Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-19
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
An Interesting Chapter in the
History Of Oregon.

The following interesting chapter of
American history is from the "Ameri-
can Odd Fellow" for the month of
April 1867:
what great events from humble
causes spring! Hear how the interests
cf our nation were saved from sacrifice
in the vast Oregon regions, quarter
century ago, by the efforts of few un-
assuming people-woman appearing
prominent in this, as in many other re-
markable chapters of the worlds his
tory
about twenty years ago the land
rang with outcries for a boundary line
on the Pacific coast considerably north
ward of 'forty-nine thirty, where it is
now fixed between the U. S. and Brit
Ish America The shout of many over
jealous patriots at that time was
'fifty-four forty-or fight! The mean
ing of this outcry was that, If Great
Britain did not concede to the United
States the possession Of the whole
Oregon region up to the line Of 54 de-
grees 40 minutes, so that the United
States possessions should reach up to
the Russo-American line (thus exclud-
ing Johnny Bull from the Pacific-Amer-
lean COAST, Uncle Sam should incon-
his demands by force of arms.
Now, the result soon showed that,
much as we formerly coveted extended
possessions in the then unsettled Pa
Cific regions, we were not exactly pre-
pared to spend treasure and blood in
sustaining our claims; and an AMIGA
BILE settlement, in 1845, gave to Great
Britain the territory above forty-nine
thirty, the present frontage of that
power on the Pacific coast-leaving it
as a British wedge between the pos
sessions of Uncle Sam and the Russian
Bear. The lower part of the Oregon
region, below 40 degrees thirty minutes,
was thus left to the peaceable posses
sion of the United States; and as Cal
ifornia was acquired by treaty with
Mexico, as a consequence of the war
between the u. S. and Mexico, Uncle
Sam gained southerly much more VAL
liable possessions than those he had
previously coveted northwardly from
Mr.. Bull. Look to your map, good
reader, and see what changes were thus
made by diplomacy with Great Brit
ain, and by powder and ball with Mex
leo.
"Such is, In brief, the history OF the
struggles for territorial dominion on
the Pacific coast of America, by three
great powers" before the value of
that then uncivilized region had begun
to be developed by the diScoveries OF
the precious metals in the quantities
that now render the Golden Gate a
fitting title TO the entrance OF san
Francisco bay-the great entrepot OF
almost fabulous wealth.
Now let us see how nearly Uncle
Sam escaped the loss of the whole Ore
gon coast in 1S42-only couple OF
years before lust for dominion and ma
tional ardor impelled some OF our peo-
pie to cry out so Justify for 'hfty-four
forty or fight. Even Daniel Webster
when secretary of state under Presi-
dent Tyler in that year, was actually
on the point of closing a treaty with
England, whereby the whole oregon
region (all that had been claimed by
the United States), was to be trans
ferred or quit-claimed to the British!
(At that time, the Oregon region was
occupied in common by the British and
American governments--the settlers
being chiefly engaged as fur-traders-
notice to be given by either government
when joint occupation should termi-
nate). This part OF the history sounds
like romance; but the authority for Il
seems to be indisputable. Here il is,
tust as it was recently related at a
meeting of one OF the principal relig-
ious organizations of the age--the
american Board OF Commissioners for
Foreign Missions Correspondents OF
the N. Y. Evening Post and Boston
ConRregationalist concur In narrating
the remarkable story;
1--WE presume it is not generally
known 10 our citizens on the Pacific
coast, nor TO many people In the At
lantic states, how near we came 70
losing, through executive Incompetence
our lust title 10 the whole immense
region lying west of the Rocky noun
tains. Nor has due honor been ac-
corded TO the brave and patriotic man
through whose herculean exertions TINS
great loss was prevented.
The facts were briefly and freshy
brought out during the recent meeting
at Pittsheld. Of the American Board OF
Commissioners for Foreign Missions
IN the course Of an elaborate paper
read by, Mr. Teat. one Of the seereta-
ries OF the board. on the Incidental
Results OF Missions
'.'In the year 1886 the American
board undertook 10 establish mission
among the Indians beyond the Rocky
Mountains. Two missionaries, Rev.
Mr. spaldinR and DR.. Whitman, with
their wives-the nrst white women who