Vol. 2. No. II.
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eth, and the later journal of Mr. Parker.


In 1926, Messrs Smith, Jackson, and
Sublct,c, of 81. Louis, formed a company
called the Rocky Mountain Fur Company,
they having purchased the establishment
and interests belonging to General Ash
ley, of Missouri, who had previously push
ed an expedition beyond the mountains,
aided by sixty men and cannon drawn
by mules. In 1892, Captain Bonneville,
of the American army, led band of more
than a hundred men, with mules and pack
horses, transporting his goods from Mis-
souri. and collecting his furs chiefly in the
country drained by the Lewis river and
its branches. About the same time Mr.
Nathaniel Wyeih projected an enterprise
for the prosecution of the trade between
the ports of the United States and the
Columbia and although he was obliged
to relinquish his expedition on account of
the indirect opposition of the Hudson's
Bay Company, his explorations were of
great service to the United States, bv fur
nishing important information respect.
ing the country. The recent journal
of Parker also cantains very valuable
information respecting the eion of the
Oregon. Having taken a rapid glance
Of the progress of the fur trade Of the
west, we now come 10 a consideration of
its present condition.


That vast unpeopled region west of the
lakes and extending to the shores of the
Pacific, is now ranged chiefly by the
agents of the Hudson's Bay Company,
the North American Fur Company, foun-
ded also by Mr. Astor, and the few ira
ders who from time to time have adven-
tured into the forest on their own account.


The system of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany is one calculated to further the ex-
erclse of its despotic power. Its affairs
are managed by governor, deputy-gov-
ernor, and a committee of directors, who
are established in the city of London, and
by whom all its operations are devised,
and to whom the reports Of its affairs arc
transmitted. The trade of this company
at the west is prosecuted by resident
governor, agents, factors, and clerks, some
of whom have share in the profits of the
trade; and also by more active class of
agents, the hunters. vOyagers, and trap.
pers, consisting of French Canadians, half.
breeds, and indians, who are paid a small
salary with promises Of future advance
ment according as they shall render them
selves of value to the trade They are
allowed only small share of miserable


food, and are kept by promises in state
Of entire subjection to the will of the COM
pany. The iurs which are collected are
procured mainly from the Indians, in ex-
change for manufactured goods, which
are imported into the country free Of du-
ty, although the servants Of the company
are engaged themselves at particular sea-
sons in hunting and trapping. The ter


ritory ranged by this company is divided
into districts, each of which is under the
charge o'an agent, who receives the goods
imported from England. and distributes
them TO the traders, receiving in return
the !urs which are collected by them.-
These iurs are sent TO three grand depos-


i'orIes of trade Montreal, in Canada,


York Factory, on Hudson's Bay, and For:


Vancouver upon the Columbia River
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