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Draught of a Petition to Congress, sent by Mr. Astor in 1812
Draught of a Petition to Congress, sent by Mr. Astor
in 1812. To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States, in Congress assembled,
The petition of the American Fur Company respectfully showeth:
THAT the trade with the several Indian tribes of North America has,
for many years past, been almost exclusively carried on by the
merchants of Canada; who, having formed powerful and extensive
associations for that purpose, being aided by British capital, and
being encouraged by the favor and protection of the British
government, could not be opposed, with any prospect of success by
individuals of the United States.
That by means of the above trade, thus systematically pursued, not
only the inhabitants of the United States have been deprived of
commercial profits and advantages, to which they appear to have just
and natural pretensions, but a great and dangerous influence has
been established over the Indian tribes, difficult to be
counteracted, and capable of being exerted at critical periods, to
the great injury and annoyance of our frontier settlements.
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.
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Astoria; Or Anecdotes Of An Enterprise Beyond The
Rocky Mountains
Astoria |
