Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/107

 OREGON PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT 99 To these settlers in the Willamette Valley the conditions must have seemed almost ideal. The French-Canadians had been in the wilderness for many years, where they had trapped, paddled the canoes for many a weary mile each year, and carried the heavy packages over many portages. They had been subject to discipline and to the exercise of authority by their superiors in the Hudson's Bay Company. They were old, or becoming so, from age, and by reason of hardships suffered. Their gentle dispositions caused them to take kindly to retire- ment and an easy way of living. Their Indian consorts were patient, obedient, and were constant workers. Their children were contented. They were under the protection of the Hud- son's Bay Company and of Dr. John McLoughlin, whom to obey was a pleasurable duty. All their wheat was taken by the Company at a good and constant price. They purchased their goods at prices which gave the Company a very moderate profit. Their fields and their gardens supplied them in abun- dance. The streams were full of trout, and game, especially deer, was plentiful. They had priests of their religious faith. The Methodist missionaries did not try to proselyte them. Their only trouble was the knowledge that sooner or later death would come. They paid no taxes. They, their families, and their properties, were safe from assault or other dangers. The Indians were peaceable and not to be feared. They were not troubled by letters or newspapers. What more could they ask? The other settlers were of a different mold and character. They were nearly all men of the frontier and of the moun- tains. Most of them were men who dared to do, and who had settled in the Willamette Valley, after years of hardships, priva- tions, and daring. They had lived with and fought savage Indians, taking chances on their lives on many occasions. They were not accustomed to take orders from anyone unless they had agreed to his command, nor to fail in anything they under- took. They were accustomed to look danger straight in the eye, and not be afraid ; to encounter hardships, and not to shirk ; to hear the call of duty, and to perform it. They were