The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-16

A''J No P"hJs hO pOiiSJ
of this measure may be seen in a two
fold relation as touching the joint occu-
pancy and possession of large portion
of this immense tract of country by
British subjects.
THE JOHN JACOB AsTOR
American Fur Company was formed in
New York in 1910. Its first ship ar
rived at this place March "a, 1911.
wish to propose to this society a
change in our annual meeting to March
Gath of each year. out of no disrespect
to the Father of our country, but to
keep alive the day of our historic exist
ence.
Twelve potatoes were planted the
first year, in May, producing 119; the
second ear, five bushels; the third
J year, fifty bushels.
On the 18th of May, 1913, MIR.
DAVID THOMPSON of the Northwest
French Company arrived at Astoria
with the view of establishing post.
Finding the place occupied by Mr..
AsToR'S company he retired as far in
terror as the Spokan country, now
known as the Northeastern part of
Washington Territory, and commenced
trading post of that company. Thus
placing the trading interests of the
Northwest French Company in COM
petition with the British Hudson Bay
Company or the north, and AsTOR's
American Company on the South.
ASTOR'S COMPANY BETRAYED.
AS subsequent transactions proved,
that the American fur interests on land,
in this section of country was anticipa-
ted /; and at the proper time, under the
war measures of the British Govern
ment was transferred to this Northwest
Fur Company on the 10th of October,
1913. The British sloop of war Rae
coon took possession Dec. 1st the same
year, We now have but the two rivals,
French and British Fur Companies in
this country. One with its headquar-
ters at Lachine, lower Canada, the 9TH
er at Moose Factory on James Bay, and
lis headquarters in London.
1t will be borne in mind that in the
treaty with France in 1897 the rights
and property of the French subjects,
under their charter were provided for and
secured by treaty stipulations, the same
as those Of Hudson Bay and Puget
Sound Companies were secured IN the
treaty of 645. In abroga.ing the joint
occupancy treaty relative to that por-
ton of Oregon, they gained by it a
country larger and better adapted for a
civilized race of men, than the thirteen
American colonies were when settled as
British colinies.
From 1913 to 1921, eight years the
inhuman' war of opposing Indian ira
ders, involving all the native tribes was
carried on between them. The French
Company being the most energetic, and
best adapted to assimulate with the ma
tive tribes had nearly destroyed the
commercial interests, or profits, of the
Hudson Bay Company's Indian trade,
compelling the compromise forced upon
both company's in the act of the British
Parliament of 1921. From 1921 to
July 25 lS43, twenty-five years, the
absolute control of the united Brit
ish and French fur companies, prevailed
to the exclusion OF all traders, and as
far As possible American settlers.
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AND SET
TIERS.
We must retrace our historical sketch
back to 1884, nine years, and introduce
little company OF men under the
snperintendence of Rev. Jason Lee. one
of the best christian leaders of the age.
His heart and life were given to raise
the remnant of the Indian tribes from
the rapid destruction these christian
commercial fur traders had introduced
among them, for il must be borne IL
mind, that prior to the arrival of Amer
lean christian missionaries on this coast,
death had swept two-thirds OF the tribes
from the land--a loathsome disease had
fastened upon the remnant.
In 1894 the American Mossionaries
under the patronage of the Methodist
Episcopal Board Of New York, arrived
in the country, and were followed in
1886 by Presbyterian Missionaries un-
der the patronage Of the American
Board Of Christian aud Foreign Missions
Of Boston. The former located in the
Wallamet valley having no wives, the