Oregon Territorial Legislature Totally Explained

Everything about Oregon Territorial Legislature totally explained

Oregon’s Territorial Legislature was a bicameral legislative body created by the United States Congress in 1848 as the legislative branch of the government of the Oregon Territory. The upper chamber Council and lower chamber House of Representatives first met in July of 1849; they served as the region's legislative body until Oregon became a state in February 1859, when they were replaced by the bicameral Oregon State Legislature.
Ten annual sessions were held, with most starting in December and ending in February. During the sessions the capital of the territory was moved from Oregon City to Salem, then briefly to Corvallis, and back to Salem. Legislation included the creation of new counties, the re-naming of old counties, and the authorization to hold the Oregon Constitutional Convention, among other acts. Membership in the Council remained at nine throughout the history of the body, while the House of Representatives membership increased from 17 to as high as 30 due to increases in population.

Background

The Provisional Government of Oregon was the region's governing body from 1843 until 1849, at the end of the region's joint settlement by Great Britain and the United States. The Provisional Government's legislative body was the unicameral Provisional Legislature of Oregon.
In 1846 the United States and Great Britain settled the Oregon Question with the Oregon Treaty. The treaty created a boundary between British North America and the United States west of the Rocky Mountains at the 49th parallel. Two years later on August 14 1848 the Organic Act was signed into law by President James K. Polk creating the Oregon Territory out of the lands south of the 49th parallel, north of the 42nd parallel (northern boundary of California) and west of the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean. These laws were the de facto constitution of the Provisional Government. The Council consisted of nine members, apportioned among the territory's counties. During this session two of the original districts were renamed with Tuality (or Tualatin) County becoming Washington County and Champoeg County becoming Marion County. The law was later repealed in 1854, but a new version was added in 1857 when Oregon ratified its constitution in preparation for statehood. During the session on February 4 1851, the Legislature created Pacific County north of the Columbia River. This new county with, Pacific City, as the county seat, was created out of the southwest corner of Lewis County. On January 12 1852, the body created Jackson County in the southwest section of the territory. Matthew Deady served as the President of the Council with Benjamin F. Harding as the Speaker of the House for the session. The 1853 Legislature met in Salem from December 5 1853 to February 2 1854. Ralph Wilcox served as the President of the Council with C. Z. Bishop as the Speaker of the House. On December 18 1855, the legislature separated the southern part of Coos County, creating Curry County, and then on January 22 1856, created Josephine County out of the western portion of Jackson County. The legislature again addressed the question of holding a constitutional convention, and during this session it passed with the citizens then voted in favor of the resolution on June 1 1857, with a convention to be held later in the year. During the session Hugh D. O'Bryant served as president of the Council chamber, with the Speaker of the House position held by Ira F. M. Butler. The state legislators meet twice before admission, from July 6 to July 9, and September 13 & 14.

Aftermath

Oregon was then admitted to the Union on February 14 1859, and the elected state officials and legislators took over governing the now state. The first session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly began on May 16 1859, in a special session that lasted until June 4. Oregon’s first regular session of the biennial legislature occurred from September 10 through October 19 1860.

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