EARLY YEARS 
OF THE CANADIAN NORTHWEST 1800 - 1829



The voyagers from the Old Northwest are trading into B.C.


04/24/2008

  B.C. HISTORY 1830 - 1849

B.C. HISTORY Return to MAIN B.C. index

DIRECTORY Return to MAIN HISTORY index


The fur trade basically is conducted from ships to the near extinction of the otter.
The Pacific Northwest (Oregon Territory) began by development in Oregon, Washington and Peace River.


 

1800  

Marguerite Kil-a-ko-tah Clatsop (1800-1873) daughter chief Coboway 1st married William Matthews of NWC, 2nd James McMillan and 3rd Louis Labonte, a Astorian who retired with her to French Prairie, Oregon Territory in 1830.

The Haida population on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) is 8,000 and in Prince of Wales Island, Southern Alaska they number 1,800.  By 1890 the 8,000 was reduced to 1,500 for Haida Gwaii..

Some suggest the first fur traders into the Oregon Territory, (B.C., Washington and Oregon) were mostly welcomed by the natives in trade.  They only became aggressive when United States traders  began to move in.

Nancy a native of the Dalles, Oregon Territory (1800-1850); 1st married a Frenchman who was killed by the Blackfoot; 2nd married Goodrich of the United States, of the Ogden's brigade to the Great Salt Lake; 3rd married 1839 Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) Jean Baptiste Dobin and they went to California for the gold rush where he died.

Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) and Lagasse and Lablanc are believed by some to have reached the Columbia River and possibly the Pacific Ocean by this time or earlier.  Others suggest he was in western, Montana.  Jacko is also recorded as Jacco, Jaccot, Jacko, Jocko, Jacquot.  Jacques Raphael Finlay was born in 1768 in Finlay Fort, on the south bank of the Saskatchewan River.  Finlay Fort was located at or near Nipawin Rapids, about fifty miles below the forks of the North branch and the South branch of the Saskatchewan River. James Finlay, a Nor'wester, was his father, and a Chippewa Indian woman his mother. The elder Finlay was in charge of Finlay Fort at the time.

In the fall of this year, 1800, a party of Kutenai (Canadian Indians from west of the Rockies) visited traders of the Canadian Northwest Company at Rocky Mountain House (on the upper Saskatchewan River).  These French Canadians, one with his Indian wife, returned to the Pacific Northwest with the Kutenais.

THE LEATHER PASS Yellowhead pass
The Leather Pass through the Rocky Mountains was first used last century by the Iroquois and Metis traders of the North West Company.  It was later named Tete Jaune (Yellowhead) Cache Pass after Pierre Hatsinaton, a Metis because he built a Cashe House in the pass.  We now know it as the Yellowhead Pass, Alberta.

 

The Iroquois traders are using the Leather Pass (Yellowhead Pass) to harvest furs on the Pacific Slope.  The H.B.C. later called the pass the Tete Jaune Cache after Piere Hatsinaton, a Metis, with yellow hair and because he built a storage shelter.  They also used the Athabasca Pass to the Columbia River Area.

(I)-David Thompson (1770-1857)  wintered Fort Terra Blanche in Edmonton in 1800, 1802, 1806 and 1807, then set out from here for the Columbia River.  The Piegan People would not allow the North West Company use of the pass to the Columbia.  They expressed concern that the French Metis would arms trade with their enemy, the Kootenay (Water People).  The murder of two Piegan, by Lewis of the United States, drew the Piegan to the Missouri to revenge their death and thus cleared the way for (I)-David Thompson, (1770-1857),  (II)-Fenian (Finan or Finnan?) McDonald (1782-1851) and the group of Metis to make the dash for the Columbia River.  Thompson's wife, Charlotte Small, had a Metis baby strapped to her back.  Others suggest (I)-David Thompson (1770-1857)  wintered on the Kutenai (Kootenay) Plains in 1806.  They killed and ate wild horses.  The Stony People taught Thompson how to make moss bread.

The Blackfoot Confederacy (Blackfoot, Blood and Piegan) conducted raiding parties beyond Yellowstone River, Standpoint, Idaho and Tobacco plains, west of the Rocky Mountains.  The chiefs had limited power beyond influence and are careful not to arrogate or show superiority over others.  Shooting a man from ambush brought little glory, however, touching an enemy with hand or stick, or subduing him in personal encounter, snatching a gun, bow or horse was a high achievement.  Scalp taking, a European introduced custom, is some times practiced, but ranked very low in honors.  Both companies built forts at Chesterfield house near Empress on the Red River.

The Kutenai who live west of the Rocky Mountains came to trade at Rocky Mountain House, aka Poste de la Montagne de Roches, (Alberta).  Charles Lagrasse,  Pierre Leblanc and his wife went to the Kutenai Country, Oregon Territory.

The Kanakas of Owhyhe aka Hawaiian Islands are scattered from Oregon to Alaska.  Most worked for the H.B.C. who called them 'soldiers of fortune'. 

Fan Tan Alley in Victoria, B.C. named after a popular Chinese game of chance is the narrowest street in the world at 5 feet in places.  The street is in the oldest Chinatown in Canada and was the site of numerous opium dens and gambling houses.

 

1801  

By this time many of the Oregon Coast People had acquired venereal disease from the sailors of the fur trade.  Some believe it was from Captain Robert Gray (1775-1806) voyage in 1788.  Instead of wearing fine furs, some now wore tattered castoffs of foreign sailors.  One Indian woman wore a permanent tattoo on her arm reading J. Bowman.

1802  

The Kiksadi clan of the Tlingit People capture the Russian stronghold at New Archangel (Sitka, Alaska). They killed 20 Russians and 130 Aleut slaves, and confiscated thousands of pelts.   The Tlingit hold the settlement for two years against the Russian forces under Aleksandr Andreyevich Baranov (1747-1819).

1803 

Since 1803, over 240 ships have foundered along the Vancouver Island coast, gaining it the reputation as the "Graveyard of the Pacific".

The trading ship Boston sailed into Nootks Sound.  Spokesperson Mcquinna of Nootka Sound entered into trade with the ritual exchange of gifts.  Mcquinna was given a gun which he immediately broke as a sign of protest.  The Captain of the Boston scolded the spokesman like a small child in front of his warriors.  Spokesperson Mcquinna could hardly hold his festering temper and contempt of these uncivilized people.  It is noteworthy that the atrocities of the past twenty five years of the Europeans against his people was near a boiling point.   The Boston was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The next day spokesperson Mcquinna and his warriors entertained the crew of the Boston then proceeded to kill the entire crew except John R. Jewith (1784-1821).   John was spared because of his trade of being a blacksmith.  The People needed him to repair their guns and iron works that they received in trade.  Mcquinna stripped the ship of all items and scuttled the ship.  Leader Mcquinna gave John R. Jewith the option of becoming his slave or death.  John immediately accepted being a slave.  He visited all the surrounding Nations and is forced to take a native wife, or so he says.  He eventually rose in stature to become leader Mcquinna's adopted son and was treated as such.  When he finally gained his freedom he wrote extensively about his encounter and also lectured.

The Nootka attacked the Boston ship of the United States, killing all but 2 of the crew.  John Jewett, one of the captured men, is rescued in 1805.

March 22:  A three masted barque named Boston is attacked, beached and burned in the Friendly Cove area, fatalities are 25 of 27.  An iron worker and sail maker are spared. 

1804 

Aleksandr Baranov (1747-1819) re-founds Sitka after being deserted after Indian attacks.  He waged war for 6 days against the Kiksadi clan when the Tlingt people finally gave up Sitka and fled into the night.

The Nez Perce People were named by an earlier French-Canadian, likely a Metis, who thought some were wearing ornamental shells pierced through their noses.  The Nez Perce People called themselves Nee-Me-Poo meaning the Real People.  The Nez Perce must have told the French-Canadian about the trail to the Pacific Ocean.  It is highly unlikely these Voyagers wouldn't have traveled to the Pacific Ocean.  To them it would be no big deal.

One unnamed voyager long past age 75 wrote: I have been 42 years in this country. For 24 I was light canoe-man; I required but little sleep, but some times got less than I required. No portage was too long for me... Fifty songs a day were nothing to me. I could carry, paddle, walk, and sing with any man I ever saw... No water, no weather, ever stopped the paddle or the song. I had 12 wives in the country; and was once possessed of 50 horses, and six running dogs... I want for nothing; and I spent all my earnings in the enjoyment of pleasure... Yet, were I young again, I should glory in commencing the same career again...  I think this is from a Metis out of Red River?

Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770-1838) better known as the Lewis and Clark expedition spent two weeks with the Nez Perce in Idaho.  The Nez Perce allowed the expedition to take a Country Woman during their stay. 

The Lewis and Clark expedition had four objectives:

To establish a bases to make claim to the Oregon Territory from California to Alaska with little regard to the Russian, Spanish and English claims.

To determine the best route from the Missouri to the Columbia River for future immigration.

To report on the flora and geography of the territory for agriculture and minerals.

To establish friendly relations with the aboriginal Peoples.

Lewis wrote: We were now about to penetrate a country at least 2,000 miles wide, on which the foot of civilized man has never trodden, the good or evil it had in store for us was for experiment yet to be determined.  Lewis was aware that the territory in question had been explored via the sea by many nations and likely by free traders before him.  Many of his expedition came down with venereal diseases from the natives, to prove this point, having been acquired from previous expeditions of Chinese, Russian, Canadian and British visitors.

La Gasse and LeBlanc return with the Kutenai to trade at Rocky Mountain House and are believed to be the first known to cross the Rocky Mountains.

