The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-09-22

the importance OF the latter. 1t was organized
in Arcadia, or New France, in $780, by party |
from Louis XIII. When the English
captured Canada the British Par
lament recognized the privileges of this
company, on its giving its pledge to the new
sovereign.
But the settlement at Astoria monopolized
the fur trade along the coast for long time, as
it had its agents scattered throughout the
country. Meanwhile, the Hudson's Bay Com
pany sent down its agents to the interior, and
the internal fur trade becoming bone of con-
tention between this and the Northwest Com
pany, they were engaged in constant warfare
with each other. The different employees robbed
and murdered one another, and the hatred ex-
tended 80 far that the leaders Of the two COM
panies melted the Indians over whom they had
control to rob and slaughter their opponents
on all occasions. The British government was
compelled to interfere, and to prevent the re-
peal of their charter the two companies CONSOLE
dated, and received from parliament new
charter, under the name of the
ssHUDsoN's BAY COMPANY"
With exclusive license to trade in the extensive
territory west of the Rocky mountains for
twenty-one years.
AS this Hudson's Bay Company makes an i'm
portant factor in the early history OF Oregon,
we will give brief history of its origin and OF
its boundless authority. This company was
year 1869, by royal charter granted to Prince
Rupert, the first governor, the duke OF Albe-
marie, Lord Craven and Lord Arlington, who,
with other persons of note, in all seventeen,
constituted the first committee. The objects
for which this charter was granted are clearly
defined:
The discovery Of new passage to the South
sea, and for the finding of some trade in furs,
minerals and other considerable commodities.
But in addition to these commercial intentions,
for the benefit of Great Britain and their own
profit, the good of the natives was not forgot
ten. The propagation of the gospel, the
civilization OF the Indians, and the estab-
lishment of trade on terms OF equity
and mutual advantage, were the lead
ing features in the original intentions of the
company. The powers the company received
were most ample. By the charter were grant
cd to them and their successors the whole
| trade and commerce OF all those seas, straits
nd bays, rivers, lakes, creeks and sounds, in
whatsoever latitude they shall be, that lie
within the entrance OF the straits commonly
called Hudson's straits, together with all the
lands, countries and territories upon the coasts
and confines OF the seas, straits, bays, lakes and
rivers, creeks and sounds aforesaid which are
net now actually possessed by any other
| Christian prince or state. OF these lands and
| territories, the company was proprietor by free
| and common usage; had power as such to re-
| ceive and enjoy all rents, and possess and re-
| tain all privileges, liberties and franchises
| thereto belonging; and to have jurisdiction
over such territories, being empowered to make
| such laws and regulations for the government
/ of their possessions as may be reasonable and
are not repugnant to the laws, statutes and
1 Gus toms OF England. The company was also
empowered to send ships and build fortitica-
| tions for the defense of its possessions, and to
make war or peace with all nations, not being
| Christian, inhabiting those territories; and all
| others of the kings subjects were forbidden to
| visit haunt, frequent, trade or traffic there
| in, under heavy penalties.
It will be seen that its powers were most ex-
| traordinary, and such only as a monarchy
| could either bestow Or tolerate in It's domin-
| ions.
According to the strict letter Of this charter,
| the company's dominions extended from II I'D
sons Bay south Of latitude so deg. W. to the
| sources of the Saskatchewan, beyond the
Rocky mountain range to the Arctic sea on the
north, besides the country lying east of Hud-
sons Bay, and the area may roughly be esti-
mated at $3.50, 600 square miles. BY the union
with the Northwest Company, the trade of the
Oregon district was added to the above. II
was at one time styled ''The Honorable Com
pany OF Adventures Of England to Hudson's
Bay" Its management was vested in gov
ernor, deputy governor, and committee OF
seven members. Their original stock was, in
1876, $4,000. This was trebled in 1890, and
1920 this was again increased to 10000, and
the profits OF the concern were enormous.
In 1872 the Northwest Company had pur-
chased the forts Of the citizens Of the United
States, including even Astoria. On the con-
solidaion with the Hudson's Bay Company in
1924, all the American traders and trappers,
except such as would enlist under their BAN
ners, were expelled from the territory, and forts
trading posts were established throughout the
| wide domain covered by their extensive opera
tions, the principal one of which was at For,
Vancouver, on the Columbia river, where the
United States military headquarters of the
| Columbia are now established
From 1924 to 1886, covering period of II
years, and even for longer time con tinuine
over into the joint occupancy-this company
held control Of all this broad territory, and
administered British laws to all persons
whether they were English subjects or not
DR.. John Mclaughlin was appointed chief fac
tor, and ruled the territory as Its governor foI
many years. He WAS an estimable man, and
the history of his rule shows him to have been
very fair and just in his dealings with all the
inhabitants, including the American settlers
whom he aided in various ways. His dealings
| with the Indians were ever characterized by
sense of strict justice. The lowest menial in
his service was required to fulfill every prom
ise made to the natives, no matter what the
sacrifice. Hence the Indians fully believed
everything said by the officers. and the conse.
quence Of such confidence told upon the con.
HIct Of the natives in remarkable degree
If such q policy had always been the
uniform rule in all our dealings with
these savages, far different tale would have
beeen written Of our border diff culties.
BOUNDARIES.
The origin of the boundaries Of that part oi
the Pacific coast originally included in the
territory OF Oregon may be fixed as follows:
The "Florida treaty" Of 1919, between the
United States and Spain, fixed the ferty-second
parallel of the north latitude, from the Rocky
mountains to the Pacific ocean, as the southern
limit Of the United States west of those noun.
tains. Subsequently, when Mexico threw of
| the authority of Spain, by treaty between the
United States and Mexico the same boundary
was continued.
By the convention Of 1924 between the United
States and Russia, it was agreed that the peo.
pie of the latter country should make no settle.
| ment on the west coast of North America or its
| islands south OF the latitude OF 81 degrees &C
| minutes, and that the United States should
establish none north OF that line.
The same stipulations were made year
later by similar convention between Russia
and Great Britain as to the settle ments OF tho.e
two countries on the line of 81 40.
The country lying between these parallels oil
latitude--42 and 81 40-being the whole OF
Oregon territory (now Oregon and Washing
tom was claimed. respectively, by the United
States and Great Britain. Provisional ar
rangements, to facilitate navigation, trade and
| settlement, were made from time to time be-
tween the two coun tries, subject to abrogatior
at any time after years notice by either. But
there arose an increasing dissatisfaction with
these temporary arrangements by the people Of
the two countries Immediately interes ted, and
the quarrel assumed proportions that even
threatened war between these nations. The
L II H. Iz1.s -.