British Claims
Settlement of the Rights of Two Early Companies
Part I

People often say to me: "Why don't you write out and publish some of your earlier experiences in this country? You are almost the oldest settler, and have seen all the changes which have occurred within the last 50 years, and met with many adventures, the recital of which would-to many people here be interesting and amusing." Well, perhaps it would, but I have my doubts, because I have found from experience that the generality of people care very little about the old settlers, or, as many exceedingly bright and clever newcomers call them, "Old Cranks," and the happenings of 40 or 50 years ago.

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Hudson's Bay Company's Posts
Part II

To continue my story There was a magnificent view from the front of the dwelling which was erected some, time in 1830 or '32. This view I always thought was the finest and grandest in the country. To the eastward, and apparently not very far away, towered that king of mountains, Rainier, which name has been changed by the people of Tacoma to the latter name, Tacoma. Why its original name, given to it by the same man who gave name to Puget Sound, Whidbey's Island and Port Townsend, should be changed, in all fairness, I cannot, I must say find out.

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Boundary Settlement
Part III

The upshot was, the boundary, question was easily settled, and the 49th parallel of latitude was fixed ad the line of demarcation between the two countries, very much to the indignation and dismay of the British settled within the limits of the 49th parallel and the Columbia River, and on the Columbia River especially, all of which I learned from letters of that date now in my possession.

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Rights of the Britishers
Part IV

I suppose I would better finish my explanation about the two companies and, tell how it came about that they disappeared from the American side of the boundary line, and left hardly a trace behind. I fancy there are not a great many people in this country who recollect that the companies formed so important a part in the affairs and future prosperity of a majority of the farmers of Pierce County. Of course, these Britishers were looked upon as intruders, without a particle of right to be here.

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Traded in Everything
Part V

We used to trade in almost everything an Indian brought that could be used or made useful. An enormous number of ducks, geese, grouse, partridges and fish. were traded; also Indian-made mats, baskets and head straps, for carrying loads. The company paid for a mallard duck two charges of ammunition; for a goose, four or five charges; a quarter of venison, four or five charges; a good, large salmon, three or four charges; and other fish in proportion.

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Sittings of the Commission
Part VI

In the early part of the Summer of 1865, I was informed that a Commission had been appointed to take evidence as to the extent and value of the Hudson's Bay & Puget Sound Agricultural Company's claims in Washington Territory, and I was instructed to engage the services of Frank Clark, an attorney residing at Steilacoom. Clark had never practiced outside of Washington Territory, and was not by any means considered to be a first class lawyer, but was possessed of a good share of natural shrewdness.

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Findings for the Companies
Part VII

The Commission sat for a short time in San Francisco, and in 1866, during the Winter, sat for a few days in Portland. I drove the party, six in number, to Monticello, near the mouth of the Cow litz River, and never shall I forget the drive from the Cowlitz Prairie by the way of the military, or, rather, stage road to Monticello, where we took the steamer for Portland. The road is mountainous, and in places was then almost impassable, because of the muddy holes to be found in many places.

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Hudson's Bay Company Defended
Part VIII

How often have I heard the Hudson's Bay Company abused and charged with doing things that would be almost impossible for them to do, as its officers were gentlemen, and it would be out of all reason to think them guilty of the offenses charged against them. Why, during the Indian war of 1855-'56 the company at Nisqually was publicly charged with having supplied the hostile Indians with arms and ammunition with which to massacre helpless white families.

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Settled In 1870
Part IX

I find that my explanation of the status of the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound Agricultural Companies and their position and influence in Pierce, Cowlitz and Clark Counties, between 1846 and 1870. has occupied a great deal of space, but still, I think, the existence of these large companies in this section of the country will be news to a majority of the people now-a-days.