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Laa diagrammas suivanta illuatrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 .w lj-Ck.i4./t-»*^' Cl8] EEPOBT ^J the Sdect Committu, appointed on the lOthtdiimo, to inquire into the expediency ofoccupyit^ the Columbia river, and to regulate the in-' tercouree with the Indian tribes; accompanied with a bill to authorize the oecupfltion of the CUumHa river. JANUAKT 18, 1822. Kbad, and> with the bill, committed to a commi^ee of the whole Hpuse to4norTo;(r. i The Committee to which was referred the resolution to inquire into the expediency of occupying the Columbia river, and to regulate the intercourse with the Indian tribes, beg leave to REPORT, iirPABT: That the same subject was referred to a Committee at the second session of thn sixteenth Congress, who, in their Report, made on the S5th January, 1821, had embodied all the leading facts and reasons, in relation to the subject. This Committee have examined the same, and beg leave to refer to, and adopt, that Report, and thai, the same may be considered as a pp.rt of this Report. This Committee, en- tertointhg the same opinion expressed in the Report alluded to, report a bill. / i The Coipmittee to whom was referred the resolution of tlie 19th of December, 1 820, to inquire into the situation of the settlements upon the Pacific Ocean, and the expediency of occupying t^e Co- lumbia river, REPORT: That they have carefully examined the subject referred to them, and, from every consideration which they have been able to bestQ\V upon it, believe, from the usage of all nations, previous and subse- quent to the discovery of America, the title of the United States to a v^ry large portion of the coast of the Pacific Ocean to be well found- ^^ ; ) ^ _ f A I CI8] ed; nor have they been able to ascertain that any other government than .Spain hao made claim to any part of it, from Cape Horn to the sixtieth degree of north latitude. ^'hen this continent was first made known to Europe, by the bold and enterprising genius of Christophsr Columbus, it seemed for a long time conceded that the Spanish monarchy, which alone could be prevailed upon to listen to his plans and propositions, was most enti- tled to the benefits resulting from the successful issue of his under- taking. Though Ferdinand and Isabella, who, at that time, filled the throne of that country, did not rest their title upon the tacit consent of other nations, or even upon their armies or fleet, which was, at that period, formidable and well provided; but, instructed by the ex- ample of tite Portuguese, who had obtained a grant for all countries cast of the Azores, from pole to pole, they obtained a similar grant from tlie Roman Pontiff, of all the territories they wished to occupy west of the same point, as the superstition of the times conferred on him a right of dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth. Thus, in virtue of his power, as the vicar and representative of Jesus Christ, did Alexander VI, in 1493, grant to the crown of Spain, in full right, all the countries inhabited by infidels, which they had or should discr.ver. Enormous as the power was, which the Popes thto exercised, it was recognized and submitted to by the monarchs of that day, and con- sidei'ed as having vetsted in Spain a title which they deemed complete- ly valid, and authorized her to extend her discoveries and establish her dominion over a great portion of the new world. The Spanish crown, as well as individuals, the subjects of that power, continued to fit out ships for voyages of discovery, and, in the space of a few years, had visited various parts of the coast of America, from the Gulf of Mexico to many degrees south of the equinoctial line, taking possession, according to the custom of that day, in the name of the Spanish King. Mor was thsir zeal for discovery confined to the Atfantic shores alone; parties, under daring and enterprising leaders, penetrated far into the interior of the continent, and even to the shores of the Pacific ocean, wresting by violence the rich empires of Peru and Mexico from the peaceful and legitimate sovereigns who reigned over them, and annexed them to the crown of Spain, by the triple title of conquest, discovery, and the grant of the Pope. So well satisfied do the i*est of Europe seem to have been of the rights of Spain, derived from such high authority, that they permit- ted her to progress unmolested in her career of discovery and con- quest for many years, until she had acquired the undisputed possession of most of the Atlantic coast of South America, and the whole shore of the Pacific, as high as the northern extremity of California, and, as they aflirmcd, after they came in possession of Louisiana, to a point far to the northward of that. Though discoveries were frequently made of countries among the most beautiful and fertile, where nature seemed to invite the industry of man to the enjoyment of luxuriant abundance, yet none seemed to V ,* • 1 * [18] arrest the attention of either government or people, hut those which contained the precious metals; this morbid thirst for gold may be the cause why no settlements were made north of California, as no metal of that description is believed to be found in that region. About this time, it became the interest of the British crown to think differently on the subject of religion from the See of Rome, and, sepa- rating entirely from it, assumed the right of annexing to their crown all the territories discovered by their subjects, and of bestowing them by charter upon individuals. To this end, grants were issued by Elizabeth in the year 1578 and 1984, the one to Si^ Humphrey Gil- bert, the other to Sir Walter Raleigh, which were limited to a cer- tain number of