Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/198

 190 DOCUMENT Rev. Jason Lee told me Dr. McLaughlin had informed him that the principal chief of the Willhamett tribe had proposed to cut off the Owyhee, doubtless thinking it would prove agree- able to the Hudson Bay Company. Dr. McLaughlin, of course, forbid the measure. The Indians are taught to believe that no vessel but the "Company's" ships are allowed to trade in the river ; and most of them are afraid to sell their skins but at Vancouver or Fort George ; of this I had positive evidence from the Indians them- selves, as well as from a remark made by chief trader, McLeod, aboard the "Llama" in Baker's bay. It was mentioned in the course of conversation that a Madam "Perand," wife of one of the Canadian settlers on the Willhamett, had just come in with twenty to thirty fine beaver skins. Some one of the party re- marked, turning towards Captain Bancroft, of the Loriot, "there is a fine chance for a bargain." Mr. McLeod quickly replied "d n the skins shall Madam Terand' sell to cross the bar of the. Columbia." This was said in the presence of Captains Mc- Neil, Bancroft, Brotchie, Rd. Bevrevie, and myself. The next American vessel that entered the river after the Owyhee and her consort, the "Convoy," was the brig "Mary Dane," [May Dacre] of Boston. She arrived in 1835, to pro- cure a cargo of salmon. In consequence of some arrangement, the cause of which I am unacquainted with, Mr. Wyeth, the owner and agent, agreed not to purchase furs, provided Dr. McLaughlin would throw no impediment in his way of procur- ing salmon. This enterprise failed ; only 800 to 900 pounds of salmon were obtained. Stock, &c. of the Hudson Bay Company, is held in shares, (100.) Chief traders and chief factors who reside in America, are called partners. Chief factors are entitled to one-eight of one share, or rather the profits arising from the same, equal to about $4,500 to $5,000 per annum. Chief traders one- sixteenth, or half the above amount, $2,250 to $2,500. They are not stockholders in perpetuity, as they cannot sell out as other stockholders but have only a life estate in the general stock.