Indiana State sentinel., 1842-07-12

SIR Thinking it may be interesting or lmpor-
tant to you to know of some of the late operations
and present plans Of the British Hudsons Bay
Company in the North Pacific ocean, | beg leave to
present to your facts III relation to the
same. and which have come to my knowledge from
personal observation, from sources entitled 10 the
fullest credit.
All that extensive line of coast comprehending
the Russian possessions the northwest coast OF
America from Mount ST. Elias south to the latitude
of 81 degrees 40 minutes north the last being the
boundary line between the Russian and American
territores) together with the sole aud exclusive
right or privilege of frequenting all ports, bays,
sounds rivers &c, within said territory and estab-
fishing forts and trading with the Indians has been
leased or granted by the Russian American Fur
Company to the British IIudson's Bay Company,
for the term of ten years from January. l5I2; and
for which the latter to pay, annually four thou
sand fur seal SIX ms or the value thereof IN money
at the rate of 81 shllings each say E6,4Oo ster-
ling, or S3o,12o
In the above named lease the Russians have,
however reserved to themselves the Island OF Stka
or New Archangel in which place, you probably
are aware the Russians have large settlement
the depot and head quarters OF their fur trade with
the Fox islands. and the continental shore west
ward of Mount ST. Elias. All the trading establish
ments of the Russians lately existing at Tumgass-
Sticknene, and other places within said territory,
leased to the liudson's Bay Company, have OF con
sequence been broken up. Thus the Hudson : Day
Company, not conten; with monopozing the here
tofore profitable trade Of Americans, OF suppl yng
the Russian settlements on the northwest coast
have now completely cut them off also from all trade
with the most valuable fur regions in the world.
Whether the arrangements made between the
Russians and English, above alluded to, are con
formable to the treaties existing between the United
States on the one part, and those nations respec
lively the other, l leave to your better kho"
: ledge to determine.
With the doings of the IIudson's Bay Company
at Purct's Sound, and the COLUMBIA river, you are
3 doubtless fully informed those, however. lately
commenced by them in California viii admit of ny
, saying a few words
At San Francisco they have purchased a large
house as trading establishment and depot for mer
chandise and they intend this year to have place
oC the same kind at each OF the principal ports II
Upper California Two vessels are building IN Lon
don, intended for the same trade-that is, for tn
coastinC trade and after comp pletng their cargoes
= To carry them to England. These things, witt
others give every indication that II Is the purpos
of the Hndson's Bay Company to mOnopolIze tn
whole hide and tailow trade OF the coast OF Calitor
nia-a trade which now employs more than half
6 million of American capital.
u At the Sauwch Islands the company have a larg
trading establishment, and have commenced e.
, gagng IN the commerce of the country, with ev
dent designs TO monopollze 1t, II possible, and driS
" off the Americans, who have heretofore been j
. chief creators and conductor.
: have been informed by one OF the agents OF u
: Iiudson's Bay Company, that the agricultural al
= commercial operations of the English at Puget
= sound. Columbia river, California, Sandwich i
lands are carried on, not actually by the Hudson
" Bay Company but by what may be termed a bran'
u of it-by gentlemen who are the chiei members a
- stockholders OF said company; and who have ass
" cated themselves under the firm of Pely, Sifnpse
+ g. Co in London, and with a capital OF more tha
:. fl5, 900 900
y Saeint- these companies, then. marching " %
to iron f,ostcp. the possession OF the moss 'aiu
a. ble norton of country IN the North Pacific al
u CONSIDERING too. the immense amount OF Their ca
d. ,al. the number, enterprise and energy Of the
= AGENTS. and the policy pursued by them, grea, re
ng IN j. there to fe ar that American commerce IN IA
ia part of the world must lower lts flag. But 5
'"' il i 10 be hoped that Government III soon
o' one,hinr T.. break up the British settlements
the Oregon Territory and thereby destroy tie sour
: , from which now emanate the most DIRE evils
ne american interests IN the Western W orld. In
NJ endcavor to bring about that desirable object. y
o' have done much aud every friend to his conn'
u. every person Interested the commerce of the
On cifc. must feel grateful for the valuable scriC
rendered them by you
- With great respect,
'o' yout obedlent servant.
o. HENRI 4. PIERCE
o' Hon LEWIS +. LINy.