In this compelling and well-researched account, William Isaac Marshall examines the complex history of the acquisition of Oregon by the United States in the mid-19th century. Drawing on a variety of sources, Marshall sheds new light on the role of missionaries, including Marcus Whitman, in the process, and challenges many of the prevailing myths about this crucial period in American history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.