History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 20

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Oregon > Benton County > History of Benton County, Oregon > Part 20

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Hudson Bay Company that the government could be counted on to promote the wishes of the company. In brief, the government of British America was practically the Hudson Bay Company, and for all the privilege and monopoly which it enjoyed with- out seeming to demand it, there was an annual payment if called for of 'two elks and two black beavers.'

" This company thus became a powerful organization. It had no rival to share the field, or waste the profits in litigation, or in bloody feuds beyond the region of law. [ Except the contest between it and the Northwest Company prior to their con- solidation.] It extended its lines, multiplied its posts and agents, systematized com- munication through the immense hunting grounds, economized time and funds by in- creased expedition, made many of its factories really fortifications, and so put the whole northern interior under British rule, and yet without a soldier. Rivers, lakes, moun- tains and prairies were covered by its agents and trappers. The white and the red men were on most friendly terms, and the birch canoe and the pirogue were seen car- rying, in mixed company, both races, and, what was more, their mixed progeny. The extent of territory under this company seems almost fabulous. It was one-third larger than all Europe ; it was larger than the United States of to-day, Alaska included, by half a million of square miles. From the American headquarters at Montreal to the post at Vancouver was a distance of twenty-five hundred miles ; to Fort Selkirk on the Yukon, or to the one on Great Bear lake, it was three thousand miles, and it was still further to the rich fur seal and sea-otter on the tide waters of the Mackenzie. James bay and Red river at Winnipeg seem near to Montreal in comparison. These dis- tances would compare well with air-line routes from Washington to Dublin, or Gib- raltar or Quito.

"One contemplates this power with awe and fear, when he regards the even motion and solemn silence and unvarying sameness with which it has done its work through that dreary animal country. It has been said that a hundred years has not changed its bill of goods ordered from London. The company wants the same muskrat and beaver and seal ; the Indian hunter, unimproved, and the half-breed European, deterio- rating, want the same cotton goods, and flint-lock guns, and tobacco and gew-gaws. To-day, as a hundred years ago, the dog sled runs out from Winnipeg for its solitary drive of five hundred, or two thousand, or even three thousand miles. It glides, silent as a spectre, over those snow fields, and through the solemn, still forests, painfully wanting in animal life. Fifty, seventy, an hundred days it speeds along, and as many nights it camps without fire, and looks up to the same cold stars. At the intervening posts the sledge makes a pause, as a ship, having rounded Cape Horn, heaves to before some lone Pacific island. It is the same at the trader's hut or factory as when the sledgeman's grandfather drove up, the same dogs, the same half-breeds, or voyageurs to welcome him, the same foul, lounging Indians, and the same mink skin in exchange for the same trinkets. The fur animal and its purchaser and hunter, as the landscape, seem to be alike under the same immutable, unprogressive law of nature,

'A land where all things always seemed the same,'

as among the lotus-eaters. Human progress and Indian civilization have made scarcely more improvement than that central, silent partner in the Hudson Bay Com- pany-the beaver.

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"One feels towards the power of this company, moving thus with evenness and immutability through a hundred years, much as one does towards a law of nature. At Fort Selkirk, for example, the fifty-two numbers of the weekly London Times came in on the last sledge arrival. The first number is already three years old, by its tedious voyage from the Thames. Now one number only a week is read, that the lone trader there may have fresh news weekly until the next annual dog-mail arrives, and each successive number is three years behind time when it is opened ! In this day of steamers and telegraphs and telephones, does it seem possible that any human, white habitation can be so outside of the geography and chronology of the world ? The goods of the company, packed and shipped in Fenchurch street, leave London, and at the end of the third year they are delivered at Fort Confidence on Great Bear lake, or at any other extreme factory of the company ; and at the end of three years more the re- turn furs go up the Thames and into Fenchurch street again. So in cycles of six years, and from age to age, like a planet, the shares in the Hudson Bay Company make their orbit and dividends. A run of three months and the London ship drops anchor in Hudson bay. 'For one year' says Butler in his ' Great Lone Land,' 'the stores that she has brought in lie in the warehouse of York Factory ; twelve months later they reach Red river; twelve months later they reach Fort Simpson on the Mac- kenzie.'

