Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/273

Rh and sea, wars and rumors of wars, bloodless so far as the two companies were concerned, but decisive in their effect, joined to defeat him in his so nearly realized conquest of the trade of the world.

Although beaten at the time it can not be said that Mr. Astor failed to leave a great legacy to the United States. He secured a trade with the Russian establishments in the North which has played no insignificant part in American history for the last century. Beside the benefit derived from trade, Russia acted as an ally in the defense of the coast from other foreign powers. It is true that Great Britain enjoyed for over thirty years this legacy along with the possession of the Oregon territory on the Pacific, and obtained (from the Russians) privileges of trade in California; but in one respect English traders were crippled, in the Pacific seas, where the East India Company had a monopoly. They could not ship direct to their best market, China, but were forced to send their costly cargoes across the continent and across the Atlantic to be reshipped from London via the East Indian route. That this hardship, which kept open interior American routes worked a final benefit to the American trade, and the commerce of the West is true. It is true also that since the United States was not yet able, through its youth, and lack of means, to contend with any great power, it was fortunate that its joint occupancy was with the English nation rather than with a people of another tongue, and other ideas of civilization.

It was fortunate again that the orderly and strictly organized Hudson Bay Company finally absorbed the brave but wild Northwesters. Had the latter been in occupation at the period when American traders first ventured west of the Rocky Mountains, it might have fared worse with them. In criticizing Captain Chittenden, I should "stick a pin there." The Northwest leaders, while they