We place a note of Rev. G. H. Atkinson, D. D., in this connection, to show the influences that have for a series of years been operating, and how careful that unscrupulous monopoly was to combine its influences, and to deal out its hospitalities, to secure a good word from a reverend Protestant divine, who was connected with the United States Home Missionary Board, whose character is unimpeachable, and to whom it refers for evidence of its generosity. We are not surprised to find Doctor Atkinson attempting to ease the weight of censure due to that overgrown monopoly, from the fact, that on his first arrival in the country (after the Cayuse war), on one of the company’s ships, unusual attention and kindness were evidently shown to him and his family by the company’s agents, to gain his favorable representations of their proceedings, and a name for honorable dealing and generous treatment of missionaries, as intimated in his note. Doctor Atkinson says:—
“The agents of the Hudson’s Bay Company in Oregon furnished all the missionaries with supplies at the usual trade rates until they could supply themselves from home.”
In this the doctor is mistaken, as we have shown in previous pages. He continues:—
“After the death of Mr. Whitman and family, Mr. Ogden, an agent of the company, brought the rest of the mission and the American families to the Wallamet Valley, at considerable risk and sacrifice to himself. The guilt of the plot to massacre Dr. Whitman and other Americans is understood to belong to the Jesuits.”
The letters above quoted, from Mr. Ogden and Captain Lee, show the doctor’s great mistake in this statement. Mr. Ogden ran no risk, and made no sacrifice, as the Hudson’s Bay Company presented their bills, and have been paid every dollar they had the impudence to demand of our government, for transporting the captive women and children to a place of safety, and for all the supplies they so reluctantly furnished to our provisional troops. We do not believe it is good morals, or divinity, to say nothing of politics, to praise, encourage, or warm the serpent that improves every opportunity to sting us with his poisonous fangs. That company has enjoyed the monopoly of this vast country, and prevented its settlement too long, for any one to seek its praise or favor.
We have another letter from Sir James Douglas, which shows us more clearly the exact position of that monster monopoly. It is as follows:—
“Fort Vancouver, Dec. 31, 1847.
“To Governor George Abernethy, Esq.:
“Sir,—A rumor having been in circulation, for some days past, that it is General Gilliam’s intention to levy contributions on the Hudson’s Bay Company’s property, for the purpose of completing the equipment of the troops ordered out in your late proclamation, for the intended operations against the Indians, I feel it my duty to communicate with you frankly on the subject, as it is most important, in the present critical state of our Indian relations, that there should be an entire absence of distrust, and that the most perfect unanimity should exist among the whites of every class. From my personal knowledge of General Gilliam, and his highly respectable character, I should be the last person to believe him capable of committing an outrage which may prove so disastrous in the immediate and remoter consequences to the peace and best interests of this country; at the same time, as the representative of a powerful British association, it becomes my duty to take instant measures for the protection of their property, until I receive, through you, a distinct disavowal of any such intention as herein stated. Difficulties of that nature were certainly not contemplated by us when we dispatched a large part of our effective force into the interior for the purpose of receiving the unfortunate women and children, the survivors of the massacre at Wailatpu, who remained in the hands of the Indians. It was never supposed that our establishment would be exposed to insult or injury from American citizens, while we are braving the fury of the Indians for their protection.”
What a powerful and noble company, and how much “fury of the Indians” they had to contend with, when they were handing them guns and ammunition by the quantity; and all their servants and posts were unharmed by either whites or Indians, during all the Indian wars that have occurred on this coast. This letter continues:—
“Such a proceeding would, in fact, be so inconsistent with every principle of honor and sound policy, that I can not believe any attempt of the kind will be made; but I trust this explanation will satisfactorily account for any unusual precaution observed in the present arrangement of this establishment.
“Trusting that this note will be noticed at your earliest convenience, I have the honor to be, sir,
“Your most obedient, humble servant,
“James Douglas, C. F., H. B. Co.”
Mr. Douglas, in this letter, has suddenly assumed a very honorable, as well as powerful position. As to his personal bravery, there is no question; but as to truth, there is. He says, “I can not believe any attempt of the kind will be made,” and then tells us not to be alarmed; or, at least, as the “rumor having been in circulation,” we must excuse him for his “unusual precaution” in his establishment, while he has deceived, and intends to continue to deceive, the governor and the settlers as to his real motives of caution, and the deep-laid schemes that he and his “powerful British association” are bringing about, not against the “fury of the Indians,” but against the American settlements.