The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-04

for their crime by the explosion OF the maya
zine while they were rifipg the cabin.
In 1880 the first farming in Oregon was COM
menced by q party Of Canadians, who settled
near what is now Oregon City.
In 1884 Rev. Jason Lee and Rev. Daniel Lee,
of the Methodist church, IN company with
Captain wyeth, arrived at Vancouver, and soon
after es established an Indian mission at Oregon
City.
The same year DR.. Marcus Whitman and
Rev. H. II. Spanlding with their wives, came
overland, these ladies being the first white
women to cross the Rocky mountains. Rev.
Samuel Parker and W. H. Gray were also Of
this party, who were sent out by the American
board Of commissioners for foreign missions.
Several other missionaries followed at inter-
walls, generally accompanied by immigrants
seeking homes in this far, "far west" So that
the rich vallies of Oregon were said to be fill
ing up rapidly with thrifty, hardy popula-
ton.
The growing importance Of Mr.. Astor's en-
terprise aroused the jealousy Of the Northwest
Fur Company Of Canada, and they opposed
his schemes most violently. One Of their
plans WAS to send an expedition overland under
command Of David Thompson, with orders to
resch the Columbia before the Tonquin could
arrive there. But the heavy SHOWS in the
Rocky mountains SO retarded this expedition
that i, had only reached the Spokane river
when Astoria had been established. Thompson
took possession Of all the country by distribut-
ing British flags to the Indians along his
route.
This North Company, which figured so
conspicuously in many subsequent events in
Oregon, was formidable rival of the great
Hudson Bay Company, though it never reached
The importance Of the latter. 1t was organized
in Arcadia. or New France, in 1880, by party
of merchants holding royal charter
from Losis XIII. When the English
CAPTURED Canada the British Par
lament recognized the privileges Of this
company. on its giving it's pledge to the new
sovereign.
But the settlement at Astoria monopolized
the fur trade along the coast for long time as
il 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
psny, they were engaged in a constant warfare
with each other. The different employees robbed
and murdered one another, and the hatred ex-
tended so 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 rece we'd from parliament 9 new
charter, under the name of the
'HUDSON BAL CoAfANA,
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
established in the reign OF Charles H., in the
year 1869, by royal charter granted to Prince
Rupert the first governor, the duke OF Abe
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 q 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, we're the lead
lug features in the original intentions OF the
company. The powers the company received
we're most ample. By the charter were grant
ed to them and their successors the whole
trade and commerce Of all those seas, straits
q 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 aud 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 % may be reasonable and
are not repugnant to the laws, sta tutes and
customs Of England. The company was also
empowered TO send ships and build fortifcA-
tions for the defense Of its possessions and to
make war or peace with all nations, not being
Christian, inhsbiting those territories; and all
Others Of the kings subjects we're forbidden to
visit, haunt frequent, trade or traffic there
in under heavy penalties.
1t will be seen that its powers were most ex-
traordinsry, and such only As . monarchy
could either bestow or tolerst in its domin-
ions.
the company's dominions extended from Hud-
sons Bay south Of latitude so deg. W. to the
sources Of the Saskatchewan, beyond the
Rocky mountain range TO the Arctic see on the
north, besides the country lying east Of Hud-
sons Bay, and the area may roughly be esti-
mated st 2,250,00 square miles. BY the union
with the Northwest Company, the trade Of the
Oregon strict WAS added to the above. It
was ct one time styled The Honorable Com
pany Of Adventures Of England to Hudsons
Bay" It's management was vested in gov
ernor deputy governor, and . committee Of
seven members. Their original stock was, in
IL