leagues; but those issued in 1606, and 1608, and 1611, by James I, in the charters for Virginia, were declared to em- brace the whole extent of country from thirty-four to forty-five de grees of north latitude, extending from sea to sea, always excepting the territories of any Christian prince or iieople. It is believed, that when these charters were granted by the mo- narchs of England, they were not well apprized of the extent of coun- try they were giving away, but from their reservations, in i-egard to the title of christian princes or {leoplc, they were apprized of the title of Spain upon the western ocean, though not informed of its extent; as it is evident, from the words christian and infidel often occurring, both in the charters of the monarchs and the bulls of the Pope, the legitimate sovereigns, as well as people of this country, in that day, were considered as possessing no rights. With whatever care they avoided collisions with each other respecting territory, which might produce a war with a power equally skilled in the military art with themselves, they were not scrupulous in dispossessing the natives of both Americas of their country, all of whom, as brave, as generous, and magnanimous as themselves, and some of whom as far advanced in civilization and the arts of peace, though not professing to be chris- tians, or skilled in war. The opinion of Europe undergoing another change upon the sub- ject of discoveries in unknown regions, were now reduced to a more definite and reasonable extent; consequently, in a few years, a third ^lode of obtaining territory came to be admitted by all as the basis on which they could safely rely for a just decision of their claims, should difficulties present themselves; and one which, to a moderate extent, gave to all nations the benefit of their own labors. By this rule too, all the territory thus acquired was vested in the state, rather than the crown, which Spanish jurisprudence, under the authority of tlie Pope, seemed to consider. Hence, the power which discovered a country, was entitled to the whole extent of soit, watered by the springs of the principal river or water course passing through it, provided there was settlement made, or possession taken, with the usual formalities, in the name, and on the behalf, of the government to whom the individual owed allegiance. Though the tacit consent of all seemed to yield the sovereignty from sea to sea, where no settlement or express possession was had of an I'j \ / O 4 [18] intermediate country; anil such right was held good to the whole extent, but not wholly confirmed until another settlement was made at a distinct point upon the same territory beyond the water of the first, or so distant as not manifestly to encroach upon the establish- ments of the coast: other powers though might avail themselves of the failure of the first to occupy another principal stream, or distant point, and become thereby vested with a full right of sovereignty. This seems to have been the condition of America until the close of the war of 1812; since which time all treaties have yielded to the dif- ferent powers, iniull right, all they claimed, either by settlement, or from the failure of others to occupy the principal streams when they might do 80. There is now no longer territory to be obtained by settlement or discovery, and, if there should be any difficulty, it will be where the different limits of the different powers shall be fixed. Impressed with a belief, that, under this mode, valuable posses- sions might be added to the French monarchy, it is presumed, Sieurs Juliet, and Marquette, penetrated the unknown wilderness from Ca- nada, and discovered the Mississippi so long ago as the year 1 673, ' and explored it down to the Arkausaw. Perhaps encouraged by his success, a few years after, Hennepin visited those regions, and jAir- sued that river to its mouth. His'representations, with other consider- ations, two years after, induced M. de la Salle and M. Tonti, to descend that river with a considerable force to the Gulf of Mexico,, and is believed to have built the fort during that trip, the bricks, and other remains of winch, are now to be seen on the first high ground on the west side of the Mississippi, below the mouth of the White river. After this period, in 1685, M. de la Salle, being on his return from France, landed on the west side of the Rio Colorado, in the bay of St. Bernard, and planted a considerable colony there, taking possession, in due and solemn form, in the name of the French king. Such were the discoveries which gave to France the country called Louisiana, from the Rio Grande del Norte, being the next great river to the west of that settlement, along the mountains of Mexico and New Spain west, aa.the western limits, and California as the eastern boundary. That France, and all other nations interested in its boundary, consi- dered it in the same light, is ascertained in various ways, to the con- viction of the most incredulous. In consequence of these settlements and discoveries of the French^ Louis the 14th granted, by lettera patent, in the year 1712, to An- thony Crozat the exclusive commerce of that country, and defines its boundary, declaring that it comprehends all lands, coasts, and islands, situated in the Gulf of Mexico, between Carolina on the east, and Old and New Mexico on the west. The French title to these boundaries is farther established by the Chevalier de Champigny, who lived in the country, and declares Louisiana to extend to the Bio Grande del Norte, and the mountains of Mexico. This appears to be the opinion of other writers, who, it is presumed, had the most s f > [ 18] S i * i)itimate knowledge of the subject, and among them we find that in< telligent statesman, the Count de Vergennes, in a work, entitled an Historical and Political Memoir of Louisiana, where, he says, it is bounded by Florida on the cast, and by Mexico on the west. The same extent is assigned to it by Don Antonio de Alcedo, an officer ot high rank in the service of Spain, entitled ** Diccinario Geograflto Historico de las Indias Occidentales o America/' Don Thomas Lo- pez, geographer to the king of Spain, in a map published in 1762, is of the same opinion, which is supported by the opinion of L'Isle, of the Royal Academy of Paris, in the year 1782. Upon the testimony of so many respectable writers, many of whom in the employment of both France and Spain, not to mention the au- thority of Du Pratz, it is believed the United States may with safety rely, they having, by the treaty of Paris of 1803, become possessed of the French title. If, however, there exists any obscurity in the boundary of that province, Spain, with whom it is supposed the title conflicts, has no right to claim any benefit arising from it, as all the writers and geographei's, above referred to, agree in fixing Mexico, New Spain, the Rio Grande del Norte, and the mountains of Mexico, as the true boundary anterior to the treaty of 1763. If, she, then, by treaty, obtained from France that country, with these limits, as as- serted by France, and different ones not being stipulated for by her, she cannot now, with any shadow of justice, propose others. More- over, Spain, by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, retroceded this same country to France, with the same extent of boundary it had when originally in her possession, thereby confirming to France, without doubt, all she originally claimed, particularly, as no notice is then taken of the invalidity of the original French title to the full extent of their claim; at all events, it is believed, if there was difficulty in regard to it, during this last transfer would have been the time to ad- just it; or, by the law of nations it is thought, as well as candor and good faith, she has not, or ought not, to be permitted to insist upon other boundaries. That law, in one place, declares, that " if the party making them (meaning grants or cessions) fails to express himself clearly and plainly, it is the worse for him: he cannot be al- lowed to introduce^ subs^uently, restrictions which he has not ex- pressedc" It is proper, before this part of the subject is passed over, to re- mark, that, from the examination of the best records of the times, from the discovery of America until the year 1763, the bull of the Pope rather gave a title to the country, the coast of which had been examined by the Spaniards, those confirmed beyond the participation of other nations the hemisphere west of the Azores; but, where an extensive coast had been discovered by them, and no settlement at- tempted previous to 1763, that coast, and its extended interior, has been considered the property of the nation so discovering it, or dis- covering the interior; the unoccupied coasts become a part. Great Britain, as was her interest, maintained for a long time the old notion of a right to grant by charter all the countries from sea to ft i • [18 3 sea» where it did not interfere with the territory of any Christian prince or people; and her obstinate adherence to that system is con- sidered as largely contributing to the production of the war of 1755* when she was opposed by France and Spain* as granting away al- most all Mexico and the French possessions, both claiming much of the intermediate country, and the coast of the Pacific. Great Bri- tain, at the close of that war, abandoned her pretensions, and gave manifestation of lier sincerity, by revoking the first charter granted to Georgia, and in the second, in 1764, limited it to the Mississippi, and agreed, in 1763, to limit her whole territory to that river in the west. Where territory has been acquired, as already shown, upon any coast, and the same coast actually settled, or occupied by another power, at such a distance as not manifestly to encroach upon the first, the point equi-distant from cither is considered as the utmost limits of each; this principle, it is believed, was fixed and settled by all the most important treaties which have engaged the powers of Europe in affairs appertaining, in any way, to possessions in this country, and^ it is believed, was acted uimn and sanctioned, not only by the treaty of 1763, but, in some measure, by that of Utrecht, in 1713. Spain, by virtue of her original discovery, and actual settlement in Mexico, together with her title to Louisiana, claimed the Pacific coast of North America, as high up as the sixtieth degree of north latitude; and, to enforce her claim, in the year 1789, sent a ship of war up )ast to capture, or drive from those waters, several Eng- lish ves!. tted out in tlie East Indies by English merchants, upon their owa authority, and at their own risk, to trade with the natives in that quarter. This service was performed by Martinetz, of his Catholic majesty's navy; and, in the year 1790, became the subject of a message from tiie British king to his Parliament; although much debate ensued, and some resentment expressed towards Spain for her treatment of the British subjects who were made prisoners, yet no claim was alleged on the part of England to territory there. Great Britain, in the course of that transaction, seems to have re- cognized the claim of Spain, and was willing to treat for the enjoy- ment of privileges on that coast, which she obtained, and was, by stipulations, invested with the farther right to fish even as low down as the gulf of California. The Spanish monarch, being in possession of the French title, re- gardless of that which the United States had obtained, according