Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/85



CHAPTER V. MCRATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

They crossed the desert, as of old Their tethers crossed the see; To nmke the West as they the East, The homestead of the freeb— ^Whittler.

Ne ceitlly for the Coloniiatioii of Oregon. Oregon was Uie lirtt Pacific Co««t region to nvhicb there was coosiilenible migration from the States. Several reasons were now apparent why it should be rapidly settled, namely:

1. If the Americans were to dominate in Oregon, it waa neceesaiy for them to he in the majority*

2. There was much uneasiness throughout the United States as to die Oregon Boundary Question, the decision of which many helieved would be influenced somewhat by the presence of Amoiean setden^

3. It was the American policy to send colonists to Oregon so that they might develop the resources of die country, and incidentally replace savagery with civilization.

4. Lawlessness was becoming prevalent so that livestock and other property were frequently stolen. Also the Indians, who were acquiring civilization and were dependent upon the vdiites for government, required better protection for their families and their proper^. Furthennore^ the Americans wanted a government of their own, the out* growth of their desire bang a demand for law and order^ To meet this demand there must be enough Americans to enforce such lavrs as might be made.

5. But above all was the opportunity for men and women to come west and improve their condition.

The Emigratioa of 1839. Mention has been made of whites who came to Oregon to trap and trade, and of those who carried on misrionary work among the Indiana* Various parties had crossed the plains but die first serious attempt at migration to Oregon was in 1 839. This movement resulted from lectures given by Rev. Jason Lee in Peoria, «