of the Protestant liturgy; the Company had an Anglican minister[1] sent out in 1837, but at the end of two years he was obliged to retire on account of the continual controversies which arose between him and the Scotch Presbyterians. As to the French, they assemble in the chapel for pious readings, assisting at the services, and singing canticles in the absence of any priest. There is now a missionary at Van Couver. Prior to his arrival only a short while ago, those from the Willamette or Nesqually used to come there once a month. The fort is the residence of Doctor MacLoughlin, formerly one of the most active members of the Northwest Company, and now special agent and superintendent of the Hudson's Bay Company for all the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. He, a fervent Catholic, was born at Montreal, of a Scotch father and a French mother. He has been several times to Paris, where his brother, one of our most distinguished doctors, resides, and he professes the warmest sympathy for France. It is to MacLoughlin that the Company owes the extension of its establishments over the region washed by the Pacific Ocean. From the moment of his arrival, his tall figure, majestic countenance, and athletic power impressed the Indians; he married the daughter of Concomly,[2] one of the principal chiefs, and by so doing acquired over all the tribes of the Columbia an influence most favorable for his plans for colonization. In 1824 he founded Van Couver, and since then he has not ceased to give his care to its agricultural development. He favors heartily the immigration of new families from Canada, and the settlement of those Frenchmen who are retired servants of the Company. Dr. MacLoughlin has
Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/210
156
Nellie Bowden Pipes