to the mode last adopted, felt great confidence in his negotiations with the British government, in the year 1790. But the territory, the title to which gave that confidence, has since, by the treaty of Paris, come into the possession of the United States, and it is believed the treaty of St. Ildcfonso confirmed to France the full extent of boundary originally claimed, Spain taking no notice of the original error, If any existed. Under this view of the case, the United States, being possessed of the title of France, and^ by a just application of the law of nations; ♦ \ » C^8 1 \ I that of Spain too, if she ever had any, leaves them the undisputed sovereignty of that coast, from the sixtieth degree of nortli latitude down to thirty-six, whicli is believed to be the situation of tlie moun- tains of Mexico, alluded to in all the authors and cliarts bePnt'e re- ferred to. If, however, there should remain a doubt, that doubt is relieved by a reference to the subordinate principle recognized by the treaties of Utrecht and of Paris, in 1763. ^hen we know that all the formalities deemed necessary in the possession of a newly diH- covered Cduntry have been complied with on the part of the United States; that, in the year 1785-6, an establishment was made at the mouth of the Columbia river, by Mr. Hendricks, the full and entire benefit of whose courage, cnterprize, and success, results to this Union; and at a later day, in 1805, Messrs. Lewis & Clark, in execut- ing the desires of this government, again visited the Columbia and the western ocean, twelve miles from which they built Fort Clotsop, yet to be seen; these establishments made by the United States, not so near the settlements of California as manifestly to encroach upon them, entitles them to the whole country north of Columbia. And, in applying the principle known to govern in such cases, tlie point equi-distant from the Spanish actual settlements, and the mouth of that river, is the true point at which a line drawn separating the two countries should commence. The actual settlements uf Spain are believed to have been, at that time, upon the Colorado of California, in latitude 32° north; but, even supposing the point to be the extreme south of the claim of the United States, which is believed to be 3G degrees, then the line of separation would fall at 41 degrees. And, if any doubt arose as to the claim of the United States to the full ex- tent of the Spanish title, to the north of Fort Clotsop, as high as 60 degrees of latitude, there could remain no doubt, as far as the equi- distant point, which would be at the completion of the 53d degree of latitude, leaving us twelve degrees of coast on that oceati. From every information which can be obtained, worthy to be re- lied upon, our coast on the Pacific, for years past, has been the theatre of much individual enterprize, stimulated by the rich returns of nu- merous whale ships, and the great profit of the fur trade, together with the flattering accounts of Messrs. Lewis & Clark, relative to the resources of the interior, though no regular trade or well organized system of commerce existed until the year 1810, in the course of which year a vessel was fitted out in the city of New York, well supplied with provisions and seed of every description necessary in a perma- nent occupation of the coast, which they contemplated. This little colony consisted of an hundred and twenty men when it arrived in the Columbia: and after ascertaining its soundings, they removed some miles above Fort Clotsop, and built the town of Astoria, where a por- tion of them cultivated the soil, whilst the other engaged in the fur trade with the natives. The soil was found to be rich, and well adapted to the culture of all the useful vegetables, found in any part of the United States; as turnips, potatoes, onions, rye, wheat, melons of various kinds, cucumbers, and every species of pease. In the course / (' C 18] if 1 '' of R yoav or two, it was believed their interest would be promoted by cultivating and securing the friendship and confidence of the tribes inhabiting the waters of that great river; to which end the town of Astoria was maintained by about thirty men» whilst the rest estab- lished themselves at five otiier points* to become fixed stations, to raise ilieir own vegetables, trace with the natives, and receive sup- plies of merchandise from the general depot at Astoria, aad return to it the fruits of their labor. One of these subordinate establishments appears to have been at the mouth of Lewis' river; one at Lantou; a third on the Columbia, i^ix hundred miles from the ocean, at the con- fluence of the Wantann river; a fourth on the east fork of Lewis' river; and the fifth on the Multnoma. Thus situated, this enterprizing little colony succeeded well in all their undertakings, nor met with but one misfortune, which seemed to partake largely of that kind which had* fur a long time, so certainly and so unseen, been inflicted upon our western inhabitants: this was the loss of the Tonquin, a vessel they had taken from New York, whilst trading down the coast, where, in time past, she had been, in common with the ships of some EuropMui powers, enjoying the friendship and confidence of the natives. This confidence had, by some means, been destroyed, and, whilst they in- duced niany of the ship*s company to go on shore, many of their own number went on boartl the ship, and suddenly attacking the crew, the whole were destroyed, as well as the vessel. This, though a greilt affliction to the survivors on the Columbia, did not dishearten themt as other vessels were expected soon to arrive, and, with these expec- tations, they continued their trade, which, becoming profitable, they were less inclined to abandon. But the