Lot
1164 
(Oregon) 1846 "The Hudson's Bay Company Ship from the Columbia River is Just Arrived", folded letter datelined "London 3rd July 1846" carried by Cunard steamer from Liverpool to New York City, with letter itemizing the incredible slaughter taking place and comments on the settlement of the Oregon boundary question…The Hudson's Bay Company ship from the Columbia river is just arrived. She brings 20,632 Beaver, 16,729 Musauash, 3,297 Bears, 200 Badger, 470 Fishers, 57 Silver Foxes, 170 cross Fox, 337 red Fox, 540 Lynx & Cats, 22,554 Martins, 7056 Minks, 1,596 Otters, 360 Sea Otter paste-up pairs, 1,305 Racoons, 849 Wolf, 269 Wolverines and 3,510 Deer., and…since the settlement of the Oregon question, you will be able soon to render us Account Sales., Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
When it became apparent that the Oregon boundary question would be compromised by Great Britain and United States, the officers of Hudson's Bay Company realized they were about to be excluded from one of the last tracts harboring huge numbers of fur bearing animals. Their response was to systematically destroy the wildlife in the area to be taken over by the Americans before the British withdrew.
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Realized: $800