Copyright 2000 - 2003 - Janine M. Bork
This page is part of the
Union County, OR AGHP
CHAPTER XXII.
(1821 - 1846.)
Hudson's Bay Company Officers, Employés and Retired Servants - Biographic Sketches of Dr. John McLoughlin, Peter Skeen Ogden, James Douglas and William Fraser Tolmie, Chief Factors of Hudson's Bay Company - Notices of Alex C. Anderson, George B. Roberts and Archibald McKinley - Early Settlers of French Prairie - First Settlement at Oregon City.
WITH isolated exceptions, there were no white residents of Oregon Territory except officials and attachés of the Hudson's Bay Company, or its discharged servants. Previous to the coalition of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies in 1821, the headquarters of the fur trade west of the Rocky Mountains had been Fort George (the Astoria of the Pacific Fur Company).
In 1824, Dr. John McLoughlin, chief factor in charge of affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company west of the Rocky Mountains, removed the company headquarters to Fort Vancouver. From 1821, as head of the fur trade west of the Rocky Mountains, he had really been governor of the entire Pacific slope, between California and Russian America.
The ablest among his pioneer contemporaries (1) eloquently sums up the virtues and tribute to the man; nay, it is much more. While it most admirably illustrates his method of governing, and his wonderful administrative ability, it equally exhibits the influence of that power then supreme in the region, and the company's philosophic solution of the Indian problem. It vindicates also the only policy which has ever been successful with the native population, wherever the white race have been compelled to encounter or deal with them, or to live in their midst. Said his eminent friend:
"When I first saw Dr. McLoughlin (1843), he was about sixty years of age. His head covered with locks as white as snow, taken in connection with his large and commanding stature and usually black dress, made his Indian name of 'Bald Eagle' quite appropriate. While his presence was dignified, his open, benevolent countenance banished awe; and his cordial manner invited confidence. Those under his command seemed to obey more to please a revered father than through fear of a master whose power was absolute. I once attended, in his company, the Catholic Mission Church near Champoeg. A large number of the discharged Canadian servants of the company were in attendance. Dr. McLoughlin took his place near the door. He had a hearty greeting for each father and son, a cordial kiss for each wife and daughter, as they passed into church. After mass the people flocked to him, some to consult him about their private affairs, others his advice about public measures or improvements, others to recount their losses and afflictions. For each of the former he had a word of advice; for the latter he manifested a warm sympathy. Though this scene seemed to belong to another age, or at least another country, and
(1) Hon. Jesse Applegate, in a letter to Mrs. Frances Fuller Victor, October 15, 1865.
(174)
might be regarded at variance with republican equality, yet was it pleasant to see those who had stood toward each other in the relation of master and servant for most of their lives meet as parent and child after such relation had been dissolved, - strong evidence that the master had been just and lenient, the servant faithful and true. But his kindness was not confined to his old servants. He was a philanthropist in the strongest sense of the term. He did not stop to inquire to what race, country or religion the sufferer belonged. The needy was supplied, not with ostentation or prodigality, but with such judgment and prudence as to make the alms not merely a temporary relief but a lasting benefit.
"To each immigrant, British, Catholic or Protestant, who required assistance, - and few did not, - he gave a helping hand, and in such a way as to be least wounding to the feelings of independence and self respect. Those desiring to cultivate the earth were supplied with seed, - a loan to be returned, when they were able, from their own crops. Mechanics were furnished with tools; and they, as well as common laborers, were frequently employed by him in works that made but small return for the wages given. Families could obtain provisions and necessaries, to be paid for at the end of the year. The seeds loaned, though not in all cases gifts to the borrowers, were never returned - nor expected to be - to the company's granaries; but from year to year, as destitute immigrants arrived, they were given orders upon some neighbor for seeds that had been borrowed from the company. And thus the wheat, oats, potatoes, etc., which had assisted the first settler in a particular location, were made to do a like service to the lately arrived neighbor. Nor was the company much better paid for other advances. Before Dr. McLoughlin retired from the company's service, uncollected debts of this character had accumulated to the amount of fifty thousand dollars. As giving these credits was in violation of the rules of the company, this large sum was charged upon the books of the company to Dr. McLoughlin. Subsequently, however, the board of management at London made an order, 'that, in consideration of the eminent services Dr. McLoughlin had rendered the company, this charge against him was rescinded.'
