Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/35

 THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY The in the

OF OREGON

27

exact date of this request by Sec. Canning is not stated document but under usual course of procedure it would

have been made not later than the winter of 1823-24, when Gov. Simpson was (presumably) in London. We have record of the arrival of Gov. Simpson and Dr. McLoughlin at Fort George (Astoria) in November, 1824 from Norway House, Fort William and Montreal overland.

Adams and U.

We

also

know

that

Ambassador Rush were discussing Secretary the Oregon question with Secretary Canning during 1822S.

1825.

The statements

in this

document

will serve to correct

some

errors of popular belief or conclusion as to the establishment of Fort Vancouver on the Columbia river in 1824-25; facts

not new, however, to close readers of our history. Doctor John McLoughlin did not select the site or the name for that

important trading post but was merely the efficient adminisits erection and the transfer of headquarters. At some future date the writer hopes to contribute an adequate account of the influence and activities of Gov. George Simpson in the course of events on the Columbia river. Governor Felly's historical resume cannot be considered

trator in

other than a partisan statement of the British claims to the Oregon Country, though some of his errors were due to lack

The boundary line he suggests is essentially the same offered by England in 1842 but as alternative Lord Ashburton was then authorized to offer the line of the Koot-

of knowledge.

enay river from the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia and thence along the Columbia to the ocean. However, discussion of the Oregon boundary was not undertaken by Secretary

Webster and Lord Ashburton

in 1842.

[DOCUMENT] Hudson's Bay House, London, 9th December, 1825.

Journal 721. p.

255.

To The Right Honble. George Canning, Sir,

With

&c., &c. reference to the several communications which