The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-06
Honolulu, OAHU, SANDWICH ISLANDS,
March lS 1910

Honolulu, OAHU, SANDWICH ISLANDS,
March 10, 1910.
Hall y. Kelley, Esq, Boston:
DEAR SIR: have received the pamphlet of jocu-
ments relating to the action of Congress the subject
of the Oregon Territory. Please receive my thanks
for the same. Is it not astonishing that govern
ment should show much apathy question in
yoving our national rights, honor and pride2 The
British have taken possession of and coonizing
territory clearly ours, by discovery by purchase from
the Indians and by former settlement of Jacob Astors
people Our country are little aware of the mono
polizing graspng, ambitious spirit of the British Hud
son Bay Company in this part ofthe world.
Look at what they have done, are doing, and
intend 10 do They have for two years last past been
increasing the number of men at their establishment
at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia. month since
vessel of theirs took from here eighty natives ofthese
Islands, ostensibly for the purpose of farming, &c,
but really to increase their military force at the Coum
bia and to resist any attempts the part the people
or government from dspossessing the Company of the
occupancy ofthat place.
A large number Of Saxony sheep have been i'm
ported into the Columbia for the breed Last year
they imported 500 sheep from California for the like
object
II is reported here and generally believed that the
ii. B. Company intend to establish colony in Pu-
gets Sound Straits Of Juan de Fuca Two more ships
to I've added to the eompanys marine in the North
Pacific, for the purpose of extending their OF eratons
to these Islands and to China and if possible, to
nopolizc the trade of the ,rhole North Pacific! You
well know they have already succeeded in respect to
the Fur trade Of the Northwest coast and have to
tell you that they have succeeded in monopoliz-
ing the trade to the Russian settlements at the Norfolk
Sound, &c. The Company have contracted TO fur
nsh them with any of the productions of England and
Europe at about 80 per cent. on the prime cost adj
vance hardly sufficient to the charge; but the
object of the Company will be obtained viz to destroy
American commerce the whole coast of the North
west.
A Companys vessel will leave this and each succeed
ing year from the Columbia to Norfolk sound with
large contract of -four wheat, beef pork, butter, &c
actually redhzing Of your mad projects!
Last year fine coal mine discovered somewhere
about Pugets Sound, and $50 200 tons Of the same
was taken TO England for sale Ivy of the Com
pany's vessels, much probably for ballast for
profit.
might write volume on the subject of this letter
But enough has been stated to show that unless
Of the energetic character Of the old General is
shown by the present President our trade in this part
of the world instead Embarrassing, must be destroyed
by the overpowerng capital of the Ill. h. Company
our rights as to the sovereignty the Oregon Ter
ritory laughed at and character as a nation be-
come by word to the world. Do for the honor of
our country, what you can to arouse government
TO the great Importance of immediate military oc-
cupancy of the Oregon Territory and the establish
ment OF its northern boundary.
You may make such of this letter, writ in
haste) as you think proper.
Your friend
HENRY A. PIERCE.