The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-11

W
Washington Territory
With regard to the proposed purchase by the
United States government of the possessory right
and land of the Hudsou's Bay Company in the vi
cinity of Frazer river, an idea seems to prevail
that it is new roposition on the part of the COM
pany; but it Is ~. So AS far back 1852 pro-
possl was made by the Hudsons Bay Company and
Puget's Sound Agricultural Company to Our govern.
ment, through the then Governor, Sir George Simp-
son, to sell all the property and rights of both COM
psnies for million of dollars. The company sssi-
mated the value at s2,3O0,OOO, but they were will
ing to take the former sum for them. difference
of opinion exists as to the value of anything the
company may have to sell, among parties who are or
pretend to be acquainted with the affairs OF that To-
cslity. Some affirm that it would be cheap bar
gain at the price asked-among them Governor
Steyens-while others state that the improvements
are owned by American citizens, whose claims the
company have acknowledged, and which of course
they cannot sell. As this question Is one OF much
interest at present l send you for the information
of your readers copy of the memorandum presented
TO our government in 1852 by Sir George Simpson
1t contains some valuable information relative TO the
affairs Of the Hudson's Bay Company in Washington
Territory
nKnoRAspuM Win RKyxREycK rn urpeoSs RAT AND
ruorr soc Nd ovnPApms' PoesaxoRr BIoHB oHS0oS.
The number OF establishments In Oregon belonging
che 6udso1s Bay Company nfteen, and 70 the Puxees
SSm the possessiou Of extensive daircs IN various part,
OF the Territory which prior 20 the date OF tho Oregon
treaty, ~ess eooupled BY toeir locks ana nerds
trading win thcmJ possess the right OF navigating
ne Columbia river on the footing ~ American citi
The Hrdsons Bay CompAny's trading posts were erect,
Cd many years previous 70 the oregon treaty, at time
when they were the sole sne sne ses
on trade and for maintaining their communications the
good Judgment which ~As manifested In socn selections
" apparcnt from tae fast that. nov thai the territory
becoming olossly settled thoae stations are considered
the most sites for towns, wne inc main ngn.
ways commerce are those which we're os'aolsned ~
Az regards the military occupation Of the country the
company pos would be excellent ses ior constructing
risry stations but themselves adapted for sny
thing more than defence az sinsi tue lnds1 tribes
Fcrt Vancouver is the most vHustle OF the Hudsons
Bay Compaoy stations and has always been Their depot
or centre Of Operations Consequence OF ~ admirable
position being the head OF the snip navigation o. the
Columbia river an me point rom whence eonmrn,c s
country by way Of the northern branch " me C1lumos
hs foot Of the Rocky sountsins aud thence across 70
pudsons Bay Perces and the snake country
20 The head OF the Missouri and Of the Wlameus
river The UapquA ane Csfornia 10 ,he SOUTH
while easy OF access by land Ani wafer,
70 Puget sound ana country ing Of the C,lum
ba these advantages o. position, the ste OF
PORT IL well adapted for town the river being
nsvigable by ships OF large tconsee, which can dis
charge rnarves, while the country around CONSISTS
w prsres inersccted by excellent noer, which, when
brought cultivation would meet the ~sos OF large
n en- popu alton These natural advantages o Fort Wa.
couver are Understood Oregon and we're The CON-
eun,ed a. : town aSd no doubt become the greet
msrcial emporium OF the county
,vsen 80 Hudson Bay Company Puget souni
ny:--Seversl years before tne oregon treaty 90
isSs ~ the sudscn's Bay oomp.ny nndne 'nsr ops
vstious on the Pacific TOO mulmArious 70 be ell
ciently managed By concern, was thought
ndvssb,e 70 separate their agricultural business from
ss,ssred 20 an assoc alton formed Cor the purpose.
called the 'pueess sound Agricultural Company shares
in which taken BY tue s'ockholders u iae 90
raw COMPANY and persons their service, as well by
straneers Upwards OF 100 OF floo es,h, ~ere
subscrpsd for which per cent ~ paid and for tne
sdded 10 ths capital which cs,ed Ia the farms
and live stock association In Oregon the connexon
son Bay Company beng large purchasers Of sgrcd
turAl produce OF the Puget Sound Company, and mat
Che Governor and pspu sVvsrnos 'ns
are agents Of the Puget sound Company, the business
a which is carried on under "deed OF scssloment"
with reference TO the Of the establishments OF the
evo companee found that the actual Of the pud
inss and bringing the land into CULTIVATION OF itself,
npvsrds q els 900 sserpg estimating at the moderate
pr,ce O. labor and prior 70 the ssacmcnt Of
Oregon by Americans and the discovery OF gold 10 Uafor
mia At the present value OF labor ana msscnss ore
gc the buildings could no be erected fos double INA
me s,sues. conducted by the Hudsous bay Company
mupers uye-the profit the transactions OF Fort Van
oonver Alone in the year lste exceeded eli 900 IN
sum Of f2oo,ooo set dosn IN the snnesea ess nsse,
barely adequate compensation for abandoning % valuable
trade. -.
me erten. Of the Hudson's Bay Company and Puget
Bound Company rights Oregon has never been defined
but - those companies they are entitled 70 sr
than the United States governm snt or tner ON
are likely readily 70 aimis beyond doubt tnN tue
clashnG OF from the en)rs Oh
ehs companies 70 secure their resiy rigne sos zoe
United Stases snthorNes and settlers 70 restrict hem,
wil become fruitful source Of strife, injurious 10 the
peaoe and good order Of the country which might even
tually involve national interests Also 10 AVOID these
evils usi the two companies willing 70 cede their
rights and POSSESSIONS 10 ths United states government
for the sam d million dosrs less than half o.
eheir vaine, as By the annexed estimate
WASHINGTON Dec. 3, 1854 q. SIMPSON.
poueH SWITCH TIVE HUpsoN's nav orMrAvy pUGsrs
souND co~rAsy's PossesorS oeegCw TER
arrow, wHIsI TT ~ PROPOSED TO uSrrxr
GOVERNMENT
Hafso~s Bay Company.
Fort Vancouver, including the FORT ms, farms md lsnt
claim q upwards OF ten miles square, oonsidsreH IN
best shNhon for q town 10 toe eerrnory, besag a. M,