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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (June 25, 1886)
VOL. XVIII. OREGON PIONEER HISTORY. 8KBTCHES OF EARLY DAYS. MEM AN TIMES IN THE FORTIES. HY 8. A CLAHKE. Copjrlyht applied tor. All right! rciervM. NUMDKIt XXIII. John Dunu, who was apprenticed to the Hudson Day Company, ami was eight years with that company in Ore gon, wroto a volnmrion Oregon in 1811, detailing the methods of thnt company, nnd intended to establish its claim to territory. This book is as radically British as sonic others written about tho sanio timo woro American, and possesses interest nOw ns showing how tho violont partisans on that sido looked at matters. Ho detail! some incidonts worth porpot uating, for inatanco, a vessel undor n Captain Thompson, was in tho river trading for furs nnd salmon nnd got aground. Tho Indians mustered from various quarters to attempt, its capture. Tho Amoricans, thoy said, had given thom cause nnd thoy wanted rovongo by taking a ship of thnt nntion. Thoy sup posed thnt tho Hudson's Day Company would not objoct to having a rival in trado removed, but Dr. McLoughlin heard of their intontiou and dispatchod n party to their camp to inform them that to injuro an American would bo tho samo to him as if thoy injured his people. "This stunned thom and thoy relinquished tholr purpose" Tho inci dent shows Dr. McLoughlin in his trtto light. Dunn also tells thnt n party of Amori cans was murdered on tho way to Cali fornia, near tho lino no doubt meaning tho Koguo Itivors. Thoy clnimod that Americans had killed somo of their people, and thus took rovcugc. This may rclato to tho story Huwkshurst told, given in a former paper, to account for tho implacablo hatred of that tribe to ward tho whitos. They trucked this party for days, und finally ambushed thom in n mountain tmil, whoro thoy could not cscnpo or mako n defense. Thoy killed horses nnd men, and thoy woro slain unrosistingly. Two mou survived of ull tho company. As ho tells it, this party was going to California from tho Willamette settlements to pur chase cnttlo there. Ah it was told by Lafrnmboific, who was in chnrgo of Hudson's Bay Company trapping parties in Southern Oregon ut that time, it was probably truo. But it would seem that if ouch n massacre happoncd it would havo bocu given in accounts of tho early settlors. Tho Indians loarned some way that this party consisted of Ameri cans only. It is possible thoy may have gotten this information from Laframboiso or somo of his men. How else? Thoy might havo given that information with out knowing tho uso to bo inado of it, though it must havo bocu known to them that all Americans lay undor tho ban of Koguo River hostility. Tho only dato wo find in Dunn's book is on tho titlo page. It was printed in 1811, butho doos not tell what tho years were when ho sorved tho Hudson Bay Company. Ho gives n description of Wapato island (Sauvio's) and of tho Willametto settlement. It would seem that ho was thcro from 1835 to 1813. Ho describes tho falls of tho Willametto and soys the company was preparing to orect n mill there. Tho Willamette settlements were about fifty miles up from tho Columbia. Dunn's prejudice is amusingly diplayod in tho following description: "The Americans mako a great boast of this ecttlomont as an American establishment, and .speak of it in their public papers and speeches as if it wero a settlement exclusively Ameri can, and founded by Americans, capable of being made tho nuclous of a great community ; that it is a most thriving colony ; that it continues the right of possession to tho government of tho States; that it owes no favor to and is independent of tho Hudson Bay Com SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, pany; and thoro it stands, nnd will stand a memorial of American right; that it is tho duty of tho American govornmont to protect it whilo it holds out every inccntlvo to industrious and ontcrprising citizens to "join it," All this nnd much moro has been said nnd written by gSBCondndlng traders on tho passion nnd weakness of the populaco about this vaunted establishment, nnd hns been bolioved. Ho spoaks bitterly of American pro judico ngninst "Britishers" nnd says. "Much of this misrepresentation nnd exaggerating nonsenso hns ben believed, too, in Kngland, simply because tho public could not imagine that statements so pertinaciously roitcrntod could bo without at least some foundation." Mr. Dunn announces in his profneo thnt he proposes "to convoy a fairer nnd moro concentrated impression than nil the American factious books chat havo bcon published on tho subject." In