12. Draft of Oregon State Constitution

This document is a draft version of the Oregon State Constitution’s preamble and bill of rights. It was written in 1857.

After defeating motions to organize a state constitutional convention in 1854, 1855, and 1856 due to fears that statehood would bring higher taxes, the electorate of Oregon Territory shifted direction in 1857 and voted overwhelmingly in favor of drawing up a state constitution. This change in attitude stemmed from growing concerns over the slavery question, which Chief Justice of the Oregon Territory George H. Williams called the “paramount issue” in Oregon at that time. Democrats hoped to consolidate their power despite splits in the party over slavery, while anti-Democrats sought to avoid having slavery forced upon them by the federal government in the wake of the disturbing events in “Bleeding Kansas” and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision.