KATHARINE
258
to the possession of
it,
but
B. JUDSON
still
no measures were for some
time adopted by Government to interfere with their then new Establishment at the Columbia River, and this forbearance to the following causes, viz. viz. 1st. The and possibly considered of less importance remote was object than it would have been under different circumstances. The Country was engaged in War with numerous and powerful Enemies and Government was doubtless unwilling to add to their number by quarrelling with America or adding to the
may be imputed
causes of quarrel already existing.
"The North West Company had their
Trading Posts
across
the
in the meantime extended Mountains to the Pacific
Ocean, and it became necessary to send their people Supplies by Sea from England, but they had previously applied to Government for a Charter or Grant of the Trade of the Counfor try to be thus supplied, and to the East India Company Years and thus Two to its China, produce permission to carry
were occupied by these applications and preparatory arrangements.
"This was the state of matters at the commencement of the late War with the United States, when at length Government resolved to interfere in the matter.
The American Company
was in possession of a Fort or Trading Post at the mouth of the Columbia river and also of some Posts in the Interior.
The North West Company had
established several Posts in
the Interior, and had sent a party to proceed to the Coast in the summer of 1813, to meet a Ship with Supplies from Eng-
of 1812, and which must have proceeded on her destination even without the protection which Government afterwards granted but ultimately the proland which was fitted out in the
fall
was obtained. frigate and the Cherub and Raccoon Sloops of War were sent around Cape Horn and the Raccoon was sent to the Columbia, to destroy the American Establishment and tection sought
"The Phoebe
to take possession of the Country as British Territory. From the detention which had occurred in the sailing of this Expedi-
