The REPRINT DEPARTMENT—George Wilkes: History of Oregon, Geo- graphical, Geological and Political (New York, Colyer, 1845) THE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY UNIVERSITY STATION Entered at the Postoffice at Seattle as second-class mail matter. The Washington University State Historical Society Officers and Board of Trustees: CLARENCE B. BAGLEY, President JUDGE JOHN P. HOYT, Vice President JUDGE ROGER S. GREENE, Treasurer PROFESSOR EDMOND S. MEANY, Secretary JUDGE CORNELIUS H. HANFORD JUDGE THOMAS BURKE SAMUEL HILL PRINTING DEPARTMENT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON The following few extracts taken from logs, narratives, and journals of American seamen, explorers, traders, and travelers, in the Oregon territory, and the Pacific Northwest, have no great historical significance. They are a recital of the manners in which the anniversary of Independence Day was observed by those intrepid men, long ago. As to what constitutes a Fourth of July celebration, each individual must be his own judge. The celebrations hereinafter mentioned, whether attended by few or many, by simple or elaborate ceremonies, were equally inspired by patriotism and the means employed to celebrate were the best their respective circumstances would permit. During the time that George Washington was presiding over the deliberations of the Convention of 1787, certain Boston merchants, attracted no doubt by the prospects of immense profits to be derived in the fur trade of the North Pacific Ocean, purchased and fitted out an expedition, the ship "Columbia" of 212 tons burden, John Kendrick, commander; and the ninety-ton sloop "Washington," Robert Gray, commander. Sailing from Boston in the autumn of 1787, they arrived on the Northwest Coast the following year. It is said that between the years 1782-1792 at least thirty American ships, mostly from New England, were engaged in the fur trade in the North Pacific Ocean." This was the beginning of the golden age of the American merchant marine, when American built ships, fleet and staunch, 1Among the number were Captains Magee, in "The Margaret"; Crowell, in the "Hancock"; Coolidge, in the "Grace"; Roberts, in the "Jefferson"; Metcalf, in the "Elmira"; Ingraham, in the "Hope," and Cole, in the “Florinda" of Macao. "The most miserable thing that was ever formed in imitation of the Ark," according to Haswell, one of the Columbia's officers. flying the American flag, were to be seen on every sea, however remote..2 Some of the above mentioned ships were on this coast during those years on the anniversary of Independence Day. Captains Kendrick and Gray were at or near Nootka Sound on July 4, 1789. Some of these officers and seamen had served in the Revolutionary War. We know that Captain Kendrick "did considerable privateering" and that Captain Gray 'was an officer in the American navy during the Revolutionary War." And no doubt they observed so important an event as celebrating every Fourth of July in a proper manner. There may be records of such cele brations. JULY FOURTH, 1791 The following is an extract taken from the log of the ship "Hope," Captain Ingraham, recording such a celebration held on Queen Charlotte Island, named Washington Island by Captain Ingraham, July 4, 1791. George Washington was then serving his first term as president; the western boundary of the United States was then the Mississippi River. Michilemockinac, on Lake Michigan, Detroit, Fort Erie, Niagara, Oswego, Oswegatchie, Port-au-fer, and Dutchman's Point were garrisoned by British troops and 'English officers still exercised jurisdiction over the adjacent territory. Neither Kentucky, Tennessee nor Ohio had as yet been admitted into the Union. While the English and American governments did not agree as to the division of the territory, it was generally understood by both claimants that the Oregon country included all the territory west of the Rocky Mountains, north of latitude 40° to 54° 40′ north, and included Queen Charlotte and Vancouver Islands. "Thursday, the 16th Sept., 1790, the Brigantine Hope being ready for sea under my command, destined on a voyage round Cape Horn to the N. W. coast of America, from thence to China and back to Boston, making the circuit of the globe. Having experienced much tempestous weather on my last voyage in doubling Cape Horn, I was under some apprehension as to the safety of the Hope being only 70 Tons burthen 2Rev. Edward G. Porter, referring to the North River, Massachusetts, where the "Columbia" was built, said: "One who sees it today peacefully wandering through quiet meadows and around fertile slopes would hardly believe that over one thousand seagoing vessels have been built upon its banks." Transactions of the Twentieth Annual Reunion of Oregon Pioneer Association for 1892. Portland, Oregon. 1912, p. 63. While the English and American Governments did not agree as to the division of the territory, it was generally understood by both claimants that the Oregon Country included all the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. north of latitude 400 to 540 40 north, and included Queen Charlotte and Vancouver Islands. See map in Twiss (Sir Travers) Oregon Question Examined in Facts and the Law of Nations. London, 1846. Greenhow (Robert), History of Oregon and California and the Other Territories en Northwest Coast of North America, second ed. Boston, 1845, p. 21. |