108 FREDERICK V. HOLMAN saying among other matters, that they did not wish a provi- sional mode of government. (Thornton's "History of the Pro- visional Government of Oregon," page 61.) This paper is not dated. It is entitled "An Address of the Canadian citizens of Oregon, to the meeting at Champoeg, March 4, 1843." (Ore- gon Archives, pages 12 and 13.) The address indicates that a meeting was expected to be held at that time, but there is no record of such a meeting. It recites that the Canadian citi- zens of the Willamette "present to the American citizens, and particularly to the gentlemen who called said meeting," their views set forth in the address. The address also says "That we do not intend to rebel against the measures of that kind taken last year, by a party of the people." This can refer only to the meetings held in 1841. So the address must have been prepared some time in 1842. Although there is some question as to the author of this document, it is commonly believed to have been written by Rev. F. N. Blanchet. Possibly it was written by Rev. Modeste Demers. Blanchet was a close friend of Dr. McLoughlin, who openly opposed the formation of such a government, and the French-Canadians, who approved every action of the latter, of course, would support his wishes in the matter. On pages 349 and 350 of volume 4, Wilkes' Narrative, he says that in June, 1841, he visited the Catholic Mission about twelve miles from Champoeg and talked with Rev. F. N. Blanchet (whom he calls "Bachelet") who was in charge. Wilkes says: "He spoke to me much about the system of laws the ma- jority of the settlers were desirous of establishing, but which he had objected to, and advised his people to refuse to co- operate in ; for he was of the opinion that the number of set- tlers in the Willamette Valley would not warrant the estab- lishment of a constitution, and, as far as his people were con- cerned, there was certainly no necessity for one, nor had he any knowledge of crime having been yet committed." It fully appears that in 1843, prior, at least, to May 2, those particularly opposed to the formation of a provisional govern- ment were the Hudson's Bay Company, its officers, servants
