FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON 217 ileges, however, such as suggested by Calhoun when Secre- tary of War in 1819, represented the dignity of the United States in the same region. Private enterprise, unsupported by legislative grant, undertook to penetrate the country which afforded British stock-holders handsome returns. William H. Ashley of St. Louis, who had for some years been engaged in fur trading between the Missouri frontier and the Rocky Mountains, attempted in 1823 to cross to the transmontane district. The expedition failed in its object, but the following season a second venture resulted in Ashley's crossing the divide at South Pass which became later the recognized route to the Columbia River valley. 3 In 1825 he went to the Great Salt Lake, and a part of his company went north into the Snake River country where they trapped until 1829. At this time Jedediah Smith was entering the preserves of the Hud- son's Bay ; in 1824 and 1825 with a strong company he. trapped along the Snake River; in 1826-7 he went as far south as San Diego. The Spanish authorities, jealous of this American intrusion, designated in 1828 the route of his exit to Oregon. In the Umpqua Valley he and his men were set upon by Indians and all but three were killed ; these, among whom was Smith, reached Fort Vancouver where supplies were furnished by Dr. McLoughlin, who sent out a party to punish the Indians. The more or less individualistic enterprises which from now on sought the country west of the Rockies in greater numbers had to compete with stronger organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, which took over Ashley's interests, and Astor's American Fur Company. The former, under the direction of Smith, William Sublette and D. E. Jackson, struck west from St. Louis in 1829 and reached the mountains whence they brought back a large quantity of furs in 1830. 4 To the Secretary of War these men reported that they could have crossed the mountains at South Pass with their wagons. 5 3 At the request of Eaton, Secretary of War, Ashley gave his opinion of the best way to protect the western frontier, promote the fur trade, etc., against the Indians, to whom, he said, the Hudson's Bay Company furnished arms. Appen. Cong. Debates, VII, 92-5. 4 Niles' Register, 6 Nov. 1830. 5 Richardson, Messages, II, 534, for Jackson's message submitting Eaton's report.
