THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY. 681

was fixed for each sale or gift of munitions of war to the natives. This act brought the legislature in conflict with the fur-traders at Vancouver, who were in the habit of paying for the assistance of the na- tives in passing the portages at the Dalles and the Cascades with powder and ball, and who thought it a hardship to these people, and one fraught with danger, to refuse them their accustomed compensa- tion. 20

In truth, the situation of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany at this juncture was anything but enviable. They were located in a country which by the recent treaty had become foreign, and whose people, more numerous than themselves, were prejudiced against them ; yet whose laws they were under a compact ^ to obey. The Americans had involved themselves with the natives, and whether intentionally or not, the con- sequences must be the same. While the company were honestly doing what they judged best for the peace and safety of the country, they were subjected to the ever-recurring suspicion that they were in some way to blame for whatever evil befell the people they endeavored to serve. .

In the midst of the anxiety and suspense which harassed all minds during the absence of Ogden in the Cayuse country, a report was spread that Gilliam, indignant at the refusal of the company to furnish $100,000 worth of supplies on the credit of a govern- ment which could not afford to pay a salary to its own executive, had determined to take Vancouver by force of arms, and help his regiment to what they required from its stores, tendering a draft on the Uniled States treasury in payment. On the credit of this rumor, Douglas placed some guns in the bastions, and made other preparations for defence, at the same time writ- ing to Abernethy for an explanation, trusting that his letter would " satisfactorily account for any unusual

20 Correspondence in Or. Spectator, Feb. 10 and 16, 1848; Or. Laws, 1843-9, 12, 48.