Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-06-22

only the highest OF the high spots in
it's wilderness exploitation.
Rival Company Formed
There should be room for ALL they
argued. why let go to waste all the
milk for so little cream?"
Free lance adventurerS braved Hud-
sons Bay company displeasure, enter
ing the wilderness and encouraging the
Indians to rebel. Elimination Of the
"pedlars" soon became major COM
pany objective.
The ''pedlars," however, became so
numerous that they organized the
Northwest company, backed by Mon
treal men and John Jacob Astor of
New York. The new company became q
! formidable competitor particularly In
sentatives of both the Northwesters
and the Hudson's Bay company ap-
peared at the Mandan villages In 1904
1905 when Lewis and Clark spent the
winter there, though they apparently
had been but little further UP the
Missouri river
Colonization efforts Of the North
westers around Lake Winnipeg brought
showdown in which the Hudson's
Bay company lost. The two companies
merged, with Northwest leaders heading
the new Hudson's Bay company, no
longer feudal but committed to more
or less democratic policies.
Now began q more or less intelligent
effort to explore new country for COM
pany profit and British expansion. But
1t was too late. Men committed to fair
dealing now were in the west. Take
territory fairly they would, but not at
the suffering Of others.
Boundary Is Fixed
-
fixed the present United States-C Cam
adian boundary from Lake Of the
Woods to the crest of the Rocky noun
tains. But the country west Of the
Rockies was still the domain Of those
who took and held it.
David Thompson found the head
waters Of the Columbia river and de-
scended to Astoria, already acquired
from Astor by the Northwesters. New
posts were built on the lower Columbia
and In the present Idaho and western
Montana. HudSon's Bay men also ex-
plored Nevada, Utah, and California
BY this time, however American
free trappers Swarmed the mountain
country and even the Columbia river.
They were soon to be followed by the
early Oregon immigration, and Amer
leans took root In Oregon soil. The
company objected. The Oregon dis
pute led to q treaty of joint occupation,
pending final determination of title.
John Mclaughlin, in charge of the
Oregon country, and Sir George Simp- I
son, in charge Of all far western COM |
pany business, urgently placed their /
reports before the company board In /
London. A half-hearted move for Brit |
ish colonization under company dom /
nation was started around Vancouver 4
and In Oregon. Whitman of Oregon /
made his famous ride to Washington 4
TO interest the government In Oregon
and to entice more coloniSts.
The British squadron visited the
mouth Of the Columbia and Vancouver
Island. Commander Gordon and Lieu
tenant Peel had been commissioned TO
examine the country. They enjoyed q
hunting expedition and some fishing
rips. The sport was favored by super
silious thrusts at the country, its peo-
pie. and its attractions, both scenic
md productive.
Gord0n's Remark Settles IL
The commanders bedftt1tng compari-
lon Of the mountains 30 ScotIands
,leak hills ended vigorous British ef-
orts 10 take over the country.
a similar bfuudew lost California TO |
Britain when khe Hsad@onB Bay Off I
haAs failed 10 maare mn advantageous |