foster,Theophilus Magruder,Daniel Waldo,Peter G. Stewart,Isaac W. Smith,Joseph Watt,Frank Ermatinger,Albert E. Wilson,Jacob Hoover,John Minto,Barton Lee, and John P. Brooks.
Government debate
[edit]Beginning in the fall and winter of 1840-1841 the members of the Lyceum debated the future of the region.[2]At the time neither the United States norGreat Britaincould claim the Oregon Country under the terms of theTreaty of 1818signed at the conclusion of theWar of 1812.During these debates in Oregon City the European settlers argued about whether an independent country should be formed, or if aprovisional governmentshould be formed.[7]
Those lyceum members advocating an independent country were mainlyBritish,including Dr. McLoughlin and his HBC employees. Although many formerfur trappers(predominantlyFrench-CanadianRoman Catholics) and the region'sJesuitmissionariessided with McLoughlin on this issue. Both groups viewed the formation of an independent country as preventing the territory from eventually becoming a part of theUnited States.[7]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.[7]
The resolution was adopted but at that same meetingGeorge Abernethyof theMethodist Missionintroduced a competing issue following the vote to be discussed the next week.[7]This new resolution was in essence in favor of waiting for the United States to annex the territory instead:
Resolved, That if theUnited Statesextends its jurisdiction over this country during the next four years it will not be expedient to form an independent government.[7]
After debate of the issues, (which by now, according to later observers, included the option ofnoprovisional government if an independent nation was not formed) the resolution in favor of a four-year delay passed and[7]ultimately the side favoring America prevailed.[2]
Later years
[edit]It is not known when the Oregon Lyceum disbanded, but theLyceum movementin the United States died out around the turn of the Twentieth Century.
References
[edit]- ^abcHeinzkill, Richard (August 1993)."A Brief History of Newspaper Publishing in Oregon".University of Oregon Libraries.Retrieved2007-02-11.
- ^abcdeKohnen, Patricia."Clackamas County, 1800 to 1843".AT THE END OF THE TRAIL: An Introduction to Clackamas History.Retrieved2007-02-11.
- ^"Oregon Secretaries of State Biographical Sketches, 1841-Present".Oregon Blue Book.Oregon Secretary of State.Retrieved2007-02-11.
- ^abKidd, Julie."Pettygrove".Multnomah County, Oregon GenWeb.Retrieved2007-02-11.
- ^abcCorning, Howard M.Dictionary of Oregon History.Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
- ^Bancroft, Hubert Howe. 1882. The works of Hubert Howe Bancroft. San Francisco: A.L. Bancroft & Co. p. 297
- ^abcdefHines, Joseph Wilkinson."CHAPTER VIII. The Provisional Government".Touching incidents in the life and labors of a pioneer on the Pacific coast since 1853.Library of Congress.Retrieved2007-02-11.