William Sturgis a merchant from Boston arrived west coast of Vancouver Island with 5,000 ermine skins from Leipzip.  He sold these to the Kimgarnee Indians who prized them for ceremonial purposes.  He valued his ermine at 30¢ and traded them at 5 for one sea-otter skin.  These he sold at Canton, China for $50.00 each skin.  

The Nez Perce People were named by an earlier French-Canadian, likely a Metis, who thought some were wearing ornamental shells pierced through their noses.  The Nez Perce People called themselves Nee-Me-Poo meaning the Real People.  The Nez Perce must have told the French-Canadian about the trail to the Pacific Ocean.  It is highly unlikely these Voyagers wouldn't have traveled to the Pacific Ocean.  To them it would be no big deal.

Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770-1838) better known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent two weeks with the Nez Perce in Idaho.  The Nez Perce allowed the expedition to take a Country Woman during their stay. 

Ivan a Russian employee of Baronov Slavonian at Sitka, Alaska reported the discovery of gold but is ordered to not speak of it as the Americans will descend on the area in their thousands and force the Russians out.

Members of the Louis & Clark expedition to the Pacific Ocean included:

John Boley
William Bratton (1778-1841)
Toussant Charbonneau
William Clark, expedition head
John Colter (1773-1812) went on to discover Yellowstone Park
John Collins d-1823, received 100 lashes
Peter Cruzatte, a Metis
John Dame b-1784
Joseph Fields (1772-1807)
Reuben Fields (1771-1823)
Charles Floyd
Robert Frazier d-1837
Parrick Gass, he was still in the Oregon Territory in 1807
George Gibson d-1809
Silas Goodrich
Hugh Hall b-1772, received 25 lashes
Thomas Howard b-1779
Francis Labiche
Baptiste Lapage
Meriwether Lewis, expedition head
Hugh McNeal
John Newman (1785-1838) received 75 lashes and expelled from party
John Ordway
John Potts (1776-1808)
Nathaniel Pryor
Moses Reed, expelled from party
John Robertson b-1780 of Fort Kaskaskia, demoted and expelled from party
Sacagawea, guide, translator and wife Tousant Charbonneau
George Shannon (1785-1836)
John Shields (1769-1809)
John Thompson
Ebenezer Tuttle b-1773
Peter Weiser b-1781
William Werner received 25 lashes
Isaac White b-1774
Joseph Whitehouse b-1775
Alexander Hamilton Willard (1778-1865) received 100 lashes
Richard Windsor from Fort Kaskaskia, retired to Sangamon River, Illinois
York, a Negro slave of William Clark 

June 12:  John Robertson b-1780 of Fort Kaskaskia, demoted and expelled from Lewis & Clark expedition.  He was sent back to St. Louis with a trading party encountered coming down river.  It doesn't say if the party was from the Pacific coastal region?

 

1805 

The Russian Count Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov (1764-1807) lays down plans to take possession of the west coast to the port of San Francesco which is the northern boundary of California.  To first establish New Archangelisk at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Once established the sea otter trade is ours.  Take possession of Kaigany (Prince of Wales) Island.  The Charlott Islands will be the new shipyards.  The Charlotte Islands contain forts and artillery but the United States do not venture there as the natives are not friendly towards them.  Ships will be sent to the Strait of Juan De Fuca.  Within 10 years the west coast to California would be ours.

Lewis and Clark noted the Kalispel People (ear drop People) in northern Idaho.  They also visited the Kamiah People whom they called the Chopunnish People that numbered 800.  They are in fact a group of Nez Perce People.  The Klikitat a Shahaptian tribe who originally lived in Washington along the Lewis and White Rivers were noted by Lewis and Clark as living on the Yakima and Klickitat Rivers.  Lewis and Clark met the Klumaitumsh People who originally lived in Grays Harbor, Washington.  The town of Lahanna is located on both sides of the Columbia River as reported by Lewis and Clark.  They also visited the Paloos People a Shahaptian tribe in Idaho.  They also encountered the Nez Perces People.

Baranov with an armada , long shelled the New Archangel fort on Sitka and recovered possession.  The Tlingit warriors retialiated a short time later by attacking a Russian post at Yakutat killing many Russians.

November 15:  The Lewis & Clark Expedition reached the Pacific ocean in Oregon Territory and their party included included:  

William Bratton, 
Toussaint Charbonneau, husband of Sacatawea (1789-1812), interpreter & guide
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau born February 11, 1804, Oregon Territory, died 1866 
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, aka Pompey, Metis (1804-1866) son of Toussaint & Sacajawea, 
William Clark, 
John Colter, 
John Collins, 
Peter Cruzatte, a French-Canadian boatman was the Louis and Clark expedition fiddler.
George Drouillard aka Drewyer, was the parties best hunter
Joseph Fields, made salt at Seaside, Oregon
Reuben Fields, 
Charles Floyd, 
Robert Frazier, 
Patrick Gass, 
George Gibson, made salt at Seaside, Oregon
Hugh Hall, 
Thomas Howard, 
Francis Labiche, 
Jean Baptiste Lapage of Fort Mandan, 
Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809), 
Hugh McNeal, 
John Ordway, 
John Potts, 
Nathaniel Pryor, 
Sacagawea Indian (1789-1812) wife Toussaint Charbonneau, interpreter & guide
George Simpson, (I)-George Simpson (1787-1860) the illegitimate Scot? 
John Thompson, 
William Werner, 
Joseph Whitehouse, 
Alexander Willard, made salt at Seaside, Oregon
Richard Windsor, 
Peter Wiser, made salt at Seaside, Oregon 
York Negro, slave of William Clark.  

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, Metis, born February 11, 1804, Oregon Territory, died 1866 son Toussaint Charbonneau, and Sacagawea Indian (1789-1812)

December 7:  The Lewis & Clark Expedition built Fort Clatsop on what became the Oregon side of the Columbia River.

Dec. 26: The 300-foot British sailing ship Pass of Melfort washed up on these rocks between the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet with the loss of all aboard. The four-masted barque, sailing from Peru, lost her way at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and was buffeted north to Barkley Sound. Anchors were dropped but failed to hold, and the ship and crew were lost in the night on these very rocks.

 

1806  

Lewis and Clark visited Kauhuk a village of Alsea People on the coast of Oregon.  The Alsea People also had a village on the Alsea River in Oregon.

An establishment is at the east end of Frazer's Lake [Fraser Lake], which received its name from that of the gentleman, who first built here, in 1806.  This is the source of the Nechako River.

Lt. Jebulon Montgomery Pike (1779-1813) explored the Great Plains and into the Rocky Mountains.  He referred to the plains as the great American Desert.  With orders to find the source of the Mississippi, purchase sites from American Indians for future military posts, and to bring a few important chiefs back to St. Louis for talks. He took a force of 20 men on a 70-foot keelboat up the Mississippi.  Pike's expedition returned to St. Louis on April 30, 1806, having traveled nearly 5,000 miles. 

Fort St. James (Stewart Lake) built this year by the North West Company is 60 km north of Vanderhoof, B.C. and 600 miles north Fort Vancouver (Oregon).

Henry Marie Brackenride ascended the Missouri River with the Missouri Fur Company under the leadership of Manuel Lisa.  Wilson Price Hunt led the Pacific Fur Company bound for Astoria, Oregon was on the river at the same time and they traveled together for a while.  The Lisa group consisted of 25 men including 20 oars men who were mostly Canadians and Creoles.  They were of the opinion that citizens of the United States s were not considered up to the task.  They claimed that Touissant Charbonneau and Sacajawea (1784 or 1787 - 1812 or 1884) of the Louis and Clark expedition were their guides.  Each village we visited the People would present the Metis offspring of the Louis and Clarke expedition.

The Louis and Clark expedition encountered two traders on the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska, and John Colter (1774-1813) of Virginia asked to leave the employ of the expedition to join the traders.  He departed with them.  John Colter (1774-1813) would go on to trade Wyoming, and the Yellowstone, and admitted that numerous anonymous French fur traders had crossed Wyoming and the Yellowstone before and after his exploration of the region.  It is noteworthy that Louis and Clark, on their return trip, encountered eleven parties of traders coming upstream in twenty boats.  There is little doubt the Metis and Coureurs des Bois had explored most of western America Pacific coast long before the official exploration.

(II)-Simon Fraser (1776-1862) of the North West Company son (I)-Simon Fraser and Isabel Grant, built Fort St. James about 38 miles north of Vanderhoof, B.C. on the southeast shore of Stuaret Lake among the Carrier Dene People and later Fort Fraser this year.

The Russian Count Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov (1764-1807) sailed into San Francisco Bay seeking supplies from the Spanish Government for his Pacific Northwest Operations.  He became engaged to the daughter of the San Francisco Presido, Don Jose Arguello a Dona Concepcion Arguello b-1791.  He was called back to Russia, others say he went back to obtain permission to marry a Spanard.  He died on his return trip and Dona went into a convent. 

Paul Slobodchikov, a Russian trader reached Baja California.  The Russian American Company traded in California and Timofei Tarakanov was on this trip.

The Tlinkits again attacked Sitka, with a fleet of 400 war canoes and 2,000 warriors.  The Russians were warned of the attack and bought off the attack by providing a lavish feast and presents.

January 1:  Fort Clatsop is completed not far from the future Fort Astoria, Oregon.

March 23:  Fort Clatsop is abandoned as the expedition returned.

 

1807  

Some suggest Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) with his large family, returned to Rocky Mountain House, aka Poste de la Montagne de Roches, (Alberta) after his trip to the Columbia River system.  A half-breed (Jacko Finlay) who with his family had been residing among the Saleesh and other Indians as a free Trapper since this time.

(I)-David Thompson (1770-1857), North West Company, built Fort Kootenay, Windermere Lake, B.C. and criticized Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) because the canoes he built the previous year were destroyed by animals.  This animosity is likely because Finley had explored the territory Thompson was planning to cover.  Finlay quit the Northwest Company as a result of this conflict.  