" The original stock of this company was $50,820. In fifty years it was trippled twice by profits only, and went up to $457,380, while not one new dollar was paid in. In 1821 the company absorbed the Northwest Company of Montreal, on a basis of value equal to its own. The consolidated stock then was $1,916,000, of which $1,780,866 was from profits. Yet, meanwhile, there had been an annual payment of ten per cent. to stockholders. In 1836 one of the company's ships left Fort George for London, with a cargo of furs valued at $380,000. *

* When the English government, in 1846, conceded the claims of the United States to Oregon, property of the Hudson Bay Company was found within Oregon for which that com- pany claimed $4,990,036.67. One cannot but admire the foresight, compass, policy, and ability with which those English fur traders moved to gain possession, and then * keep in wilderness for fur-bearing, so much of North America. *

Travelers tell us of an oppressive, painful silence through all that weird northland. Quadruped life, and the scanty little that there is of bird life, is not vocal, much less musical. This company has partaken of the silence of its domain. It makes but little noise for so great an organization. It says but few things and only the necessary ones, and even those with an obscurity often, that only the interested and initiated understand. The statements of its works and results are mostly in the passive voice."

This description carries us somewhat beyond the era of which this chapter treats, but it is done for a purpose, that the reader might fully comprehend the full power, methods and objects of this potent corporation which represented England in its con- test with the United States for the fair land of Oregon. If he will study it he will discover the fatal points of weakness, which will be developed more and more as the story of that long contest is unfolded. The company desired to win Oregon for Eng- land, not that the power and dominion of that great empire might be extended, but that the company might be left unmolested to dominate this region and fill its treasure

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A. G. Walling, Lith. Portland, Or.

A Miles Southwest of Philomath, Benton County, Oregon. FARM RESIDENCE AND MILL OF I. B. HENKLE.

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boxes with the products of the wilderness; for its officers well knew that from Eng- land they might hope for an indefinite extension of its monopoly rights, but from_the United States nothing. It was an effort to beat back the wave of progress and civili- zation, and failure could have been the only result. For two centuries it had reigned supreme in British America, and had defeated every effort to make of that region any- thing but a vast hunting ground for its representatives. It was from the first its policy to discourage and prevent if possible any exploration of its dominions, and instances are not wanting where expeditions sent out by the home government came to grief through the machinations of the company. It occasionally sent out explorers in search of new fields in which to operate, but was careful to keep the knowledge thus obtained a secret, and to make no record of anything.save what was necessary in the prosecu- tion of its business. This policy it endeavored to carry out in Oregon ; but it miscal- culated its strength and was swept away before the resistless march of American progress.

CHAPTER XV.

RIVALRY OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN FUR COMPANIES.

Outlook for Joint Occupation -American and English Fur Traders Compared -- Fort Vancouver Founded-De- scribed by John Dunn-American Trapping History-Expeditions of Jedediah S. Smith-The Hudson's Bay Company Enters California-Ewing Young's Party-Bonneville and Wyeth-Failure of American Trappers in Oregon-Cause of their Ill Success.

When joint occupation of Oregon was agreed upon in 1818, the only Caucasians in the country, as we have seen, were representatives of the Northwest Company, or, as they became in a few years, of the Hudson's Bay Company. Not an American was to be found along the Columbia from its source to its mouth. After the disastrous venture of Mr. Astor and his unsuccessful efforts to secure a restoration of his property through the medium of the government, which, could it but have recognized the fact, was far more deeply interested in retaining under American control the mouth of the Columbia than any private citizen could possibly have been, traders hesitated to enter this region and undertake to compete with the powerful organization already entrenched. The question of taking military possession of the Columbia was frequently discussed in congress, committees reported favorably on it at various times, and a number of plans were advocated, among them being one to send a body of troops overland to oc- cupy the disputed territory, and another to construct a chain of forts across the con- tinent, which should form a basis of supplies and protection for emigrants. None of these plans were adopted, and it was then a little early for emigrants. 15

