The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-11


enemy with whom we are contending. We have on
several occasions spoken freely and unequiyocally
Of the baneful influence exercised by the Hudson's
Bay Compan on the progress OF colonization and
commerce in North America, which, like bloated
vampire, is tanning its victim to sleep, while it
Yields undue supremacy, and draws the life blood
which should circulate and vivify through arteries
that would extend the settlement Of population
raise up neighboring colonies which might hold in
cheek Oregon and California, and give us naval
stations in quarters where in future years they may
be found of the highest importance. At present we
have no rendezvous in the Pacific save the Sandwich
Islands or some OF the South American ports.
The United States are, of course, averse to any
extension Of our settlements in the Northwest,
and, therefore, give every encouragement to Russia
In that quarter, by furnishing provisions and mum
t3Ons OF war, and even transporting their seamen
and marines for them. Gladly woud they have
purchased the Russian territories had not the British
government refused to acknowledge the sale; which,
after all, might have been but collusve transac-
sio for holding the territory pro fem and returning
to Russia after the war. The excitement which
prevailed some months ago on This subject was
0almed by the reports current that our government
had notified that OF the United States that we in
tended to take possession of the territory in question
and consequently any sale would be invalid. 1t ap-
peared ksinguiarly unaccountable to US at the time
That fleets should have visited Sitka, and after
en- interchange Of civllites, departed. But IL there
be any truth in the reports brought from Canada by
the present American mail, the mystery is solved.
According to late number Of the Montreal Gu
zssts, the Hudson's Bay Company have guaranteed
70 the Russian authorities the unmoested posses
SION Of the Russian territory upon the American
continent while the war shall last. upon condt on
that the posts and trading operations OF this British
company, in the neighborhood of that territory,
shall continue to be free from attack by the latter
And the same Journal asserts that our government
has sanctioned this guarantee, so that the Hudsons
Bay Company are saved the expense OF strengthen
ing their posts by any military defence during the
present war while they obtain the absolute monopo-
of the fur trade in that quarter the Russian COM
MERGE being entirely cut oil. Is such an arrange
ment as this possible? Gould it be legal in the face
sf existing laws! II 1t be So and II that arrange
nent has been carried out, say little for the
patriotism Of the proprietors OF stock in the Hud
SONS Bay Company, or OF the merchant princes
who are its directors.
We do not remember for what sum the Hudson's
Bay Company's name appears on the roll OF the Pa
tiotic Fund, nor have we heard whether out of the
princely revenue they derive annually from their
enormous hunting grounds, they have formed, like
the Siberian hunters, corps OF sharpShOOters for
service in the Crimea. But when such companies
70 whom have been conceded out Of the nations To-
reign resources vast dominion, unexampled prvile-
ges and great wealth. are not only found wanting IN
patriotic assistance and liberal support but are alb
solutely coludng with the enemy for mercenary and
interested motives it is high time that their conduct
should be publicly arraigned, aud that their undue
pwivIegesAundeveloped for public benefit and the
national honor-should be withdrawn. In former
times there were patriots in Parliament free
spoken men-types OF honor aud honesty-Tho
would have denounced, in becoming language, such
unworthy collision with tue enemy. Let us hope
that the honor of the British flag and the credit
Of the British arms have been thus far maintained,
that public morality and British mercantile honor
not entirely lost in the greed for gain. We have
az yet during the war had no reproach cast on the
national honor. Let not the Continental nations
point to the singular anomaly that while we are
professedly publicly battling for the right, our
chants are, in private aiding and encouraging the
enemy. We sincerely trust that we may be arguing
On false premises, and that the information thus
received Of the principles and conduct of the Hud
sons Bay Company is after all, weak invention oil
the enemy-some fiction coined by its jealous neigh.
bors in the Northwest, who do not desire a rival
near their throne of power.
The Hudson's Bay and Russlan Fur Conn
panAcs' TerritOftess
from the Montreal Gazette, Jan. s.
