Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-09-30

nunting parties on the lnulhnS onu o'eIy sudu
American party (save one) that has passed through
the same country has met defeat and death. The
parl,es being much smaller than those of the Hud-
son Bay Company, the Indians attack them with
success |; and Americans hesitate not to charge
the subordinate agents of the HUDSON Bay Con-
Pany with instigati4& the Indians to attack all
fparties.''
Mr.. Kelly says awhile was there, the com
pany surgeon of Vancouver, deliberately seized
an Indian who had been guilIyof some indecency
ana proceeded to mutilate his person and. tor
TINS wrong, neither the victim his friends dared
1 TO ask for redress, or even to make any CON-
plaint."
The men employed by the company are gene
rally from the Orkney Isles, or ha1f-bloods from
Canada. They engaged for five years at ELS
or EFT year. Clerks paid more. These
men are required 10 serve as trappers, hunters,
soldiers, and farmers. They are armed and drill
ed, and as carefully disciplined as though they
were actually-in garrison. Any insubordination
IS severely punished, not unfrequenlly with Death.
Formerly, such men as were not re-engaged, were
sent OUT OF the country, lest they should be of
service to the American and Russian fur traders
Since the company has calculated on perma.
nent occupancy of the country, they permit them
to settle south OF the Columbia, on pledge of low.
atty, and occupy lands of their own choosinu-
To encourage them to remain dutiful, they kind
ly loan them the of stock but strictly insist
the return of all the increase, so that they can
oWasnone among themselves. The American CO.
tonv on the Willamet were, for long time COM
pelled 10 borrov cattle of the company on the
same terms. By this process they hoped to re-
tain the complete ascendency over all persons
settling nsthat country. Lately the Americans
have obtained cattle from California, which have
increased rapidly.
1t is said the British governme Mt has given as
surance to the company that it will not surrender
any art OF the country north Of the Columbia,
Ipr1f 1t does so. II will remunerate them amply
Tor all the establishments they shall make. En-
couraged so far, the principal attention Of the
company is now directed to the occupation of the
country, and the factors doing all in their
power TO settle It lis rapidly as possible. They
have already squatted'' on the best lands and
most eligible mill seats, especially those located
on navigable waters. BY this means they hope
to prevent The emigration of American citizens,
or force them interior, and expose them to the
perpetual annoyance Of the Indians, whom they
can turn upon them at pleasure.
OF late, the company has devoted great atten-
ton TO agriculture and lumber. The factors have
cultivated large farms in connection with all their
establishments That at Vancouver produced, five
years ago, over eight thousand bushels Of wheat,
SIX thousand bushels of barley, six thousand bu-
shells OF oats, nine thousand bushels of peas. ff.
teen thousand bushels Of potatoes, and immense
quantities of turnips, pumpkins, melons, and all
the culinary vegetables. The orchard is filled
with apples, pears. ounces and pums. 1t has al
SO tne grapery, which yields fruit equal to those
10 France. In fact, it produces all that want or
luxury could desire. A garden Of five acres is
we'll stored with almost every variety of vegeta.
bles and flowers. In it are figs citrons, oranges,
he
common fruits. They have large stock Of cat
tie, horses, sheep and hogs, which multiply abun-
dainty, and require very little attention. Con-
nec,ed with the farm is large Touring nd
mill few miles above, close on the bank of the
Columbia, near that vessels can load directly
from it.
The treatment of American risitors by DR..
Mclaughlin, the chief factor. was formerly very
gentIe,nanly and hospitahIe. Recent movements
have somewhat changed his feelings and conduct.
as we'll as that of all the factors Of the company.
They are now very watchfu Of strangers, though
IN their presence they still profess frendiiness, If
! only rlssftng. Mr.. Kelly says: Before had
been long IN the country, learned that the factor
ana MS agents were preparing. in every arttul
way, to render my abode there uncomf Portable and
unsafe. The most preposterous calumnies and
i s'anders wero set on foot in regard to my charac.
ter. conduct, and designs. All my movements
l "oio ""'ehou, anu, In some instances, l was
threatened with violence. by persons who had been
insigated, as had reason to believe by thecom
Pany. Had been willing to place myself under
the control and direction of the company, all woulc
have been peace; but so long as was resolved tc
5 act Independently as American on American
soil, seeking authentic information, for genera
diluson' ana pursuing an avowed purpose o
) opening the trade of the territory to genera
i lcomPetiton, and the wealth of the country to ge
neral participation and enjoyment, so long was
an object Of dread and dislike to the grasping mo
nopolists Of the Hudson Bay Company.''
The testimony of all Americans who have vi
sited Oregon for trade agrees in charging upol
the company direct and unrclenling hostility t.
their success. Mr.. Kelly says again Whl
| was ot Vancouver, in the year 1884, the Anne
rican ship Europa, Capt. Allen, of Boston, wa
on the coast. The Hudson Bay Company, ir
pursuance of their regular policy, Immediately
fitted out the brig Llama, and instructed her Cap
tain, Mcneil, las he himself Informed me, to fol
low the Europa from port to port, and harbor tt
hnrbor. and drive her off the coast at any sacri
flee, by underselling her, no matter what her pri
ces' wherever she should open trade. 1t ha
been declared by MIR. Simpson, who is a, the hea
, Of the Conipany's marine, that they are resolved
> even at cost of hundred thousand mounds. I
exPel the Americans from the coast."'