to Dr. J. R. Cardwell for horticultural items; to Daniel McAllen for origin of Lewis and Clark Exposition; to Miss Anna Cremen for accounts of Catholic institutions and original papers relating to Oregon militia; to Mrs. S. A. Brown for account of night school and women's union; to Mr. D. D. Clarke for report on Bull Run water system; and to Mr, R. P. Blossom for original facts about first settlers of the city.
And while every possible precaution has been taken to secure accuracy of statement, it is not to be expected that the work will be wholly free from errors. Investigation shows that the original sources of information, especially where they are founded upon personal statements, are often confused and contradictory. The aim and intention has been to show, that in the great purposes to be achieved by the settlement of Oregon and Portland, and the organization and development of society and civic institutions, there has been and is a unity in the history and progress of the country. That is a greater purpose in any history than exactness in the statement of unrelated facts. And in expressing this final word, it is a pleasure to be able to state that the citizens of Portland have not only given this work a more liberal and enthusiastic support than any of its predecessors in this field of research, but have also supported the History with more liberality and enthusiasm than has been given to similar undertakings by the same Publishers in the cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland and other like places, where other histories have been brought out. And for all this we here express our sincere gratitude.
Joseph Gaston.
