| Discovering the Pacific Northwest |
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Photo: Left. In the Spring of 1778, the English ship Resolution entered the waters of the Pacific Northwest. It's goal was to find the Northern passage. (Picture by John Webber, printed in John Frazier Henry's, Early Maritime Artists of the Pacific Northwest Coast, 1741-1841). (Right) A replica of the brig Lady Washington (a full-scale replica built by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, Aberdeen, WA).
By sea, Captain Robert Gray and his crew aboard the Lady Washington became the first known Americans to land on the west coast of North America. They landed in 1788 near present day Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Gray traded with local natives for sea otter pelts, which he then traded in the Orient. On their return to Boston they became the first American crew to circumnavigate the globe. During Captain Gray's second voyage to the Northwest, he was commanding the Columbia Rediviva, a 220 ton, 83 foot long vessel built in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1787. On May 11, 1792 it became the first US ship to enter the "Columbia" river and where the mighty river gained its name. Gray's efforts gave the United States its first claim to the Pacific Northwest.
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Left: The Columbia Gorge
Right : Fort Clatsop (Oregon) photo by John Martinson (c)
By land, Meriweather Lewis and William Clark led the first party of American explorers west across the newly purchased Louisiana Purchase. Making their way down the Columbia River and into the scenic Gorge, Lewis & Clark arrived at the Pacific Ocean. Upon their arrival they built a small fort they named Fort Clatsop (near present day Astoria, Oregon).
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(Source: http://lewisandclarktrail.com/biography.htm)
Meriwether Lewis & William Clark
1774- 1809 1770 - 1838
The Settlement of Oregon/Washington
Unlike their American trapper counterparts who dressed mainly in leather, Hudson's Bay men wore unique clothing. Their style (see left and right pictures below) included addition of Native American items such as feathers, beaded necklaces, and bright ribbons. They also applied their traditional cultures in their dress such as the French or Scotch men style hats, slashes, and fine cotton and wool materials. (Center picture: Hudson's Bay Company insignia). For additional information on the Voyageur.
The Hudson's Bay Company was not the first to commercialize the region, but was the first to make a major step in settling the Pacific Northwest. Sir George Simpson and Doctor John McLoughlin (see pictures below) were instrumental in gaining control of what would become the Columbia Department.
Left: Sir George Simpson, Governor-in-Chief,1821 - 1860. Center: Dr. John McLoughlin, Chief Factor, Fort Vancouver & Father of Oregon. Right: Mrs. Frances Simpson. [For a detailed map of Sir George Simpson's Northwest travels see: http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/canhist/canoe/can34pho.html]
Dr. John McLoughlin was born on October 19, 1784 in Quebec, Canada. He was baptized a Catholic on November 5, though he was brought up in the Anglican faith, both at home and while living with his maternal granduncle, Colonel William Fraser. In 1798, at the age of 14, John studied medicine with Dr. Sir. James Fisher of Quebec when only 14. He applied for his license after 4 1/2 years of study, and obtained his license. His certificate is dated April 30, 1803.
To the local Chinookian natives of the area, McLoughlin was known as the White Headed Eagle or "hyas tyee" (Great Chief). He felt that that all white men whether British or American were under his protection. Dr. McLoughlin was at times criticized by the "Honourable Company" for his friendliness to encroaching Americans, but he felt it was his responsibility and Christian duty to assist the struggling pioneers coming off the Oregon Trail.
Dr. McLoughlin died of old age on the 3rd of September, 1857. On August 31, 1970 both he and his wife were reburied between the Barclay and McLoughlin homes in Oregon City, Oregon.
In 1819, James Douglas came to the United States at the age of 16. He became the protégé and long time friend of Dr. McLoughlin and his family. Joining the Hudson's Bay Company he served as an apprentice clerk. When McLoughlin left the Company, Douglas assumed the role of Chief Factor. When the treaty with American ended, ceding all English rights of the Fort, Douglas went on to Vancouver Island in 1849. In 1850, Fort Vancouver the buildings at the fort became storage for the United States military, and many buildings became dilapidated. Douglas later became governor of Vancouver Island.
Dr. McLoughlin served as Chief Factor of Fort Vancouver (1825-1846) that was originally built on a ridge over looking the area. For a better location, however, the fort was relocated closer to the river and flat land for farming.
Styles of clothing of Hudson's Bay men such as at Fort Vancouver (WA).
(above color photos: HBC Archives)
Governor Simpson wrote about the dedication of the fort:
"At sunrise mustered all the people to hoist the Flag Staff of the new Establishment and in presence of the
Gentlemen, Servants, Chiefs & Indians Baptised it by breaking a Bottle of Rum on the Flag Staff and repeating
the following words n a loud voice, 'In behalf of the Ho'nble Hudsons Bay Coy I hereby name this establishment
Fort Vancouver God Save King George the 4th' with three cheers." ~~ March 19, 1825
This small company of men did not realize the impact this newest post of the Hudson's Bay Company would have on the history of the Pacific Northwest. The Fort gave rise to many important changes, and spurred the growth and settlement of the Pacific Northwest. For example, Dr. McLoughlin assisted many American immigrants arriving at the end of the Oregon Trail, thus obtained the title of "Father of Oregon."
