A History of Oregon, 1792-1849: Drawn From Personal Observation and Authentic InformationGray, W. H. (William Henry)
History
A History of Oregon, 1792-1849: Drawn From Personal Observation and Authentic Information
Gray, W. H. (William Henry)
Frontier and pioneer life -- Oregon; Oregon Territory -- History
Mr. J. K. Townsend, the naturalist, we found at Wallawalla. He had been
sent across the Rocky Mountains, in company with Dr. Nutall, a
geologist, by a society in Philadelphia, in 1834, in company with
Captain Wyeth. He had remained in the country to complete his collection
of specimens of plants and birds, and was awaiting the return of the
Hudson's Bay Company's ship, to reach the Sandwich Islands, on his
homeward course, having failed to get an escort to connect with Captain
Wyeth, and return by way of the Rocky Mountains. From Mr. Townsend the
mission party received much useful information relating to the course
they should pursue in their intercourse with the Hudson's Bay Company
and the Indians. He appeared to take a deep interest in the objects of
the mission, confirming, from his own observation, the information
already received, cautioning the party not to do any thing with the
Indians that would interfere with the Hudson's Bay Company's trade.
Repeating almost _verbatim_ Captain Wyeth's words, "The company will be
glad to have you in the country, and your influence to improve their
servants, and their native wives and children. As to the Indians you
have come to teach, they do not want them to be any more enlightened.
The company now have absolute control over them, and that is all they
require. As to Mr. Pambrun, at this place, he is a kind, good-hearted
gentleman, and will do any thing he can for you. He has already received
his orders in anticipation of your arrival, and will obey them
implicitly; should the company learn from him, or any other source, that
you are here and do not comply with their regulations and treatment of
the Indians, they will cut off your supplies, and leave you to perish
among the Indians you are here to benefit. The company have made
arrangements, and expect you to visit Vancouver, their principal depot
in the country, before you select your location."
Mr. Townsend had gathered from the gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay
Company, during the year he had been in the country, a good knowledge of
their policy, and of their manner of treatment and trade with the
Indians. He had also learned from conversations with Rev. Samuel Parker
and the various members of the company, their views and feelings, not
only toward American traders, but of the missionary occupation of the
country by the Americans. The mission party of 1836 learned from Mr.
McLeod that the Hudson's Bay Company had sent for a chaplain, to be
located at Vancouver, and from Mr. Townsend that he had arrived.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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