"For those eminent services, Dr. McLoughlin deserves a very high place in the history of ORegon. They not only directly advanced the interests of the company for whose benefits they were rendered; but they benefited the Indians, and contributed in an eminent degree to the safety and prosperity of Oregon in its first settlements. That service consisted in his entire success as a pioneer in an unknown region, inhabited by savages, a race who, though reduced to less than half of their strength while under his control, have, under a different policy, cost the United States government much blood and treasure, and still continue a great annoyance to the frontier settlements.
"Under his judicious management
and humane treatment of the natives, without war and almost without bloodshed,
the Hudson's Bay Company, in comparatively a few years, spread a network
of its posts, and monopolized the trade of the vast region comprehended
between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and forty-two degrees
and fifty-four degrees, forty minutes north latitude, then known as Oregon.
IN this region, inhabited by numerous tribes, equally treacherous and rapacious,
if not so warlike as those east of the Rocky Mountains, so hostile were
they to the whites, that, upon the first arrival of the company, it was
necessary for a guard of from thirty to fifty men, well armed, to accompany
each caravan. In 1843 and years earlier, a single person belonging to the
company or enjoying its protection could travel anywhere in safety to life
and property. In fact, the company's messengers to the different posts
in the territory claimed and
received the hospitality of any Indians they chanced to meet. Dr. McLoughlin ascribed this success to a just appreciation of the Indian character. He considered them as the children of nature, whose moral sentiment shad not been developed by education; and, as children, they were to be treated kindly, dealt with honesty, and, when they transgressed, punished certainly, if not severely. He impressed upon them that trade and intercourse would be as advantageous to them as to the company. If they thought otherwise, he had no desire to establish trade with them.
"A strict discipline was imposed upon the officers and servants of the Hudson's Bay Company. The officer in charge of a post or party was alone authorized to deal with the natives. Interference with their women (the so-frequent cause of trouble between the Indians and Whites) was strictly forbidden and rigorously punished. Spirituous liquor, that curse alike of civilized and savage, was never taken into the Indian country, save the one gallon of brandy and two gallons of wine annually furnished each post for medicinal purposes. By a judicious system of penalties and rewards, the Indians were taught to speak the truth and respect their promises. Theft or murder was never suffered to go unpunished. Tribes as well as individuals were stimulated to industry and good behavior, by suitable presents and distinctions. If a theft or murder was committed, the tribe to which the offender belonged was held responsible, and required to deliver him up for punishment. If the tribe hesitated or delayed, trade was withdrawn until the thief was surrendered. If a tribe refused to give up a murderer, war at whatever cost was waged until full satisfaction was obtained.
"The provisional government of Oregon, in excluding liquor from the country, merely sanctioned and continued the rule established by Dr. McLoughlin. An American vessel ahd come into the harbor with a cargo of liquor, to trade with the Indians for fish and furs. To prevent the evil consequences which such a trade would produce, at a heavy pecuniary sacrifice, Dr. McLoughlin purchased the whole cargo and sent it out of the country."
Dr. McLoughlin was associated at Fort Vancouver, in the management of the interests of the Hudson's Bay Company, with two chief factors, Peter Skeen Ogden and James Douglas.
Governor Ogden was born in Quebec, Lower Canada. His father, Isaac Ogden, a native of England, had settled in New York before the American Revolution; continuing loyal to the Crown, he removed to Canada. By profession a lawyer, for many years he held the exalted position of Chief-Justice of that province. He had five sons, all of whom became distinguished, and two daughters. Henry, one of the sons, was collector of the port of New York, 1841-5, under Presidents Harrison and Tyler.