tho prcfaeo ho also says: "I was, from my knowledge of those Amoricans that trado on tho coast or had squatted in tho southwestern part of Oregon, or havo Intoly bcon employed by tho com pany as trappors, prepared to hoar any monstrous assumptions of right set forth by tho American populace, through their loco foco organs of tho pross," etc. No ono can doubt that John Dunn ontored on his work with an impartial spirit who reads his preface, to say nothing of tho book. His own account of Willamette settle ments is given thus : "About sqvcntoen or eightoen years ago, whon tho settle ment at Vancouvor, as tho western head quarters of tho company, acquired a dis tinguished ond very prominont position, and bocamo tho rallying point for all tho servants of tho company, far and noar ; whon thosurroundingcountry bo canio well explored ; whon from the long and indisputed possession of it by tho company it bognn to Ikj considered by tho company's servants as British land British, too, as to its cliniato and tho capabilities of tho soil somo of tho company's ecrvonts, whon thoy had de termined to enjoy tho tranquility of independent retirement nftor their long and arduous services, fixed on tho banks of the Willamette as thoir last placo of residence, rather tuan return to Canada, or Scotland, or England, from which thoy wero weaned by long absence. The company gavo every encourage ment for tho formation of a fotllomont, giving thom stock, etc., to 6tart with." Ho goes on to specify that McKay mado him a farm there, and a number of othora oponcd farms without dissolv ing thoir relations with tho company. By aid of tho frco trappers word spread to tho Stntos about this colony, and tho company decidedly encouraged it. Then ho resumes! "Tho Americans, who had already mado many attempts at a lodgomcnt in tho country, but on overy occasion failed, cithor from thoir want of skill, or of capital, or of integrity in thoir dealings with tho natives whether thoy attempted fur trading companies or fishing companies having never seen that n fair opportunity of socuring a possession was opou to them under tho company's shelter, bethought thom of dispaothing missonnries, with tho ostonsiblo and benevolent view of giving religious culturo to tin rudo and ill-educated eorvants of the company and the denizens of this growing little community." "A few missionaries did arrive, and they, as becoming their professed pur pose, received every encouragement and favor from tho governor of Fort Van couver Dr. McLoughlin and, as becumo their truo purpose, commenced resident farmers, torching, it is true, the natives tho great elements of Christianity and forms of prayer, but using their gra tuitous labor for the cultivation of their fields. These missionaries did not hido their lamp under a bushel; but on tho contrary proclaimed thoir light before nil men, nnd tout to tho States flattering uccounts of thoir success. Tho conse quence was that somo adventurors with a litllo property woro induced to brave the perils of tho long and formidable journey leaving millions of moro fortilo acres nt home, requiring less capital nnd labor for cultivation to tho Orogon. Somo of thesa Bottlers camo in their real character ns farmers, but thoy were very few. Others camo in tho guiso mission aries its their predecessors. Men who gave n littlo preaching as an equivalent for much bodily labor pcrformod by tho native converts. Some of thom havo located themselves in other districts and thoro are, by American writers, given tho most pompous accounts accounts, to thoso who aro ncquaintod with tho real facts, sometimes laughable and some times calculated to c.xcito indignation nnd disgust of American sentiments." When I was stationed at Vancouvor nnd in tho detached forts and in tho trading ships, tho excessively benovolcnt oncour- ngoment granted by tho governor to tho now importation of American rosidcntB, undor tho designation of missionary settlors, usod to ho freely discussed. Thcro were two parties, tho "patriot" ana tuo "liberal." i no arguments pro and con, may bo summed up thus : The British or patriots, maintained that tho govornor was too chivalrously generous thnt his generosity was thrown away would bo badly requited that he was nursing n race of men who would by and by riso from their meek nndhumblo position as tho grateful nckuowledgors of his klndnoss into tho bold attitude of questlonors of his own authority, and tho British right to Vancouvor itolf. This party groundod their arguments on an appeal to the, conduct and character of tho Americans whom thoy had been ospccially tho frco trappers, and tho romnnnts of