Office of Governor History and Records
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Before the Provisional Government, executive authority was exercised by the chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company and the superintendent of the Oregon Methodist Mission. An attempt to establish a provisional government in 1841 led to the creation of an executive committee, but was abandoned on the advice of John McLoughlin and Charles Wilkes. Remarkably, this committee's proposal for government organization included a single executive governor.
The Provisional Government was established July 5, 1843. Executive power was given to a 3-person committee elected by popular vote. The Organic Act of 1845 replaced the executive committee with an elected "Executive of Oregon," also known as governor. The first governor of the provisional government, George Abernethy, was in office July 14, 1845 to March 3, 1849.
In 1857 the Oregon Constitution was ratified to provide for an elected governor. The governor's term was set at 4 years and no governor could serve more than 8 out of any 12 consecutive years. The first governor, John Whiteaker, was elected June 7, 1858.
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Series Descriptions for the Office of Governor
1853-1855
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents executive office expenditures and receipts. Ledger entries show date of transaction, expenditure or receipt amount, transaction description, account balance, and certification. Series is arranged chronologically by ledger entry.
1843-1844
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents the meetings of the executive committee and its decisions. Minutes show date, motions, actions taken, and members present. Items discussed include the payment of bounties for killing dangerous animals, the formation of a volunteer militia, and the appointment of government officers. Series is not arranged.
1844-1859
.25 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents communications between the governor and other federal, territorial, and local agencies. Correspondence shows date, correspondents' names, and text of communication. In addition to correspondence from US agencies, this series includes correspondence from Hudson's Bay Company officials. This series includes correspondence of the Provisional Government. Series is not arranged.
1856-1858
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents the purchase of supplies and services by the governor's office. Invoices show date, vendor's name, items purchased, invoices amount, and governor's certification. Series is not arranged.
1844-1857
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents annual communication from the governor to the legislative assembly about the condition of the territory. Messages discuss government, relations with the United States, Indian wars and treaties, social conditions in Oregon, and national and international trends. Series is not arranged.
1846-1858
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents formal citizen requests presented to the governor for executive action. Petitions show date, text of petition, and signatures of petitioners. Most of the petitions request executive pardons and paroles for convicts and extraditions. Series is not arranged.
1849-1858
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents communications between the governor and the US Comptroller. Correspondence shows date, correspondents' names, and text of communication. Most of the correspondence relates to the financial transactions of the territory and the federal government. Series is not arranged.