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carry back to England the furs which the company 
acquires from Indians and trappers in coast and in- 
Jand trade. Beaver skins are the most profitable part 
of the cargo. Shipment of salmon has been aban- 
doned. The company receives all its goods from 
England free of duty, and sells them much cheaper 
than the American companies. In this way the Hud- 
son’s Bay Company is in position to hold all competi- 
tors in check, and to maintain an undisputed over- 
lordship over all tke regions beyond the Rocky Moun- 
tains. The Indians on the Columbia River, already 
greatly diminished in numbers through disease and 
excesses, are committed to it so unconditionally that 
they scarce dare to trade with Americans. As yet, all 
attempts ventured by Americans against this com- 
pany have gone to pieces. The Hudson’s Bay Com- 
pany has the advantages of connection by sea, inter- 
nal union and the protection of the English govern- 
ment. The only settlement made by citizens of the 
United States is now on the Wallamette. This small 
stream, flowing from the south to the Columbia, is 
about one hundred and fifty miles long, and naviga- 
ble for ships of twelve feet draught for about twenty 
miles. Some New York Methodist missionaries have 
recently settled here and gathered around them a little 
colony of Americans, Canadians and Indians. As 
they do not trade, but devote themselves only to agri- 
culture and cattle raising, the Hudson’s Bay Company 
has put no obstacles in their way, but, on the contrary, 
encourages them and takes supplies from them at 
The 
Columbia 
River— 
The 
Hudson’s 
Bay 
r) 