Peter Skeen commenced life as
a clerk in the office of John Jacob Astor in New York City. He pursued
for a time the study of law; but, owing to his harsh and squeaking voice,
he abandoned the profession, and, in 1811, joined the North West Fur Company.
Prior to the coalition with the Hudson's Bay Company, he had served west
of the Rocky Mountains. He continued in the service of the Hudson's Bay
Company, and for many years conducted a trading and trapping party in the
Rocky Mountains. In his numerous expeditions, he thoroughly explored what
is now Montana, the entire Yellowstone country, the heads of Snake river,
Salt Lake, and Colorado and California. In 1833, he was placed in charge
of a party for extending the business and establishing permanent posts
on the northwest coast. In 1835, he was assigned to the New Caledonia district,
now British Columbia, then embracing eight posts, with Fort St.
James on Stuart's Lake as headquarters. He there remained until 1844, when he went East upon a furlough. On his return, he was appointed senior member of the board of management west of the Rocky Mountains, consisting of himself and chief factors John Work and James Douglas. Dr. McLoughlin having retired, Governors Ogden and Douglas continued at Fort Vancouver until 1849, when the latter removed to Fort Victoria, on Vancouver Island. In 1852, Governor Ogden visited England, Canada and the United States. The writer spent several days with Governor Ogden at the National Hotel in Washington City, in the spring and summer of 1852. The old governor recounted, in his quaint and humorous manner, many adventures and experiences in the fur trade. At that time he was the most genial, companionable and interesting of old men, full of jokes, anecdotes and bonhomie. In the spring of 1854, he returned to Oregon. The steamer upon which he was passenger went ashore in a fog, just south of San Francisco. From this exposure and privation resulted a severe cold from which he never recovered. He reached Oregon, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Archibald McKinlay, Esq., at Oregon City, on the 27th of September, 1854. Governor Ogden was of a most cheerful disposition, and possessed an amiable, equable temper. His subordinate officers and voyageurs looked up to him as a father. For him they would undergo any privation; with him they would willingly incur any danger. He was a natural leader of men. Simple-minded as a child, but of most determined character, nothing could daunt him. In the midst of greatest danger, he would have his jokes; and seldom did he betray anxiety or excitement, or allow his temper to become ruffled.
James Douglas (since distinguished as Sir James), the first and very efficient governor of British Columbia, was eminently worthy to be the confrére of McLoughlin and Ogden. Son of a West Indian planter, educated at Glasgow, Scotland, he entered the service of the North West Company in 1817-18 as an apprentice clerk. In 1835, having passed the different grades of clerkship, he was made chief trader. In 1840, he had attained to the rank of chief factor. His earlier services had been in the Athabasca country. Five years had been spent in New Caledonia, after which he served at Fort Vancouver till his promotion to the chief tradership. While book-keeper, it was part of his duty to conduct alternate seasons the overland express between Fort Vancouver and York Factory, on Hudson's Bay. In the performance of this duty, he several times crossed the Rocky Mountains. From the lowest position to the exalted one in which he added luster to the name of Douglas, every duty intrusted to him was conscientiously and well discharged. From apprentice, to governor of a wealthy province, he conferred honor upon each grade while occupied by him. He filled every station with dignity, and never forgot what was due to himself and to those who had placed their confidence in his management. He never acted upon impulse but was always cool, wise, dispassionate and brave. He leaves a name illustrious in Pacific coast history, dear to the early settlers of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The American settlers of Puget Sound can never forget his generous response in the winter of 1851-2 in behalf of the Georgiana captives on Queen Charlotte's Island. In the Indian war that visited Washington Territory in 1855-6, Governor Douglas furnished the needed supplies, arms and ammunition to enable its people to make a defense, neglected as they were by their own government. He sent thither an armed vessel to co-operate with the territorial authorities in protecting the infant settlements of Puget Sound. The Indians were taught that in making war upon Americans they warred against the white race. The Indians learned, as did our people, that Douglas was a Christian and a white man in such a war. The savage was forever
disabused of his previous idea, that Indian hostility to the "Bostons" was meritorious in the sight of a "King George."