Fitzhugh Place aka Jasper's House, (Alberta) birth, Marie Comtois, Metis died December 1875 Fort MacLeod (Alberta) daughter Siour Comtois and Josephte Fagnant, Metis who married Peter Skene Ogden born 1794 Quebec died September 27, 1854 Oregon.  Peter had a 2nd marriage about 1816, Julie Rivet Metis (Julia Flathead & Princess Julia) (Salishan Spokane) (1800-1886) daughter Therese Tete Platte (Salishan Spokane).

Legasse and Leblanc with the Kootenay Indians crossed the Howse Pass in trade.

Archibald recorded the only fresh meat available was bears.  The Russians relied on Creole (Indian) supplies of blubber mixed with fish and berries called yukola.

1808  

Miquam (Jacques) or (Jacob) Finlay b-1808 Rocky Mountains, aka Poste de la Montagne de Roches, son Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) and Indian woman.   This is more likely one of the 4 adopted Lussier children.  Nine other children born in Spokane, Washington are attributed to Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) and Indian woman.   Some of these are likely associated with a different wife, his brother Xavier Finlay (1779-1859) or some of his sons or adopted sons.  It is suggested he had 3 wives, 1st unknown, 2nd Kutenai and 3rd Spokane

June:  Simon Fraser (1776-1862) on the banks on the Fraser River encountered Indians who were exceeding well dressed in leather and were on horseback.  These horses are called wild mustangs (cayuse) and are descended from mustangs introduced by the Spanish, and still run wild in the area today.

May:   (II)-Simon Fraser (1776-1862), John Stuart, Jules Maurice Quesnil, nineteen (16?) Metis and two Indians descended the Fraser River.   John Stuart was one of those men who practiced serial marriages and acquired a new wife whenever he moved.  Jean Baptiste Bouche (Boucher) dit Waccen, died 1850, was one of the Metis mentioned.  Fraser thought he was on the Columbia River and only realized his error when he reached the mouth and took his bearings.  He was greatly disappointed.  He described the Fraser River as "a continual series of cascades, mix with rocky fragments and bound by precipices and mountains, that seemed at times to have no end.  I scarcely ever saw any thing so dreary, and seldom so dangerous in any country."

May 8:  (II)-Simon Fraser (1776-1862) of the North West Company son (I)-Simon Fraser and Isabel Grant, departed Fort George with 2 clerks and 16 voyagers, with 2 guides to find a new transportation route to the Pacific.  It turned out to be a 520 mile trip down the Fraser River.

September 28:  Nikolai Isakovich Bulagin, a Russian sighted Cape Juan de Fuca (Cape Flattery).  They sailed north to Slayoquot Sound, then south to Destruction Island, Washington.  It drifted ashore and became a total wreck.  Anna Petrovna d-1809 was captured by the natives.  The crew tried to free her but she refused as the natives treated her better than her husband.  Four other Russians also deserted to the natives.  The survivors were eventually rescued May 6, 1811 by Brown in the U.S. Lydia.  John Williams, an Englishman was also rescued. 

1809 

Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) lived between Blaeberry and Kootenae House he adopted the 4 Lussier orphaned children.  It is likely these children took on the Finlay name.   The Piegan People robbed Finlay of his horse and goods, he was known to have more than 18 horses.

John Jacob Astor, a German, attempted to make a joint venture with the Northwestern Fur Company but when rejected organized the American Fur Company to work the Oregon Territory (Oregon, Washington & B.C.) this year and in 1811, purchased the Mackinaw Company.  He hired Alexander McKay the 2nd in command of the Mackenzie Expedition to the Pacific of 1792/93.

David Thompson writes on Feb.19,1809--"Jaco & his two Seauteaux paid us a visit."   

The Tlingit Nation attacked the Russians again this year.

October the David Thompson and party, Finan McDonald, James McMillan, and a voyageur, possibly Michel Bordeaux or Jean Baptiste Boucher, was near starvation when Jaco Finlay, (1768-1828) a fine half-breed arrived and relieved us.  From him we traded twenty-eight Beaver tails, forty pounds of Bear meat, and thirty pounds of dried meat, and now we all, thank God enjoyed a good meal  They were near Libby, Montana

1810 

The first know trading post in Washington, Oregon Territory is built in Spokane.

Mount Hood, Oregon erupted.

Ross Cox of the Pacific Fur Company claims to have ascended the Columbia River 9 times and descended 8 times in the next 6 years.  He believed the North West Company was the undisputed masters of the interior of America.

September 6-10:   The Pacific Fur Company out of New York sent the ship Tonquin, of 290 tons, under command of Captain Jonathan Thron, to build Fort Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River.  This ship required a crew of 20 men, 13 of whom are Canadian Voyagers.  Thron was dictatorial and held the French Canadians in poor regard, hating their singing, smoking, light-hearted gossip and boastfulness.  He was very loyal to the men who financed the trip but was unco-operative, suspicious , uncommunicative, harsh and unbending in manner towards those he considered beneath him.  A second ship, Beaver, is dispatched with provisions.  A second party of 59 people are sent overland and they both are expected to arrive at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon Territory about the same time.  Only 35 of the overland party survived to reach the Pacific Ocean.  The missing 24 either died from sickness, starvation, drowning, fights with Indians, fatigue or desertion.  They had consumed or lost their provisions.  A Wilson Price Hunt led the overland party.  Some considered him inexperienced.

1811  

The most common affliction among the Chinook are syphilis and consumption (tuberculosis).

Alexander Ross and David Stuart of the Pacific Fur Company visited Cum Cloups later called Fort Kamloops, B.C..looking for a site for a fort.  They traded for 2,500 beaver skins that were sold to China for large profits.

A Spanish Metis this year claims to be the child of a sailor that survived a Spanish shipwreck.

The first two-dozen Kanakas (Hawaiian) recruited to work the Pacific North West arrived this year.  Nearly every post had had a contingent of Kanakas, noted for their reliability, cheerful dispositions and hard work.  There is a Kanakas legend that when they first saw the Salt Spring Islands it reminded them of the Hawaiian Islands and some jumped ship and swam to shore.

The Pacific Fur Company ship Tonquin, of 290 tons, under command of Captain Jonathan Thron, with a crew of 20 men, 13 of whom are Canadian Voyagers landed Falkland Islands to take on water, on her way to the Oregon Territory.  The passengers scattered in all directions on exploratory expeditions of their own.  Some did not return on time and delayed sailing.  Their next stop was the Hawaiian Islands.

Captain Cornelious Sonles sailed for the Columbia River, Oregon Territory with another contingent for the Pacific Fur Company that included Clarke, Clapp, Halsey, Nicolls, Seton, Ehninger and Ross Cox.  Henry Willetts died of scurvy on the trip.

Fort Okanogan, established in 1811 by David Stuart for the Astoria Fur Company, was the first settlement in what is now the State of Washington.  Fort Okanogan (spelled Oakinagan by Ross Cox) was located on the East bank of the Okanogan river just above it's entrance into the Columbia River.  Joseph McGillivray (1790-1832) became a partner in the North West Company in 1813 and from that year on was in charge of Fort Okanogan. In 1821 he became a chief trader and seven years later (1828?) was transferred to New Caledonia.

The Pacific Fur Company Employees at the Columbia River Fort Astoria (Fort George) are mostly Canadians and are as follows: 

Antoine Belleau, 
Jean Baptiste Belleau, 
Bazile Brousseau, 
Pierre Brugiere, 
George Cone, 
Joseph Cote aka Cotte, 
Ross Cox, 
John Day, 
Joseph Delauney, 
Pierre Delaunay, 
Jean Baptiste Delorme, 
Louis Dinnelle aka Dinelle, 
Pierre Dorion, 
Jean Baptiste Dubreuil d-1849, 
Francois Ducharquette aka Dechouquette, 
Andre Dufresne, 
Russell Farnham, 
Prisque Felix, 
Gabriel Franchere, 
Jean Baptiste Gardipie, 
Joseph Gervais, 
J. Cook Halsey, 
John Hoback aka Hobough, 
Francis William Hodgkins aka Hodgens, 
Charles Jacouette, 
Paul Den Jeremie, 
Jean Baptiste Labonte, 
Louis Labonte Sr., 
Andrie Lachapelle (1781-1881), 
Michel Laframboise, 
Louis Laliberte, 
Francois Landry, 
Joseph Landry, 
Joseph La Pierre, 
Louis La Valle, 
Giles Leclere, 
Alexis Le Compte, 
Andre Longtain b-1794, 
William Matthews, 
Duncan McDougall, 
Donald McGillis, 
Thomas McKay, Metis, 
Jean Baptiste Ouvre, 
Francis Benjamin Pillette, 
John Reid (Reed), 
Alexander Ross, 
Alfred Seton, 
Joseph Samant, 
David Stuart, 
Jonathan Thorn d-1811 captain of the Tonquin 
William Wallace.  

Louis Labonte Sr. of the Pacific Fur Company married a Columbia Indian Woman daughter Clatsop chief Coboway.

Other traders in the Oregon Territory are:   
Regis Brugiere, 
William Cannon, 
Alexander Carson, 
Ramsay Crooks, 
Pierre Detaye, 
Francois Fripagnier, 
Wilson Price Hunt, 
Benjamin Jones, 
Michel Lanson, 
Basil Lapensee, 
Ignace Lapensee, 
Francois Le Clere, 
Guillaume Leroux, 
Mr Louis,  
John McDonald N.W.C.
Alexander McKay, 
Jean Baptiste Desportes McKay, 
Andrew McKenzie, 
Donald McKenzie, 
Donald McTavish d-1814, N.W.C
J. George McTavish, N.W.C
Joseph Miller, 
John M. Mumford, 
Antoine Papin, 
Joseph St. Martin, 
Alexander Stewart N.W.C.
Robert Stuart 
Andrew Valle.