oiierations of the war of 1 8 13, wliich took place between the United States and Great Britain, was destined to mar tlieir prosperity. That government, it appears, dls- patcticd a vessel of war, called the Raccoon, to destroy or possess As- toria, which, by the assistance of the Indians, influenced by the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies of fur traders, they were easily enabled to do; and have, from that period to the present time, continu- ed to reside at it, as well as on the river above, though a messenger, or agent, was sent by tlie authority of the United States to receive, and did receive, that post from them at tlie close of the late war. From every reflection which the committee have been able to be- stow upon the facts connected withrthis subject, they are inclined to believe the Columbia* in a commercial point of view, a position of the utmost importance; the fisheries on that coast, its open sea, and its position in regard to China, which offers the best market for the vast quantities of furs taken in those regions, our increasing trade ^roughout that ocean, seems to demand immediate attention. The fur of every country which has produced it, has been ef er es- teemed one of its most valuable commodities, and has long held a vank among the most profitable articles of commerce; it was much sought for even in thedaysofTatila, a Visigoth, who reignedin Italy about the year 522, at which time they drew their supplies from the « Suethous, who inhabited that part of Europe called Sweden. The C 18] • Welch set a high value on them as early as the time of Howel Dda, in 940, andt from its being first an article of dress, used only by tlie poorer class of the community, it, by gradually extending itself, came to he one of luxury, of the highest value, in nrhich kings and princes vied with each other in their costly magnificence and display; tlieir clothes were not only fashioned of them, but even their tents wvve lined with the finest varieties. Such was the display of the great ChAm of Tartary, when he was visited in his tent by Marco Folu, about the year 1252. It had become so much in use, and so high in price* that Edward III, in the year 1337, deemed it ex|)edient to Srohibit its use to any but those who could afford to spend an hiin- red pounds a year, without detrimei.t to their property. At thut day, having exhausted those parts of Europe which had su|iplied them, the price increasing with a growing demand, they wei-e bilged to seek them elsewhere, and procured their supplies from the north of Asia. This, for a long time, poured into the ad- joining parts of Europe immense sums, as >f was in that direction they were brought to market. This trade, so valuable to that part of the world, had no competition, nor were other sources of supply even known until Francis 1. of France, in tiie year 1514, sent Jac- qnes Curtis, of St. Maloes, to make discoveries in this country. That gentleman entered the St. Lawrence, and exchanged his mer- chandise for fur, which was the commencement of a feeble trade, that was continued until the year 1608, when Samuel Champlain went some distance up that river, and laid the foundation of the town of Quebec, as a trading establishment, and commenced a system which, however, did not greatly flourish until about the year 1640. But very soon after that company came into the possession of England, this trade was cherished and greatly increased, and the dominion of the Hudson's Bay enabled her, not only to supply Russia itself, and all Europe, but even to send it to Turkey, and round the Cape of • Good Hope, to distant China. That trade which had destroyed all competition, and, in the hands of well regulated companies, capa- ble of enriching an empire, hail yielded a part of its profits to the skill and industry of individuals upon our western shore; that skill and that industry has withered, not for the want of fostering care, but justice and protection. The fur trade of Canada has long been conducted by well organiz- ed companies; and, although they encounter infinite diiticulties, yet the great profit of their business enables them to overcome them, at>'! to divide a considerable percent. All those articles intended as sup- plies for the Indians are shipped at Montreal, and carried far into the interior, through lakes and rivers and difficult streams, until they arrive even in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains. The increasing wealth derived from this source induced a large increase of capital, and corresponding exertions to obtain a more extensive knowledge of the rivers and lakes through which their merchandise was to be car- ried, and a more extensive acquaintance with the natives, among whom they were eventually to be disposed of for furs, the produce of the 2 •f)| ' 4 I 10 C*8] labor of the SHvage. With views of this kind, small pttrties have been disputchetl, at different times, from the year 1774 until the year 1793, to examine the river«' of the west: at the period last mentioned, one of those parties, underthe direction of Alexander M'Rensie. penetrat- ed even to the Western Ocean, thereby greatly adding to their stock of useful knowledge in that branch of commerce, which they have not fail- ed duly to appreciate. Notwithstanding the great difficulties which the British furriers encounter, from the embarrassment of their com- merce by their different systems of exclusive privilege, these compan- ies find it a source of vast profit, far exceeding any thing known in flie United States; this too, when the merchandise is so much advanc- ed in price, from the distance and the numerous obstructions. The enhanced value ot the articles, and their difficulties in transporting them, may be fully understood, when it is