progress and independence, as it was for homes for the millions of people now living within its limits, or the many millions to occupy it in the years to come. The purchase of Louisiana in 1803, by Thomas Jefferson, was an act of the highest statesmanship, whose deep meaning has not yet been realized, and whose far-reaching effects have been felt, not only in our own country, but throughout the world.

The acquisition of this vast territory, of whose hidden riches and great possibilities no one in those days had the slightest conception, was followed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804-5, the Astor attempt at settlement near the mouth of the Columbia river in 1810, the opening of the Oregon trail by hunters and trappers in 1828, the expedition of Nathaniel J. Wyeth with the first missionaries to Oregon in 1832, the great overland emigration to Oregon in 1842, the Mexican war in 1846, which resulted in the acquisition of California, the discovery of gold in 1848, without which the Civil war of 1861-65 could not have been successfully carried out, the organization of civil government in Oregon in 1847, which did so much to secure the title of the United States to the immense area then known as the Oregon Territory, the enormous growth of the interests of the United States in the Pacific ocean, and the acquisition of the Sandwich Islands and the Philippines, all are directly or indirectly connected with, and are successive historical events growing out of the Louisiana Purchase.

To these may be added the development of the fact that Puget Sound is the natural, logical and inevitable mart for the commerce of the East Indies, which has been the "desire of all nations" for two thousand years, and that Henry Villard, James J. Hill and their associates are the legitimate successors of Captain James Cook, John Jacob Astor and other masters of transportation, whose schemes contemplated nothing less than a system which should encompass the world with the cheapest and the most approved facilities for the shipment of goods, whether east or west, by land or water. These modern captains of industry have also been enabled to profit immensely by the experience of their predecessors, to avoid their mistakes, and to be benefited by increased climatic and geographic knowledge, as well as by the innumerable discoveries in the field of mechanical skill and invention, which have made the transformations of Alladin's lamp seem tame in comparison. All desirable conditions of sea and land, of climate, latitude, natural resources and productions are combined on Puget Sound in such manner that no element seems lacking to make it the seat of a vast commerce that should accommodate not only the east and west, but should dominate the Pacific ocean and largely influence the trade and business of the entire world. These conclusions have been reached by the greatest navigators of modern times, after a thorough exploration of the globe, and particularly of those waters

where navigation is practicable at all seasons of the year. These facts were all developed in the prosecution of the fur trade, and were the result of various efforts made by fur traders to extend and control that trade during the last one hundred years. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was sent out ostensibly, by Thomas Jefferson, for the purpose of establishing a line of trading posts in the interests of the citizens of the United States between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean, although unquestionably he had other and more important objects in view at that time. John Jacob Astor wished to establish such a line also, but intended to continue his fur trading operations, not only across the continent, but to China, and then, with cargoes of tea, spices, silks and oriental goods return to New York by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. This, however, was only one of the many lines of exploration thrown out by the fur traders, in the prosecution of their profitable undertakings. After the establishment of a line of trading posts from Quebec to New Orleans, by the French, of which St. Louis was the chief station, they became involved in wars with the English which resulted in the acquisition of Canada, the Hudson's Bay territory and practically all of North America north of the thirty-third parallel of north latitude. Of the many struggles which took place between these two nations for the control of this vast territory and of the organization of various and rival companies, French and English, which were organized for the purpose of carrying on the fur trade, it is not necessary now to speak excepting in so far as they may relate to, or effect either directly or indirectly the Puget Sound region. The story of these struggles is of intense interest, but otherwise it does not come within the scope and compass of this history.

CHAPTER X.

HISTORY OF HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

As early as 1626, Louis XIII, King of France, granted a charter to the Compagnie de la Nouvelle France, for trading purposes in and around Hudson's Bay. The possession of this territory was then in dispute between England and France. The severity of the climate and the inhospitable nature of that region, however, were discouraging to the promoters of that company, and they made but slow progress in the work they had undertaken. In the meantime the English were pushing their fur trading enterprises in the same direction, and on May 2, 1670, Charles II, then King of England, granted "the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into the Hudson's Bay," a charter conferring upon the earls, lords, knights and gentlemen composing it, and their successors, the exclusive right to the trade of Hudson's Bay and its tributary territory. This charter recites among other things as follows: "And to the end the said Governor and Company of Ad

venturers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay, may be encouraged to undertake and effectually to prosecute the said design of our more especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted and confirmed, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant and confirm, unto the said governor and company and their successors, the sole trade and commerce of all those seas, straits, bays, rivers, lakes, creeks and sounds, in whatsoever latitude they shall be, that lie within the entrance of the straits commonly called Hudson's Straits, together with all the lands and territories upon the countries, coasts and confines of the seas, bays, rivers, creeks and sounds aforesaid, that are not already actually possessed by the subjects of any other Christian prince or state, with the fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeons, and all other royal fishes, in the seas, bays, inlets and rivers within the said premises, and the fish therein taken, together with the royalty of the sea upon the coasts within the limits aforesaid, and all mines royal, as well discovered as not discovered, of gold, silver, gems and precious stones, to be found or discovered within the territories, limits and places aforesaid, and that the land be, from henceforth, reckoned and reputed as one of our plantations or colonies in America, called Rupert's Land." These and similar provisions conferred upon this company autocratic powers in the region referred to, and excluded all persons whatsoever from trading or settling in the same, without permission first had and obtained from this company. This was the beginning of a company which exercised despotic power and authority over the northern part of the continent of North America for nearly two hundred years. It was constituted, "The true and absolute lords and proprietors of the territories, limits and places, saving always the faith, allegiance and sovereign dominion due to us (the crown), our heirs and successors, for the same, to hold as tenants in fee and common socage, and not by knight's service, reserving, as a yearly rent, two elks and two black beavers whensoever and as often as we, our heirs and successors shall happen to enter into said countries, territories and regions, hereby granted." No persons were allowed to visit, traffic or trade in these regions, without a license from the company. The King contracted and agreed that he would never grant a license to any other person or persons, to visit or trade therein. The company had full power to appoint governors and other necessary officers, who were authorized to try persons employed by the company according to the laws of Great Britain. It was authorized to send ships of war, men or ammunition to any port, post or place for the defense thereof, to raise military companies and appoint their officers, to make war or conclude peace with any prince or people (not Christian) in any of their territories, "Also to seize the goods, estate or people of those countries for damage to the company's interest, or for the