The most prominent of the corps of Hudson's Bay Company officials to whom was intrusted the management of its affairs in the Puget Sound country was Dr. William Fraser Tolmie. For a number of years before the advent of American settlers to that region, he had been in charge at Fort Nisqually, near Puget Sound. During the establishment of all the early settlements upon and in the vicinity of that marvelous island sea, he continued in charge of that post. The large tracts of many square miles of land claimed by the Puget Sound Agricultural Company (whose agent he was), upon the Nisqually plains and Cowlitz prairies, brought him in constant contact with the settlers; but his firm and discreet conduct, his forbearance and even temper, disarmed open hostility and prevented combined opposition to his plans. He was respected for his loyalty to the company's claims, and his apparent real desire, as far as compatible with his relations to the company, to promote the best interests of the settler.
He was born at Inverness, Scotland, February 3, 1812. He received a liberal education in his native place, and at an early age commenced the study of medicine and surgery in the Medical College of Edinburgh. Having taken his degree, while yet under twenty-one years of age, he joined the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, embarked in the Canymede, one of the company's vessels, for Fort Vancouver, where he arrived in August, 1833. Dr. Tolmie there commenced his career as clerk and medical adviser. At the time of his arrival, Governor Peter Skeen Ogden, chief factor, was fitting out an expedition for the purpose of establishing trading-posts up the northern coast to the Russian possessions. Dr. Tolmie was assigned ot duty with this party as surgeon. Having returned to Fort Vancouver (1836), he performed the duties of surgeon of that post until 1841, when he was granted leave of absence, during which he visited his birthplace. Within the year he had returned to the company's service in North America. He took passage in one of the company's vessels to York Factory on Hudson's Bay, and, shortly after his arrival, journeyed overland to Fort Vancouver. Upon reaching that post, Dr. Tolmie was assigned to Fort Nisqually, having risen to the rank of chief trader.
American settlers upon Puget Sound,
United States army officers on duty or who visited Fort Steilacoom, government
officials on duty in the territory, persons passing through the country
or transacting business on the sound, in fact, all who were here in early
days, will cheerfully attest the genuine hospitality of Dr. Tolmie. He
was ever the genial companion, the true-hearted gentleman. Perhaps of all
persons in the country at that time best informed as to its resources,
it facilities for travel, yet he was ever willing to impart information,
and to give advice and assistance where necessary. During the Indian outbreaks
occurring on Puget Sound previous to and leading up to the great conspiracy
and war of 1855-6, he rendered most valuable services to the territorial
authorities and the settlers of both Oregon and Washington in pacifying
the Indians, or in bringing them to punishment for their misdeeds. Dr.
Tolmie was a thorough and accomplished Indian linguist. He studied Indian
dialects, Indian customs and characteristics con amore, but also
as an auxiliary in the company's business. None more than he thoroughly
understood Indian character; and to none more than he did the native population
award respect and obedience. That influence which he had gained over the
Indian mid was always used for the benefit of the company, and the white
race. To the Indian he was like an affectionate father; when punishment
became necessary, it was
so visited upon a malefactor, under his administration, that it rather served as a lesson than an act of retribution. The American settlers on Puget Sound were greatly indebted to him for his ever-ready willingness to investigate their grievances and, when deserved, to redress them. By judicious exercise of that power over the native population, he greatly assisted in the preservation of peace, saved the remote and weaker settlements from the horrors of Indian barbarity, and rendered the country safe for the American settler with his family to make a home upon Puget Sound.
