An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 7

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Washington > Kittitas County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 7
USA > Washington > Yakima County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 7
USA > Washington > Klickitat County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 7

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Such, in general, were the methods of the two companies whose bitter rivalry was carried to such an extent that both were brought to the verge of bankruptcy and that civil strife was at one point actually precipitated. In 1811 Lord Selkirk, a Scotch nobleman of wealth, who had become the owner of a controlling interest in the Hudson's Bay Company, attempted a grand col- onization scheme. His project was to send out agricultural colonies to the basin of the Red River of the North. The enmity of the Northwest Company was at once aroused. It fully realized that Selkirk's scheme was inimical to its business, especially so because his grant lay directly across its pathway between Montreal and the interior. The effect would be to "cut its communication, interposing a hostile territory between its posts and the center of operations." The company protested that the grant was illegal, that it was corruptly secured, and urged that suit be insti- tuted to test Lord Selkirk's title. But the govern- ment favored the project and refused to inter- fere. A colony was established at Assinaboia. Its governor prohibited the killing of animals within the territory, and the agents of the North- west Company treated his proclamation with con- tempt. Matters grew worse and worse until hostilities broke out, which ended in a decisive victory for the Northwest Company in a pitched battle fought June 19, 1816, twenty-two of the colonists being killed. Numerous arrests of Northwesters engaged in the conflict followed, but all were acquitted in the Canadian courts. The British cabinet ordered that the governor- general of Canada should "require the restitution of all captured posts, buildings and trading sta- tions, with the property they contained, to the proper owners, and the removal of any blockade or any interruption to the free passage of all traders and British subjects with their merchan- dise, furs, provisions and effects, through the lakes, rivers, roads and every route of communi- cation used for the purpose of the fur trade in the interior of North America, and the full and free permission of all persons to pursue their usual and accustomed trade without hindrance or molestation."

But the competition between the companies continued. Both were reduced to the verge of bankruptcy. Something had to be done. The

governor-general of Canada appointed a com- mission to investigate conditions, and that com- mission recommended a union of the two compa- nies. Nothing, however, of material benefit resulted. Eventually, in the winter of 1819-20, Lord Bathurst, British secretary of state for the colonies, took up the matter, and through his mediation a union was finally effected. March 20, 1821, it was mutually agreed that both On companies should operate under the charter of the Hudson's Bay Company, furnishing equal amounts of capital and sharing equally the profits, the arrangement to continue in force for twenty-one years. By "an act for regulating the fur trade and establishing a criminal and civil jurisdiction in certain parts of North America," passed in the British parliament July 2, 1821, the crown was empowered to issue a license to the combined companies for exclusive trade "as well over the country to the east as beyond the Rocky mountains, and extending to the Pacific ocean, saving the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company over this territory." "That is to say," explains Evans, "in the territory granted to the Hudson's Bay Company by their charter, this license does not operate. The company in the Hudson's bay territory already enjoyed exclusive privileges; and this license recognized that territory as a province, excepting it as a British province from the operation of this license."

Agreeably to the provisions of the statute just referred to a license was granted to the Hudson's Bay Company and to William and Simon McGil- livray and Edward Ellice, as representatives of the shareholders of the Northwest Company. The license was one of exclusive trade as far as all other British subjects were concerned, and was to be in force for a period of twenty-one years. It was to extend to all "parts of North America to the northward and westward of the lands and territories belonging to the United States or to any European government, state or power, reserving no rent."

Of the grantees a bond was required condi- tioned upon the due execution of civil process where the matter in controversy exceeded two hundred pounds, and upon the delivery for trial in the Canadian courts of all persons charged with crime. Thus it will be seen that Ameri- cans operating in the Oregon territory (which was, by act of the British parliament and the license issued under it, treated as being outside of "any legally defined civil government of the United States") were subject to be taken when accused of crime to Canada for trial. How did that comport with the treaty of 1818, one provi- sion of which was that neither power should assert rights of sovereignty against the other? The fact that the British government required and the company agreed to enforce British law in the "territory westward of the Stony mountains" shows clearly the wish of the ever earth-hungry

CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

British lion to circumvent the treaty of 1818 and make Oregon in fact and verity a British posses- sion.

By 1824 all the rights and interests of the stockholders late of the Northwest Company had passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany. The absorption of the one corporation by the other was complete. The treacherous and perfidious treatment of Mr. Astor and the demor- alization of his partners availed the greedy Northwesters but little, for they were soon after conquered and subdued and forever deprived of their identity as a company by their powerful rival and enemy.

