St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-02
Commodore Kittson on the Situation.

Mr.. n W. Kittson, who for a great num-
Der of years was connected with the Hudson
Bay company, takes exception to some Of
the statements made in correspond
ence from Winnipeg under date of March
30, which was published in these col
umns yesterday Mr.. Kittson says
the letter itself contains evidence that
the writer is misinformed and ignorant of
the real facts concerning which he seeks to
speak, or if he knows the real facts he con-
ceals them. This is illustrated in very
striking manner In this instance: The cor
respondent says that he has
interviewed Col. Carrie Batbgate
and dozen of the most prom
inent men in the city, There is no such
man there as Col. Carrie Bathgate, Mr.. Kit
son says. Carrie is one and Bathgate is an
other and the two Carrie and Bathgate, are
in partnership This Mr.. Kittson says is
not important, but it fairly illustrates how
careless the writer of that letter is. Mr..
Kittson points out the following inaccura-
cies:
First-The writer says that the Hudson
Bay company takes the side of the govern
ment aud is helping it 10 put down the in
surrection under Riel.
Secoud-It is asserted By the same writer
that the Hudson Bay company has been a
monopoly in that country and imposed on
the Indians. Mr.. Kittson denies
this and says that for nearly
200 years the Hudson Bay company
was a monopoly in that region because it had
certain privileges direct from the English
government, but that some years ago it sold
out to the Canadian government, at which
time it ceased to be a monopoly, ''nor do |
believe" be added, ''that company ever i'm
posed on the Indians, for the company was
always strictly honest in all its dealings with
everybody"
Third-The writer charges that the COM
psnv have armed all the posts aud that its
agents has eIacted from the Indians pile
of beaver skins as high as gun for the price
Of the same. Mr.. Kittson in regard 10 this
said that If the company has armed all the
posts it is for the purpose of protecting the
posts from the half-armed gang that Riel has
with him, and not for the purpose Of revolt
ing sgains. the government. The interest
Of the company is all with the government
sud not 81 all with the in
surveut Riel Nor can it be true,
Mr.. kittson added, that the com pany exacted
the goods: nor can it be stated truthfully
that the company exacted pile Of beaver
skins as high as gun for the price OF the
same: nor is II true that the company fire.
quentIy got $500 worth of valuable furs for a
Cuu worth $50: nor IS It the truth that all
present trouble between the Indians and
half-breeds in the West was caused by this
com pzny, which the correspondent says Sis
the grandest monopoly OF this Northwest,
which has controlled every enterprise for It's
own financial gain, +" for 10 monopoly exists,
and has not existed for years.
Foursh-Mr. kitt>on said further that #
vas no. true. as intimsted BY the correspond
eut- that Rel was IN the employ Of the Huo-
son Bay con psny for the purpose Of causin 2
the sruuble. The company, as the CORE
spoudent ssTs, may furnish al the supplies.
II this Is 80, Il Is because the supplies are
taken 6y force, and the company is not