In November last we published long ana very able
letter from correspondent Assniboi" treating Of me
matters placed at the lead of this article subsequently
also published reply from correspondent, native
Of the Hudson's Bay Company Territory, signing hi N
Intervene between these two doughty Champion who
verysweu qualified to take Of themselves and We had
expected this to have heard from Assiniboa again
But the after Is Of ordinary interest to those
who sometimes look beyond their noses and peer into
the times when, themselves being dus their children
and q and children shall occupy the stage OF the world
and be blessed cursed by the wisdom imbecy Of
NJ, their apcesforso those who notwithstanding The
suent Of the London Alderman that Postsrify has dae
Bothi for u.s." yet deem 1t duty to do something Tor
poserity For conceive the question of the occupan
Tor agricultural purposes OF the territory between Lake
eapericr ard the Russian America by CaradIans be
which must be let 10 another generation to solve
not, therefore the less duty however, TO see
hat the way Is cleared for them that al obstacles which
rtmJve shall be removed from their pathway TO-
wards national agrandizement
the publication Of the letter in question have
perased second time an essay by Mr. A. K koc he, on
Russian America, read before the Historical Society %
Quebec and reviewed in these columns ut the time OF its
t.nGn hiss aI.o been called to the poblica ion ia the
columns Of several London daily journals of the whole
parts Of crques upon the admirable essay In ques-
ZION. In that essay Mr. Roche In ignorance ct the
treaty Of which Assinbca complains, proposed that
tpaca should furnish force to attack the Russian
sessns acting in conjunction with the allied fleets.
He also proposed the annexation Cnsca Of the terri
tory held under lease by the Hudsens Bay Con-
pany for me,y in the occupancy OF the Northeast Com
Ne territory which might be conquered from the Rus
siansor their erection into separate provinces 10 De
oGnseSera;. " it'll her.
The ase Il the Hudsons Bay Company of the terrtorv
In question expiring 1852 would render that part "a
Old ew England and other American Colonies Of EGG
lssd undertook similar, but proportonate much more
diff su and expensive exPs h.obs against the Inc an'
and the neig kborin, Fr,n-a Dutch ana scapish lI.
MES, and quoted their example one worthy q our
imitation. The consideration OF this matter 10y lives
ave question: Our right according to modern ideas Of
intei national law, to acquire the Russian ~ = By
inquest; and the henehN We m'y hope 10 DERIVE from
hssequisition
Britain and France Immense expenditure 10 resist
her aggrtesons upon weaker noghbor, ia pursuance
81 policy directed against the liberties Of Europe she
should be ade to foot the bill and II Engani choose
70 acquire and hold Russian Aerica portion OF the
veimbu rsement due her. do not know that any
one could say she had committed any wrong, nfrget
the law Of nations. We 90 not undersiaud the matul
ples ces given by Great Britain and France az the begin
ming OF the that they did under u 9th
view 70 territorial sux ~ exclude sueh mode
OF remuneration this. HCabsdA wishes a. SUI should
wrh To become the po~sessor a any territory thus
quired ~ becomes her, Mr. Roche says I" aid the
petition by substs initial effort by furnishing sh
men and In the event Of project u tbs sort
being enteriaines the treaty between the kusan far
c ,uppany and Hudson's bay Company would ereUadly
be cancelled by the British guvcrnmsnt i,gay soa
ionproperly entered mo. The fact that the London
hcru,g Post which l. generally reg~ides - lord Pal
merston's organ speaking IN decided tone Of di-ap
poin,ment OF that treaty, would 70 hr % shcr tina,
4 was not looked upon with 700 mach favor ~
The rsverpment. Sir George Simp@nn's presence
h rsgand lust now may have been feneerei
necessary by his spprehsrsions thst you'd bs
intsrfered with, welt ~ by his desire " com.
pste the ,rsnsier 20 ths hs T,IssS s.ss. -, -