The principal cause for anxiety was the body of Hudson Bay ex-employees, who were located in the valley. Most of them were French or Canadians, Catholics, and largely under the influence of the English Company. Although some of them were favorable to a government, the majority were not, and their views are quaintly summed up in an address prepared for presentation at a later public meeting. They objected to a provisional government as too “self-interested and full of degrees, useless to our power, overloading the colony instead of improving it.” They proposed in its place a council, composed of men from all parts of the country “to judge the difficulties, punish the crimes and make regulations suitable for the people.” They regarded a militia as useless and “a danger of bad suspicion to the Indians.” The country was considered as “free at present, to all nations, till government shall have decided; open to every individual wishing to settle, without distinction of origin, and without asking him anything, either to become an English, Spanish or American citizen.” There were also some general reflections to the effect that, “The more laws there are, the more opportunity for roguery for those who make a practice of it;” and “in a new country, the more men employed and paid by the public, the less remains for industry.” It was known that the vote was to be close. The Canadians had been drilled to vote “no” on every proposition, and their strength was determined in an amusing way, by moving a question to which they would naturally have voted “yes.” When the question of having a government was put to a vote the result was so close, that the chairman was in doubt. A division of the house was called for, and at this critical point, Joseph Meek, a typical frontier character, strode forward with the words: “Who’s for a divide? all in favor of the report and of an organization, follow me.” When the vote was counted, it was found to be in favor of a government.