Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/322

316 elation. Professor Joseph Schafer of the University of Oregon presented a paper on "The Location of the Sources of the History of the Pacific Northwest." He pointed out the principal epochs in the development of this region, and gave a critical estimate of the value of the different sources of the history of each epoch. He used as a nucleus bibliography, to be segregated and supplemented, the lists given in H. H. Bancroft's volumes on the "Pacific Northwest" and "Oregon." A general statement of the contents of each of the principal collections on the coast was then given.

The last paper of the congress was read by Professor C. A. Duniway. His subject was "Slavery and the Negro Question in California." He showed that, notwithstanding the formation and adoption of a constitution excluding slavery, almost immediately decidedly pro-slavery leanings were exhibited by the judicial, administrative, and legislative authorities in the State. Not a few slaves were held in the State until freed by the Lincoln's proclamation and the adoption of the thirteenth amendment. The State passed several laws denying equal civil and political rights to the freedmen. These facts were elicited from court records, manumission papers, and interviews with colored people who had been held in bondage, as well as from contemporary newspapers.

A pleasant social feature of the congress had been the daily gathering around the history tables for luncheon at the American Inn. The spirit and enthusiasm of the congress had a fitting culmination at the banquet tendered on the evening of the third day at this Inn by Mr. and Mrs. William D. Fenton to the speakers at the congress and others in attendance from abroad. The social and historical success of the congress was strongly in evidence in the sentiments expressed by our honored guests from beyond the mountains and the plains.