That In Order To Obtain At Least A Part Of The Above Trade, And
More Particularly That Which Is Within
The boundaries of the
United States, your petitioners, in the year 1808, obtained an
act of incorporation from the State
Of New York, whereby they are
enabled, with a competent capital, to carry on the said trade
with the Indians in such a manner as may be conformable to the
laws and regulations of the United States, in relation to such a
commerce.
That the capital mentioned in the said act, amounting to one
million of dollars, having been duly formed, your petitioners
entered with zeal and alacrity into those large and important
arrangements, which were necessary for, or conducive to the
object of their incorporation; and, among other things, purchased
a great part of the stock in trade, and trading establishments,
of the Michilimackinac Company of Canada. Your petitioners also,
with the expectation of great public and private advantages from
the use of the said establishments, ordered, during the spring
and summer of 1810, an assortment of goods from England, suitable
for the Indian trade; which, in consequence of the President's
proclamation of November of that year, were shipped to Canada
instead of New York, and have been transported, under a very
heavy expense, into the interior of the country. But as they
could not legally be brought into the Indian country within the
boundaries of the United States, they have been stored on the
Island of St. Joseph, in Lake Huron, where they now remain.
Your petitioners, with great deference and implicit submission to
the wisdom of the national legislature, beg leave to suggest for
consideration, whether they have not some claim to national
attention and encouragement, from the nature and importance of
their undertaking; which though hazardous and uncertain as
concerns their private emolument, must, at any rate, redound to
the public security and advantage. If their undertaking shall
appear to be of the description given, they would further suggest
to your honorable bodies, that unless they can procure a regular
supply for the trade in which they are engaged, it may languish,
and be finally abandoned by American citizens; when it will
revert to its former channel, with additional, and perhaps with
irresistible, power.
Under these circumstances, and upon all those considerations of
public policy which will present themselves to your honorable
bodies, in connection with those already mentioned, your
petitioners respectfully pray that a law may be passed to enable
the President, or any of the heads of departments acting under
his authority, to grant permits for the introduction of goods
necessary for the supply of the Indians, into the Indian country
that is within the boundaries of the United States, under such
regulations, and with such restrictions, as may secure the public
revenue and promote the public welfare.
And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.
In witness whereof, the common seal of the American Fur Company
is
hereunto affixed, the day of March, 1812.
By order of the Corporation.
AN ACT to enable the American Fur Company, and other citizens, to
introduce goods necessary for the Indian trade into the
territories within the boundaries of the United State.
WHEREAS, the public peace and welfare require that the native
Indian tribes, residing within the boundaries of the United
States, should receive their necessary supplies under the
authority and from the citizens of the United States: Therefore,
be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States, in Congress assembled, that it shall be lawful for
the President of the United States, or any of the heads of
departments thereunto by him duly authorized, from time to time
to grant permits to the American Fur Company, their agents or
factors, or any other citizens of the United States engaged in
the Indian trade, to introduce into the Indian country, within
the boundaries of the United States, such goods, wares, and
merchandise, as may be necessary for the said trade, under such
regulations and restrictions as the said President or heads of
departments may judge proper; any law or regulation to the
contrary, in anywise, notwithstanding.
Letter from Mr. Gallatin to Mr. Astor, dated
New York, August 5, 1835.
DEAR SIR, - In compliance with your request, I will state such
facts as I recollect touching the subjects mentioned in your
letter of 28th ult. I may be mistaken respecting dates and
details, and will only relate general facts, which I well
remember.
In conformity with the treaty of 1794 with Great Britain, the
citizens and subjects of each country were permitted to trade
with the Indians residing in the territories of the other party.
The reciprocity was altogether nominal. Since the conquest of
Canada, the British had inherited from the French the whole fur
trade, through the great lakes and their communications, with all
the western Indians, whether residing in the British dominions or
the United States. They kept the important western posts on those
lakes till about the year 1797. And the defensive Indian war,
which the United States had to sustain from 1776 to 1795, had
still more alienated the Indians, and secured to the British
their exclusive trade, carried through the lakes, wherever the
Indians in that quarter lived. No American could, without
imminent danger of property and life, carry on that trade, even
within the United States, by the way of either Michilimackinac or
St. Mary's. And independent of the loss of commerce, Great
Britain was enabled to preserve a most dangerous influence over
our Indians.
It was under these circumstances that you communicated to our
government the prospect you had to be able, and your intention,
to purchase one half of the interest of the Canadian Fur Company,
engaged in trade by the way of Michilimackinac with our own
Indians. You wished to know whether the plan met with the
approbation of government, and how far you could rely on its
protection and encouragement. This overture was received with
great satisfaction by the administration, and Mr. Jefferson, then
President, wrote you to that effect.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 157 of 163
Words from 158804 to 159819
of 165649
