The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-21

TO the immense basin of that river and its
branches, and admitted of direct an(
easy communication with the ocean. Thi:
is their strong hold.
At the south of the Columbia. on terri
tory never claimed, they established for
Umpqua, near the mouth of the river o
that name. Their interior forts bespa,lel
the whole country, but are flittle conse
quence save for trading posts.
Not satisfied with the vast region Of five
hundred thousand square miles on the
west, and five times that extent on the cas-
of the Rocky Mountains, they have lately
invaded California, and established trading
houses at St. Francisco, with the intention
of monopolizing all the trade of that coun-
try, and fastening upon it with view to
its ultimate possession. Already has
England made surveys of all its ports,
and extended her researches far inland.
An English writer, resident of that coun-
try, says: Il know of no place better
calculated for receiring and cherishing
the superlluous population Of Great Bri-
tain" This work is manileslly written
for the purpose of directing English at
tention and cupidity that way; for all the
plans of emigration. settlement, and de-
fence, are largely treated upon, and the
recommendation made for that nation to
secure its cession from Mexico.
This company has also leased of the
Russian-A american Fur Company the ex-
elusive right, for ten years from January,
1912, Of 4" frequenling and trading in all
rivers, creeks, ports, bays, and sounds,
on the coast and inland, as far north as
Mount st. Elias, for four thousand fur seal
skins, or the value thereof in money, at
80 shilings a piece $50, 72O) annually ;
the principal part of which il will pay in
goods, which are to be delivered at any of
the ports, at % per cent. advance on Lon
don invoices" The Russians reserve
only the island Of Silka, on which their
principal settlements arc located. This
gives them the supreme control Of all the
northwest coast of America, on which,
rightlully, England does no, possess an
inch of earth.
The empire company has also a large
establishment in the Sandwich Islands,
and will soon have one or more in China.
1t is clearly the design Of its managers to
assume the complete control of all trade
from Cape St. Lucas to Mount St. Elias,
which will be tantamGunt to the whole
Pacific commerce, except the whale iishe-
rics. TO accomplish this purpose, and
to avoid any suspicion of a departure from
their legitimate business, its principal
stockholders have formed another com
pany, under the title of "PeIl, Simpson
& Co.." with the immense capital of
Simpson is the governor
Of the Hudson Bay Company. That
England is concerned in these magnificent
schemes cannot be doubted; nor that she
intends, in this deceptive and dishonorable
way, to extend her empire over all the
possessions she is laboring so assiduous.y
to increase. Her conduct in Asia has been
such as to remove the last shadow of
a doubt upon this subject. The Hudson
Bay Company is, in America, substan-
TALLY what the Eas, India Company is in
Asia. And her ministers would as gladly
direct the Archbishop Of Canterbury to
present prayer of thanksgiving 10 Al
mighty God for her success over Ameri-
cans rights, as they did for the triumph of
their arms in Affghanistan and China.
The internal policy Of the Hudson Bay
Company corresponds exactly with its
aristocratical powers and vast designs, and
all its affairs are managed in a most econo-
mical and adrot manner. Forts have
been established along the banks of the
Columbia to its source, and thence across
the mountains along the Aihabasca and
Saskatchewan to lake Winnepcg, and so
down the Nelson to their principal station
at York. with lateral lines in every direc-
ton from Montreal to st. Francisco and
Mount St. Elias. Some Of these forts are
manifestly built for defence against other
attacks than those of Indians. Others arc
merely stockades for temporary purposes,
though capable of making strong resis-
lance at any attack with small arms. BE.
tween them all a regular communication
is kept up, so that men can be ordered
from one part TO another as circumstances
may require.
From Vancouver, which has intercourse
with all the western stations by steamboat
batteaux 90 up the river laden with such
articles as are required for their own men
and for traffic with the Indians. Formerly
all ihnir nnllrins ,vnrn cnnynunl hu Ill