known the tract of trans- port is equal to three or four thousand miles, through more than six- ty lakes, some of them very considerable in extent, and numerous rivers; and the means of transportation are bark canoes. Further- more, these waters are interrupted in at least an hundred places by falls and rapids, along which the trader has to carry his merchandise on his back, and over an hundred and thirty carrying places, from twenty or thirty yards in extent to thirteen miles, where both canoe and cargo have to be conveyed by the same means. These are some of the obstructions which the North West Company encounters; yet their exports from Quebec alone are valued at more than a million of dollars annually, without reference to those brought to the United States, and shipped from' New York and Philadelphia direct to China, rather than incur the cost and delay in procuring them a passage to London, and thence to India, in the ships of the East India Company, f udeed, it appears that many of the goods of that company, destined for this trade, particularly on the coast of the Pacific, are shipped to Boston and immediately reshipped in Ameri- can vessels for the benefit of drawback. These vessels are some- times employed to make a voyage for them from the mouth of Co- lumbia to Canton. To illustrate mdre fully the increasing value of this trade, it is only necessary to observe, that from Quebec in 1803, there was exported the skins of six hundred and fifty thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine quadrupeds, ninety-three thousand seven hundred and seventy -eight of which were of the beaver: since that time they have extended their trade beyond the Rocky Mountains, and have, as has already been observed, established themselves at the mouth of Columbia; the amount of their export from that port cannot be ascertained, but it is thought to be of great value. The Hudson's Bay Company is believed to be considerable, und,from a state of for- mer depression, is fast becoming the rival of the other, but for several years past have withdrawn their traders from the west side of the Rocky mountains: they have fewer difficulties to ovci'come in arriv- ing at the highest point of navigation than the North West Com- pany; their route is through the Hudson's Bay, the Nelson river, to Lake Winnipie; thence, by passing other lakes, they ascend the Red [ 18] 11 River to their establishment, which is within ninety miles of the Missouri river» at a point called the Mandan villages. This river takes its rise in the Rocky mountains in about the forty-third degree of latitude; and observes a course north and north -east towards Hud- son's Bay until it arrives at the Mandan villages, a distance of nearly 1200 miles, when it turns short to the south, without any apparent cause, and joins the Mississippi; the water running to the Hudson^% Bay at that point, approaching within one mile, and no hill or high ground to separate them, of any magnitude. Yet, notwithstanding the many advantages which the Hudson's Bay Company possessed over the North West Company, the earl of Selkirk, the patron of the former, and a man of uncommon enterprise, was exceedingly desirous to obtain the privilege of supplying his establishments upon the Red River by ascending the Mississippi to the St. Peters, thence to its source in Stone Lake, then, by a short portage, through open woods and a level country, to iiis stations; or, taking the route by the Mis- souri to the Mandan villages, thence, by a portage of ninety miles, to his place of destination. The exports of this company, for a short time past, have been very little less than that of tlie North West Company. The committee, from carafully examining all the facts connected with the subject referred to them, are well persuaded that the situa- tion of the United States is such as to enable it to possess all the benefits derived from this trade, which, in the hands of others, amount to millions; many of whose trading establishments east of the Rocky mountains are within the acknowledged limits of the republic, as fixed by the convention of London of the 20th of October, 1818; and, it is believed, that no power, with the exception of Spain, has any just claim to.territory west of them, or on the Pacific. The dependence for subsistence of many of those establishments, is upon the buffaloe beef hunted by the Assiniboin Indians, who inhabit the country be- tween the river of that name and the Missouri; their hunting ground is far within our boundary. To succeed in procuring to the people of the United States all the wealth flowing from this source, it is only necessary to occupy with a small trading guard the most north-east- ern point upon the Missouri river, and confine the foreigners to their own territory, at the same time occupying, with a similar guard, the mouth of Columbia. The great profit derived from this trade by the Canadian companies, when we know the distance and obstruc- tions in their rivers, and in the various streams they ascend in car- ryi'^g it on, the advance of price consequent upon it becomes rather a matter of amazement than otherwise, and inclines us to examine our own rivers with a view to the same object. Instead, however, of those formidable obstructions, we find a smooth and deep river run- ning through a boundless extent of the most fertile soil on this conti- nent, containing within its limits all those valuable furs which have greatly enriched others; a certain^ safe, and easy navigation, with a portage of only two hundred miles, uniting it with another river equally smooth, deep, and certain, running to the great Western 13 C 18 ] Ocean. Thu« are those two great oceans separated by a sinrf?p*«f- tage of two hundred miles! The practicabili^ of a speedy, safe* and easy communication with the Pacific, is no longer a matter of doubt or conjecture; from information not to be doubted, the Rocky Moun- tain at this time, in several places, is so smooth and open that the labor of ten men fur twenty days Would enable a wagon with its usual freight to pass with great facility from the navigable water of the Missouri to that of the Columbia: the actual distance from river to river several hundred miles from their source, that is, from the great Falls of Missouri to the fork of Clark's river, is one hundred and forty-nine miles; the distance, therefore, of two hundred miles !