VoL. VI, PP. 239-284. > APRIL220, 1895. 
ERIE 
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 
OREGON: ITS HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND 
RESOURCES 
BY. 
JOHN H. MITCHELL 
UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM OREGON 
(Address delivered before the Society March 29, 1895) 
In whatever aspect considered, the subject of this address is 
fruitful in suggestion. Whether it be viewed in respect to the 
derivation and signification of the name Oregon as originally 
applied to the territory and later to the state ; to the manner in 
which and through what title that territory became a part of 
the domain of our common country ; or in reference to its loca- 
tion, nationally and internationally considered ; to its vast ex- 
tent; its geographic formation ; its grand mountains ; its mag- 
nificent rivers ; its fertile valleys; its unrivalled scenic beauties ; 
its capabilities of production ; its trade; its commerce; its brave, 
stalwart, pioneer people; its social and political institutions— 
in whichever of these aspects the subject is viewed, it is pregnant 
with historic interest, full of material for discussion and thought. 
Let us consider, in the first place, the manner in which what 
was formerly known as “ Oregon territory ” became a part of the 
public domain of the United States, the nature of the title under 
which we hold, its extent territorially, and then briefly its gen- 
eral characteristics, and particularly some of the more promi- 
nent geographic features and resources of the present state of 
Oregon. 
33—Nar. Grog. Maa., von. VI, 1894. (239) 
