loneerkozi.et1ion; - ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

DONALD MANSON. 57
formable and far-reaching in his rivaiship of the Hudson Bay Company. Always
prompt, yet dignified in bearing, he had no equal in executive management
at that day, nor thereafter iii the vast fur-fields of the great Northwest.
Soon after, these two powerful rivals in the American fur trade were united under
the charter of the Hudson Bay Company. Dr. McLaughlin was placed in command
of the Companies affairs west of the Rocky mountains, arriving at Fort
George or Astoria, the then headquarters of the Columbia Department early in
1823.
In January, I83, Mr. Manson received instructionS to report to Mr. Samuel
Black, chief of an expedition then preparing to explore the British possessions
bordering on the Pacific coast. Said Mr. Manson, although I had been six
years in America and traveled pretty extensively through the country draining
into Hudson Bay and Lake Superior, I had in reality but a very imperfet conception
of the great extent and grandeur of the American continent until crossing
to the western watershed of the Rocky mountains. Here, amid the stupendous
works of nature, those celebrated crags and deep shady dells of old Caledonia,
upon which in my boyhood I had so often gazed with awe and admiration,
were tame indeed, when compared with the broad plains, lofty mountains
and vastness of the wild landscape which every where met the eye in this great
land of countless wonders.
Prior to starting upon this hitherto unxplored northern route to the Pacific, I
had seen the great plains of the Saskatchawan, doted as far as the eye could
reach, with immense herds of buffalo and antelope, and as we neared the
eastern base of the Rocky mountains, elk and moose were plentiful, but not until
descending the western slope toward the Pacific, did we meet with and feast
upon the delicious cariboo.
The Indians of the interior were generally found to be somewhat shy on first
approaching their villiages, especially was this the case to the westward of
Athabasca river, but this coyness ontheir part soon gave place to most friend1y
and liberal acts of hospitality. Their lodges were all inclosed with dressed
buffalo skins. Their country abounded in game, lake fish of an excellent quality
and nutritious roots ; yet, those Northwestern people of the interior, were
the most provident Indians whom I have ever met. While the Indians near the.
coast, as we had reasons to regret, were more bold, deceitful and treacherous.
Mr. Manson at different interviews during the last twenty years, has given
the writer a very interesting account of those wild, untutored tribes, their manner
of living, strange superstitions, cruel forms of worship and surprising mechanical
ingenuity found existing among these people of the North Pacific coast.
At the close of theIr explorations early in August, 1824, the expedition then