American companies, which still dodged nbont tho country. They did, too, tako into account tho mission aries who woro then iriod, and who, of course, did everything in thoir power to conciliate, nt thoir first appenranco on such n new slnse, tho good opinion of thoso whoso applause or condemnation could rotain, or expel them from tho scene of their labors nnd prosecls. had a very lively feeling for tho improve ment of the Indians in all tho arts of civilization, and thought that if any at tempts woro mado for tho eonvordon of the. natives to Christianity and to their adoption of moro humanized in stitutions (which thoy limited to British institutions) a solid and permanent foundation should bo laid the Indians should not bo instructed by halves a thoroughly lasting system should bn adopted towards them, which would mako thom not moroly profescod but practical Christians." leaving oir considerable that Dunn says in this same strain wo look for a moment at his so-callod philosophic or liberal party. Ah to tho American lynch law, nnd othor usages which woro ropug mint to justico and humanity, thoy wero rather exceptions to tho American code than examples of American principles of legislation, which in commercial and civil matters was, generally speaking, just and humane, and from which even British legislation derived tome useful hints." So it appears that Dr. MoLoughliu wab Kiveroly criticised for kindness to Americans, and disputos raged high concerning his conduct. It is amusing to sco how truly bigoted and British tho subordinates could bo whilo their chief was proring hirasolf to bo all that was humano and big-hearted entirely above reel or nationality in his conduct to wards lib fellow mon. Whon wo look at all the ciroumstances that surrounded and attended him, how nohloa specimen of manhood he presents, and how necessary it appears that his memory shall be handed down in tho annals of timo exactly as ho wa. Wo have heard our friend John Minto assert that ho felt JUNE 25, 1886. that his life was better worth tho living becauso ho know Dr. McLoughlin, for ho was ono of tho noblest men it had ever been his fortune to meet. Minto had many and familiar occasions to know him without disguise ; he person ally experienced his kindness, and was tho inodium of its own bostownl upon others. Mr. Dunn says that Willametto farms weic of nil sorts', roprcscntod by tho log huts of somo nnd comfortable homes of others. McKay hnd n farm there and had .built n grist mill that cost $10,000. Ho quotes Lieutenant- Wilkos of tho ex ploring expedition. Ho found sixty families thoro nnd was disappointed not to find many more from reports mado to him. Dunn rojoiccs over this nnd figures upon it thus: "Ho says tho number of families wore sixty not moro Of these, many were British subjects, So that tho number of subjects of the I'nilcd States wero inconsiderable. Tho American missionaries wero merely speculntivo small farmers. All tiro not thriving, but only tho industrious." Dunn goos off thou into n rnpsody based on his hopo that thoro aro not Americans ouough to croato any permit ncnt Bontimont. Poor Dunn I Thnt was whon a few stragglers and somo mission dries nnd lay members wero In that vicinity. Evidently Whitman had not piloted through tho emigration of '13. How his virtuous soul must havo been racked Moro this pnragon of ti book hnd earned n titlo page, to know that Americans hnd mado thom a wagon road across tho continent nnd wero coming to Oregon by thousands! In- Farnham, who whirled through Oregon in tho course of his journoy round tho world in 1830, Mr. Dunn finds "a rampant anti-Britisher." Ho likes him for ono thing, because ho denies that tho soil of Oregon Is equal to Call fornianrtho Mississippi valley. Hois jealous of any Amoricau who would my a word to induco omigrnnts to come hero from "tho States." It seems' that n coitnin "Captain Young" was not on good terms with tho Hudson's Bay Company, and as thoy would not sell him elothiutr hu had to go naked or clnthoJiiiiiM-'f in skins, This was prolui'lylldwin Young, who camo overland front California and afterwards biougbt cattle through from that State to Oregon. Young said a false report prevailed that ho had committed dishonorable nets in California, and alleged that as the ciuiso-of this peculiar treatment, or they might object lx-causo hu purchased a few beaver skins. Dunn Bays j "Tho company, ho long us this men conducted himsolf properly as a frco trader, gavo him every assistance. Of this allowed dishonorable conduct (though report to his discredit wero circulated confidently about him by his own countrymen) tho company took