Joseph St. Martin of the N.W.C. arrived at Fort Astoria (Fort George) at the mouth of the Columbia River and married a Chinook Woman.

February 28:  The Pacific Fur Company ship Tonquin, under command of Captain Jonathan Thron, departed Hawaiian chief whom he called 'a grasping, trafficking savage as shrewd and sordid in his dealings as a white man."  They departed for the Oregon Territory with 24 Hawaiian aboard on a 3 year contract and finds them to be excellent sailors with superb swimming, diving and boat-handling abilities. A year later he recruits 26 more Hawaiian islanders to work for the company.

March:   Jean Baptiste Bouche (Boucher) dit Waccan died 1850 Metis of the NWC at New Caledonia, B.C. married a Carrier (Dene) chiefs daughter and had a second marriage 1817 to Nancy McDougall daughter James McDougall and had 17 Metis children, Jane b-1818, Sophie b-1820, Jean Baptiste b-1822 and Francois b-1824.

March 22:   Captain Jonathan Thorn a dictatorial captain of the ship Tonquin arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon Territory to build Fort Astoria..  He had earned the enmity of the fun-loving French-Canadian and Scottish fur traders.  He dispatched a small boat to find the channel, but the five men were lost, three of whom were the French Canadians. In a second attempt he lost another three men: Job Aiken, John Coles, Ebenezer D. Fox and John Martin.  Captain Jonathan Thorn offloaded the Pacific Fur Company employees, but not all the supplies, before sailing for Vancouver Island to trade on June 5.  

April 12:  Duncan McDougall's leadership was not appreciated by the men.  A few men tried to desert.  Men began clearing brush and cutting huge trees at the post's site. On May 18 they named the post "Fort Astoria", Oregon Territory. 

June:   Captain Jonathan Thorn of the sloop ship Tonquin of Fort Astoria, Columbia River, with a crew of 23 men and an Indian interpreter named Lamazee, is taken by the Indians, likely in Clayoquot Sound, Tofino, Vancouver Island.  He antagonized the Natives (Nuuk-mis) and they killed him and his crew, and the crew destroyed the ship and the supplies that should have been off-loaded at the Columbia River.  The crew hoped to kill many natives and to deny them a prize, by blowing up the ship in the Nootka area of Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island .  They killed about 200 natives.  The ship was owned by John Jacob Astor.  It is believed the anchor and some trade goods were recovered in 2003.  The descendents of Nuuk-mis claim the traders had been abusing the People and that was why the ship was attacked.  Captain Jonathan Thorn refused to heed the warning of Alexander McKay that because of the abuse of the natives their lives were in peril.

July 15:   (I)- David Thompson (1770-1857), with a party of 9, five French Canadians, two Iroquois and two Kootenay Indians, reached the mouth of the Columbia River to find John Jacob's Astor, b-1763,  Fur Company had arrived a few weeks earlier.  The party of the United States had built Fort Astonia at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Thompson was unaware that the agreement between the American Fur Company and the North West Company to jointly support the voyage had fallen through.  Thompson had not been ordered to reach the mouth of the river first.

Fall:  Joseph Felix Larocque (La Roque) b-1787 Quebec, of the North West Company explored the Thompson Valley.  He could speak several Indian languages.

 

1812  

Jacques Cardinal Sr. of St. Genevieve, Quebec traveled from Fort des Prairies to Columbia for the North West Company until the merger in 1821. 

John Clarke, (1781-1852) a Canadian working for the Pacific Fur Company built Fort Spokane near present city of Spokane, Washington and near the already located post of the North West Co. 

Jean Baptiste Dupate is at Fort George (B.C.)

Joseph Laroque, Metis of N.W.C. blazed a trail from New Caledonia to Fort Thompson (Kamloops).  He built a fort at Kamloops Indian Reserve.

Ingnace Shonowane and Iroquois trader is the first Easterner to reach the mouth of the Columbia River over land. He had quit the North West Company post at Spokane River in 1812 to join the United States post at the Columbia River's mouth. Many of his brothers followed, so many that by 1818 they made up 1/3 of the Companies employees in the District.   By 1818 nearly a third on the Companies employees in the Columbia District were Iroquois Metis traders.

Jacques Raphael (Jacko & Jocko) Finlay, Metis (1768-1828) was in charge of the Spokane House until this time.

Aleksandr Baranov (1747-1819) of the Russian-American Fur Company built Fort Ross, a fortified village north of San Francisco. Spanish officials objected to the Russian presence, but they lacked sufficient military force to back up their objections. The Russians professed to believe that San Francisco was the northern limit to Spain's claim of exclusive right of settlement in California

The Pomos People in Bodega Bay near Fort Ross resisted the Russian enslavement and sexual exploitation of their women but their population was greatly reduced by murder, debilitating labor and disease.

On Baranov's orders (by now the first Governor of Russian America), Ivan Kuskov founded Fort Ross in an area to the North of San Francisco. Fort Ross served as a trading post and a source of agricultural products for Russian America in Alaska. Kuskov's wife, Elizabeth, must be given much credit for the success of Fort Ross. She mastered the language of Indian tribes living in the lands adjoining Fort Ross and established extremely cordial relations with them. Russian soldiers and settlers from the fort could roam the surrounding woods without any fear of being scalped by the Indians. Spaniards, on the other hand, from San Francisco and Catholic missions, would always travel armed and in groups.

February 15:  The Astor expedition arrived Fort Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River being led by Mr Hunt, 30 men, one woman and two children.  John Day was in this group and was considered demented but eventually recovered.  However on his return trip to the east he again became demented and lost his life because he became violent. 

May 12:  Alexander Ross returns to Cum Cloups and builds Fort Kamloops, B.C..

May:   The supply ship Beaver of the Pacific Fur Company arrived the mouth of the Columbia River with much needed supplies.

June 29:  The Pacific Fur Company at Fort Astoria, Oregon Territory discovered the fur trade was not as lucrative as they once thought.  They found the Indians were not friendly or their leaders lacked the basic skills to win them over.  The majority of the Expedition set out for home.  The party consisted of three proprietors, nine clerks, 55 Canadians, 20 Sandwich Islanders and Messrs. Crooks, McLelland and R. Stewart.  Messrs. Hunt, McDougall, Clapp, Halsey, Franchere and six others remained at Fort Astoria.   

July:  David Thompson and nine men of the Northwest Fur Company arrived the Pacific Fur Companies Fort Astoria, Oregon Territory and stayed a month.  They said they were scouting for a fort location.

August:  The Indians reported the ship Tonquin had been taken by the Nootka Indians.  It appears the Captain Thorn of the ship Tonquin had struck one of the chiefs of the Nootka for alleged theft.  McKay of the Tonquin was living among the Nootka at the time and informed Captain Thorn that the natives were insulted and were determined to take the ship.  Captain Thorn just laughed at this threat.  Canoes full of Nootka arrived with furs to trade and McKay again warned the Captain Thorn the Indians were dangerous.  Captain Thorn laughted and said he had enough fire power to deal with twice this number of savages.  Thorn and McKay were the first to be dispatch then the crew followed shortly there after.  John Anderson, John Weeks and Stephen Weekes made the relative safety of a secure cabin where fire arms were stored.  They said they would leave the ship in peace if they were allowed.  Anderson rigged a fuse to the ships supply of powder and escaped unmolested out a window to a small boat.  The Nootka swarmed the ship intent on stripping the ship when it exploded killing 200 Nootka and wounding another 200.   Anderson and company could not clear the bay because the tides were running against them and were dispatch by the Nootka that night.  

September:  David Stuart, a Scott, for the American Pacific Fur Company built Fort She-waps near the confluence of the North and South Thompson (Kamloops).  Then Joseph Felix Larocque, Metis,  b-1787 Quebec, and McDonell of the North West Company was quick to establish a fort nearby, Fort Thompson is established this year and was later called Fort Kamloops then just Kamloops (B.C.)

In late 1812 or very early 1813, William Wallace and John C. Halsey established a trading post near the future site of Salem. John Reed and Alfred Seton, fellow Astorians, spent the winter with them and returned to Ft. Astor in March 1813.

1813  

Louis Majeau of the N.W.C. is in Oregon Territory.

Registre Bellaire, a former employee of the Northwest Fur Company, traveled with John Day, and Alexander Carson, both former employees of Astor's Pacific Fur Company, into the Willamette Valley. The men hunted and traded for furs during the winter of 1813-14 working as free trappers along the Willamette River.

In the spring of 1813, John George McTavish d-1847, of the North West Company arrived at Fort Astor (Fort George) with news of the War of 1812. The Astorians decided to sell out to the NWC before a Royal Navy ship could arrive and seize Fort Astor as a prize of war. Some Astorians joined the NWC and others went independent.

Fort She-waps near the confluence of the North and South Thompson not far from Kamloops is sold to the North West Company. 

(II)-John Clarke, (1781-1852) left the Pacific Fur Company when Fort Astoria (Fort George) was sold and rejoined the North West Company, returning to Montreal in 1814. to join the Hudson Bay company in 1815.

John George McTavish, died 1847, the bastardize who practiced serial marriages, took possession of Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River for the North West Company.  It was renamed Fort George.

John Stuart is posted to New Caledonia, B.C.

The Tlingit Nation attacked the Russians again this year.

(I)-James McMillan of the N.W,C. d-1858 met Ross Cox on the Spokane River in 1813.

Summer:   Pierre Dorion, Metis (1780/82-1814), departed Fort George (fort Astoria) with a group led by John Reed to Snake River Country and wintered on the Boise River in Idaho Oregon Territory.  Gabriel Franchere noted finding Pierre Dorion, Metis (1780/82-1814), wife Marie Aioe Laguivoise (1786-1850) and two boys on the Upper Columbia River on his return journey to Canada from Fort George (fort Astoria). 

