were not molested either in person or property. The whole country, from California to Behring's Straits, was, at that time, in 1846, claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company as their hunting ground, and as such occupied.
HON. JAMES DOUGLASS' PLAN OF MEETING AND OPPOSING RIVAL TRADERS AND MISSIONARIES.
To meet and overcome the new element in Oregon, the Hon. James Douglas, who afterwards became governor of Vancouver's Island and British Columbia, when in Oregon and at this port, remarked to me, "that as traders, we must meet fire with fire, and as other opposition comes to the country, we must meet that."
At the time that remark was made to me, my impression was that it referred to the vessels coming to the country to trade, but on receipt of the news of the Whitman massacre, another element had been disposed of, and the persons or participants in it must be protected. That is proven by the part taken by Brouilett, at Mr. Ogden's Indian council at Walla Walla, in January, 1847.
We have referred to the company and our British author, also to his reference to Rev. Mr. Beaver being sent to Vancouver as chaplain to the company, when they wished to get an extension of license to the occupation of the country for trade. They dismissed him, as Mr. Beaver insisted on attempting to do something towards civilizing the Indians, like those on the eastern coast. He expected the approval and assistance of the company, which were refused, and was sent back to England. To meet, destroy and drive from the country the American missionaries who were active and successful in their work, and measurably independent of the Hudson's Bay Company, another element to "meet fire with fire" must be brought to the country and assist in its efforts to indoctrinate the servants of the company. As Hon. Mr. Evans, in his pioneer speech, says: "There was also an educated prejudice which fostered hostility to the American settler."
From the date of the dismissal of the Rev. Mr. Beaver, an Episcopal minister in 1837, to the arrival of Vicar-General Blanchet and Demers was but a single year. They, as before stated, "kindled the fire" that was designed to drive Americans and their missionaries out of the country. The result is now a matter of history.
Why our friend Hon. Elwood Evans should assume the position he has we are unable to comprehend. Knowing, as we do,
