Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/912

 its geographical location, it was a converging point of trappers, and because of its fertile surroundings, it was all that could be desired agriculturally. The fields were cultivated, and a grist mill and a saw mill were built. In a very few years, many bushels of grain, besides those used in supplying the other forts and set- tlers, were shipped to England. They also raised many cattle on the excellent pasture lands.

At first the fort was built about one mile from the river. Four years later another establishment which was simply a stockade, was built on lower ground near the river bank. It was made of posts about twenty feet long, which enclosed a rectangular space thirty-seven rods in length, by eighteen rods in width. It contained all the principal buildings including Dr. McLoughlin's residence. The servants of the company with their Indian families lived just outside, where, in course of time, a considerable village grew up.

Dr. John McLoughlin, who was virtually ruler of the northwest, was a man of great integrity and firmness of character, but very kind. Although his first consideration was always his duty to his company, it was impossible for him not to befriend the American settlers and explorers who often arrived, hungry, sick, and ragged after the hard overland trip. He also furnished them supplies on credit, which he himself was often forced to pay.

He and the other officers of the company made it a policy to keep the set- tlers south of the Columbia river, which they hoped to make the southern boun- dary of their territory, although the joint occupancy treaty of 1818 gave these settlers equal rights with the English.

Among the early comers whom he befriended, was Jedidiah S. Smith, one of the earliest rival fur traders, who arrived at Fort Vancouver after an overland journey from California to Oregon. He was the first to make this trip. He had been robbed of his furs by the Indians whom McLoughlin's men later captured. McLoughlin then bought the furs from Smith for twenty thousand dollars.

John C. Fremont, our pathfinder, says of McLoughlin : "He received me with that courtesy and hospitality for which he was noted ; and all the immigrants, arriving, had been furnished shelter so far as it could be afforded in buildings connected with the establishment."

Another pioneer trader was Nathaniel Wyeth, whose plans McLoughlin tried to frustrate, and whom he finally forced to sell his rival fur trading establish- ment located on a nearby island. Upon his arrival, however, he was entertained at the fort and he and McLoughlin became good friends.

Captain Charles Wilkes, while in the west, with a few companions, was wel- comed here and he greatly admired McLoughlin's rule over the Indians. It was while Wilkes was here it is alleged that he advised against a provisional government, for which the settlers were working.

Jason and Daniel Lee, with co-workers, the first missionaries in the Oregon country, had come across with Wyeth's party and arrived at Fort Vancouver on the 17th of September, 1834. Here was preached the first gospel sermon in old Oregon on the 26th of September, by Jason Lee, to a large audience, composed of Americans, Scotch Canadians and Indians.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of this first sermon was celebrated at Van- couver in 1909, with appropriate exercises, including the reading of the original diary of Jason Lee. The spot where the sermon was preached has been identified in the government pasture field, and the Vancouver History committee think it appropriate to mark ths spot with a permanent monument. This will be left to the Washington Historical Society. A fund, however, was started for the erection of a memorial in the city park.

Dr. Marcus Whitman and co-workers were also welcomed at this fort and furnished with supplies. Their wives remained here until the mission at Walla Walla was completed.

Social life at the fort was very pleasant. The officers were all men of good education and enjoyed good literature. In the spacious dining hall, meals, sump-