At that time the whole territory was known as Oregon Territory. The country was also known as Columbia District, and when the boundary line between Canada and the United States was established, the part to the north of the line was named British Columbia District, and still retains this name in the Company's organization.
In order to stock the newly established farms, the Company sent men south for sheep, cattle and horses, and I believe that it was on this account that Posts were opened at Umpqua and San Francisco Bay in 1824 or 1825, and operated until 1832, when they were abandoned and there is nothing in the records to indicate that the Hudson's Bay Company ever afterwards claimed one foot of soil in or around San Francisco.
In fact, there is information that would make it appear that the San Francisco Bay Post alone was closed in 1832 and Umpqua not until a later date, as a letter written by Sir George Simpson to Captain J. Sheppard, R.N., dated 28th May, 1849, mentions Umpqua as being still in existence. Sir George said the names of Posts west of the mountains were at that time:
American Territory, South of 49°
- Fort Colville,
- Flat Head House,
- Fort Okanagan,
- Fort Nez Perces,
- Fort Bois,
- Fort Hall,
- Fort Vancouver,
- Fort Umpqua,
- Fort George,
- Fort Nisqually,
- Cowlitz Farm.
British Territory, North of 49°
- Victoria,
- Simpson,
- Langley,
- Hope,
- Kamloops,
- Thomson,
- Alexandria,
- George,
- Fraser,
- St. James,
- Connolly,
- Kilmaurs (Babine),
- McLeod,
- Chilcotin.
Europeans employed at these posts numbered six hundred, besides hundreds of Indian laborers.
There were seven vessels employed in the service:
3 barques, carrying goods to and from Europe,