The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-16
rue RED RIVER FUR TRADE.

Fisher ......-,., uN9 col
rue RED RIVER FUR TRADE.
The most remarkable feature in the recent
history Of the fur trade Of St Paul, is the
new development which it has had in the
extreme northern frontier, and which has
opened new theatre of enterprise for our
merchants, over the vast regions heretofore
locked up in tho gigantic monopoly Of the
Hudson Bay Company.
Previously to ls4A, the entire fur product
Of the Red River valley. north and south OF
the British boundary, was collected by the
agents of that Company, and sought the
seaboard through Nelson's River and liud'
son Bay. In 1874, however, Mr.. Kittson,
Of the firm above mentioned, established an
American trading post at Pembina, dealing
in American goods, and having an outlet
upon the Mississippi River.
The gross proceeds Of the first years I'D
venture was but 81 400 Of the following
year ls45, $4,000; IS46, $4,000 From that
time, however, Mr.. KirrsoSs post last grew
in favor with the the halfbreed settlers who
deserted in numbers from the service OF the
company, TO receive their supplies from the
American trader. In 1850, the fur product
amounted to about $4,000, and five years
later, (ls55), the return through 81. Paul
from this quarter was nearly $4,000. At
this time special depot for this trade was
established at ST. Paul by Messrs. FORBES
h KIT1sos and the enterprislng firm Of CuL-
YER 4 HARRINGTON soon established agcn-
gies In the same lucrative district. In
1856 the total amount received from this
source Mt b. Paul amounted TO $4,000
nearly four fifths Of the whole fur trade Of
that year. The same proportion has been
since maintained in the relative product of
this region. In 1867, the value Of furs from
Pembina was about $4,000 This year.
however, owing to the partial failure OF the
buffalo crop, il will be somewhat less, not
PROBABLY over SlOUVOO.
The large overland traffic which has
sprung up between st. Paul and Red River
demands new facilities OF communication.
The immense annual caravan which come
from these settlements laden with the pro.
ducts Of the chase, and returning with the
proceeds Of their bart r, is an interesting
characteristic OF our trade. 10 1858, the
aggregate arrivals Of Red River carts, those
ships Of the wilderness, il stated at ak hun
dred. In 1874, the whole product Of that
region which sought American channels, was
conveyed in six carts.
We have by no means reached the limits
Of this trade. Its development has just
commenced. The superiority Of the outlet
at st. Paul for this region, over the multitu-
dinous portngcs Of Nelson's River, has been
abundau,ly proved. Establish, as we are
now trying TO establish, Railroad commu.
nication with the Red River valley, and the
whole trade OF the Hudson Bay Company
would fall into our hands, or nj least Geek
this avenue Of expectation. What the for
trade Of that immense region would be
worth to US, may be estimated from the fact
that the average value Of the annual export
Of 'furs by the Hudson Bay Company is
about 81 SOC, coo. At their last bali yearly
sale at London, in April Of last year, the
proceeds were 81 10000. The annual ex-
port OF the basin Of the Winnipeg, directly
tributary to st. Paul Is about 81 600, 600
n trade certainly worth securing.