The fort was about 750 feet long by 450 feet wide, with a stockade about 20 to 25 feet high on the northeast corner. Outside the stockade, and to the south was a small town that sprung up that housed the mechanics, laborers, etc. As custom with the company, only the "gentlemen" lived inside the fort. There were about 40 buildings inside the fort. These included a pharmacy, power house, chapel, gentlemen's quarters, fur and supply warehouses and workshops. Behind the fort were fields of grain, a large vegetable garden, and fruit orchards. There were also several large farms growing wheat, peas, and potatoes, and food for sheep, horses, and cattle. He kept a large library, referred to as Columbia Library. He also had a museum and armory.
Fort Vancouver (Washington State) c. 1845, Richard Schlecht, painting.
Fort Vancouver was called by some, New York on the Hudson containing the "prettiest congregation of Nations" consisting of English, French Canadians, Metis, Iroquois, and local Chinook Indians. (See The Voyageur and the Fur Trade, Explorers, and Mountain Men). The fort was the administrative headquarters and main supply depot for the Hudson's Bay Company's fur trading operations in the immense Columbia Department until the mid-1800s. A large scale agriculture farming system, the Puget Sound Agricultural Company centered in Vancouver and Nisqually (Washington state), took place that stretched from Vancouver up into British Columbia. Dr. William Fraser Tomlie (See: http://www.lib.washington.edu/Manuscripts/tolmie.html) and Dr. Forbes Barclay played a key role in the organization of company farms in the region.
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Left: Dr. William Fraser Tomlie. Right: Peter Skeen Ogden
Trappers and traders of the company charted new lands and brought back a wealth in furs to the outposts. One of the most noted at Fort Vancouver was Peter Skeen Ogden, a Chief Trader with the Company. He was instrumental in exploring many regions throughout the Pacific Northwest and the American West. In the fall of 1825, Ogden led a Hudson's Bay company trapping party on the first recorded journey into central Oregon, crossing the country to the north and east, into the Crooked River Valley. He returned to the vicinity again in 1826, bound for the Harney basin and the Klamath region, where he discovered Mount Shasta. As mentioned, he was an important figure in the early fur trade and ranged over all the west. He rescued the survivors of the Whitman massacre near Walla Walla, Washington, and Ogden, Utah, was named for him. The Klamath Tribe of Oregon, mentions that in 1826 Ogden was the first white man to leave his footprints on their lands. In November of 1828, Ogden came down from the north and discovered the Humboldt River, the last major river in America to be discovered. This was to become the highway across Nevada--and to California! Ogden, Utah, is also named after Peter Skeen Ogden.
Peter Skein (Skeen) Ogden was born in 1774, the son of Chief Justice Isaac Ogden of Quebec and Sarah Hanson. He started his employment with the Northwest Company in 1811, and transferred to the Columbia Department in 1818. In 1823, when the company reorganized he became associated with the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1824, he was promoted to chief trader and assigned to Spokane House under Dr. John McLoughlin. In 1835, he was made chief factor employed under McLoughlin. Ogden was witty and liked to play practical jokes on people, but on his serious side had studied law. As mentioned earlier, he directed trapping expeditions throughout the West and Snake River region. In 1847, he was instrumental in negotiating the return of the white captives taken at the Whitman Massacre (near Walla Walla, Washington) by the Cayuse. He was able to do this not only because of the Natives respect for him and the fear of a promised retaliation, but because Ogden included about $500 worth of goods to get the hostages back.
Ogden married twice, first to a Cree woman, then later to a Spokane Indian, who lived with him for seven years at Fort Vancouver. He was never legally married to her though, which deprived his wife and family rights to his estate. His second wife was known as "Princess Julia," and was the daughter of a Flathead chief. Ogden paid 50 ponies for her.
Peter Ogden never became an American citizen. He passed away on September 17, 1854, leaving an estate of $50,000. He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Oregon City, Oregon. Near his grave is that of Dr. Forbes Barclay, the physician at Fort Vancouver from 1840-1850, and other Barclay family members. Dr. Barclay had replaced Dr. William Frazer Tolmie at the fort.
Dr. Forbes Barclay was born 25 Dec 1805 in Delting, Shetland Islands, Scotland. He died 13 May 1873, Oregon City, Oregon. He is the son of John Barclay and Andrina Charlotte Spence. He married Maria Pambrun, the daughter of Pierre Pambrun, who served as Chief Trader at Fort Walla Walla (Fur Trade, Explorers, and Mountain Men). Pierre died May 15, 1841 after his horse fell on him, and as the custom, his wife and children moved to Fort Vancouver, where Maria met the new doctor. Descendants of the Pambrun family live near Pendleton, Oregon.
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For information on Fort Vancouver National Historic Site visit www.nps.gov/fova. The Park is located at 612 East Reserve Street, Vancouver, WA 98661-3811. Telephone: (360) 696-7655 or 1-800-832-3599. |
Some of the officers and employees at Fort Vancouver include:
Bruce, William. Gardener
Barclay, Dr. Forbes. Physician
Tomlie, Dr. William. Physician
McLoughlin, Dr. John. Chief Factor
Ogden, Peter Skeen. Chief Trader
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