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Meanwhile, the Nor'westers had been very uncertain as to their rights and standing on the North West Coast, not only as indicated by McGillivray's interview with Lord Bathurst, but by the letters of Inglis, Ellis & Co., to Henry Gouldburn.

In one, dated London, July 25th, 1815, they stated they had fitted out for the River Columbia quantities of manufactured goods, solely for Indian trade, but "We have been very much alarmed by reports circulated of other stipulations made in a commercial treaty subsequent to that of Ghent, by which all intercourse of trade is said to be interdicted between His Majesty's subjects and the Indian tribes residing within the United States." They ask for information, and whether the British Government will protect them, especially on the Columbia, and on the coast north of it, should they "be molested by American citizens or the American government." "We are perfectly aware," they add, "that our own interests in this trade must be sacrificed by necessity to views of public policy." They insist, however, they must have the