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The great drawback was the fact that there was no American company sufficiently powerful to enter the field in competition with the English corporation. The Ameri- cans were nearly all independent traders, operating individually or in partnerships of two or three. Separately they had not the capital to carry on a business in the sys- tematic and comprehensive manner in which the Hudson's Bay Company operated. One unsuccessful season with them was often financially disastrous, while to the great company a completely unsuccessful year was impossible. Covering such a vast scope of country, dealing with so many tribes, and handling such varied classes of furs, such a thing as a total failure was unknown. Losses in one section were certain to be com- pensated for by unusual gains in another. Whenever two trapping parties met in open competition for the trade of a tribe, the Americans had to go to the wall, except in the few cases where they outwitted their opponents. The English trader was instructed to do anything he chose to spoil the trade of his rivals. No spectre of bankruptcy shook its bony finger before his face, no vision of an angry and distrustful partner rose up before him. He could sit quietly down and give away every dollar's worth of goods he had, if it were necessary so to do in order to prevent the Indians from trading with his rivals. On the other hand the American trader, with the last dollar he pos- sessed invested in this one venture, could neither give away his goods nor could he afford to lose the trade before him ; for often the chance he then had to secure a good stock of furs was the only opportunity offered during the season, and to miss it meant ruin. Not only this, but the American traders carried on such sharp competition among themselves that they were the more unable to hold their ground against a harmonious organization. The fact that congress in 1815 passed an act expelling all foreign traders from the territories east of the Rocky mountains is of importance only as it signifies the desire of the government to aid our struggling pioneer traders; for the act was practically inoperative, since agents of the Hudson's Bay Company continued to mo- nopolize the Indian trade on the upper Missouri and its affluents.

In 1821 the Northwest Company established a post on the north bank of the Co- lumbia, a few miles above the mouth of the Willamette, which was called Fort Van- couver, since this was the highest point reached by the exploring party of the Van- couver expedition in 1792. In 1823 the Hudson's Bay Company removed its Pacific headquarters from Astoria to that point because it possessed the desirable features for such an establishment more fully than any other in this whole region. It was near the mouth of the Willamette and therefore the center and natural converging point of trapping parties coming down the Columbia from the vast wilderness to the east or with the annual overland express from Montreal, from the rich trapping grounds to the south, or from the upper coast and Puget sound; agriculturally, the surroundings were all that could be desired to raise the large crops of grain and vegetables required at all the company's posts and to furnish pasturage for the beef and dairy cattle; it was easily approachable by deep-water vessels of large draft, and presented excellent natural facilities for loading and discharging cargo. The vessels that came at stated periods to bring supplies and carry away the accumulated furs, could spare the few days of extra time required to ascend the river better than the employees of the company could spare it in passing to and from headquarters in the transaction of business. Van- couver was the most eligible site 'on the Columbia for the chief trading post, and

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remained the company's headquarters until it abandoned this region entirely in 1858.

During the next four years the company spread out in all directions, from Califor- nia to Alaska and from the Pacific to the Rocky mountains. Some idea can be gained of its power and methods in Oregon from the following description given by John Dunn, for seven years a clerk and trader of the company :

" Fort Vancouver is the grand mart and rendezvous for the company's trade and servants on the Pacific. Thither all the furs and other articles of trade collected west of the Rocky mountains from California to the Russian territories, are brought from the several other forts and stations; and from thence they are shipped to England. Thither too all the goods brought from England for traffic-the various articles in woolens and cottons-in grocery-in hardware-ready-made clothes-oils and paints -ship stores, etc., are landed ; and from thence they are distributed to the various posts of the interior, and along the northern shores by sailing vessels; or by boat ; or pack horses; as the several routes permit ; for distribution and traffic among the na- tives, or for the supply of the company's servants. In a word, Fort Vancouver is the grand emporium of the company's trade, west of the Rocky mountains; as well within the Oregon territory, as beyond it, from California to Kamstchatka.

