New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-13

Frank vi. Derby, General agent, NO l4o IHuoH'''
In writing the history Of Washington, Idaho
and Montana Mr.. Bancroft has encountered some
peculiar endorsements The early history OF the
region, which at a comparatively late period was
divided into three Territories, soon TO become
States, naturally fell under the broader hcaos OF
his coast records but it was necessary to follow up
the political and other changes, and 10 90 thls
without repetition on the one hand, and without
too great narrowing of the recent history Oh the
other proved exceedingly difficult. 1t has been
overcome as far MS possible, and as ingeniously.
but those who desire fuller knowledge Of the
broad region which first was called Oregon Terri
tory. and from which so many separate Territories
came to be set of must consult other volumes
in Mr. Bancroft's series All this the author en-
palus in the preface, in order" as he says, that
the people of Washington, Idaho and Montana
might thoroughly understand how the histories Of
their respective sections are distributed IN TINS
ercs-histores which, IL segregated from the series
and issued separately, would each fill space equal
to two volumes In the History OF the North-
west Coast and the History of OREGON all the
information not given here will be found Ills
is an unavoidable arrangement, when III Is re-
mcmbered that the Northwest Coast originally en-
braccd all Of North America north OF the 4@d
parallel and west Of the Rocky Mountains; that
In 1916, when the southern boundary OF BRUSH
Columbia was settled, all that remained was calico
Oregon that subsequently Washington territory
was set off from Oregon; that still later Idaho
was set off from Washington: and that finally
Montana for the most part was set oil from
Idaho. Changes of this character cannot but I'M
mart certain confusion into historical records,
though every effort has been made in this series
10 avoid such O result and with all the success
that could reasonably have been looked Tor
The history of Washington from 1s4o onward
for some years one of slow and diihcuu
settlement and growth. 1t became still unde-
termined locally whether the great discoveries Oh
gold in neichborng sections did more harm than
good to the young and struggling territory. Inc
era was hardly one Of peace and goodwill Inc
Hudson Bay Company. routed out OF oregon was
still making an effort TO retain its posts ana acd
possessions in Washington, or. at least, 10 laf
foundations for claims for damages in the event
Of eviction The American settlers. though many
Of them had received substantial AID from the
Hudson Bay Companys officers at various times'
were disposed TO carry things with high hand,
and even went so far as to deny possesscry rights
Of the company, even TO londs which they had
improved The new theory. in fact, seems 10
have held in effect that the settlers were enu'icd
to enter upon and possess all British improve
ments, without compensation OF any Kind' III
support Of this policy system Of agrarian OUT
RACES was adopted. and pushed sometimes to the
point Of assassination. OF course the contest
was too one-sided TO last The company couId
not meet fyrcc with II conlh only Ell or
its protest record its claims and withdraw Thus
early Washington settlers appear TO have been
rather turbulent people, and not much more
disposed to obey the laws Of their own country
than to respect the natural rights OF aliens. Thus
when a Federal Judge announced his intention 10
hold court at a certain settlers house. and sum-
mored the Jurors to attend there they refused TO
CO. because they preferred another locality for the
court, and they proceeded to hold an Indignation
meeting and to give the Judge piece of their
mind But with all their independence and
roughncss the Washington settlers were the very
men TO build a State. and when we consider what
they and the men of Idaho and Montana had TO
20 through before ordered society could be es.
tablishcd in this virain country. it is easy 10
understand why the new States have fourished SO
bravcly and whence derived the abnormal
energy ard pluck which characterize the frontier
communities.
II has always been law Of life and progress
hat whatever is worth having must be paid for.
Where nature pours out her stores lavishly That
human labor is forestaed where the climatic
conditions are so genial that eXerton is needless.
the development Of civilization is checked. and
sloth maintains low planes OF existence. The
nrcsonce of obstacles, discomforts, prvatiOns,
dangers. is clearly necessary 70 stimulate human
nature to its best work. II the Pilgrim Fathers
had landed in Florida instead of at Plymouth. the
whole character of American development would
have been different, and national independence
might never have been achieved The settlers on
the northwest coast were disciplined III almost
precisely the way as their ancestors had
been A stormy coast in front and murdcrous
sayapes behind they had TO fight for their lives
Here and there a graphic touch Lights up the
record of toll and suffering. In one such instance
we see q family landed. on rainy, raw November
day upon the bleak shore where 10 shelter OF
any kind exists. All the afternoon the men, alHcd
by the women and children. are sen carrying
their goods and chattcls above the reach OF high
tide H. is dusk when this Is done, and then, says
the letter writer who describes the scene. The
women sat down and cried To him this seems
70 have been rather unaccountable, but how our
svmpathies 20 out 10 those poor wives and mothers
sitting there in the cold rain, without prospect OF
onv refuge for the night for their children and
themselves. and realizing that before they can
have n roof over their heads tie tlmDers where
with it is TO be built must be hcwn out OF the
primeval forest But these brave souls, though
they cried. did not give way, for The history
records that they were safely housed before the
winter had fairly set in, and no DOUBT inc
bumblest Iochouse seemed a palace TO them In
the circumstances 1t is of such stuff that States
are built.
As in all the new territories, Indian troubles
soon began, and, also, in all new territories,
the responsibility of Congress fer these troubles
WAS heavy For that body, being far away and
fully occupied with matters Of concern near at
hand. played fast and loose with Indian affairs,
authorizing treaties, often refusing or negechng
TO make the necessary appropriations, SO that the
Government made TO appear tricky ana unjust
in the eyes of the red men, who had but one rem
edy for all wrongs, real or fancicd. and that was
going on the warpath. Unhappily. too, the first
sst,lemcnts were SO scattered and defepceless
that Indian raids among them were mere holiday