Oregon: Governors: 1859-1866
| Governor of the State of Oregon | |
| 4 Apr 1859 - 10 Sep 1862 | John Whiteaker [1] |
| 10 Sep 1862 - 12 Sep 1866 | Addison Crandall Gibbs |
- Sections Nos. 3 and 8 under Article XVIII (Schedule) of the Constitution of the State of Oregon provided for its taking effect following ratification by the qualified voters, and authorized the territorial officers to continue in office until superseded by their State successors. Oregon applied for admission to the Union, but Congressional approval of the Constitution was not explicitly sought, and the election proceeded in 1858. The State Legislature convened in July 1858, and Whiteaker was inaugurated as Governor of the State on 8 Jul 1858. However, the bill admitting Oregon failed in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Congress adjourned on 14 Jun 1858. The State Legislature also adjourned on 9 Jul 1858 and subsequently failed to achieve a quorum in September 1858. The territorial government and legislature were not superseded as expected until news of Oregon's admission became known in March 1859. A proclamation issued by Whiteaker on 4 Apr 1859 indirectly acknowledged the fact.