" The fort is in the shape of a parallelogram, about 250 yards long, by 150 broad ; enclosed by a sort of wooden wall, made of pickets, or large beams fixed firmly in the ground, and closely fitted together, twenty feet high, and strongly secured on the inside by buttresses. At each angle there is a bastion, mounting two twelve pounders, and in the center there are some eighteen pounders ; but from the subdued and pacific char- acter of the natives, and the long absence of all apprehension, these canon have be- come useless. The area within is divided into two courts, around which are arranged about forty neat, strong wooden buildings, one story high, designed for various purposes -such as offices, apartments for the clerks and other officers-warehouses for furs, English goods and other commodities-workshops for the different mechanics ; carpen- ters, blacksmiths, coopers, wheelwrights, tinners, etc. ; in all of which there is the most diligent and unceasing activity and industry. There is also a school house and chapel; and a powder magazine built of brick and stone.

" In the centre stands the governor's residence, which is two stories high-the din- ing hall; and the public sitting room. All the clerks and officers, including the chap- lain and physician, dine together in the hall ; the governor presiding. The dinner is of the most substantial kind, consisting of several courses. Wine is frequently allowed ; but no spirituous liquors. After grace has been said, the company break up. Then most of the party retire to the public sitting room, called 'Bachelor's Hall,' or the smoking room ; to amuse themselves as they please, either in smoking, reading, or tell- ing and listening to stories of their own and others' curious adventures. Sometimes there is a great influx of company, consisting of the chief traders from the outposts, who arrive at the fort on business; and the commanders of vessels. These are gala times after dinner ; and there is a great deal of amusement, but always kept under strict discipline, and regulated by the strictest propriety. There is, on no occasion, cause for ennui, or a lack of anecdote or interesting narrative ; or indeed of any in- tellectual amusement ; for if smoking and story-telling be irksome, then there is the

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horse ready to mount, and the rifle prepared. The voyageur and the trapper, who have traversed thousands of miles through wild and unfrequented regions; and the mariner, who has circumnavigated the globe, may be found grouped together, smoking, joking, singing and story telling ; and in every way banishing dull care, till the period of their again setting out for their respective destinations arrives. The smoking room or ' bachelor's hall,' presents the appearance of an armoury and a museum. All sorts of weapons, and dresses, and curiosities of civilized and savage life, and of the various implements for the prosecution of the trade, may be seen there. The mechanics, and other servants of the establishment, do not dine in the hall or go to the smoking room.

" The school is for the benefit of the half breed children of the officers and ser- vants of the company, and of many orphan children of Indians who have been in the company's employment. They are taught English (sometimes French), writing, arith- metic and geography ; and are subsequently either apprenticed to traders in Canada ; or kept in the company's service. The front square is the place where the Indians and trappers deposit their furs, and other articles, and make their sales, etc. There may be seen, too, great numbers of men sorting and packing the various goods ; and scores of Canadians beating and cleaning the furs from the dust and vermin, and coarse hairs, previous to exportation. Six hundred yards below the fort, and on the bank of the river, there is a neat village, of about sixty well built wooden houses, generally con- structed like those within the fort; in which the mechanics, and other servants of the company, who are in general Canadians and Scotchmen, reside with their families. They are built in rows, and present the appearance of small streets. They are kept in a neat and orderly manner. Here there is an hospital, in which the invalided ser- vants of the company, and, indeed, others who may wish to avail themselves of it, are treated with the utmost care.

