Apr 13, 2023 - Sale 2633

Sale 2633 - Lot 175

Price Realized: $ 16,250
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
(WEST--OREGON.) Charles Saxton. The Oregonian; or, History of the Oregon Territory: Containing the Laws of Oregon. "No. I" [all published]. 48 pages. 12mo, disbound; minor wear; inscribed on second leaf "Hon. George M. Dallas, with the respects of the author." Washington, D.C. & Oregon City, OR: U. Ward and George Abernathy, 1846
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Additional Details

Charles Saxton traveled by wagon train to Oregon in 1844, and returned east to Washington the following year. The ownership of the Oregon country was hotly disputed between the United States and Great Britain. In this pamphlet, Saxton describes the political situation in Oregon, and compiled several key documents, including an 1840 petition by Oregonians for the protection of the United States, and the minutes of the meetings held at Champoig to establish the first Oregonian government. He also assesses the British and Spanish claims.

This copy is inscribed by the author to George Dallas, the sitting Vice President under James Polk. Dallas was a vocal and aggressive advocate for the annexation of Oregon Territory. We know of no other copies inscribed by the author.

The title page calls for a map, but we have traced no references to any copies which actually have one. We feel confident it was never issued. Howes S134 ("c"); Sabin 77349; Smith 9011; Streeter sale, VI:3362; Wagner-Camp 123a. None traced at auction since 1985.