President. when American settlers first arrived in the Pacific Northwest 150 years ago. they were burdened with desperate needs. They faced a long struggle to survive the hostile conditions awaiting them in the Oregon Province. still dominated by powerful British trading companies. Unable to carry all the supplies necessary on the way. most of the emigrants reached the lower Columbia in a destitute condition. By withholding aid. the British could have easily delayed. if not terminated the successful occupation of the area. One man boldly stood up for the rights of early American emigrants in the Oregon Territory. His name was John McLoughlin. This Canadianborn son of European immigrants played a leading role in encouraging and easing the settlement of Americans in the Oregon Province. As chief officer of the Hudsons Bay Co. headquarters on the Columbia River. he extended credit to the newcomers until their crops could be harvested. McLoughlin made it a practice to sell them provisions and allow the payment for these provisions to be deferred until the wheat crops came in the following year. and often he was never paid.
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immigrants emigrants