navigators; the letters and diaries of the pathfinders and pioneers; moreover, even recent compilations and commentaries, will present a wealth of material, printed and unprinted, ready at hand and always available to furnish inspiration for the poet and to supply the idyls of romance. All this must be left for talent to discover and to utilize. Here the duty is rather to outline the essential facts of the History of Oregon, turning from the temptation to go into details and even passing by the stories of individual experiences, full as they are of interest, unless essential to forthright narrative.
The portrayal of the events of the past may either take the form of a minute and careful balancing of facts and opinions, which when arranged and properly indexed forms a compendium, always useful for reference; or, it may be a more general survey of the field, depicting in broader outlines the principal events and the flow of cause and consequence. Whether the historian selects one or the other of these plans will depend in great measure upon the purpose to be accomplished. It is deemed possible here to present a succinct and straightforward account, in which events take their proper place with due regard to perspective and proportion, without interrupting and delaying the story by too frequent pauses to sift evidence and to weigh the arguments pro and con upon matters of minor importance. Such a history, it is hoped, need not be the less accurate or the less useful, although final conclusions upon matters in dispute are sometimes given instead of differing opinions that may be found elsewhere, especially since footnotes and a list of the sources will enable the curious to travel over the road by which the result is reached.
In the preparation of this book I am under many obligations for assistance, but to no one more than to Mr. Albert Hawkins, who has helped me greatly, especially upon the chapters covering the general history after the exploration period. I would also especially mention my fellow trustees of the Oregon Historical Society, Mr. T. C. Elliott and Mr. Leslie M. Scott, and as well Mr. George H. Himes, curator, and Miss Nellie Pipes, librarian of that society. Mr. Edgar B. Piper, managing editor of the Oregonian, has given me the benefit of his fine critical judgment upon some of the chapters. Mr. Sam A. Kozer, secretary of state, furnished the essential facts used in the chapter on popular legislation, and ' the chapter upon commercial progress and accomplishment was prepared by Mr. W. B. D. Dodson, the general manager of the Portland Chamber of Commerce. Many others have helped me directly or indirectly, and while it is not possible here to mention them by name, I am none the less appreciative. I am responsible for the volume of history, but not for the biographical volumes that are a part of the publisher's edition.
In submitting the result of my labors I take occasion to say that there are many excellent histories of Oregon, and many special works covering features of the story. I do not assume that this production is superior to any of these, excepting in so far as it may now for the first time assemble some of the facts that time has brought to light and which were unavailable before. If I have been able to obtain some information that has not heretofore been presented in narrative form, I have also availed myself of the labors of many who have covered much of the field before me.
Portland, June 1, 1922.
