A HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE Editorial Notes by T. C. Elliott. The marriage certificate, herewith reproduced in facsimile, is interesting to students of Oregon history as an illustration of the procedure provided by the rules of the Hudson's Bay Company for the marriage of their officers and employes in the Fur Country under conditionsi of residence where a cere- mony and certificate by a representative of the church or a magistrate were usually impossible. In addition to the issu- ance of such a certificate as this by the Chief Factor or Chief Trader or Chief Clerk in charge at any fort or post, a record was ordered to be made on the journal kept at that particular fort, and this record' became a part of the annual report to the Dbputy Governor and Council at York Factory or Norway House. In this manner the Deputy Governor was kept in- formed of any alliances entered into, and was, when necessary, able to exert a moral influence through the power of the Council tO' withhold promotions and regulate appointments to this and that district; and all officers were under personal bond to the Company. It may be truthfully said that the character of the factors, traders and clerks of the company was, as a rule, so high that the marriage relation, althoiugh with women of Indian blood, was held in high respect. While for actual protection of life, as well as furtherance of trade in remote districts or during dangerous expeditions, marriage of a temporary nature with Indian women was under exceptional instances indulged in, children by any such marriage appear tO' have been educated and provided for by the father. At Fort Vancouver, in June, 1840, it would have been possible to have arranged a ceremony
by a priest of the Catholic faith or a Protestant minister, but----
