defined by its volcanic origin and great mineral wealth, as well as by its genial climate and rich soil, give it a distinct character from all that section of the country east of the great mountain division of the continent.

Coal, iron, lead, copper, and petroleum in great abundance, and gold and silver in limited quantities, have been found east of the Rocky mountain chain; but the precious metals of the continent lie west of this division, and are found in and about the Sierra Nevada mountains-the great mother lead of the gold and silver of the American continent.

Brazil, Chili, Peru, and the whole region of South and Central America, rich in gold and silver, and the Republic of Mexico, so famed for its mineral wealth, all go to the Sierra range for their metallic treasures. California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington Territory, and British Columbia-some on the east and some on the west of this range of mountains-all derive their gold and silver from the main chain, or from the arms and laterals of the Sierras, which, although passing under different names in different sections, is but the same grand mineral chain, entering the continent at Patagonia, passes northward through the whole of South and Central America, Mexico, California, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alaska, until, in the distant west, it dips into the sea on the frozen shores of the Arctic ocean.

The early history, acquisition, and settlement of the several sections of country described in the following chapters will be found fully set forth in preceding portions of this volume, so that what follows more immediately relates to the natural resources, development, and material growth of the country.

OREGON.

History-Geography--Climate-Seasons-Forests-Minerals-Mining-Agriculture-Rivers-Mountains-Resources-Progress

Area-Population-Cities-Society.

Oregon, as originally organized, embraced, besides the area of the present State, the area now contained within the Territories of Idaho and Washington; and of the entire domain of the American republic, Oregon, as originally organized, was the only portion acquired by original discovery.

The thirteen original colonies were taken from Great Britain by conquest; besides, Virginia claimed, under her original charter from England, an undefined tract, covering what was known as the "Northwestern Territory," embracing the area of the present States of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This claim. Virginia granted to the federal government in 1787. and it became a part of the aggregate territory of the republic. The whole territory of the United States east of the Mississippi river, except the State of Florida and a part of the State of Mississippi, was acquired by the United States with the thirteen original colonies. As compensation for spoliations upon American commerce by Spain, the Spanish crown ceded to the United States, in 1819, the territory embraced in the State of Florida and the southern section of the State of Mississippi. The purchase of Louisiana by the American government from the French, in 1803, placed the Americans in the possession of the vast region lying west of the Mississippi, and extending its boundaries to the Rocky mountains in the west, the British possessions in the north, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south.

Texas was acquired by annexation in 1845, and New Mexico and Colorado by conquest and treaty with Mexico after the war of 1846–8; and Alaska was acquired by purchase from Russia in 1867.

Oregon, discovered by Captain Gray, of Boston, in 1792, was explored by authority of the United States, by Lewis and Clark, in 1804-5. In 1808, the Missouri Fur Company established a post on the head waters of the Snake or Lewis river; and, in 1811, John Jacob Astor, of New York, founded the Pacific Fur Company, at Astoria, near the mouth of the river Columbia. This was the beginning of settlement in the country. At a more remote period, the Hudson Bay Fur Company, an English incorporation, was established in Oregon. This latter company, by its factors and employés, held almost despotic sway over the native tribes and white settlers until 1850.

As early as 1830, emigrants were making their way over the Rocky mountains and into Oregon. The liberal inducement of six hundred and forty acres of land free to every head of a family and three hundred and twenty acres to each person twenty-one years of age emigrating to the Territory, offered by Congress, had, up to 1849, attracted considerable emigration; so that when the gold-fields of California, in 1849, attracted their thousands of miners, Oregon was prepared to supply flour, lumber, butter, eggs, cheese, and fruit to the gold-hunter who roamed over the then untilled valleys of California.

In 1843, Oregon was organized as a Territory, and on the 12th of February, 1859, was admitted a State into the Union. The State is bounded on the south

by the northern line of California and a part of the