He was a ripe scholar, an able writer, an indefatigable and methodic collector of facts and statistics; in brief, he was a good citizen and an honest man, true to himself, and to those in whose service he was enlisted, - true to his friends, true to, and sympathetic with, the Indians who looked up to him for protection and counsel, and who always trusted him; nor was that confidence reposed in him by the Indian ever abused nor misplaced in his quarter-century's intercourse with the tribes of Puget Sound.
He was a thoroughly moral man, of irreproachable personal habits and amiability of disposition. He loved mankind and the lowly of earth. He hated oppression, and was an abolitionist. He despised any influence which dragged down humanity; and the cause of temperance found in him a staunch and consistent advocate, without cant or hypocrisy in his manly nature. He practiced what he preached. In his family he not only set a good example to his numerous offspring in forbidding the use of intoxicants, but in his walk through life himself consistently abstained. It was his conviction that the use of liquor was hurtful to health and promotive of vice and disease. Such being his belief, he was the ardent and consistent advocate of temperance. those who were honored by being of his circle of friends will hear with painful surprise that he was ever charged with professing a code of morals, as proper for other men, which he himself violated (1).
Shortly after the Fraser river excitement had made Victoria a growing British emporium of Northwest America, Puget Sound lost him as a citizen. He went to Vancouver Island in 1859, and continued in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company until 1870. Dr. Tolmie served his fellow citizens of British Columbia in the colonial legislature, and held numerous offices of honor and trust, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit and to the satisfaction of the people. Much of his later life was devoted to literary labor, - to his favorite investigation of Indian dialects and customs. He found time to exhibit a spirit of enterprise. He labored to benefit his neighbors, and was highly esteemed by the community in which he lived. Full of years and beloved by al, this philanthropist, friend of the Indian and of the early American settler, went to his rest at the ripe age of three-quarters of a century.
Other officers of the Hudson's Bay Company earned distinction by meritorious service, and entitled themselves to grateful remembrance for hospitality, kindness and assistance to our fellow-countrymen. In our sister province of British Columbia, several of them subsequently acquired distinction in affairs of state. Let a few be named who never lost their interest in the territory so long their home: The veteran Archibald McKinlay, Esq., who held Fort Walla Walla from 1841 to 1846, so well known and highly esteemed by ancient Oregonians, is rounding off an eventful and useful life at Lac la Hache, in British Columbia; Alexander C. Anderson, who half a century ago was on duty on the Columbia river and upper coast, a painstaking writer of distinguished learning and ability, long recognized as the oracle of the history of those early times; George B. Roberts, who
(1) See
Hubert Howe Bancroft's Works, Vol. XXXII, History of British Columbia,
page 303.
served the company so zealously and well, long before Americans began to settle in Oregon, long the respected Probate Judge of Wahkiakum county, who resided at Kathlamet. Of those venerable men, McKinlay alone survives.
"They were men, take them for all in all
We shall not look upon their like again."
Of those who rose to the rank of chief factor, chief trader or even clerk, instances are rare of retirement from the company's service to settle in the country. But those who were termed servants, including the farmers, dairymen and men-of-all-work who constituted the enlisted employés, after having served their full term of five years and probably a re-enlistment, became settlers of Oregon. Of these, many were natives of Scotland and the Orkney Islands; the remainder were Canadian trappers and voyageurs. This latter class, when retired, as already stated, located upon French Prairie, in the Willamette valley, and upon Cowlitz Prairie, a very few settled upon the Steilacoom Prairie, near Puget Sound.
The number of British subjects in Oregon as then defined, employés of the Hudson's Bay Company, and its retired servants, approximated twelve hundred.