interruption of trade: to erect and build forts, garrison towns and villages, to establish colonies and maintain them, to seize all British subjects not connected with the company, etc." The power of the company was absolute over all its officers, agents, factors, traders, and servants of every description, and in case of negligence or disobedience of orders, to fix the measure of punishment therefor. Having granted all these autocratic powers to the company it enjoins upon all, “admirals, vice admirals, justices, mayors, sheriffs, constables, bailiffs, and all and singular other our officers, ministers, liegemen and subjects whatsoever, to aid, favor, help and assist the said governor and company to enjoy, as well on the land as on the seas, all the premises in the said charter contained, whensoever required." It can be readily perceived that with powers so extensive, and with a governor and council made up of influential noblemen in England, and exercising such unlimited authority in a distant and unknown part of the world, there was practically no check upon its actions, or interference with its management. As its power was practically unlimited, so its system was admirably adapted to the purposes of its organization. Its officers, servants and employes were appointed, drilled, trained and educated in military style, to promote the best interests of the company, which were all centered in the building up of the fur trade, and its collateral lines of business. The men in its service were classified as chief factors, chief traders, clerks and servants. Promotion was open to all, but efficiency in the company's service was the test of merit. Nothing was allowed to interfere with its interests or the extension of its trade, or the development of the fur-producing capacity of the enormous territory which it controlled and governed.

In the prosecution of their missionary labors the French priests first explored the Great Lakes, the Mississippi river and a great part of North America, north and west of these magnificent water systems. In 1640 Pere Brebœuf discovered the falls of Niagara, and Pere Allouez, twenty years later, obtained from the Indians around them much valuable information in regard to western regions. In 1680 Pere Hennepin, under instructions from La Salle, followed the Illinois river to its junction with the Mississippi, and thence up the latter to the falls of St. Anthony. These, and others on the same mission of grace to the Indians, were pathfinders, in many instances for the fur traders, who, profiting by the information thus obtained, rapidly followed in their wake, and established trading posts, so that the two movements co-operated in their several enterprises, and were often joined in the same expedition. Fifty years before the French were obliged to relinquish their vast possessions they had learned something of the Shining, or Stony, or Rocky Mountains, as they were variously designated, although it was not until 1731 that a systematic and definite attempt was made to explore these

mountainous and unknown regions, and the country westward to the South Sea. In that year a fur trader of unusual energy, sagacity and intelligence named Pierre Gauthier de Varennes, Sieur de la Verendrye, who had been trading with the Indians around Lake Nepigon for several years, laid before the governor general of New France his plans for exploring these western regions. The Marquis de Beauharnais was at that time governor general, and, being a man who had already distinguished himself, both in the old world and the new, for his ambition and enterprise, he heartily favored Verendrye's proposition, and assisted him in carrying it into execution. When the necessary preparations were completed, Verendrye embarked for Lake Superior, with a small fleet of canoes, accompanied by Pere Messager, a missionary. He was instructed by the governor general to take possession in the King's name of the countries he should discover, and examine them carefully in order that the best route for connecting New France, including Louisiana, which meant the whole Mississippi valley, with the sea coast on the Pacific ocean. Having reached the head of Lake Superior, he proceeded to Rainy Lake, where he built Fort Pierre; thence he made his way to the Lake of the Woods, where he built Fort St. Charles, and, in 1734, Fort Maurepas, on the Winnipeg river. Space will not permit any detailed account of his many expeditions, northward and westward, as he made his way to the Saskatchewan, and thence to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. His travels were not without suffering, danger and considerable loss from hostile savages, through whose country he and his party were the first white men to penetrate. In 1736 Verendrye's youngest son, with a priest named Anneau and twenty men, was massacred by hostile Sioux. Turning to the south, and still in pursuit of the South Sea or the Pacific, he entered the Mandan country, where he built Fort La Reine on the Assiniboine river. Thence he followed up the Missouri, reaching the Yellowstone in 1742. Taking the Mouse river trail, he continued his westerly course until January 1, 1743, when such difficulties were encountered that he determined to return for further aid and assistance from the government. These were refused him on various pretexts, though the great value of his explorations was acknowledged. His encouraging reports stimulated a desire for a continuance of the work he had so successfully begun and carried on, but disagreements amongst the promoters of the enterprise, the death of Verendrye in 1749, and the mercenary conduct of government officials, delayed matters so that nothing more of importance was done in that direction.

A noted explorer of those days was Jonathan Carver, a captain in the British provincial army, who traveled over a considerable part of the territory traversed by Verendrye, and who reported the result of his investiga