no cognizance. Thoy judged ns they had oxporionoj. Tho company intordicted, nil through thoir range pf oporations in Oregon, the uso of spirituous liquors as an article of trade among the natives, from n knowledge of its injurious effects upon them; or as an nrticlo of goneral uso or luxury among their sorvants. Young, thinking a trado in spiiits would bo a good speculation, set up a distillery and liegan to induco uotonly tho natives but also tho tenants of tho company, to deal with him, Whon the company ox prosed their disapproval of this and other proceedings ho commenced an agitating rourno among tho settlors nnd defied the company,. Tho company thou quietly left him to his own resources." That was tho explanation of tho Young difficulty, and nil right-thinking minds will agrto that Dr. McLoughlin was faiily cxcusablo when ho left Young "to his own resources." Mr. Dunn afterwards was stationed on tho north coast, but ho carried there tho great and abiding prejudico ho had cultivated against Amoricuns. Thcro ho often met American trading vessels, but NO. 20. ho declares that thoy lacked honor in their dealings. It is actually nbsurd to fee tho extreme to which his British tendencies nrc carried. He was under Mr. Mnnon, who afterwards becamo an American citizen and sottlod in tho abused (by Dunn) Willnmotto settle ments. It wns while ho was trader for tho company on tho northern waters thnt Mr. Dunn ami Finlnyson, chlof factor mndo a very important discovery of a rich eonl mine. Tho natives saw coal burning in the blacksmith's furunco that camo from Kngland, and asked about itB uses in a very especial manner. When they heard that It was brought oil tho way from Kngland thoy lost their hlbitual gravity, laughod and capered about. Sut prised at theso uncommon antics, woro told in explanation thnt the Indians had changed tholr opinion of King (leorgo's men since they brought such common looking stud' so far. Thoy were told thnt it was tho best fuel known, and especially for working iron. Thnt mndo tho Indians cut up worao than ever. Thoy lauglud immodoratoly, and passed jokes from ono to nnother, laughing meanwhile. So tho whites de manded to know what tho fun was all about, and ono of tholr chiefs, putting on n solemn visago,sald: "Wo havo sup posed that tho whites aro omlowod with wisdom by tho great spirit as to all great and useful objocts, but wo havo changed our opinions sineo the great spirit per mits him to bring that black soft stone such a groat distance to a country whoro it abounds." They then took thom to where coal cropped out on tho surface, requiring very littlo labor to dig it, and of excellent quality. Thoy received orders from Vancouvor to dig enough to answer the company's tucs, and gavo tho Indians a job to furnish it as wanted. Thnt account describes tho way coal was first discovered on Vancouver's stand. Tho faith the savages lost in tho .vhites becauso they didn't know hotter than to "bring coals to Newcastle," was howovor regained when they saw tho littlo trading steamer Beaver imvi gate tho sound and inlet waters, travel ing on tho strength of tholr newly dis covered coal. They s.iid tho groat spirit must have told ihoui how to mako it he oauso it could il-i i very thing but talk. That occurred, very probably, in tho y-.ir IHM3, and wo find that date in the hu'ti-c ding chapter. ' n . - . i . i C- Bonis Bo Notts. Mii.waukii:, Juno '21, 188C. K '' -r Willamette Farmer: As a pruvoutlvo for good health among bees never tako honey from tho brood department at tho boo hive. long life to tho apiarist; suit your bees. To prevent foul brood do not uso the extractor in tho brood department, and kcop tho hive chock full of boes. To prevent swarming allow no drone brood comb in tho hivo, Tho winter problem of Orogon 1st Don't rob your bees, but leave thom plenty of honoy in tho homo. Itusx. Pomona Grants. Sai.km, Juno tiu, 1880. Kditor Willamette Farmer: Marion .County I'umoua Grange will meet in tho Orange Hall in this city, Thursday, July 1, 1880, at 11 o'clock a. m. All membors of tho order aro in vited. E. Stiio.no, Hco'y. Appropos of tho sumtnor' sporting season comes an illustrated paper on "Salmon Fishing" in tho July Harper'. Honry 1 Wells, tho writer, is nn ac knowledged authority on fishing and hunting, nnd his holnful advico is ac companied with an account of his own exploits with Canadian salmon. Tho soothing and ro"torativo efi'octs of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral aro realized in ull canos of colds, coughs, throat or lung troubles, whilo its powerful hoallng qualities aro shown in tho mast sorioiii pulmonary disordots.