French Prairie, about sixty miles south of the Columbia river, bounded on the west and north by the Willamette river, was the first permanent settlement in the Willamette valley, or with perfect propriety it might be said, in Oregon Territory, i.e., that vast region west of the Rocky Mountains, bounded south by the California boundary, forty-two degrees, and north by the Russian line, fifty-four degrees, forty minutes. Étienne Lucier was the first settler. He had been a trapper, who had come to Oregon in 1811, in the overland party of John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company, commanded by Wilson P. Hunt, one of the partners. His first settlement was on the east side of the Willamette, opposite to where Portland now stands. There he remained for several years, when, in the fall of 1827, he took the tract on French Prairie, and became the pioneer of that settlement. Before the spring of 1830, the free trappers (those who were engaged in trapping, not enlisting in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company) had selected farms upon the French Prairie. Several of the old retired servants of the the North West Company had also made settlements.
From the parish register of St.
Paul's church, which contained the names of early settlers of French Prairie,
their birth, age, and date of death, Hon. Willard H. Rees, in his most
valuable annual address upon "The Early Settlements and Settlers of French
Prairie," delivered at the Pioneer's Annual Reunion of Oregon, 1879, gives
a most interesting extract, furnished by Rev. B. Delorme, pastor: "Francis
Quesnel, died 1844, age 65 years. Philip Degie, born at Sorel, canada,
1739, died February 27, 1847, age 108 years. This oldest inhabitant first
crossed the continent with Lewis and Clark in 1805. Francis Rivet, died
September 15, 1852, aged 95, first came to Oregon with Lewis and Clark.
William Cannon, born in Pennsylvania in 1755, died in 1854, aged 99. Étienne
Lucier, died March 6, 1853. Lewis Labonte, died in 1860, aged 80 years.
Joseph Gervais, died July 13, 1861, aged 84. (Cannon, Lucier, Labonte and
Gervais were free trappers, and together came to Oregon, in 1811, in Wilson
P. Hunt's overland party.) Francis Dupra, died 1858, aged 99 years. Andrew
Longtain, born in 1782, died in 1879, aged 97 years." Of this pioneer settlement
Mr. Rees eloquently remarks: "French Prairie, comparatively limited in
extent, is nevertheless a prolific field abounding in many stirring and
important events in connection with the early history of Oregon. Here have
lived and now lie buried two of that gallant band of pioneers who, with Lewis and Clark, in 1805, followed the waters of the Columbia from their sources to the uttermost limits of the west. Here were the homes of Gervais, Lucier and Cannon, and, on the west side of the river, Labonte and La Framboise, four Canadians and two Americans, all Astor men, who came to ORegon with Captain Hunt in 1811, some of whom were with Sir Alexander Mackenzie, "the first white man who ever crossed the Ricky Mountains.' In later years (with the exception of La Framboise,), these five free trappers were the first to introduce the civilizing arts of husbandry in the valley of the Willamette. Here the pioneer missionaries first proclaimed the salvation of the cross to the native tribes. Here too, in 1841, were held the first political meetings which eventuated, in 1845, in giving to the whole people of the territory a provisional form of republican government, a work of Oregon pioneers, the history of which must endure while the 'River of the West' shall continue to roll his waters to the briny deep."
In the fall of 1830, the first servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, retired by Dr. McLoughlin, had commenced settling upon French Prairie. These servants, Canadian French, were married to native women; and some were about to have untied themselves to the native tribes to which their wives belonged. Through the influence of Dr. McLoughlin, such scheme was abandoned; and they were induced to take claims and cultivate farms.
Some of these retired servants had also about this period commenced to occupy lands adjacent to the farms of the Hudson's Bay Company, upon the Cowlitz Prairie, north of the Columbia river.
While Dr. McLoughlin was thus encouraging the retired servants to engage in agriculture on French Prairie, he himself, in 1829, commenced the erection of a saw-mill at Willamette Falls (now Oregon City). The employés engaged in getting out the timbers wintered there in 1829-30. Progress was made in blasting out a mill-race, four houses were built, and the timbers prepared for the saw-mill and a store.