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vision for a multitude of officers elected for short terms only. The Oregon Company of 1845 was officered by a colonel, captain, lieutenant, sergeants, and other subordinates, 63 that of 1844 by a captain, lieutenant, first and second sergeants, and a first and second corporal, 64 all elected. Other companies had elective wagon-masters, guards, and scouts. 65 In a few instances, apparently among the earlier companies, the sub- ordinate officers were appointed by the commanders of the expedition rather than elected. 66 Tenures were brief. The superior officers, and accordingly in most cases, no doubt, their appointees, held office during the pleasure of the company, 07 or for a month, 68 or even for two weeks. 69 Even the recall of officers was provided for in one company by the regulation that on the petition of one third or more of the members, a new election of all officers and of the council should be held. 70 The limits on the commanding officers' authority afforded by the executive council and the usual constitutional provision that all matters of importance be submitted to a general vote further checked any possible tendency toward official despotism and preserved the fundamental democracy.
The tendency toward disintegration almost invariably ap- peared in the course of the long trek. This was only natural in view of the heterogeneous elements comprising the emi-
63 Stephen Staats, Address, O. P. A. Transactions, 1877, p. 47. Palmer Travels (Thwaites), p. 42.
64 Diary of E. E. Parrish, O. P. A. Transactions, 1888, p. 95.
65 J. S. Latham, Crossing the Plains in 1852, O. P. A. Transactions, 1895, p. 91.
66 T. J. Farnham, Travels in the Great Western Prairies (Thwaites, Early Western Travels, XXVIII), p. 60. Cf. Resolutions of the Oregon Emigrating Society, Rule .?. Wilkes, History of Oregon, Loc. cit. In the "Oregon Emigra- tion Society of Iowa Territory, etc.," the Recording Secretary and Treasurer were selected by the President, Trustees and Council. Article II, j, Iowa Journ. Hist, and Pol., X, 421.
67 "The Captain, orderly sergeant, and members of the Council shall hold their office at the pleasure of the Company and it shall be the duty of the Council, upon the application of one-third or more of the Company, to order a new elec- tion." Resolutions of the Oregon Emigrating Society, Rule 5, Wilkes, History of Oregon, Loc. cit.
68 Medorem Crawford, Journal, pp. 9, n.
69 Palmer, Travels (Thwaites), p. 47. It should be added, however, that there are instances of officers elected supposedly for the entire journey. Cf. Constitu- tion, Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company, /o, Oreg. Hist. Quart., IV, 279. See also Shortess, First Emigrants to Oregon, O. P. A. Transactions, 1896, p. 94 and passim.
70 Resolutions of the Oregon Emigrating Company, Rule 5, Wilkes, History of Oregon, Part II, p. 71.
