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 THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY

OF OREGON

31

Nations for ten years without prejudice to the claim of either Nation; but no American subjects have as yet availed themThe British Fur Traders however selves of this privilege. have never withdrawn from the Country since they first entered it; on the contrary they have gradually and at much risk and expense increased their Settlements which now amount to thirteen in number (besides temporary Stations which are occasionally changed) and extend over a Country exceeding to North of fifteen degrees of Latitude, say from Lat. 45 Lat.

60.

In the year 1821 the Hudson's Bay Company made an arrangement with the North West Company of Montreal by which they acquired possession of all the trading Posts and Stock of that association, and now under their Royal Charter and His Majesty's License the whole Indian Trade of British

America to the North West of Canada is carried on by the Hudson's Bay Company. In order to acquire more correct information respecting the country on the West of the Rocky Mountains and for the purpose of carrying into effect some measures connected with extending our Trade on the North West Coast Governor Simpson was directed to proceed thither last season, and after an arduous and fatiguing journey he accomplished an extensive survey of the Company's Trading establishments and is now in London. He will remain here until the beginning of February, and will attend any appointment that you may be pleased to make should you wish to be possessed of any further information respecting that Country. Whilst at Fort George, Governor Simpson fitted out an Expedition under the direction of an intelligent officer, Mr. Chief Trader McMillan, for the purpose of exploring the coast to 12 the Northward. ?

In the course of his survey he discovered the entrance of Fraser's River between Capes Roberts and Gray in about 13 Lat. 49 15'. The mouth of this River was not discovered by Vancouver nor by the Subjects of any civilized Nation until Mr. McMillan visited it last Winter, but the upper part of the River, and down to within 20 miles of the sea was explored by Messrs. 12 For day-to-day account of this expedition, see Journal of John Work, in Wash. Hist. Quarterly, Vol. 3, p. 198. Simon Fraser is 13 Later research has rendered this statement erroneous. believed to have arrived within sight of the mouth of the river and of the gulf See page 279 of "British Columbia/' by F. W. Howay and into which it flows.

E. O. S. Scholefield.