• to good navigation on the Columbia, which is the only river of any magnitude upon that whole coast, north of the Colorado of Califor- nia, though there are several good harbors, secure and safe for Tea- sels of any size. The region of country from the ocean to the head of tide water, which is about two hundred miles, is heavily timbered, with a great variety of wood well calculated for ship building, and every species of cabinet or carpenter's work; though there is a heavily timbered country thence for two hundred miles further, yet it is of a lesser growth, and quality not so durable; at that point commences the plain country, when the soi. becomes more thin, and almost without wood, until it arrives at the table lands below the mountain, though the soil of this region is not so good as in any other part of thisgi>eat valley, yet it produces grass of the finest quality, and is emphatical- ly called the region favorable to the production of the horses, this nohle animal so far surpassing ail others in usefulness, courage, and swiftness, is here produced in greater |ierfection than even in Andalu- sia, or Virginia. But, independent of all the wealth which may be derived from the fur trade of that river, and the Missouri, the secu- rity too y^h'ich the peace of this country would find in the influence which the American traders would obtain over the native, is, the in- creasing commerce in the Western Ocean. There is no cmploynrent so well calculated to make good seamen as the whale fisheries, which are known to be more profitable on this coast than any other, at tlie same time the oil is fai* preferable to that taken on any other coasts being clear and transparent as rock water. Whilst so many of our ci- tizens arc industriously engaged in the various branches of trade ih Ihosc seas, more valuable to this country it is believed than any other, whilst all nations whu have claims upon that coast, and some who have none, are anximis to occupy some position upon it, even at a vast expense, to enable them to participate in its benefits, we have neglected to extend to it any portion of our care, though it appears, from the best information, that there is at this time eight millions of property owned by citizens of this republic in the Pacific Ocean. Russia, whose dominions on tlie At^iatic coast, occupy nearly the siimc position upon that side, which ours do on this, has long been wril informed ol' the great and increasing value of that commerce; and whilst she has been no uhere visible, not even to the powers of ■^ , .- » • .»'- [18] IS #«' Earopcy only as Bhe has of late taken part in a few memorable enter- prizes* she has been felt every where, no labor, care* or expense, is avoided, to make tributary the four quarters of the globe; forts, ma- gazines, towns, cities, and trade, seem to arise on that coast as if by magic; with an army of a million of men, she sits not only in proud security as it regards Europe, and menaces the Turk, the Persian, the Japanese, and Chinese, but even the king of Spain's dominions in North America is equally easy of access, and equally exposed to her fearful weight of power. Her watchfulness is ever in advance, in discerning the most practicable avenues to profitable commerce. In the midst of all her busy arrangements she has not neglected the op- portunity of possessing herself of two important stations on the Ame- rican shore of the Pacific, the one at a place called New- Archangel, in about 59° of north latitude, the other at Bodiga Bay, in latitude 38" 34'. At the former of these military positions, tor the protec- tion of her commerce it is presumed, she has incurred much expense, and built a fort of great strength, situated upon one of the best har- bors oti tS:e coast standing upon a point of land projecting into tha little bay, giving something the appearance of a conical island in the centre of it; this fort is well supplied at all times with provisions and military stores, mounting an hundred and twenty cannon carrying balls from eighteen to twenty-four pounds weight. That at Bodiga is well contructed and supplied with cannon, and has a good hai-bor; at this point they have ammunition and merchandise in abun^knce, and find the Indian trade at this post as well as New- Archangel very considerable; besides the fine condition of this fort and its de- fences, they have many field pieces, some of brass, of the finest con- struction, in good order and well mounted. All these supplies have been conveyed to those places through immense oceans round Cape Horn, which would have appalled any but Russian policy aud perse- verance. The light articles destined for this trade are transported from St. Petersburgh, in sledges, which will perform in three months, that which would require two summers of water conveyance to effect; their communications are open to Kamtschatka, to fort St. Peter, and St. Paul, by Ohotsk in the Pacific, where they have the finest harbor in the world; the distance is estimated at ten thousand miles. The nation which can encounter such journeys as these, often through aeas of ice, and storms of snow so terrible as to obscui-e an object be- yond the distance of a few paces, to prosecute any branch of com- merce, mus» be well and fully informed of its value. That the ol 'ects the has in view may not, by any event, be taken from her grasp, aftei' encountering such vast difficulties, she has found it expedient to occu- py one of the Sandwich Islands, which not only enables her effectu- ally to maintain her positions, but to command the whole northern pai't of the Pacific Ocean. These islands lying jnst within the tro- pics, in the direct course from the lower coast of North America to Canton, are well supplied not only with all the fruits of that climate, bnt with every vegetable and animal known in this country. 