Columbia River

was discovered by the Spaniard Heceta in 1775 and called St. Roque. Afterward, in 1792, Captain Gray, of Boston, explored the stream and changed the name to Columbia. In 1805-06 Lewis and Clarke, under orders from President Jefferson, explored the Columbia River and opened up the northwest region. Questions concerning the discovery of the region had an important part in the discu ion of the Oregon question. 167