withstanding we are now, as we have always been, and ever shall be, a Democrat of the Jeffersonian School."[1]
T'Vault's career as the Spectator's editor was a short one—his violent political antagonism could not be successfully curbed even by Article VIII of the Compact. In his valedictory, April 2, 1846, he points out that there are two distinct parties in Oregon—and the difficulty of editing, under these conditions, a non-partisan paper. The real mission of the Spectator was probably to pursue the Hudson's Bay Company and T'Vault's two parties were probably the American merchants and the British merchants.
The new editor, H. A. G. Lee, the first choice as editor, explained that he would discuss politics as a science of government but not effervescent partyism. (April 16, 1846.) On this date there were a hundred and fifty-five subscribers but the new editor says there should be five hundred with the existing population. On August 6, 1846, "The editor (H. A. G. Lee) respectfully tenders his thanks to the Board of Directors for the privilege of terminating his services as editor with the present number of the Spectator. He gladly avails himself of the opportunity thus afforded him of returning to more humble—far more pleasant duties of a laboring mechanic, with a happy consciousness of having done the best that the circumstances allowed." Lee's difficulty with the Printing Association came over some articles of his regarding the attitude of the American merchants toward the colonists.
The next few numbers were issued without any apparent editor but were doubtless directed by the printer John Fleming. Then, George L. Curry, newly arrived from St. Louis, took over the paper and endeavored to give it a "firm and consistent American tone." Curry was able to retain his position longer than any of his pred-
- ↑ Quoted by W. C Woodward. The Rise and Early History of Political Parties in Oregon, 1843-1868, p. 31-2.
