THE MONROE DOCTRINE 331 



propose as one worthy of future recognition by the United 

 States. This related to the attitude which, for its own 

 safety, the United States should thereafter assume toward 

 all foreign schemes of colonization upon the American con- 

 tinents. It was a policy embodying a principle so thor- 

 oughly in harmony with the general vie\v announced by 

 the President in reference to foreign aggressions in the 

 western world, that it has been accepted as a part of the 

 "Monroe Doctrine." 



In the early part of the century, an American exploring 

 expedition had descended the Columbia River to its mouth, 

 and visiting the coastal regions of Oregon, had established 

 over a very considerable, though ill-defined region of terri- 

 tory, an American claim of title. Spain also had territorial 

 claims along the Pacific coast, as far north as Vancouver 

 Island, which, however, she yielded to the United States 

 (north of 42) by treaty of 1819. English claims in the 

 northwest were exceedingly indefinite, but all cause of fric- 

 tion between England and the United States, arising from 

 disputed boundary lines on the Pacific coast, was removed by 

 the agreement of 1818, leaving for a term of years the terri-. 

 tory claimed by both parties free and open to the subjects of 

 each. Far to the north and west, an immense and vaguely 

 bounded territory, belonged to Russia. Even in those early 

 days, some trade relations existed between citizens of the 

 United States and the native Alaskan Indians. Misunder- 

 standings arose, and Russia took occasion in a correspond- 

 ence which followed, to make known her claims along the ( 

 Pacific coast of North America, from Bering Straits to the 

 mouth of the Columbia River. In 1816, a Russia^ chartered 

 company made settlements and established a regular trading- 

 post near San Francisco. This advance of the Russians, far 

 to the south, caused some dissatisfaction in Washington; but N / 

 so doubtful were all territorial titles along the Pacific coast 

 in those early days, that no positive stand was made against 

 this Russian advance. In 1821, however, Alexander, Em- 

 peror of Russia, issued an ukase, in which he announced his 

 claim to the northwest coast of America, down to the 51st 



