So the resolution was passed.
Dr. White waited for the passage of this resolution (keeping quiet as to McCarver’s signing the others in violation of the order of the house), and as soon as it was safely in his pocket, left for Vancouver, on his way to the States.
White had no sooner gone, than it leaked out that McCarver had signed the documents, and White had broken the seals, and destroyed private letters intrusted to him to convey to the States, and had made Garrison his confidant respecting breaking open and destroying the letters. Here was a muss on hand such as none but White and McCarver could “kick up.” Applegate was too much excited and insulted by these men to say any thing; but he presented through B. Lee a resolution as follows:—
“Resolved, That M. M. McCarver has been opposed to the organic law, as adopted by the people of Oregon; and, contrary to the voice of this house in regular session, clandestinely, and in a manner unworthy the confidence reposed in him, placed his name to a copy of those laws transmitted to the United States, thereby conveying a false impression; and did, also, sign his name to two resolutions, contrary to a direct vote of this house; therefore,
“It is further resolved, That we disapprove of the course he has pursued, and feel ourselves under the humiliating necessity of signifying the same to the United States government, by causing a copy of this resolution to accompany those documents.”
Which was received, and referred to committee of the whole.
In the afternoon, Dr. J. E. Long, clerk of the house, A. L. Lovejoy, Smith, and Hill were called before the house, and put on oath, to state what they knew of the matter. Mr. Applegate was chairman. The committee rose and reported that they had been engaged in investigating the subject referred to in Mr. B. Lee’s resolution, but had not adopted the resolution. McCarver had been allowed to explain his course.
On motion of Mr. Applegate—
“Resolved, That, whereas a copy of the organic laws of Oregon, together with some resolutions, intended to be sent to the United States, have not been attested and dispatched according to the directions of this house; therefore,
“Resolved, That the clerk dispatch for them a messenger, to Vancouver, with authority to bring said documents back, and that he deliver them to the secretary, and that the expenses incurred be paid by the members of this house who voted for the resolution.”
On the adoption of which the yeas and nays were called, and were as follows:—