The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903Oregon Historical Society
History
The quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. 4, March, 1903-December, 1903
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon -- History -- Periodicals
Concerning these facts in their main features, there is a complete
agreement between Oak and Nemos, who together knew all the details
which were to be known, and the evidence of the other writers fits
exactly with their statements. The popular estimate of Hubert Howe
Bancroft as the historian of the Pacific Coast, is founded upon the
vague references and indefinite assertions of the Literary Industries
within the pages of which there is nowhere to be found a
straightforward statement that this man wrote more than a part of the
works to which his name is attached. On the other hand, his own
statements over his own signature admit that he did not pretend to be
the author of what went out under his name. The ranking of Mr.
Bancroft among historians of the United States is, therefore, an
error, and what has appeared in the public press concerning an
"Historian of the Pacific Coast," and a "Macaulay of the West," is
legend pure and simple. Instead of one Pacific Coast historian who
wrote the Bancroft volumes, there were eight.
As to the six supplementary volumes of the "Works of Hubert Howe
Bancroft," which ended the series, Mrs. Victor had some means of
determining the authorship. According to her notes, Savage and Nemos
did a great deal of writing and revising. The Modoc War in _inter
pocula_, a part of the chapter entitled Some Indian Episodes, was
written by Mrs. Victor from notes obtained by herself on the ground.
She also wrote some other matter for this volume. The remainder was
done by Bancroft and his family, who also aided him much on Popular
Tribunals.
Pastorals was produced chiefly by Bancroft. Of the Literary
Industries, Nemos wrote several chapters or parts, Savage a little,
and Oak three or four bits of a few paragraphs each. It must be
remembered that Bancroft's writing in these private volumes was
subjected to criticism, revision, and retouching by the best literary
talent which the library afforded.
Concerning the Chronicles of the Builders, the biographical series
which followed the histories, with such unfortunate results, some
notes in Mrs. Victor's handwriting taken in 1888, about a year before
work finally ended, give us the following facts: The introductory
essay is by Nemos, as are also the reflective chapters and reviews,
together with most of the historical text. Peatfield wrote Oregon,
Washington, and Texas, though some of the latter was rewritten by
Nemos. Mrs. Victor wrote "Routes and Transportation," and a number of
the leading biographies, making nearly a volume. Savage wrote about a
third of a volume.
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