 On 25 November 1852, 44 regional settlers adopted a Memorial to Congress requesting separation from Oregon Territory and the creation of a separate territory due to a number of issues they had with the Oregon government.Their request was successful and on 2 March 1853, President Millard Fillmore signed legislation that created the Territory of Washington.Having settled in Kelso in 1849, Peter served in a number of public capacities as the population grew.