" Many of the officers of the company marry half breed women. They discharge the several duties of wife and mother with fidelity, cleverness and attention. They are, in general, good housewives; and are remarkably ingenious as needlewomen. Many of them, besides possessing a knowledge of English, speak French correctly, and possess other accomplishments ; and they sometimes attend their husbands on their dis- tant and tedious journeys and voyages. These half breed women are of a superior class ; being the daughters of chief traders and factors, and other persons, high in the company's service, by Indian women of a superior descent or of superior personal at- tractions. Though they generally dress after the English fashion, according as they see it used by the English wives of the superior officers, yet they retain one peculiarity -the leggin or gaiter, which is made (now that the tanned deer skin has been super- seded) of the finest, and most gaudy coloured cloth, beautifully ornamented with beads. The lower classes of the company's servants marry native women, from the tribes of the upper country ; where the women are round-headed and beautiful. These, too, generally speaking, soon learn the art of useful housewifery with great adroitness and readiness ; and they are encouraged and rewarded in every way by the company, in their efforts to acquire domestic economy and comfort. These, too, imitate, in costume the dress of the officers' wives, as much as they can ; and from their necessities of po- sition, which exposes them more to wet and drudgery, they retain the moccasin, in place of adopting the low-quartered shoe.

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" Attached to the fort there is a magnificent farm ; consisting of about 3,000 acres ; of which 1,500 acres have been already brought to the highest state of tillage. It stretches behind the fort, and on both sides, along the banks of the river. It is fenced into beautiful corn fields-vegetable fields-orchards-gardens-and pasture fields, which are interspersed with dairy houses, shepherds' and herdsmen's cottages. It is placed under the most judicious management ; and neither expense nor labour has been spared to bring it to the most perfect cultivation. There is a large grist mill, and a threshing mill, which are worked by horse power ; and a saw mill worked by water power. All kinds of grains and vegetables, and many species of fruits, are produced there in abundance and of superior quality. The grain crops are produced without manure ; and the wheat crop, especially, is represented by practical farmers to be won- derful.

" Besides this farm, which they are "every day extending, they have commenced farming on a large scale on the Cowlitze, to the north ; Umpqua, to the south ; and in other parts of the territory, where they have established posts, the produce of all of which they use for exportation both to the Russian stations in Kamskatka (as they entered into a contract with the Russians, in 1839, to supply their posts in those regions with provisions at fixed prices), and to the islands in the Southern Pacific ; and to British and American whalers and to other merchant ships. They also keep scores of wood cutters, employed to fell timber, which is sawed up in large quantities-3,000 feet a day, and regularly shipped for the Sandwich islands, and other foreign ports. And as they can afford to sell the goods purchased in England under a contract of old standing, together with the productions of the territory and their own farms-fish, beef, mutton, pork, timber, etc., at nearly half the American price, they are likely to engross the whole trade of the Pacific, as they do already the trade of the Oregon ; especially since they command all the ports and safe inlets of the country. This the Americans feel and declare ; and it is this which whets their cupidity, and excites their jealousy and hatred.

" Trapping parties leaving Vancouver are some weeks preparing for the mountains and prairies. The blacksmiths are busily engaged making beaver traps for the trap- pers-the store keepers making up articles for trade, and equipping the men, the clerk in charge of the provision store packing up provisions for them, to last until they get. into hunting ground, the clerk in charge of the farm providing horses, and other re- quisite articles. The party generally consists of about fifty or sixty men-most of them the company's servants-others, free hunters. The servants have a stated salary, while the freemen receive so much per skin. Previous to leaving the fort for the arduous adventure they are allowed a small quantity of rum per man ; and they generally en- joy a grand holiday and feast the night previous to starting. Each man has a certain number of horses, sufficient to carry his equipment. The free trappers generally pro- vide their own animals. Both the company's servants and the freemen frequently take their wives and families with them; the women are very useful on the expedition, in preparing meals and other necessaries for their husbands during their absence from the camp. In summer and winter, whether they have a sort of a traveling camp or a fixed residence, they select the localities that most abound in fur-bearing animals. Though a party may be obliged, from a variety of circumstances, to winter in the plain,

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History of Benton County, Oregon, Part 20

Author: David D. Fagan Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: David D. Fagan
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: