258 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Boston, and sent to the mouth of the Columbia in American vessels. 

 From an intimation in the lit'ty-second number of the "Quarterly 

 Eevicw" we are prepared to learn that the United j^orth-West and 

 Hudson Bay Companies have extended tlieir Settlements still further, 

 and already fixed themselves on the borders of the Pacific. They will 

 soon discover that the most direct and easy route for conveying sup- 

 plies to all their northern establishments west of the liocky Mountains, 



and even to some of those on the eastern side of that range, will 

 35 be by means of the river called by Mr. Harmon the "Nate ote- 



tain," which empties into the Pacific a little south of 54°, and 

 by "Nass River," which disembogues in a large bay on the eastern 

 side of " Observatory Inlet," about the latitude of 06^. The Indians 

 of the coast describe both these rivers as communicating with "eiiwon 

 teedor huntles" (great inland waters), and represent the navigation of 

 them as safe and easy for loaded canoes, with the exception of some 

 short portages at the rapids and falls. They make frequent journeys 

 to trade with the Teedor llardl (inland people), who are said to reside 

 in numerous villages on the banks of these rivers and the adjoining 

 lakes. The free navigation of these streams will be highly important 

 to the United Fur Company, and the British Administration of the 

 present day must be actuated by a very different spirit from that 

 which thirty years ago prompted the expenditure of millions in pre- 

 paring to resent the outrage committed at Nootka, if they do not resist 

 the usuri)ations of Russia; usurpations which would compel the British 

 Company to abandon the Settlements already made, and forego the 

 advantages resulting from free access to the shores of the continent 

 north of 51°. 



France has likewise an interest in resisting the pretensions of Russia. 

 She has made several efforts to carry on a trade to this coast since it 

 was visited by her distinguished navigator, the unfortunate LaPerouse. 

 The voyage of Marchand in the " Solide" was made between 1790 and 

 1793, and a French vessel was cut off by the tribe of Coyer near the 

 south part of (^ueen Charlotte's Islands about the same time. In 1819 

 the attemjjt was renewed. A vessel from France in course of tliat 

 season collected a cargo of furs on the coast, and carried them to 

 Canton. These, however, are all the attempts of that nation which 

 have come to our knowledge. One section of the Ukase appears to us 

 little short of an actual declaration of hostilities against every nation 

 carrying on a trade to the north-west coast. It is as follows: 



Section 2C>. The conim.inder of a Russian vessel suspecting a foreign one to be liable 

 to conliscation, must inciuire and search the same, and, finding her guilty, take i)os- 

 session of her. Should the foreign vess(d resist, lie is to employ, first jxrsiuision, 

 then threats, and at List force; endeavouring, however, at all events, to do tiiis with 

 as much reserve as ])ossible. If the foreign vessel etui)loy force agaiust force, thcu 

 he shall consider the same as an evident enemy, and force lier to surrender accord- 

 ing to the naval laws. ! 



It might have been expected that no attempt would be made to 

 enforce regulations so deeply affecting the interest and supposed rights 

 of other nations, pending the discussions they had given rise to; but 

 the closing part of the correspondence precludes the hope of even this 

 appearcoK-c oi' }i\s\u:e. Mr. Adams, in concluding his last letter, says, 

 "The President is persuaded that the citizens of this Union will remain 

 unmolested in the prosecution of their lawful commerce, and that no 

 effect will be given to an interdiction manifestly incompatible with tiieir 

 rights." To this M. de Poletica answers, " 1 cannot dissemble, Sir, tliat 

 this same trade beyond the 51st degree will meet with difficulties and 

 inconveniences for which the American owners will only have to accuse 



