Before, however, following the history of the annexation of Texas further, we must present briefly the main points in the development of the Oregon question. {311} CHAPTER XIV. OREGON Extent of Oregon and Claims to it--The Nootka Convention--Louisiana and Oregon--Astoria--The Joint Occupation Agreement of 1818--Spain's Claims on Oregon Ceded to the United States--Renewal of the Convention of 1818--The British Policy in Reference to Oregon--The Ignorance of Oregon in the United States--Dr. Marcus Whitman--Dr. Whitman's Mission to the United States Government--Dr. Whitman's Colony--The Democratic Party on the Oregon Question. [Sidenote: Extent of Oregon and claims to it.] At the close of the eighteenth century, Oregon was universally recognized as the territory lying along the North Pacific Ocean from the forty-second parallel of latitude to that of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes, and reaching inward to the Rocky Mountains. At that time it was claimed by Spain both by discovery and first settlement. [Sidenote: The Nootka Convention.] In the year 1790, Great Britain advanced claims upon it. A diplomatic discussion arose between the two Powers, which ended temporarily in an agreement called the Nootka Convention, by which no territorial or sovereign rights or powers were recognized by Spain to Great Britain, but only certain easements, so to speak, in and upon this territory, such as the right to navigate the waters and to fish in them, to trade with the natives, and to make such temporary {312} settlements as might be necessary for the reasonable enjoyment of these rights. In the year 1796, war was waged between Spain and Great Britain, and, according to the British principles of that day, every agreement between the two Powers was abrogated in consequence thereof; so that Spain, while retaining her sovereignty over Oregon, was now relieved of the encumbrance of the British rights. [Sidenote: Louisiana and Oregon.]