The Hudson's Bay Company now became the sole owner and proprietor of the trade west of the Rocky mountains, and of all the rights accruing under the license of trade of December 5, 1821. An extended narration of the methods and rules of this corporation would be very interesting, but, mindful of our assigned limits and province, we must be brief. The company has been aptly characterized by Evans as an "imperium in impe- rio," and such it was, for it was in possession of well-nigh absolute power over its employees and the native races with whom it traded. It was constituted "the true and absolute lords and proprietors of the territories, limits and places, save always the faith, allegiance and sovereign dominion due to us (the crown), our heirs and successors, for the same, to hold as tenants in fee and common soccage, and not by knight's service, reserving as a yearly rent, two elks and two black beavers." Power was granted, should occasion arise, to "send ships-of-war, men or ammunition to any fort, post or place for the defense thereof; to raise military companies, and appoint their officers; to make war or conclude peace with any people not Christian, in any of their territories," also "to seize the goods, estate or people of those countries for damage to the company's interests, or for the interruption of trade; to erect and build forts, garrisons, towns, villages; to establish colonies, and to support such establishments by expeditions fitted out in Great Britain; to seize all British subjects not connected with the company or employed by them or in such territory by their license and send them to England." Should one of its fac- tors, traders or other employees "contemn or disobey an order, he was liable to be punished by the president or council, who were authorized to prescribe the manner and measure of punish- ment. The offender had the right to appeal to the company in England, or he might be turned over for trial by the courts. For the better dis- covery of abuses and injuries by servants, the governor and company, and their respective pres- ident, chief agent or governor in any of the terri- tories, were authorized to examine upon oath all factors, masters, pursers, supercargoes, com- manders of castles, forts, fortifications, planta-

tions, or colonies, or other persons, touching or concerning any matter or thing sought to be investigated." To further strengthen the hands of the company the charter concludes with a royal mandate to all "admirals, vice-admirals, justices, mayors, sheriffs, constables, bailiffs, and all and singular other our officers, min- isters, liegemen, subjects whatsoever, to aid, favor, help and assist the said governor and com- pany to enjoy, as well on land as on the seas, all the premises in said charter contained, when- soever required."

"Endowed with an empire over which the company exercised absolute dominion, subject only to fealty to the crown, its membership, powerful nobles and citizens of wealth residing near and at the court, jealously guarding its every interest, and securing for it a representa- tion in the government itself, is it to be won- dered," asks Evans, "that this imperium in imperio triumphantly asserted and firmly established British supremacy in every region in which it operated?'

Something of the modus operandi of the com- pany must now be given. The chief factors and chief traders were paid no salaries, but in lieu thereof were given forty per cent. of the profits, divided among them on some basis deemed equi- table by the company. The clerks received sal- aries varying from twenty to one hundred pounds per annum. Below these again were the serv- ants, whose term of enlistment (for such in effect it was) was for five years, and whose pay was seventeen pounds per year without clothing. The servant was bound by indentures to devote his whole time and labor to the company's inter- ests; to yield obedience to superior officers; to defend the company's property ; to faithfully obey orders, laws, etc. ; to defend officers and agents to the best of his ability; to serve in the capacity of a soldier whenever called upon so to do; to attend military drill; and never to engage or be interested in any trade or occupation except in accordance with the company's orders and for its benefit. In addition to the pittance paid him, the servant was entitled, should he desire to remain in the country after the expiration of his term of enlistment, to fifty acres of land, for which he was to render twenty-eight days' serv- ice per annum for seven years. If dismissed before the expiration of his term, the servant, it was agreed, should be transported to his Euro- pean home free of charge. Desertion or neglect might be punished by the forfeiture of even the wretched pittance he was to receive. It was, furthermore, the policy of the company to encourage marriage with the Indian women, its purpose being to create family ties which should bind the poor slave to the soil. By the time the servant's term of enlistment had expired, there was, therefore, no choice left him but to re-enlist or accept the grant of land. "In

NORTHWEST AND HUDSON'S BAY COMPANIES.

times of peace, laborers and operators were ever on hand at mere nominal wages; in times of outbreak they were at once transformed into soldiers amenable to military usage and dis- cipline."

The system was certainly a fine one, viewed from the standpoint of the company, but while it may command admiration for its ingenuity, it is certainly not to be commended for magnanimity. Its design and purpose was to turn the wealth of the country into the coffers of the English noble- men who owned Hudson's Bay stock, though this should be done at the expense of the manhood, the self-respect and the independence of the poor sons of toil who foolishly or from necessity bound themselves to its service.

The Indian policy of the company was no less politic than its treatment of its employees, but it had much more in it that was truly commenda- ble. Its purpose did not bring its employees into conflict with the Indian nor require his expul- sion, neither was there danger of the lands of the savage being appropriated or the graves of his people disturbed. The sale of intoxicants was positively and for the most part successfully pro- hibited. Conciliation was the wisest policy of the company, and it governed itself accordingly ; but when punishment was merited, it was admin- istered with promptness and severity. When depredations were committed the tribe to which the malefactor belonged was pursued by an armed force and compelled to deliver the guilty to his fate. A certain amount of civilization was introduced, and with it came an increase of wants, which wants could be supplied only at the company's forts. Indians were sent on hunting and trapping expeditions in all directions, so that concentration of tribes became difficult, and if attempted, easily perceived in time to prevent trouble. Thus the company secured an influence over the savage and a place in his affections from which it could not easily be dislodged.

