Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-07
HuDsoS,s BAY COMPANY.

A hundred and iorty years ago, or more, Charles
II. chartered the "HudSon's Bay Company" and
gave it exclusive privileges OF establishing trading
factories on Hudsons Bay, and lis tributary rivers.
1t took possession Of the territory, and enJnyed its
trade without opposition, ill 1857. when rival
company--,lc "Norih American Fur Company
Cf Canada sprung up. This latter was com
posed entirely Of Canadians, and WAS noted for its
energy and enlerprizc The jealouseS naturally
arising between rivals, led 10 The most barbarous
battles, an the Sackins and burning Of each
others posts. In 1921, Parliament in,eriered and
consolidated them into one, under the tile Of the
"Eudsons Bay Company" They occupy vas,
country, and their operations arc those OF a vast
monopoly All the British possessions North Of
The Canadas 10 the Arctic Ocean, are their hunt
Ing and trapping grounds. They have leased for
twenty years tom 1910, all OF Russian America,
cxcep, The post OF Sitka. Thus this powerful
Company control mere than one-ninih CT the soil
Of the globe It's capitalists are in England, and
It's Board Of Managers transact their business al
the "Hudson's Bay House" in London. This
Board buy all the goods, and ship them 10 the Ter
rory sell The iurs, aud transact all The affairs Of
the Company, except the actual business Of col
Iecling turs in their territory. The annual value
Of their pei,ries il about million oil dollars
The mel profit oil The FIR trade is immense. The
shares OF Inc Company'S stock, which originally
cost one hundred pounds, are al one hundred per
cent. premium, and the dividends range from ten
per cent. upwards, and this, TOO, while they are
creating an immense fund, 10 be expended in
keeping Other ersons out oil the lIade.
In 1911, the American Pacific Fur Company,
Of whom John Jacob Asor was the prime mover,
built Fort Astoria, near the mouth oi The Column
b:a. 10 1913, during the last war, this American
Company sold all its establishment in Oregon TO
The British Company-now The uudsons Bay
In tha eli nj
war entered The Columbia and formally took pos
session Of Foit As oria, and changed is name TO
Fort George In 1918, BY the treaty Of Client,
England surrendercdthis Fort TO our government
Then it was oy the same treaty. the British sub
lscts were granted the same rights of trade
and settlement in Oregon as belonged TO the cti-
zens Of this Republic, Tor ten years. 10 1927,
this stipulation was indefinitely extended, and
cannot cease 10 be in force till after twelve months
notice.
This is the manner in which the Hudson's Bay
Company came into Oregon. The value Of lurs
which are annually collected in Oregon By this
Company, is about $40 900 in the London mar
ke, Parliament extended the jurisdiction OF The
Canadian courts over the country occupied by
these fur traders, whether it were "owned or
claimed by Great Britain" Under this acl, GER
tain gentlemen Of the Fur Company were ar-
pointed Justices, and empowered 10 entertain
prosecutions for minor offences-arrest and send
to Canada criminals of higher order-and RS,
10 render judgement, and grant execution in civil
suits and 10 imprison debtors in their forts and
)ails.
so il is that the trade and the civil and crimi-
nal jurisdiction in Oregon, are he'd by British
subjecis-lhat American citizens are deprived by
monopoly ofiheir commercial rishts-tha, they
are liable 10 be arrested on their own territory BY
Officers ofBntsh courts tried in The American
domain by British judges, imprisoned or hung,
for acls done within the jurisdiction OF our own
Republic.-t Ctereiand Plain Dealer.