November:  James Keith (1782-1852) came overland to Fort George (Fort Astoria)

December 18:  Capt. Black of HMS Raccoon formally took possession of the small Fort Astoria post and renamed it Fort George.

1814  

January:  Alexander Henry (cousin of William Henry), William Matthews and eight oarsmen traveled up the Willamette River to see William Henry at his Champoeg post. Below the Falls they noted a village of the Clowwewallas (a Clackamas Upper Chinook people). At first the voyagers beached on the opposite (eastern) bank but their camp was so miserable that they decided to risk a visit to the Clowwewalla village.  After a peaceful night and portage around the Falls along the west bank, Henry and his oarsmen reached Champoeg. There they found William Henry, Alfred Seton, and about 30 more employees of the fur company. Two huts housed freemen (unaffiliated trappers) and Nepisangues who worked as hunters. Kalapuyans were also camped near the post. (The term "Nepisangues" is so far unidentified--perhaps Native American or half-Indian (Metis) people from Canada)

January 14:  A Bannock raiding party destroyed John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) trading post at Boise River and carried out intermittent raids on trapper and explorer parties.

April:  An English barmaid named Jane Barnes, blonde and buxom, traveled with Isaac Todd to Fort George, Oregon and is believed to be the first European woman in Oregon.  Donald McTavish took her as a concubine to the Columbia River where he shared her with his men.  He first shared her with Alexander Henry.  McTavish took on a Chinook squaw (iskwao) left behind by the departing United States.  Jane Barnes later made the rounds of the men at the fort.  She sailed to China and eventually returned to England.  (Squaw is a very insulting English word.)  Robert H. Ruby and John A. Brown wrote that the biggest surprise package aboard the Isaac Todd was Jane Barnes,

May 22, Fort George (Fort Astoria), Oregon Territory, mouth of Columbia River, Donald McTavish and Alexander Henry, the younger (1764-1814), after a night of drinking, capsized a skiff and they and five other occupants drowned.  Henry had served the N.W.C. for 23 years.

October 16, the Astorians sold all their interest in the Oregon Territory to the North West Company.  During their evacuation John Clarke, a hot tempered Astorian hung a Nez Perce and soured all relations with these friendly peoples until 1816.

1815  

Aleksandr Baranov (1747-1819) of the Russian-American Fur Company built Fort Kauai, Hawaii.
 

1816  

James Keith (1782-1852) is in charge of the Columbia River department (1816-1817) for the North West Company out of Fort George (Fort Astoria). 

Johann Fredrich Eschshiltz and Ludovick De Chamissio, both naturalists visited the Ross Colony (California) in the ship Riurik.

A party of trappers with the Northwest Fur Company killed a chieftain at the Clackamas rapids on the Willamette River when the Indians demanded tribute for safe passage. Two of the ten men in the trapper party were wounded in the battle.  James Keith (1782-1852) of the Northwest Fur Company dispatched a party of 25 to restore peace but the Indians refused to accept compensation for the death of their chief. One of the fur company party was wounded in a night attack during the voyage back to Ft. George (formerly Ft. Astoria). 

1817  

Alexander Ross and a force of 45 men made another attempt at peace on behalf of the Northwest Fur Company. This time the party brought a large quantity of tobacco, a precious commodity. The Indians (the Multnomahs) camped on the east bank just below the Falls of the Willamette while the whites, with their two field pieces, camped on the west bank.  After three days of peaceful approaches, Ross met with Kesno, the chief. The calumet (peace pipe) was smoked, the flag offered, tribute and restitution given, and an Indian slave was given to Ross and returned. The whites received permission to pass peacefully along the Willamette River and make portage around the Falls. They were forbidden to establish an outpost or to take salmon at the Falls.

Fort George is established. The post is staffed by approximately 50 men, more than half of whom are Kanakas (Hawaiians). A year later, the Northwest Company establishes Fort Walla Walla in the interior. Among its employees are 20 men of mixed Indian-white parentage (Metis), 38 Iroquois Indians and 32 Kanakas. 

1818  

British Columbia south of 54° 40' and west of the Rocky Mountains and south to the California border is considered part of the Ouragan Territory (meaning Hurricane) (Oregon Territory) and the United States began making claim on the Ouragan Territory although no United States citizens occupied this territory.  The territory was managed by the Hudson Bay Company for Canada and Britain.  The United States cry became 54-40 or War.  This arrangement would last until 1846.  It is noteworthy that Russia and Spain had also made claim to the Ouragan Territory by right of first exploration and settlement.

Russia recorded this year twenty four trading posts from Alaska to California in the Ouragan Territory.

Baranov requested help from the Russian Royal Navy to send a warship against the Tlingit Nation.  This failed to stop the Tlingit War which continued until 1867.  Some suggest the Russian failure to put down the Tlingit People was a contributing factor in the sale of Alaska to the United States.

The Russians were first to build ships on the west coast of North America. Four ships were constructed at the Ross colony in Fort Ross Cove, north of Spanish San Francisco Bay (California). The first was the brig Rumianstev, launched in 1818. This ship lasted only until 1823. The second was copper-hulled brig Buldakov. It was launched in 1820 and was in use until 1826. The third was the brig Volga, launched in 1822 and in use until 1827. The last brig, Kiakhta was built in 1824 and it is unknown how long this brig was in use.

The Ross colony had a vineyard with 2,000 vines, a Russian Orthodox Church, had one or two blacksmiths, and imported glass from Russia.

Fort Walla Walla (1818-1860?) In 1818, just north of where the Walla Walla and Columbia Rivers merge, Donald Mackenzie built a fort that was to become one of the most important key strategic posts in the Pacific Northwest. The fort was christened Fort Nez Perce, but later took on the name Fort Walla Walla, after the nearby river.  There were six forts in all to bear the name "Fort Walla Walla".

In the winter of 1818-19, Thomas McKay led a hunting brigade south towards the sources of the Willamette River. His mostly Iroquois (or mixed race (Metis)) hunters killed 14 Indians in a battle on the Upper Umpqua River. The party retreated back to Ft.George (formerly Ft. Astor) but Louis LaBonte, Joseph Gervais, Etienne Lucier, Louis Kanota, and Louis Pichette dit DuPre stayed to hunt in the Willamette Valley throughout 1819. The five were free trappers, not bonded employees of the fur company.

Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) of the NWC fled Quebec for the Columbia River because he was indicted in murder.  He abandoned his Cree wife and two Metis children.  He was known to be a bully and a violent man.

1819  

The trappers, fur traders, Mountain men and River men are generally credited with exploring the west.  The Army Corp in persons such as Major Stevan Long, who led an expedition west, said the entire region was unfit for cultivation or human habitation.  He joined General Henry Atkinson's in the Yellowhead expedition.  In five expeditions he covered 26,000 miles.  

Colin Robertson (who is perhaps the namesake of Mount Robson), in charge of Fort St. Mary, recorded in his journal for December 1819, “Tête Jaune aka Pierre Bostonais d-1828, the free Iroquois, has given me a chart of that country across the Rocky Mountains.

February 22:  Spain ceded its legitimate claim to Florida and Oregon not wishing to go to war with the US.

December:  Colin Robertson at Fort St. Mary recorded that Tete Jaune alias Pierre Bostonais d-1827 had provided him with a map of that country across the Rocky Mountains.

1820 

(I)-George Simpson (1787-1860) of Scotland sent men he didn't like to New Caledonia (British Columbia)  He established policy that his officers make alliances (country marriages) with important Indian families to improve trade.  In exchange for their daughters, the Indians would have access to supplies from the forts.  Other accounts suggest he forbid his men from marrying Indians or Metis unless it was his cast offs.  The Hudson Bay Company policy was that a man was not legally bound to these relationships when he moved to another post, as there was no longer an economic advantage.  He was however expected to maintain the woman and her children until she was "under the projection of another" or in a new relationship with another man.  The agreement from a H.B.C. perspective was that of a  mistress, concubine not as a wife.  (I)-George Simpson, of Scotland was a vile man when it came to country women.  He referred to them as bits of brown, commodities and brown jugs when he referred to them.  He disrespected the customs of the country.  He abandoned his own women with no concern for their feelings and showed only minor concern for his Metis children.  By modern standards he would be considered as a psychopath.  Most of the Men of the North West Company did not endorse this uncivilized H.B.C. policy however many Scottish and English traders followed the example of Simpson.   

Peon Peon or Peopeo, a Hudson Bay employee married one of the Sub-chiefs daughters and settled Maple Ridge across the river from Fort Langley.  Their first daughter, believed to be the first born in Fort Langley, married a Sandwich Islander known as Hahu who worked as a river pilot.  Her sister Sophie wed a Kanaka named Ohule, and Peopeo's son, Joseph Mayo, worked alongside his father and Ohule as a cooper at the fort.  A fellow Kanaka known as Chier wed a local woman named Katherine, by whom he had at least three sons, David, Joseph and Thomas.  These people are early Metis of B.C. by any standards of measure.

David Douglas, a Scottish botanist this decade studied the flora of the Pacific Northwest, exploring the upper Columbia River country.

Old John b-1820 B.C. and wife Madge b-1826 B.C. are living Skeena in 1901 census

Etienne Pepen alias Maille and Magice (1799-1874) the son of Michel May and Marguerite Pepin of Yamaska, Quebec; arrived Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) then was assigned to Fort Langley, married Country style at least two, perhaps three country wives.

Samuel Williams and his brother are said to have settled Woody Island, B.C. this year and were still there in 1880.  Sam Crab, Thomas Russell are both single and fishermen, also live Woody Island..  

