100 T. C. ELLIOTT
western Minnesota and to flow westward through Dakota and Montana, where blizzards in winter and tornadoes in summer are still known to prevail. And we may carry the analogy still further. It is a meteorological fact that what is known in Oregon as the Chinook Wind does at times exert a remark- able influence even in Montana and Dakota. The River of the West was flowing into the region from which that re- markable wind came and hence called, by some Indians or Frenchmen, the Ouragon. 7 This seems to be the origin of the name OREGON. The map makers of those years did not get hold of the name. It was obscure.
As to Jonathan Carver's dependence upon Robert Rogers there are proofs in abundance but the discussion of that re- lationship will more properly be in connection with another document which discloses the plans of Major Rogers for his agents in the west. As to the name OREGON however atten- tion is called to the brief endorsement at the end of the second of the documents herewith reproduced; "Lent the two plans to Capt. Carver 15 Feb. 1775." It is thus revealed that Carver had these two proposals to draw from when completing his book and his map. 8
7 It would be much more picturesque to suggest that Ponteac told Rogers the name in November-December, 1760; and that is possible though not probable. Also see Or. Hist. Quar., Vol. 21, pp. 351 and 354.
8 On Carver's map the name is spelled Origan.
