"Laws are made to protect the weak against the mighty; and we feel the necessity of them in the steps that are constantly taken by the honorable Hudson Bay Company, in their opposition to the improvement and enterprise of American citizens. You have been apprized already of their opposition to Captains Wyeth, Bonneville, and others; and we find that the same spirit dwells with them at the present day. Some years ago, when the Hudson Bay Company owned all the cattle in Oregon, they would not sell on any conditions; but they would lend their cows to the settler—he returning to the company the cows loaned, with all the increase; and, in case of the death of a cow, he then had the privilege of paying for it. But, after the settlers, at great risk and expense, went to California, and purchased cattle for themselves, and there was a fair prospect of the settlement being supplied, then the Hudson Bay Company were willing to sell, and at lower rates than the settler could sell.
"In the year 1841, feeling the necessity of having mills erected that could supply the settlement with flour and lumber, a number of the inhabitants formed themselves into a joint stock company, for the purpose of supplying the growing wants of the community. [Many of the farmers were obliged to leave their farms on the Willamette, and go six miles above Vancouver, on the Columbia River—making the whole distance about sixty miles—to get their wheat ground, at a great loss of time and expense.] The company was formed, and proceeded to select a site. They selected an island at the falls of the Willamette, and concluded to commence their operations. After commencing, they are informed by Dr. McLoughlin, who is at the head of the Hudson Bay Company's affairs west of the Rocky Mountains, that the island is his, and that he (although a chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company) claims all the lands at the east side of the Willamette, embracing the falls down to the Klakamus river, a distance of about two miles. He had no idea, we presume, that the company would succeed. However, he erected a shed on the island, after the stuff was on the island to build a house, and then gave them permission to build under certain restrictions. They took the paper he wrote them, containing his conditions; but did not obligate themselves to comply with the conditions, as they did not think his claim just or reasonable.
"Many projects had been started by the inhabitants, but, for want of means and encouragement, failed. This fate was predicted for the Milling Company. But, after much labor and difficulty, they succeeded in getting a saw mill erected, and ready to run; and entered into a contract to have a grist mill erected forthwith. And now, as they have succeeded, where is the Hudson Bay Company? Dr. McLoughlin employs hands to get out a frame for a saw mill, and erect it at the Willamette falls; and we find, as soon as the frame is up, the gearing which has been made at Vancouver is brought up in boats; and that which caused a feeble company of American citizens months of toil and embarrassment is accomplished by the chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company in a few weeks; (he has men and means); and it is said by him, that in two weeks his mill will be sawing. And what will be the consequences? Why, if the Milling Company sell for $15 per thousand, he can sell for $12; if they reduce the price to $10, he can come to $8, or $5, or $2 per thousand. He says he will have a grist mill started as soon as he gets the saw mill in operation.
"All the wheat raised in Oregon they are anxious to get, as they ship it to the Russians on the Northwest coast. In the first place, they measured the wheat in a half bushel, called by them imperial measure, much larger than the standard measure of the United States; this not answering, they next proceeded to kick the half bushel with the foot, to settle the wheat; then they brought up a measure larger than the former one; and now they fill this measure, then strike it three times with a stout club, and then fill it up, and call it fair measure. Against such proceedings we need law that will be respected and obeyed.
"About twelve or fourteen years ago the Hudson Bay Company blasted a canal a few feet to conduct water to a mill they were going to build, the timber for which is now lying at the falls rotting. They, however, abandoned the thing altogether, and built their mills on the Columbia, about six miles above Fort Vancouver, on the north side of the river.
"In the year 1838, agreeably to orders left by Mr. Slacum, a house was erected at the falls, to secure the claim for him.
"In 1840, the Methodist mission erected buildings at the falls, and stationed two families there, and made a claim to sufficient land for their buildings, not interfering with any others who might wish to build. A short time previous to this, Dr. McLoughlin had a storehouse erected for the company, not occupied, however, further than to store wheat and other articles in, and as a trading house during the salmon season.
"After this, in 1841, a shantee was erected, and a man kept at the falls, whose business it was to trade with the Indians for furs and salmon, and look out for the Doctor's claim, he said, and to forbid persons building at the falls, as some had built, and others were about building. This man was, and still is, a servant of the Hudson Bay Company.
"During the years 1841 and 1842, several families settled at the falls, when Dr. McLoughlin, who still resides at Fort Vancouver, comes on the ground, and says the land is his, and any person building without his permission is held as a trespasser. Without reference to any person's right or claim, he employs a surveyor to lay out the plat; and as a bill was before the Senate of the United States to grant to every white male inhabitant a mile square, he has a mile run out to suit his views, and lays out a town plat at the falls, and calls it Oregon City. And although some, for peace sake, asked him for the lots they had already in possession, and which he appeared very willing to grant, the Doctor now felt himself secure, and posted up the annexed paper, (marked A) which is the original; and all who had lots were required to pay Mr. Hastings five dollars for a deed of land which they knew very well the grantor did not own, and which we hope he never will own, but that Congress will pass a special act granting to each man his lot and improvements. Those that applied received (if they had a house on the lot) a deed, a copy of which is annexed, (marked B); if they had no house, a bond was given for five dollars, a copy of which is annexed, (marked C). To those that applied and paid their five dollars, all was right with the Doctor; while those who considered his title to the land not good, and that therefore he had no right to direct who should build and who should not, had their lots sold to others. In one case the purchaser came to the original claimant, and ordered him to stop digging the ground which he was preparing for a garden, and commanded him to remove his fences, as he had Dr. McLoughlin's bond in his pocket for the lots; and if he did not move his fence he would, and take forcible possession. Those who desired to have no difficulty, and did not apply for a deed, have lost their lots, the Doctor's promise, and all. And Mr. Hastings (the Doctor's agent) is now offering for sale the lots on which part of the mission buildings stand; and if he succeeds in finding a purchaser, they must either contend or lose their buildings.
"Dr. McLoughlin had held claims in other places south of the Columbia river—at the Tualatin plains and Klakamus plains he had huts erected, to prevent others from building; and such is the power of Dr. McLoughlin, that many persons are actually afraid to make their situation known, thinking, if he hears of it, he will stop their supplies. Letters were received here from Messrs. Ladd & Co., of the Sandwich Islands, in answer to a letter written by the late Mr. Ewing Young, for a few supplies, that orders were received, forbidding the company's vessels carrying any goods for the settlers of Oregon. Every means will be made use of by them to break down everything that will draw trade to this country, or enable persons to get goods at any other place than their store.