Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/93

42 The lives of these men, separated by thousands of miles from the civilized world, and entirely deprived of the companionship of cultivated women, might easily have been barbarous through the lack of example and emulation which everywhere exists in the world of intellect and refinement. The highest praise that can be bestowed upon them is that under these temptations they never forgot themselves. As nearly as possible McLoughlin maintained the fashions of manor life in England, the hospitality, the courtesy, the riding, hunting, and conversation. A dinner at Fort Vancouver was a dignified and social affair, not lacking either in creature comforts or table-talk. As early as 1836 there was good living at this post; plenty of cattle, sheep, swine, salmon, game, and an ample garden. The table was set off with a display of fine English glass, and ruddy wines. No liquors were furnished. McLoughlin never drank either wine or liquor, except on great occasions, to open the festivities. He presided, and led the conversation, the was the first white man to descend the Umpqua River to its mouth. The second wife of George B. Roberts was a sister of Mr Birnie. James Grant was in charge of Fort Hall when the first overland immigration to Oregon crossed the continent, and until quite a late period. No man in Oregon has been more remarked upon, not to say reviled, by the American immigrants, though with what justice let him who reads decide. The same might almost be said of William McBean, successor to McKinlay at Fort Walla Walla. The history of events will point to the justice or injustice of popular opinion. Archibald McDonald, for a long time in charge of Fort Colville, and who had a daughter famous for her beauty, talents, and horsemanship; Angus McDonald, in charge of Fort Hall, and afterward of Colville; Henry Maxwell, John Ballenden, and Dugald McTavish, who were the last chief factors at Fort Vancouver—were some of the yet larger number of gentlemen who graced these halls with their constant or occasional presence. In the early days the selection of officers for the service of the Hudson's Bay Company was made chiefly with regard to strength of constitution and general probity of character, family influence, of course, regulating the selection. In after years the necessities of their position, in consequence of the active rivalry of the Northwest Company, demanded the infusion of more energetic elements, and in this way a body of officers was gradually introduced who fully equalled in all respects the pushing characteristics which marked the service of the Northwest Company. ''Anderson's Hist. Northwest Coast'', MS., 87. 'Connected with the Hudson's Bay Company there are also many gentlemen who would do no discredit to any circle of society. These gentlemen sustain the forms and courtesies of civilized life much more than Americans engaged in the same pursuits.' Edwards' Sketch of Oregon Territory, MS., 25. Take them all in all, they were a body of men who, for physical strength, courage, coolness, and general intrepidity of character, were rarely equalled, and perhaps now here excelled.