Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/239

Rh political purpose, it did not find definite expression in his journal. This last portion was all written in one day—on July 28, 1838.

Nothing stands out more strongly in the document than the author's uniform affability and frank good will towards all with whom he came into personal relation, which evoked their kindest regard and friendship.

The history of Jason Lee and his contemporaries is a narrative of the commencement of the great struggle of American citizens for the possession and retention of the Oregon Country. Before that time this section was in practical control and under the governmental influence of Great Britain, although nominally the two countries shared in the power and responsibility of joint occupation. The primal object in the mind of Jason Lee may not have been an intent to assert and protect the sovereignty of the United States. This was perhaps incidental to his chief purpose—that of missionary effort and desire to establish the Christian religion in these remote parts of the world.

Lee was of New England stock, although immediately from Canada at the time of his coming to the Oregon Country. The spirit of adventure, discovery and conquest was everywhere dominant. The Northwest coast for nearly fifty years before his coming had been the goal towards which the British Admiralty had directed several voyages of discovery, and in which the navigators of France and Russia had been generous rivals. This spirit of the sea had taken deep root in New England, and had given to the world the discovery of the Columbia by Captain Gray in 1792. Hall J. Kelley in 1817 began agitation for the occupation of the Columbia, and Nathaniel J. Wyeth in 1832