John McLaughlin.
James Douglas.
Vancouver, March 18, 1845.
Gentlemen,—I am sorry to inform you that Mr. Williamson is surveying a piece of land occupied by the Hudson’s Bay Company, alongside of this establishment, with a view of taking it as a claim; and as he is an American citizen, I feel bound, as a matter of courtesy, to make the same known to you, trusting that you will feel justified in taking measures to have him removed from the Hudson’s Bay Company’s premises, in order that the unanimity now happily subsisting between the American citizens and British subjects residing in this country may not be disturbed or interrupted. I beg to inclose you a copy of an address to the citizens of Oregon, which will explain to you our situation and the course we are bound to pursue in the event of your declining to interfere.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,
J. McLaughlin.
William Bailey,
Osborne Russell,
P. G. Stewart,
Executive Committee of Oregon.
[The above documents must be considered a full declaration of war by the Hudson’s Bay Company, as all future operations of theirs were merely preparatory to the final consummation and attack that was made through the Cayuses. The answer of our Executive Committee acknowledged treaty rights that did not exist, as neither the sovereignty of the soil, nor the boundary line, were settled, hence the joint occupancy of both as per treaty was good.]
Oregon City, March 21, 1845.