, 1854-07-08
The Hudson Bay Company.

We took occasion few weeks since to
refer to the fact that Gov. Stevens had
given official notice to the Hudson Bay
Company, trading within this territory,
that their commercial intercourse with the
Indians must cease on the first Of the pres
ent month.
1t would not. have been continued as
long as it has, had the wbig appointee Of
Indian affairs for Oregon had the best in
tcrests Of the country at heart. However,
but little could have been expected from
him, or the right kind of instructions be
expected from bis superiors in office, as the
whole tendency of whig measures has ever
been to bolster up soulless monopolies, such
as the present corporation of adventurers
under consideration.
That the notice given by Gov. Stevens
was entirely proper, no democratic Ameri-
can will deny, and, as will be seen by the
following extract, was in strict accordance
with the instructions Of the commissioner
of Indian Affairs.
1t is certainly time that this powerful
monopoly should confne itself to the legiti-
mate business guaranteed to the company
under our treaty with Great Britain Of
1916. 1t is time that they, the Chief Fac
tors, should know, that as foreigners, act.
ing under a charter from foreign govern
ment, cannot and will not be permitted to
transgreSs the laws Of the United States :,
if the laws regulating intercourse with the
Indians is strictly enforced and it is use
less to suppose that the authorities of our
government, to whom is intrusted the high
and responsible duty of seeing our laws
executed, will permit themselves to see
them shamefully violated.
The Indians too, should be made to un-
derstand that it is the government Of the
United States and not the Chief Factors
of the Honorable Hudson Bay Company, to
whom they are to look for protection when
their rights are violated, or whom they
thave to fear when evil councils prevail,
and they are induced to, pass the barriers
wise and munifcent government has in
stituted to guard the respective rights Of
the white man and Indian.
To show that our government has not
been uumindful Of what is due to its sub
jects, we here annex the instructions Of
Mr.. G. W. Manypenny, commissioner Of
Indian Affairs, to Gov. Stevens, of this
territory
"N has heen represented, that most Of the goods
that have beeu given 10 the Indians Of Oregon have
been purchased Of the Hudson Bay Company. thereby
conveying to the Indians the false impression that
they were conferred by persons belonging TO foreign
government II is to be hoped that this has not been
done TO an extent to produce As yet much bad eeet
but as II is adverse 70 the policy Of our Indian rea'
tons as well as injurious and insulting 20 our govern
ment to cause these people to believe themselves re-
cipents of foreign gratuities, would suggest that
you make all your purchases from American citizens
when practicable, and embrace every opportunity 70
impress on the Indians that II is the American gov
eminent and NOT the British, that coners upon them
these benefits The Indians should also be prevented
from crossing the line into the British possessions
The Hudson Bay Company has long welded an undue
influence over all Indians within their reach that you
may perhaps hnd il a difficult matter 70 carry out
these views; but perseverance VIII no doubt hnally
effect H. a. least go lar toward correcting the pres
ent condition Of affairs. Under no circumstances
should the company be permitted 10 have trading es-
tabshments within the limits Of territory; and II
any such establishments now exist they should be
promptly proceeded with In accordance with the re-
quirements Of the Intercourse law
Had commissioner Manypenny been a
resident of this territory at the time he
penned those instructions, in the face Of
personal knowledge, he could not well have
arrived at more correct conclusions, as to
tte injurious effect of the trade of the Hud-
sou Bay Company with our native popula-
ton.
Every person who is informed on the
subject knows that there is a large majority
of the Indians Of the territory who are
more under the influence and control Of the
British Hudson Bay Company ihat of our
American authorities. Let this undue in
auence have. termination. Let the in
structions of the government be obeyed.
Let the laws of the country be enforced.
Let the people determine to back the in
structions in whatever way it may be nee
essary, until the influence which has been
exerted over our native populatieO shRll
! have ceased 10 exist