of the Army of the United States."[1] These acts pertaining pay of privates and officers were, however, merely declarations. There was no provision on the part of the Territory for carrying them out. The Governor in his message to the Legislature on February 5, 1849, referred to the urgency and stress of wants of the common soldier and urged an issue of scrip to each for the amount due him. He thought faith in the likelihood of the National Government's paying the expenses of the war would enable the holders to realize something for their services.[2]
It is to be remembered that the operations of the Cayuse War were carried on before the currency stringency had been relieved through the discovery and mining of gold in California. Scrip, wheat, and merchants' orders were still the main reliance for a medium of exchange in all business and other economic transactions. The total amount of cash received for carrying on the war was $2,885.02, the amount paid out was $2,811.15½.[3] The total liabilities incurred were something over $175,000. From the anomalous status of the Provisional Government and its previous rather pusillanimous financial policy on the one hand, and the patriotic public spirit hampered by the primitive economic and monetary facilities on the other hand, there were some rather unique transactions to record. The Rev. H. H. Spalding, a
- ↑ Local laws of the second session of the Legislative Assembly, p. 41.
- ↑ Oregon Archives, Journals, p. 273.
He submitted the report of the Adjutant General along with his message. The pay of the privates and non-commissioned officers in accordance with the act passed December 28, 1847, allowing one dollar and fifty cents per day, amounted to $109,311.50. He put his recommendation as to the pay of the privates in the following words: "One thing connected with war department needs attending to. It is well known that the volunteers endured much fatigue and hardship, and suffered many privations while prosecuting the war, and, as many of them wish to avail themselves of the funds due them to supply their immediate wants, I would recommend that a law be passed authorizing scrip to be issued, redeemable as early as possible for the amount due each individual, and bearing interest until paid. It has been supposed that the United States Government would pay the expenses of this war; and I see no reason to doubt it, as it was entered into for the protection of American citizens. This will induce persons to purchase the scrip, and enable the holders to realise something for their services."
- ↑ Report of Commissary General, Oregon Archives, Journals, p. 329.