'vfc- • 4 14 [18] It is >vorthy of remark, that, among other advantages which the Russian position on the opposite coast possesses, is, that a voyage from Ramtschatka to Japan can be made in an open hoat, as it Is a continued chain of Islands from the Ohotsk sea, until it arrives at its place of destination. Your committee are well persuaded that, hy a little care and small expense, the citizens of this republic might reap all the benefits of this trade, not only profitable now, but, from every view of the sub- ject, there is a strong probability that it will increase for many years. Were an establishment made at the mouth of Columbia, whith should be allowed to take with them their women and childran, there can be no doubc of success, as so many years exjierience of the Eng- lisli fur companies have amply shown this.mode has the most power- ful effect in separating the minds of the men from pursuits which often in frontier countries lead to strife, as it gives them a local interest and feeling, and makes them even more vigilant and prudent in the discharge of all their duties. It is believed that population could be easily acquired from China; by which the arts of peace would at opce acquire strength and influence, and make visible to the aborigines the manner in which their wants cotild be supplied; the coast of the Pacific is in its climate more mild than any part of the continent in the same parallel, and many vegetables on that shore grow'in great abundance in the native forest, which are likewise natives of China. It is known, that when the Spanish government, in 1789, sent their ships of war up the coavSt to capture the British vessels, which were intruding, they found seventy Chinese, whom the English had procured to emigrate, that they might be employed in the mechanic arts; and, though the people of that country evince no disposition to emigrate to ihe territory of adjoining princes, it is believed they would willingly, nay, gladly, embrace the opportunity of a home in America, where they have no prejudices, no fears, no restraint in opinion, labor, or religion. The committee cannot doubt, that an establishment made on the Pacific would essentially benefit the natives, while it would give this country the advantage of all its own treasures, which otherwise must be lost for ever, or rather never enjoyed; and from all that can be ascertained relative to its ^iresent and increasing value, of more pro- fit to this country than the mines of Potosi. From the best information which can be had, it appears that the Indian trade on the Missouri, below the Mandan villages, is worth about 2120,000, and that on the Mississippi is valued at 250,000 dollars, making the sum of 370,000 dollars annually. They have reflected upon this trade, and that prosecuted by the whalers on that coast, and are irresistibly drawn to the conclusion, that they are the most virf!iable to this nation, and demand its care and attention in a high degree. This trade, up^ike any other, originates its own ca- pital) and may fairly be said to bring into the United States 370,000 [18] 15 dollars every year, where not one dollar previously existed, and adds that much to the wealth of the community, as decidedly as though it had been fished from the bottom of the rivers in gold and silver, as it is in the market of China, or any other market, capable of purchasing as much; and if, with that amount in furs, a vessel should sail from the mouth of Columbia to Canton, which is a voyage of from fifty to seventy days, she would return with that in exchange, which would sell for perhaps double that amount, thereby contribut- ing to the comfort, enjoyment, and acctimmodation, of the community 740,000 dollars, which is the result not of a profitable voyage, but a creative trade. It is believed that a shipment of tobacco, flour, or cotton, bears no comparison in point of profit with this, as they are properly the rough manufactures of the country, and the result of considerable ca- pital, and the cargo brought back in return for them, in European or other fabrics, is only an increased value they receive by being ex- ported and returned to us in that shape. Hence, the exportation of S70,000 dollars worth of tobacco or cotton, should it return to us 740,000 dollars in European silks and cloth, is still the original cargo of tobacco or cotton, as nothing but these have been paid for them; but, in the first instance, he who manufactures either the to- bacco, flour, or cotton, is compelled to take into consideration the capital employed, and then the balance is his gain; but in the fur trade, and the whale fisheries, there is in the one little capital, in the other, none. Under the strongest belief that, by a new organization of the sys- tem of Indian trade, comprehending a settlement on the Columbia river, that great benefits would result to the citizens of the republic, whilst the aborigines would be better protected and provided for, by instructing them in agriculture and the minor branches of the me- chanic arts, the committee ask leave to report a bill. %