The inland fur trade in the Pacific Northwest is growing slowly composed mostly of French Canadians and their half-Indian (Metis) families, the British traders and their half-breed (Metis) families and a hand full of United States Mountain Men also with their Indian women.

Tete Jaune dit Pierre Bostonais, d-1828 a yellow haired Iroquois Metis guided a H.B.C. party over the Rocky Mountains and returned the end of October the same year.  His brother Jean Baptiste Bostonais also a Iroquois Metis joined his brother in guiding.  Pierre was nicknamed "Tete Jaune" meaning Yellowhead because of his light-colored hair.  The mountain pass that has been in use for about 30 years was named Yellowhead Pass.

John Quincy Adams, this decade, created the term 'Manifest Destiny' to mask a 'World Domination' objective.  He believed the United States would eventually be coextensive with the North American continent, destined by God and Nature to be the most populous and powerful people ever combined into one social contract.  John O'Sullivan in 1845, however, is the first person to publish the term 'Manifest Destiny'.   The invasion and conquest of Texas, New Mexico, Arizonia and California is justified as part of God and Natures Grand Plan.  The Principle of Might is Right allowed the U,S.A. to annex Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.  The central States of Mexico fell by isolation.  The next objective was to clear the lands of Native Peoples.  Its unclear when the United States citizens assumed the term American to describe themselves.  Canadians, Mexicans and all the peoples of South America are Americans but would never call themselves as such.

Marguerite Souilliere, Metis, b-1820 daughter Basile Souilliere and Cree Woman; 1st married at Lake Superior Sieur Roussin, and traveled to Fort Vancouver B.C. in 1831; 2nd marriage 1833 David Dampierre, this marriage was consecrated at Fort Vancouver B.C. in late December 1838.   

A treaty between Spain and U.S.A. establishes the Idaho (Oregon) Territory at the 42nd parallel.

September 4:  Czar Alexander declared that Russian influence extended as far south as the Oregon Territory and this year closed Alaska to foreigners.

1821  

James Taylor b-1794 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1821-1823) likely settled in Red River. 

 (I)- George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot is made governor of Hudson Bay Company (1821-1856) and ruled over much of Canada and North Western United States; namely Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  He was called the 'Little Emperor' as he only stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He was a ruthless efficient administrator, cut the staff by 50% and cut wages of the rest.  As a result by 1826 he became Governor for all H.B.C. property in North America.

September 16:  Russia by edict claimed the Pacific Northwest coast and sent military units to enforce their claim and expel the British and American foreigners,

 

1822  

Fort Babine (Kilmars or Old Fort) is built this year 35 miles S.E. of Babine Lake and east of Smithers Landing.

John McLeod (1788-1849) is at Kamloops, B.C. and would return to Fort Edmonton (Alberta)

The most successful mountain man was William Ashley, who in 1822 advertised in the St. Louis Gazette for men who wanted employment for up to three years in the Oregon Territory. The ad was answered by Jedediah Smith, Thomas Fitzpatrick, David Jackson, William Sublette, and Jim Bridger, who made up the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Ashley earned $80,000 the first year and retired to politics after the second.

Father Mariano Payeras, last Franciscan prelate of the Spanish missions in California, visited the Russian Ross Colony (California).

1823  

Miles (Archibald?) MacDonell in Columbia River District married Koale'xoa d-1824 daughter Chief Comcomly,   who died the following year giving birth to a son Ranald MacDonell, Metis, b-1824. 

(I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) Chief Factor Fort Langley, B.C. married about 4/5 times, possibly bigamist relationships?:  married 1823 Koale'xoa daughter d-1824, of, Whattlekainum of the Kwantien tribe, others suggest married daughter Comcomly of Chinook tribe, one son (II)-Ronald MacDonald, Metis, b-1824

Chief trader James Murray Yale's (1776-1871) men are killed at Fort George on the junction of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers this year.

(I)-John Tod b-1794, Scotland, died 1882 Oak Bay, B,C. and started work at Fort George (Prince George, B.C.) working for James Murry Yale (1776-1871).  He abandoned or Magnus Birston, Metis refused to move with their son James Tod, Metis (1818-1904) who would move to Fort Victoria about 1840.  He Joined James Murry Yale at Fort George (Prince George, B.C.)   (I)-John Tod was said to have excellent principles but vulgar manners.  He abandoned a number of country wives so he can't be considered to have excellent principles.

(I)-John Work aka Wark, b-1792, Ireland, d-1861, d-1861 Hillside near Victoria,.joined HBC 1823 and 1st. married a Red Deer woman, one child (II)-Jane Work, Metis, married (I)-William Fraser Tolomie (1812-1886) and one unknown girl; 2nd marriage 1826, Josette Legace, Metis, and had 7 Metis kids, Henry, James, Mary, Sarah, Cerelia, Suzaette, John, and David.   

 

1824  

Jean Baptiste Dubois out of Fort Langley in 1824 drowned July 27, 1828, at Fort Nez Pierce. 

F. P. Luetke of Russian noted that the liaisons between the Russian and the Kolosh women (Tlingit) and the new generation Creole (Metis) resulting from them, are also a vehicle which is growing stronger every day as the two groups come into closer contact.  The Creoles (offspring of Russian promyshlenniki and Alaska Natives) served the capitalistic ventures of the Russians as middlemen, Russian-American Company clerks, fur gatherers, wives, translators, seamen, and in many other roles. The Creoles, a class of subjects in the czarist regime, became a distinct people.

Adrienne Lucier, Metis, (1824-1919) born Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) daughter Etienne Lucer and Josephte Noutie (Wakashan Kwakiut); 1st married unknown, 2nd married Andre Lachapelle. 

(II)-Ranald MacDonald, Metis is born 1824 at Fort George (near Astoria, Oregon) son (I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) and Kaole'xod daughter of Tillamook chief Comcomly.

Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854), a violent trader, is ordered into the Oregon Territory to trap the region bare.  Ogden is one of those traders who practiced serial marriages where he acquired a new wife when he moved.  The British Hudson Bay Company believed all lands south of the Columbia River would eventually go to the United States and didn't want them to have any furs.  This he did, and explored the Humboldt River, Great Salt Lake and the lower Colorado River.  Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) married Princess Julia, alias Julia Rivet Metis, a Nez Perce step daughter of a French Canadian trapper.  They had 7 Metis children.  He had abandoned his 1st wife a Cree girl in Quebec with two boys.  He sent for the two Metis boys and Julia raised them.  In 1824/1825 Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) trapped and traded southeastern Idaho, northern Utah, including Cache Valley, Ogden Valley and Weber River Valey.

(I)-John Tod b-1794, Scotland is transferred to Fort McLeod under James Douglas (1803-1877).  Here he married his first country wife or concubine/housekeeper/sex partner as he considered her, she was identified as a singing girl.  He married his second wife Elizabeth Waugh in England but it didn't work out so he returned her to Wales.  

John Work (1776-1871 is at Fort Langley, B.C.

Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) is the main Hudson Bay Company transit point for furs collected down the Columbia River,

To avoid war with the British and United States, Russia dropped their claim to California, Oregon Territory and Vancouver Island and B.C.

November, an expedition was sent out to explore the shore line of Puget Sound and the waters of the Fraser River. 

Work's list of those on the expedition

* Jas. Portneuf Abanaker
* Jos. Loui Abanaker
* Louis Anawano, Jr.
   Francis Noel Annance, clerk 
* Alexis Aubuchon
* Peo Bean (Islander)
* Cannon (American)
* Cawano, Jr.
* F.H. Condon
* Leo Depuis
* Joseph Despard
* Louis Diomilea
* J.B. Dubian
* Joseph Grey (Islander)
* Louis Hanatiohe, Jr.
   Iroquois,  Freehunter and guide
* Chas. Jaundeau
* Wm. Johnson (Englishman)
* Pierre Karagaragab, Jr.
* Pierre Karaguana, Jr.
* Andre Le Chappel
* Segwin le Deranti
   Michael Laframbois, interpeter
* Piere L'Etang
* Andre Lonctoin
   Thomas McKay, clerk
   James McMillan, leader of the party
* Momonta (Islander)
* Ettuni Oniager
* Jacques Patvin
* Pierre Patvin
* Basil Pioner
* P.B. Proveau
* Chas. Rondeau
* Louis Shatakorata, Jr
* Louis Shorakorta (Islander)
* Thos. Toyanel (Islander)
* Pierre Villandri
* Louis Vivet
* Peter Wagner
   John Work, clerk 
* Thos. Zawaiton (Islander)

November 26:  John Work (1776-1871) came with Chief Factor James McMillan to locate the site for Fort Langley.  Twenty five men built a palisade 120 by 135 feet, including a dwelling and storehouse.

 

1825  

“Tête Jaune aka Pierre Bostonais, d-1827 and brother Baptiste arrived -- the Iroquois all enjoyed themselves with a booze.” Tête Jaune and Baptiste appear in 1825, when the Hudson’s Bay Company required a guide over the Yellowhead Pass, then a little-known route. (There is no record that this pass was used by either company prior to 1824, when Chief Trader Joseph Felix LaRocque tried to establish a post at “Moose or Cranberry Lake.”)

(I)-Miles (Archabald?) MacDonell in Columbia River District married Jane Klyne Metis, the daughter of Michael Klyne, postmaster at Jasper's House. She bore him 13 children.

Dr. McLoughlin moved his headquarters to a new spot up the Columbia, River, naming it Fort Vancouver

(I)-Donald Manson (1796-1880) arrived Fort Vancouver 1825, married Felicite Lucier, they had one son John Donald Mamson who married Aurelia Yale daughter J.M. Yale.

Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) recorded viewing Mt. Hood, Mt St. Helens and Mt Adam.

