This is the story behind the romance and the adventure of The Oregon Trail. The author goes back to the fur-trading and missionary period, which opened up the way to pioneer migration. He studies the struggle for power between Hudson's Bay Company and Congress, with its conclusions. He says that no individual effort brought this territory into the union, but interrelated and combined actions from varied sources resulted in its peaceful acquisition. A book for local interest, schools and libraries. Excellent reference book, with full documentation and fresh source material.