centennial in 1905, and celebrate it in;i manner and on a scale commensurate with its national and historical importance. Oregon, of course, must take the lead in the preparation for this event. It is worth while, then, to use every opportunity to awaken interest in the history of the beginning's of American dominion in the Pacific Northwest.
It is in this spirit that I have responded to the invitation for the present occasion. On such a subject it is almost natural to fall into tediousness or prolixity, by attempting to cover too much ground. Short essays, or lectures, in series, offer an excellent method for popular treatment of this great subject, and this can be done with special thoroughness under direction of our State educational system.