John Randal b-1801 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1825-1828) as boat builder at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon or B.C.).

John Spence b-1800 Orkney worked west Rockies (1825-1833) as boat builder and returned to British Isles.

(I)-John Tod (1794-1882) married a native girl he called "the singing girl" but in the H.B.C. tradition he considered her a concubine/housekeeper that he soon abandoned.  They had one Metis daughter.  

More than 170 ships a year (1785-1825) essentially trapped out the sea otter.

Emigrant James Nesmith:
"Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), from his own private resources, rendered the new settlers much valuable aid by furnishing the destitute with food, clothing and seed, waiting for his pay until they had a surplus to dispose of."

"Well received by Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857),  who charged nothing for the boat sent up for us, nor for the provisions; but not satisfied with that, sent us plenty of salmon and potatoes, furnished us house, room and wood free of charge, and was very anxious that all should get through safe."

Fort Vancouver, (1825-1856) near (Portland Oregon) is built this year on the north bank of the Columbia River, just up river from the mouth of the Wallamette River, Oregon Territory.  Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), was the first chief factor being transferred from Fort George at the south side of the Columbia River.   His territory was from the Russian Alaska boundary to the California boundary.  He was ordered to discourage settlers.

Fort Colvile (1825-1871) This post replaced Spokan House in 1825. It was located just above Kettle Falls on the Columbia River, Oregon Territory. 

A volcano at Mount Rainier, Washington erupted this year.

March 19:  (I)-George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot only stood 5' 6" was characterized as 'ruthless and insensitive' but was governor of Hudson Bay Company (1821-1856) and officially baptized Fort Vancouver, (Portland Oregon) this year..

 

 

1826  

James Baker b-1804 Orkney worked H.B.C. west Rockies (1826-1840) as a steward, settled in Willamette Valley, Oregon.

(I)-James Douglas (1803-1877) a mixed blood Metis or Mulatto as some called them, son of a Scotch and Creole (Russian-Eskimo) woman married Amelia Connolly, Metis daughter Chief Factor William Connolly and an Indian woman.  He was a hot tempered, heavy handed man who ruled the Hudson Bay Company West Coast as an Emperor.  He was obsessed with power, ritual and penny pinching.  He was eventually made governor of both Vancouver Island and Main Land B.C. 

John McLeod (1788-1849) arrived Kamloops, B.C. from Fort Edmonton (Alberta).

Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) brought apple seeds from England.  He also married a Metis girl.

 (I)- George Simpson (1787-1860), a Scot, a bigamist, fathered three children on his travels and took a fourth known wife, Margaret Taylor, a Metis, this year and had 2 children.  He would later put her and her children aside, return to England and returned with a fifth bride, 18 year old Francis, who soon returned to England.  It is interesting he held both Indians and Metis women in contempt but used them for sex.

Tête Jaune probably spent the winter of 1825-26 at Fort Alexandria, for in early May 1826, just before the departure of the brigade from Fort St. James for Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon), Connolly received word about the “Iroquois guide who remains sick at Alexandria.” In early November 1826, Tête Jaune and Baptiste arrived at Fort St James. “In the evening that old rogue Tête Jaune, and his brother, arrived from below, dread of the Carriers who threaten vengeance for the death of their relatives, is the cause of their coming this way. These people brought nearly one Pack of Beaver between them.”

September:  (I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) and 23 men, women and children departed Fort Kamploops to explore the Thompson River to its forks with the Fraser River.  He reports to Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) but doesn't tell him he and his men took their families on the expedition.

September 26:   Peter Skene Ogden (1790-1854), exploring the Cascade Mountains of Oregon,  reached the River of the Falls where the Indians had built a bridge, but he lost five horses through the bridge.  Historians refused to believe the Indians were capable of building a bridge to support a horse, let alone a number of horses.  John Y Todd said "It is difficult to believe that there could have been much of a bridge there when Peter Skene Ogden crossed it.  It seems as if Ogden must have been blinded by the snow, because it is hard to think the Indians could possibly have built a structure that would support a horse."  There was a settlement of 20 Indian families, at Sherar's Bridge, Oregon, at this time.  It is noteworthy that the place was not named Indian Bridge, Oregon.

 

1827  

Ashista b-1827 B.C. and wife Matemama b-1827 B.C. are living Skeena in 1901 census

Alexis Aubichon who helped establish Fort Langley, (B.C.) this year is married to Marie Anne Chinook (1820-1880) daughter of As-kal-wilsh and they were with Laframboise in California in the 1830's.  Fort Langley was described as "Dull and monotonous--everything has a wintery appearance," fort journal of December 8, 1827.

Pierre Charles dit Langlois, Abenki Metis, from Montreal is at Fort Langley 1827-1830 and married Louise Tialum.

Edward Driver of Orkney, killed 1827 Vancouver (Portland Oregon) only worked this year for H.B.C. as a seaman.

John Low of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1827-1830) as seaman/cook, returned to British Isles

James MacMillan at Fort Langley salted and barreled salmon for the Hudson Bay.  It was not tasty so had a very limited market.  This however is believed the first commercial venture by the eastern men.

William Wilson of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1827-1830) as seaman returned to British Isles.

Etienne Pepin alias Etienne Maille aka Etienne Magice (1799-1874) son Michel May and Marguerite Pepin of Yamaska, Quebec arrived Fort Langley from Fort Vancouver

Etienne Pepin alias Etienne Maille aka Etienne Magice (1799-1874) son Michel May and Marguerite Pepin of Yamaska, Quebec: married Isabelle Kwantlen but also married Uiskiwin Woman and Quyslen Woman one being in Fort Vancouver.

Men attached to the Fraser River 1827/30 include:

(I)-Archabald McDonald (1790-1853), Chief Trader, with wife Jane Klyne, Metis, and 3 children
Francois Noel Annance, clerk, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman and 3 children
James M. Yale (1776-1871), clerk, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Pierre Charles, beaver hunter, guide, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Charles Charpentier, cook and middleman, no wife but one child.
Como, middleman and sawyer with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Louis Delonais, steersman, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Dominique Farron, middelman, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
John Kennedy, d-1830, middleman, and interpreter, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Annawiskum McDonald, foreman and cooper, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Louis Olson, middleman, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Etienne Oniaze, middleman,  with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Pecopeeoh, middleman and sawyer,  with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Francois Faniant dit Pritte, mechanic,  with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Simon Piemondo, foreman and beaver hunter, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Louis Satakarata, middleman, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Etienne Papin, blaclsmith, with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman
Pierre Therrin, middleman,  with wife most likely a Coast Salish Woman

It was noted that those who took country wives were more inclined to stay in the employ of the company.

January:  Louis Ossin arrived Fort Langley from Fort Vancouver. 

June 27:  A group of 25 men again under the command of Chief Trader McMillan left for the Fraser River from Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon), a new post situated about 90 miles up the Columbia. McMillan was again accompanied by Clerk Francois Noel Annance. He also had two new clerks--George Barnston and Donald Manson. The other 21 men were:--

Anawiskum MacDonald, 
Amable Arquoith (Arquoitte), 
James Baker, Louis Boisvert, 
Oliver Bouchard, 
Pierre Charles, beaver hunter and guide
Como, middleman and sawyer
Joseph Cornoyer, 
Jean Baptiste Dubois, 
Jean Baptiste Ettiers (Ettue), 
Dominique Faron, 
John Kennedy, d-1830, middleman and interpreter
Peeoh Peeoh, 
Antoine Pierrault, 
Jacques Peirrault, 
Francois Piette (Pritte) dit Faniant, mechanic
Simon Pomondean (Plamondon), 
Louis Satakarata Junior (dit Rabaska), middleman
Laurent Sauve dit LaPlante, 
Francois Xavier Tarihonya (Tarihonhga), 
Abraham Vincent. McMillan, 
Annacis, and Barnston Islands, all located in the Lower Fraser River, and Manson Mountain near Hope, are named in honour of the Chief Trader and his Clerks.

August 1:  Chief Factor James McMillan when he sailed up the Fraser River of  H.B.C. built Fort Langley on the Frazer River, B.C.  The fort contained French Metis, Scottish Metis, Hawaiian, Iroquois Metis and Coast Salish.  Most married Coast Salish wives.  McMillan's party consisted of over 30 men. His three clerks were Francois Noel Annance, Thomas McKay, Metis, son Marguerite McKay, Ojibwa Metis and step-son of Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), from the Columbia, and John Work. The interpreter was Michel LaFrambois. 
The men were: -- 
Louis Anawano Junior, 
Alexis Aubuchon, 
Peo Bean, 
Cannon, 
Cawano Junior, 
F.H. Condon, 
Leo Depuis, 
Segwin le Deranti, 
Joseph Despard, 
Louis Diomelea (Diomilea), 
J.B. Dubian, 
Joseph Grey, 
Louis Hanatiohee Junior, 
Charles Jaundeau, 
William Johnston, 
Pierre Karagaragab Junior, 
Pierre Karaguana Junior, 
Andre Le Chappel, 
Pierre L'Etang, 
Andre Lonctoin, 
Joseph Louis (Abanaker), 
Momonta, Ettuni Oniager, 
Jacques Patvin, 
Pierre Patvin, 
Basil Pioner, 
James Portneuf (Abanaker), 
Jean Baptiste (or P.B.) Proveau, 
Charles Rondeau, 
Louis Satakarata Junior (alias Rabiska), middleman
Louis Satakarata Senior (Shorakorta), 
Thomas Toyanel, 
Pierre Villandri, 
Louis Vivet, 
Pierre Walker (Wagner), 
Thomas Zawaiton. 
While Louis and Portneuf were Abenaki Indians, Cannon was an American, and William Johnson was an Englishman, the rest of the party consisted of French-Canadians or Metis and Hawaiians.

