Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-06-25
O Ninth Congress.
MIR. Bcnton's Oregon Speech.
In Senate, May %, 1876.
Continued from our last.

the expedition, arrived the mouth of the Columbia
March 18th, ISL The approach to the coast re-
vealed nothing but lofty ranges OF mountains, white
with snow, through gap OF which the great river
Of the West entered the sea. The weather was bad
the night dark-two boats had been swamPed-no
pilots, lights, buoys-yet the captain "a rash man
who afterwards blew up his ship at NOotka) entered
safely, and anchored at midnight III commodlous
harbor. On the l2h Of April, after examining both
sides Of the BAY for the best situation, site was
chosen on the south side about four or five leagues
from the sea, and the foundation of Astoria begun
a name in itself the badge of American title. On
the 18Th of July. the young Astoria received an
important visit, which is thus described
"AII was ready at the day appointed for an expedition
to the interio and we were preparing 70 load ne canoes
nag, which rounding the point called BY US Tongue
Point We ignorant who they might be, Tor we did
look for people, who as the reader may ie
membeIl the continent by the route which
Captains Lewis and Clarke had followed 10 1850, and winter
tany banhcd by the nearing Of the canoe which
landed little quay which we had built TO facilitate the
nnL,atng vessel The flag which this canoe carried
the British hag and her amounted to only nine
persons in ALL man. quite well dressed and who appeared
10 command eapcd 6rt the shore and accOsing u with
out ceremony told Us that he was David Thompon and was
one Of the proprieOTs Of the Northwest Company. We
invited HIM ascend to lodging which was IN one end
Of the she'd house not yet being finished Alter the usual
inequalities Mr.. Thompson told that he bad crossed the
continent during preceding winter but that the deser
ton Of his had obliged him TO winter at the foot OF the
mountains the head Of the Columbia nye That IN the
sp,ing had built a aud had establishment
lie added that the popeIors wintcTng in them had
solved to abandon all the posts which they had west oil the
mountains, rather than enter mo competition with Us, on
condition would promise trouble them in the
trade the side and TO sustain what he said, he
produced letter 10 Mr. William McGiIlivray 10 the same
effect.
Mr.. Thompson kept, med TO me, regular jour
nal and travelled rather geographer than trader in
furs: he had good quadant and during sourn Of eight
days. which he made establishment he had occasion
10 make several astronomical observations"
This was a visit of great moment in the history of
Astoria and in the consideration of the British claim
to the Columbia which has been lately brought for
ward. Mr.. Thompson one Of the Northwest
Company, its astronomer, gentleman of science and
character, TO whom We greatly indebted for fixing
important geographical positions In the interior Of
North America. He had crossed the continent from
Montreal simultaneously with MIR. Astor's land expe-
dtiOn from ST. Louis, but in a higher latitude, and
arrived few days before It, lie came to the Column
bia to give the information to Mr.. Astors agents that
the Northwest Company, TO avoid competition with
them, would, abandon all their establishments west
OF the mountains, provided Mr.. AstOr would not IN
terfere with them the east This proposal was
agreed 10. The valley of the Columbia was left to
the free enjoyment of the Americans and the extern
sion of posts the mountains went without
question according TO the original intention. The
Northwest Company, at that time, no more than the
British government had happened yet to take into its
head that the Columbia river, or any part of it, was
British property
Mr.. Astor's agents proceeded to the establishment
of interior posts and the despatch of parties TO hunt
and trade up the Columbia to the mountains. The
Okanakan, about six hundred miles up, the north
side Of the river, and at the mouth of the river of
that name, was the most considerable, and was re-
markabe for being the nearest to the British esab-
lishment in New Caledonia; for by that name the
valley and district of Frazers river then known
and that ten years before Mr.. Harmon published
his book. The Spokan two hundred miles higher up,
and on the south side, established at the same
time. The post on the Wahlamath, two hundred and
fifty miles southeast from Astoria was established
the next year; and of all these establishments Mr..
Fanchere gives particular account, which it is not
necessary to read here. The country was, at the
time, completely penetrated by parties of trad
erS and hunters, up to the head-waiers OF Clark's
river, and of Lewis's river, and into the Rocky
Mountains. Two years every thing had gone on
without interruption, when two events occurred, in
communicating which | will use Mr.. Francl efe's
own words:
"The 18th Of January, 1sI3 Mr. Mackenzie arrived from
his establishment which he had abandoned after having
cached a part Of his effects. He Us
that had been declared between Great Britain and
United States. This had been brought his post by
gentlemen belonging to the Northwest Company who
had given him letter containing the Presidents PoeIama
tion 10 that effect.
"On learning this news strongly desied-that is al
Of at Astoria who English and Canadans-to
ourselves in Canada but could not permit
selves think OF least present. We separated
ION country by immense space and The dlfnCulties
of travel insumounaoe at this season. We held
then sort Of council of war, and after having thoroughly
weighed the which found ourselves after having
considered seriously that although almost all hit
ish Subjects nevertheless traded under the American
h and that could expect assistance all the ports
the United States being probably blocksded decid t.
abandon the establishment by the follow in the
beginning Of at faTthest. We did not tell
Engages Of this resolve for fear that they might abando[
their work at but stopped trading with the natives
from that moment, much because provided
with large supply Of merchandise, as that we had more
furs than could carry away"
Here is an important fact stated, that of hearing
of the war and despairing Of protection from the
United States. The agents Of Mr.. Astor, upon full
consultation, determined to abandon the country.
Mr.. Francl ere continues:
Some days after Mr.. Msckenzies departure we perceiv
ed to great surprise at the extremity of Tongue Point
two carrying the British flag, and between them
other bearing that Of America. Ii Mr.. Mackenzie him.
self, who returning Messrs. J. c. McTavsh and
Angus Bethune, Of the Northwest Company. He had
these gentlemen the Rapids and had determined
with them to the establishment in consequence of
news which they had gwen lin. They were in ligh
canoes having left behind them Messrs JohD Stuart anC
Nc lillian with brigade Of eight loaded with
Mr. Mcravish came up TO our lodging and showed
letter which had been written 10 him by MIR A. Shaw,
Of the agents Of the Northwest Company This gentleman
announced him in the letter that ship
sailed from London in March in company with The fgats
Phoebe and that they coming by order Of the govern
take possession Of establshmenith establish
ment being represented to the Lords OF the Admiralty as an
important colony founded by the Anne lean government.
{" The eight which hid been left behind having
joined The FIST, camp Of nearly seventy five
formed at the little bay etab hrnen As they
without provisions funi. he'd them with what they
needed; nevertheless kept guard for fear Of
surpIse fom them for much inferior ia
number.
the season advancing and their vessel rot arriving
caused them to find their situation very dsagseable
provisions and without merchandise procure any from
the natives, who looked on them IN evil eye having
god hunters but wanting ammunition Tired of recurring