New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-30
From the New. York Albion
New and Important Matter in Reference TO
The Oregon Dispute.

our last We stated lEEl d SOAiltHdAiAS-tI-+ ~
reached as in which it was shown that Mr. nom p
son. OF the North-W est Company. had been the nTs'
10 cross the Rocky Mountains a. the source OF the
Columbia and had discovered the Northern orancn
OF that river explored that part OF the couhtf anu
traded with the Indians several years oeIo'e Iiie az
vent of Lewis and Clarke. This information: "hicn
we stated came from source possessing entire con-
Sdence ;s confirmed bv comlnu nicator which ap-
reared in The Montreal Gazette OF The 7th instant a
copy of which we suhjoin:
To The Editor ofthe lNonTeai Ga:stte
SIR beg submit for insertion II your J9ul ma eei
tain Memoranda regarding the oregon IeF'lsorJ.
IL has been already shown and Is mater oil no'ofey
that twelve wears before Lewis and Clarkes expedlton
our counryman Mackenzie. traversed the oregon Ter
rory from the Mountains TO the Pacific
Tn. Memoranda will show that Mr. thompson OF
this city residing here crossed the Mountains I'VE
vesr before Lewis and Carkes expedition discovering
the main Sor;herly branch of the Columbia
They will also show that British establishments were
formed in Oregon before Astor thought OF the trading
post at the mouth OF the Columbia
Your most obedient servant, BRiTASSiCIS'
MEMORANDA REGARDING THE OREGON TERRITORY
In October 1900 Mr. David Thompson. Astronomer 10
.b No-,h Wes, COMPANY and at present resident OF
this CITY with Canadians and or Indians crossed
the Rocky Mountains in latitude d. North and descend
ed one OF the Northern branches oil the Cohnba
River which he called MctIllvray River he desceD9co
This river for good distance when ne was driven oack
bv hand OF powerful tribe OF Indians and compelled
20 recross the Rocky Mountains.
Ia
season crossed the Rocky Mountains and descended oy
the most Southery branch of,he Columbia River called
snake Indian River. They descended the Columbia
m near tho Pacific coast winered near TINS sea coast
and in 1900 returned 10 the United States by the same
route no, leaving the slightest vestisc OF settlement or
post behind them. =,
In 1907 Mr. Thompson again crossed the Rocky Noun
ta;ns and established very snort distance from the
source of the Columbia River fortified trading post
and there win,ered Two Winters the Summer season
he was employed in exploring the country, &c.
Ill AEHFrra f.alg q q
tho Saeesh River between latitude AZ add As north,
and win,ered there During these three years several
trading posts were established different parts OF the
Columbia River its branches and lakes.
In 1910 Mr.. Thompson wintered on the Coumoa
River near the foot of the Rocky Mountains about lVO
miles from and spent the Summer IN cxpior-
ing the country, &c IT,
peoule had settled the coast the estuary OF
The Columbia River in the Fa. OF 1910 Mr. Thompson
determined TO 70 down and see who they were ana &C
cordingly he Immediately went down Inc Coufnoa
River and arrived al the settlement IL july ISL ana
found the celebrated Fort Astoria to consist OF tour or
FIVE low rude log hus, and there IN front oil mem
planted the British Tag, when remained nylhs al" ui
disturbed till he left.
The persons in charge othese huts had been clerks in
the Northwest Companys service, but had lett H. an
entered into partnership with Mr. Asor oil New ork as
rvatc commercial individuals They were all brltlsh-
horn subjects as well as Mr. David Stuart who. in IL i,
established trading post on the Ookanaw gan liver
This river is mentioned in tir Buchanan's letter adj
dressed to ME- a.
ipgton "a being the river on which post was estao-
lshcd by Mr. David Stuart partner OF the Astoria Com
many and he declares be 600 miles from the mouth
of the Columbia whereas ts only 5l9 from the moulin
of the Columbia.
Thus showing that Mr. Thompson had established trad
ing posts the interior, the Columbia River several
ofs branches and lakes at least four years before the
AstCr Company.
For six successive years Mr.. Thompson employed
himself in exploring and surveying The main Columbia
River and MI its great branches and setting the position
ufp1aa fifytc
therefore, the distance from tho mouth of the Co.
lumba River TO any given point i'll the Oregon territory
can readily ascerained from his surveys and maps
the latter in the possession OF ihe Foreign Olce
London.
In the month of July 1913 the Astoria Company sold
their entire establishment to the Northwest Company
and entered their service partners and clerks Inc
day after the sale ratification OF this establishment to
the Nlrth West Company, the Rsccoon. soop OF var.
made her appearance aud anchored opposite the nuts
called fort, and took possession.
The memoranda accompanying this very important
communication (sAys the Abiun) comes from Mr. David
Thompson himself who resides in Montreal and has fur
nsed it for publication. lis effect on the arguments IN
future coiatons will be remarkable for II breaks the
chain evidence BY which the United States seek to IS
,abiish priority OF discovery and settlement, IN" Co
luu bia river The American argument is this Captain
GRAY of Boston discovered aud entered the mouth OF the
Columbia river; Lewis and Clarke dscoveTed ts source
and descended from the Rocky Mountains ana mr'
Aston made the first settlement on It's hanks ergo we
have right bv prior discovery and settlement to the en-
tire valleys IF that mighty IL appears mat
a British subject, Mr. Thompson crossed the Rocky
Mountains discovered and gave the name 10 Mcoivray
river in 1900 five years before Lewis and Clarke and
that he again crossed :he Mountains In leU and
established radiD posts four five years before the
establishment Of Mr. Astors settlement thus tr"S nc
priority bath Of G.cocGy and occupation 10 Great Bra'
,.h me sin qie tzcssio Of > passage Of The zqo" Of the
ruer by Captain Grdyia 1892. THESE facts we AR,
assured will be Immediately made proper use OF. and
will ss we have observed have an important influence
on future negotiations.
- The Washington Union states that Mr..
Charles Theodore Gevekoht vas, few days since,
presented by the Secretary OF State to the President
and received by him. the delegate OF the Senate