August 1: The first stick for Fort Langley was cut, said James McMillan in a letter to a friend, John McLeod.  Fort Langley was named after Thomas Langley

November 30:  A guide Pierre Charles, and beaver hunter, a French-Canadian, is living with the Indians near Tumwater Lake joined the McMillan expedition.  Jean Baptiste Proveau, one of the party who had descended the river with Fraser in 1808 instantly recognized the mountains to the north (Golden Ears). The party proceeded upriver to seek out a suitable location for a fort and to get acquainted with the Indians. .

December 24:  It was the guard on the gallery who first spotted company on Christmas Eve. Out on the river an Indian ran on the ice toward the fort waving a note at the guard. McMillan met him, read the note, and then sounded the alarm that Chief Trader Alexander McKenzie and four men from Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) were dangerously situated among the Musqueams near the river's mouth.  Within a few moments Donald Manson and Francois Noel Annance had enlisted an armed party and were headed downriver to the rescue. They soon found McKenzie. He had been forced to land among the Indians due to ice on the river. Although he had been threatened and robbed his party was otherwise all right. McKenzie had been fortunate enough to have a Kwantlen carry a message to Fort Langley for help.

December 26:  On Boxing Day, Francois Noel Annance took an armed party to the Musqueam Village and recovered the goods which had been stolen from McKenzie.

 

1828  

Jean Baptiste Bernard, a French Canadian voyager who is considered the best canoe man in America heads up the first descent of the Fraser River.   (I)- George Simpson (1787-1860) a Scot and company portaged many of the rapids as Bernard and crew ran them.  They had paddled 3,181 miles in 65 days setting a record.  Simpson was not an explorer or a brave man.

Tete Jaune aka Pierre Bostonais a Iroquois Metis. his brother Jean Baptiste Bostonais d-1828, their wives and children were killed at the headwaters of the Smoky River, B.C. by the Beaver Indians for encroachment into their hunting territory.  Tete was a free agent who at times worked both the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company as guide.

(I)- James Douglas (1803-1877), a Scottish Metis (mixed-blood) (black), illegitimate child slave, son John Douglas and Marthe Ritchie, married 1828 Fort St. James, in country style, to Amelia Connolly (1812-1890), Metis, daughter of William Connolly and Miyo Nipiy (Suzanne Cree) of Fort Churchill.  They had 13 children of which only 6 lived to adulthood. 

David Guthrie of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1828) as boatswain and is believed to have returned to British Isles.

Bonne Helm (1828-1864), of Kentucky came from a family where all five brothers died a violent death, he left a bloody trail throughout the north west US and B.C. of murder, cannibalism and violence. 

Kenneth McKay b-1808 Orkney, killed August 15, 1840 Columbia River, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1828-1840)

(I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) Chief Factor Fort Langley, B.C. (1828-1833) married about 4/5 times, possibly bigamist relationships?:
    1823 daughter d-1824, of, Whattlekainum of the Kwantien tribe, others suggest married daughter Comcomly of Chinook tribe, one son (II)-Ronald MacDonald Metis, b-1824
    1825 Jane Klyne daughter Mocheal Kyne (Katzie) of Jasper House of Alberta, they had 13 children 
    ?? daughter Pal-hai-lak of Thompson tribe
    ?? daughter T'soschia of Cowichan Confederacy

William Swain of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. in 1828 as seaman, returned to British Isles.

F.P. Wrangle reported the Koliuzh no longer attack the Russians out of fear.  This likely assumes the Russians made a major attack on these People.

YALE, B.C. FRAZER RIVER Frazer River near Yale, B.C.
Governor  (I)- George Simpson (1787-1860) a Scot, Chief Factor Archibald McDonald (1790-1853), James Murray Yale (1796-1871) in two canoes descended the Frazer River to determine if it was a good trade route, which it wasn't.  This painting is near Yale, B.C. that was named after James Yale (1776-1871).
Alexander Mackenzie 15 years earlier decided it will never be used as a trade route.

James Murray Yale (1796-1871) arrived Fort Langley and this year married his Kwantien woman, daughter Talphe.  She had previously married Carrier Tzeeaze.  Tzeeaze continued to have a sexual relationship with Yales wife especially when he was away.  Joseph Beignoit, an interpreter threatened to tell Yale of this affair.  Tzeeaze threatened to kill Beignoit if he told.  After a few years Yale's wife left him and returned to her father leaving Yale with two girls Aurelia and Bella.  He looked after the girls not sure if they were his and it is said he spent most of the rest of his life in seclusion.  It was said he was a small man in stature but courageous with a big heart.  

From this year onward, the Hudson's Bay Company operated yearly round-trip caravans from Ft. Vancouver (Portland Oregon) to the Snake River country, to California, to Montreal, and to New Caledonia (Ft. Alexandra, Canada). 

Chief Trader Alexander McKenzie and four men from Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) were killed at Point Roberts.  It was decided that a punitive expedition, consisting of 60 men, would seek out the killers of McKenzie and make them pay with their lives. Two families of Clallams were encountered and wiped out. Two men, two women, and four children had been killed. It was never ascertained if they knew anything about the killing of McKenzie.  The guns of the Cadboro were brought to bear upon the huts of the Indians. The cannon roared and the flimsy cedar houses splintered and collapsed. The Hudson Bay Company men then landed and put the torch to any huts left standing. They then destroyed 40 canoes that were drawn up on the beach. A count revealed that 17 Clallams had been killed.   McKenzie's death had been avenged.  James Murray Yale (1776-1871) was part of the punitive expedition.

Archibald McDonald (1790-1853)  second Chief Factor in charge of  Fort Langley with 17 men and 'Little Yale' (James Murray Yale (1776-1871)) as second in command (Yale was less than 5 feet tall).

January:  Alexander McKenzie, Antoine Pierrault, Francois Xavier Tarrhonga (Tarihinga), Cartoer and Baptiste Boiseau are killed at Whidby Island by the Clallam People on their way to Fort Vancouver.

 

1829 

James Anderson, b-1798 Orkney, died of fever December 25, 1830, Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) and worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1829-1830) as a ships carpenter.

George Folster b-1803 Orkney, died 1850 Fort Vancouver,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1828-1848) as blacksmith

May 6:  York Factory, (I)-James Goudie, born September 18, 1809 Orkney, died April 23, 1887, Victoria, B.C., joined H.B.C. and wintered Peace River Fort.

Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), of the H.B.C. employed Etienne Lucier and a work party to build a log store-house and three cabins at the Falls of the Willamette, the first construction at the future site of Oregon City. Indians burned Dr John McLoughlin's (1784-1857), cabins and the pile of logs meant for construction of a mill.

McCuras (MeCuras) b-1802 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1829-1832) as seaman returned to British Isles.

David Robertson b-1804 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C (1829-1832) as seaman returned to British Isles.

Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) led a Hudson Bay Company trading expedition (1829-1830) from the mouth of the Columbia River down the entire length of Mexico California to the head of the Gulf of California.  

Joseph Spence b-1804 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1829-1836) as seaman/carpenter likely went to Hawaii

John Tait b-1810 Orkney, died of consumption January 17, 1835 at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon), worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1829-1835) as boat builder.

James Wilson of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1829-1834) as seaman returned to British Isles.

Francois Faniant dit Pritte, mechanic,  Louis Ossin, middleman and Louis Delonie turned out 15 barrels in 3 weeks at Fort Langley, without a cooper.

Malaria 1829 to 1833 killed 150,000 aboriginal North Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

The term 'black ice' first appeared in  Canadian dictionaries to refer to new ice on bodies of water.  B.C. later became the first Province to apply the term to a winter road hazard and it quickly speaed across Canada.

Boston merchant trader, Captain John Dominus (Dominis) d-1846, sailed his ship, The Owyhee, into Scappoose Bay and brought the deadly plague to "gravelly plains". With little natural resistance, the Indians died in large numbers. Chief Casino survived and succeeded Chief Concomley as the highest-ranking chief of the Chinook tribes.  Dominus had threatened to visit a new sickness upon those who don't trade with him, an unknown fever ravages the Columbia River.  It would appear John Dominus knew what he was doing.  He died in 1846, being lost at sea on a trip to China.  His son John Owen Dominis died August 1891 married Kamakaaeha Paki heir to the Hawaii throne.

Etienne Lucier also founded his own farm on the plains of Champoeg (later called French Prairie) in the Willamette Valley. Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), of the H.B.C. used the case of Etienne Lucier (who was a Canadian citizen but not officially assigned to the HBC), to set a new policy. Previous company rules ordered that retired employees return east to the place where they signed up for service (for terms of two to 10 years). Etienne Lucier, and other retirees who followed, wished to stay in the Willamette Valley with their half-Indian (Metis) families. Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), encouraged settlement, so long as it was restricted to the Valley, by providing supplies and a pair of cattle (to be returned when the settler founded his own herd).

New England Captain John Dominis d-1846 sailed to Oregon on the ship Owyhee with plans to found a fishery. The brig ran aground at Deer Island in the Columbia River. Dr John McLoughlin (1784-1857), of the Hudsons Bay Company dispatched a crew of French Canadians and Hawaiians to help. After the Owyhee was floated, it sailed up the Willamette River, the first ocean-going ship to do so, and anchored at the Clackamas Rapids.

A rendezvous is held at Pierre's Hole (Teton Basin, Idaho), where hundreds of Mountain Men and Voyagers congregated.   Pierre's Valley is the meeting place of Owners and Traders, Voyagers and Mountain men to exchange furs for new supplies.  This makes us appreciate how many unknown, unrecorded men are working the Oregon Territory and Pacific Northwest.

July 9:  A Japanese junk is stranded on the coast of Kamtchatka.  The crew is killed by the Kossacks (Cossack) except for two who escaped and made their way to St. Petersburg.

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