In their treatment of missionaries, civil and military officers and others from the United States, the company's factors and agents were uniformly courteous and kind. Their hospitality was in the highest degree commendable, merit- ing the gratitude of the earliest visitors and set- tlers. The poor and unfortunate never asked assistance in vain. But woe to the American who attempted to trade with the Indians, to trap, hunt or do anything which brought him into competition with the British corporation! All the resources of a company supplied with an abundance of cheap labor, supported by the friendship and affection of the aboriginal peo- ples, backed by almost unlimited capital, and fortified by the favor of one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world, were at once turned to crush him. Counter-establish- ments were formed in his vicinity, and he was hampered in every way possible and pursued

with the relentlessness of an evil fate until com- pelled to retire from the field.

Such being the conditions, there was not much encouragement for American enterprise in the basin of the Columbia. It is not, however, in the American character to yield a promising prospect without a struggle, and several times efforts were made at competition in the Oregon territory. Of some of these we must speak briefly. The operations of William H. Ashley west of the Rocky mountains did not extend to the Oregon country and are of importance to our purpose only because in one of his expeditions, fitted out in 1826, he brought a six-pounder, drawn by mules, across the Rocky mountains, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of a wagon road. In 1826 Jedediah S. Smith, of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, encouraged by some previous successes in the Snake river district, set out for the country west of the Great Salt Lake. He proceeded so far westward that no recourse was left him but to push onward to the Pacific, his stock of provisions being so reduced and his horses so exhausted as to render an attempt to return unwise. He went south to San Diego for horses and supplies, and experi- enced no little difficulty on account of the suspi- cions of the native Californians, who were jealous of all strangers, especially those from the United States. Eventually, however, he was able to proceed northward to the Rogue river, then along the shore to the Umpqua, in which vicinity seri- ous difficulty with Indians was experienced. Fifteen of the nineteen who constituted the party were massacred; indeed, all who happened to be in the camp at the time except one were killed. This man, aided by friendly Indians, reached Fort Vancouver, and told his story to the mag- nanimous chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, Dr. John McLoughlin, who offered the Indians a liberal reward for the safe return of Smith and his two companions. A party of forty men was equipped at once to go to the Umpqua country, but before they got started, Smith and the men arrived. McLoughlin took steps to secure the property stolen from Smith, and so successfully did he manage the affair that peltries to the value of over three thousand dollars were recovered and the murderers were severely pun- ished by other Indians. Smith was conquered by kindness, and at his solicitation the Rocky Mountain Fur Company retired from the terri- tory of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Of various other expeditions by Americans into the Oregon country and of the attempts by American vessels to trade along the coast, we cannot speak. Some reference must, however, be made to the work of Captain B. L. E. Bonne- ville, who, in 1831, applied for a two years' leave of absence from the United States army that he might "explore the country to the Rocky moun- tains and beyond, with a view to ascertain the

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nature and character of the several tribes of Indians inhabiting those regions; the trade which might profitably be carried on with them; quality of soil, productions, minerals, natural history, climate, geography, topography, as well as geol- ogy of the various parts of the country within the limits of the territories of the United States between our frontier and the Pacific." The request was granted. While Bonneville was informed that the government would be to no expense in fitting up the expedition, he was instructed that he must provide himself with suitable instruments and maps, and that he was to "note particularly the number of warriors that may be in each tribe of natives that may be met with, their alliances with other tribes, and their relative position as to a state of peace or war; their manner of making war, mode of subsisting themselves during a state of war and a state of peace; the arms and the effect of them; whether they act on foot or on horseback; in short, every information useful to the government." It would seem that a government which asked such impor- tant services ought to have been willing to inake some financial return, at least to pay the expenses. But Captain Bonneville had to secure financial aid elsewhere. During the winter an association was formed in New York which furnished the necessary means, and on May 1, 1832, the expe- dition set out, the party numbering one hundred and ten men. They took with them in wagons a large quantity of trading goods to be used in traffic with the Indians in the basins of the Colo- rado and Columbia rivers. Bonneville himself went as far west as Fort Walla Walla. Members of his expedition entered the valleys of the Hum- boldt, Sacramento and Colorado rivers, but they were unable to compete with the experienced Hudson's Bay and Missouri Companies, and the enterprise proved a financial failure. The expe- dition derives its chief importance from the fact that it forms the basis of one of Irving's most fascinating works, which, "in language more thrilling and varied than romance, has pictured the trapper's life, its dangers, its exciting pleas- ures, the bitter rivalry of competing traders, the hostility of the savages," presenting a picture of the fur trade which will preserve to latest pos- terity something of the charm and fascination of that wild, weird traffic.

Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth, of Massachusetts, projected in 1832 an enterprise of curious interest and some historical importance. His plan was to establish salmon fisheries on the Columbia river, to be operated as an adjunct to and in con- nection with the fur and Indian trade. He crossed overland to Oregon, despatching a vessel with trading goods via Cape Horn, but his vessel was never again heard from, so the enterprise met defeat. The next year Captain Wyeth returned to Boston, leaving, however, most of his party in the country. Many of the mnen settled in the

Willamette valley, and one of them found employment as an Indian teacher for the Hud- son's Bay Company.

Not to be discouraged by one failure, Captain Wyeth, in 1834, fitted out another land expedition and despatched to the Columbia another vessel, the May Dacre, laden with trading goods. On reaching the confluence of the Snake and Port Neuf rivers, Wyeth erected a trading post, to which he gave the name of Fort Hall. Having sent out his hunting and trapping parties, and made arrangements for the season's operations, he proceeded to Fort Vancouver, where, about the same time, the May Dacre arrived. He established a trading house and salmon fishery on Wapato (now Sauvie's) island, which became known as Fort William. The fishery proved a failure, and the trading and trapping industry could not stand the competition and harassing tactics of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the constant hostility of the Indians. George B. Roberts, who came to Oregon in 1831 as an employee 'of the Hudson's Bay Company, is quoted as having accounted for the trouble with the red men in this way. He said: "The island was thickly inhabited by Indians until 1830, when they were nearly exterminated by congestive chills and fever. There were at the time three villages on the island. So fatal were the effects of the disease, that Dr. McLoughlin sent a party to rescue and bring away the few that were left, and to burn the villages. The Indians attributed the introduction of the fever and ague to an American vessel that had visited the river a year or two previously. It is not therefore a matter of surprise to any who understand Indian char- acter and their views as to death resulting from such diseases, that Wyeth's attempted establish- ment on Wapato island was subject to continued hostility. He was of a race to whom they attrib- uted the cause of the destruction of their people; and his employees were but the lawful compen- sation according to their code for the affliction they had suffered."

Wyeth eventually returned to Massachusetts disheartened. Fort Hall ultimately passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company, and with its acquisition by them, practically ended American fur trade west of the Rocky moun- tains. But though Wyeth's enterprise failed so signally, his account of it, published by order of congress, attracted the attention of Ameri- cans to Oregon, and did much to stimulate its settlement.

It will readily be seen then that whatever advantage the establishment of fur-trading enterprises might give in the final settlement of the Oregon question was with the British. We shall attempt a brief and succinct account of the "struggle for possession" in a later chapter, but it will here be our task to determine in some measure what the political mission of the Hud-

NORTHWEST AND HUDSON'S BAY COMPANIES.

son's Bay Company might be and what part that association was playing in international affairs. In 1837 the company applied to the home govern- men for a new license, granting enlarged privi- leges. In enforcing its request, it pointed forci- bly to its efficient services in successfully crushing out American enterprise and strengthening British title to the territory, contrary to the spirit and letter of the Joint-Occupancy treaties of 1818 and 1827.

In presenting the petition, the company's chief representative in England, Sir John Henry Pelly, called the attention of the lords to the service rendered in securing to the mother country a branch of trade wrested from subjects of Russia and the United States of America; to the six permanent establishments it had on the coast, and the sixteen in the interior, besides the migratory and hunting parties; to its marine of six armed vessels; to its large pasture and grain farms, affording every species of agricultural produce and maintaining large herds of stock. He further averred that it was the intention of the company to still further extend and increase its farms, and to establish an export trade in wool, hides, tallow and other produce of the herd and the cultivated field, also to encourage the settlement of its retired servants and other emigrants under its protection. Referring to the soil, climate and other circumstances of the country, he said they were such as to make it "as much adapted to agricultural. pursuits as any other spot in America; and," said he, "with care and protection, the British dominion may not only be preserved in this country, which it has been so much the wish of Russia and America to occupy to the exclusion of British subjects, but British interest and British influence may be maintained as paramount in this interesting part of the coast of the Pacific."

Sir George Simpson, who was in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's affairs in America, in making his plea for the renewal of the license, referred to the international import of the com- pany's operations in this language: "The posses- sion of that country to Great Britain may be an object of very great importance; and we are strengthening that claim to it (inde- pendent of the claims of prior discovery and occupation for the purpose of Indian trade) by forming the nucleus of a colony through the establishment of farms, and the settlement of some of our retired officers and servants as agri- culturists. "

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An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 7

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146