Hudson Bay "look"(1)
Hudson's Bay Company
Section B
Class 45
Sub-division a
Piece 1
Description Fort Colvile
(Columbia River) -
Post Journal
1830 - 1831
B.45/a/1
These copies are supplied for information and research only. No reproduction either of the original document or of these negatives or of prints from them may be made or used for publication without the permission of the Hudson's Bay Company, London, England.
No 106
C T Herons Journal of occurrences at Fort Colvile.
Copied by Wm Kittson
1
1830 - 31
Fort Colvile Journal
Commencing 12th April 1830 and ending 12th April 1831
This journal was kept alternately by William Kittson and Francis Heron. Francis Heron held the title/rank of Chief Trader and is therefore referred to as C T Heron.
All records were transcribed from the film copy of the original journal kept by and supplied on inter library loan by the Manitoba Archives.
The Hudson Bay Company donated three hundred years of records to the Manitoba Archives along with the money to house and maintain the records. The Fort Colvile Records are available to any library on inter library loan. However they are for in library use only.
Copied and transcribed March 2003 by Barbara Wulf
1. Handbook 113 Fort Vancouver, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Washington, Produced by the Division of Publications National Park Service, US Department of the Interior Washington DC 1981, Pg. 66. "The Hudson Bay Company sent its men into the wilderness well prepared. From head to foot the company provided clothing and equipment necessary for the half year they would spend tramping through forests and climbing up and down mountain in search of the prized beaver pelts. Most of the clothing was of tightly woven wool or wool flannel that would wear well despite the abuse. Sometimes a Hudson's Bay point blanket would be made into a coat, such as the one the man on the right below is wearing. The clothing reflected the many cultural influences that were represented by the employees of the company: the Scottish cap, Indian moccasins, and woven sashes with various tribal designs. The personal accessories mirrored the individual's background. Trade knives and axes were carried in a brightly colored sash often of beadwork. Powder horns and pouches hung from the shoulder. Despite the variety in dress, there was a definite Hudson's Bay "look" throughout the Oregon Country. The company's trappers were recognized wherever they went. In many respects the dress was a safe conduct pass, for Indians far and wide learned that the men of the Hudson's Bay Company dealt fair and square and that the power of the company was great should its wrath be aroused. . . "