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"FIFTY-FOUR FORTY OR FIGHT" 317

"Then what are the Americans coming here for? Just speak the word and we'll give them a hint that'll take the carts all off the wheels from here to the Rocky Mountains."

"That would be savage! "said the doctor.

Peel set his lips. "The United States is not going to euchre us out of Oregon. My father has said in Parliament, ' England knows her rights and dares maintain them/ and she will."

"The claim of the United States to this coast is absurd," said Lieutenant Peel. "Captain Gray was only a private speculating trader, dodging along this coast bartering for furs. He only went twelve miles up the river, he did not explore it; and as for taking possession the poor coaster never thought of such a thing. Vancouver explored a hundred miles. We have as good a right to this river as to the Thames or the Humber."

"Why, of course," laughed Parke. "The Columbia has always belonged to us. This American talk is mere bravado, like the so-called * Patriot War ' of Canada some noise and a good deal of smoke."

A sip of wine had warmed the guests, and all laughed merrily.

That Patriot War of Canada (1838) touched a tender spot in McLoughlin's heart.

"The effort of an oppressed people to free themselves is not a proper subject for merriment," he said.

"Whatever comes to pass," remarked Douglas, "these whittling Yankees talking politics are here, and more are coming. I hear that one of them is in Washington now, trying to get a steamboat route by the way of Panama."

"So? Next they'll be talking of a railroad right over the top of the Rocky Mountains! "