1931 JOURNAL 1931 THE CANADIAN [OCt. 470 THE CANADIANMzi)icALASSOCIA.TION 470 that should be relied upon but actually the with an antiphosphatide rabbit serum. Both trend of the index over a period of time. To cite these tests are also proving of use in prognosis. a specific instance. Should there be a monocyte For example, if phosphatide antigen is present count of 2,000 cells per cubic millimetre in two and low-antibody the prognosis is bad; if there persons with tuberculosis, a count indicating in is no antigen and a high antibody content the both cases a spread of the focus, the prognosis prognosis is good, while quiescence would be is better in the first if the lymphocyte count is indicated by no antigen and low antibody. 7,000 than in the second where the lymphocyte The third aid concerns the tubercle bacillus count is only 2,000 cells per cubic millimetre. itself and is based on certain observations made This observation has been well checked clinically by Petroff on the morphological differences of and is worthy of wider application. Medlar virulent "S" colonies and avirulent "R" colonies. would also have one not neglect the polymorpho- The latter are long, beaded, strongly acidfast and nuclear leucocyte, as he has frequently predicted branching -while the former are short, faintly abscess formation and cavitation in the presence acidfast and Much's granules are present. Thus of a high count of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. an enumeration not only of the number but of The second aid cited is a precipitin test, using the characteristics of the bacilli present *may as antigen a phosphatide fraction recently isolated prove helpful. by Anderson of Yale.' Using spinal, pleural, Finally, there remains the method of serial joint and ascitic fluids in 350 cases, Doan has x-ray plates in children over a period of years, had the diagnosis checked in the majority of when developing tuberculosis can be followed and instances. Not only is the patient's serum or diagnosed early. exudate used against the phosphatide as antigen Tuberculosis still offers an inexhaustible field but an antiphosphatide rabbit serum is used for careful observations and application of new against the patient's fluids as antigen. In early methods. tuberculous meningitis free antigen is often found ARNOLD BRANCH

Nten anb I1oohz- THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF there, in the grandfather's old stone mansion BRITISH COLUMBIA# overlooking the St. Lawrence, the boys grew up. They caught a military presence from the soldier By A. S. MONRO, M.D., grandfather who had brought a Highland regi- Vancouver ment with him to America and which, after the victorious campaign of Wolfe, remained to JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, 1784 TO 1857 colonize these colonial domains. Here they read In the early annals of British settlement on Scotch stories, heard the tales of Highland his- the north Pacific coast of America, there is no tory, and the music of the bagpipes and the more interesting and romantic character than sight of kilts and tartan were familiar to them. that of Dr. John McLoughlin, chief factor of The brothers were sent overseas, probably to the Hudson's Bay Company, from 1824 to 1846. Edinburgh, and were pursuing their medical McLoughlin was in charge of all their opera- studies when Napoleon was at the zenith of his tions in that vast territory extending from power. Dr. David McLoughlin went to the wars Alaska to California, and from the Rocky Moun- and followed the Iron Duke until Napoleon tains on the east to the shores of the Pacific on went into exile at St. Helena. Dr. John Mc- the west. Styled by some of his confreres Loughlin said "I could never fight Napoleon, "Emperor of the West", on account of the vast I admire him too much". He returned to territory over which he exercised the powers of Canada. The lure and glamor of the west, the an absolute monarch, yet his reign was char- fact that his uncles, the Frasers, were great and acterized by the exhibition of such sound justice, powerful in the fur trade, no doubt led him to such wise and humane treatment towards those join the Northwest Company, the partners of whose lives he controlled, that to-day he is known which were so aptly styled "Lords of the as the "first citizen of Oregon" and his memory North" by Washington Irving in his "Astoria". is respected and revered by the people of that Birth, talent, and a magnificent presence (he State. was six feet three inches in height) brought Dr. John McLoughlin was born at Riviere du rapid promotion and soon he was in command Loup, Quebec, October 22, 1784. While still a of Sault Ste. Marie. Here he met Margaret boy, his father was drowned, and his mother, McKay, widow of Alexander McKay, one of that with her two boys, John and David, moved to adventurous band who accompanied Alexander the home of her. father, Malcolm Fraser, and McKenzie on his trip to the Pacific Coast, 1793. * The first paper in this History can be found in the This was the first party of white men to cross Jownal, 1931, 25: 336. the continent and recently a memorial tablet Oet. 1931] MEN AND BOOKS: THE ME:DICAL HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 4471 has been unveiled near Bella Coola to com- Canadian doctor startled them all with the memorate the event. When John Jacob Astor boldest speech that had ever rung in those con- planned to enter the fur trade on the Pacific servative warerooms. He was a study, that Coast, he went to Montreal to find the men for courageous young doctor of locks prematurely his enterprize. McKay met Astor. They liked white and flashing eye, that free-born spirit each other and became partners. McKay, pro- that had breathed in liberty on the banks of ceeding around the Horn on the Tonquin, finally the St. Lawrence. reached the mouth of the Columbia and there "My Lords and Gentlemen, I plead for the fur traders built, on the site of Astoria, a better terms! Since the days of Prince Rupert trading post for the new company. The story this monster monopoly has sat supinely on the by Irving is one of the most fascinating tales banks of Hudson's Bay and shut out Canada of the fur trade. After eight years of patient from her birthright. Did we seek extended waiting for a missing husband, word came by settlement? It would drive away their game. a fur brigade from the Columbia, that her Did we attempt to trade in furs? They claimed husband had been killed at Nootka when the the- only right. Westward, beyond the basin Tonquin and all her crew had been sacrificed by of Hudson's Bay there lay an open field. To a murderous band of Indians of that coast. this the merchants of Montreal sent out their Margaret McKay, now a widow, married Dr. traders. We scoured the forests and threaded McLoughlin at the Lake Superior Fort. A few the streams. We sought new tribes and won years later McLoughlin was in command at Fort their friendship. We explored the Saskatch- William and in the meantime, two children were ewan and the Athabasca. Our men it was that born, Eloise and David. An accident, the traced the Mackenzie and planted the flag on capsizing of a canoe and long immersion in the the polar ocean, and turning back found a way cold waters of Lake Superior, almost cost him across the mountains to the Pacific itself. his life. When carried into the Fort nearly While the Hudson's Bay Company waited we dead, he was the sole survivor of the accident. ran. We built up posts in remotest wilds, we His hair, which up to that time had been de- discovered new waterways, we established scribed as golden-the Indians called it "sun- trade. When the profits began to flow in, the shine"-turned completely white, and later on Hudson's Bay Company began to rub its sleepy the Columbia, his waving white locks and com- eyes and claim the fruits of our toil. They manding presence, led to the appellation of claimed our trading fields and shot our traders. "The White Eagle", given him by the Indians. To obstruct our work they threw the Red River In 1816, the intense rivalries of the Nor'- settlement across our path, cutting communica- Westers and the Hudson's Bay Company tion with Montreal and blockading our sup- culminated in the Battle of Seven Oaks, a plies. They prohibited their settlers from point a few miles north of Winnipeg, at which selling provisions and tried to starve us out. Governor Semple of the Hudson's Bay Com- They used their money to buy over our pany and twenty of his men were killed. A traders, and when bribes would not suffice they monument now marks the spot, erected some shot us in the forest. Is this the condition of thirty years ago by the Countess of Selkirk, British subjects? No wonder we fought for the last of that illustrious line whose name is our rights. And now you ask us to ' share so unforgetably described in "The Annals of equally' the profits of the trade. I do not the History of Western Canada". object to the union,-God knows I regretted The wedding of the rival fur companies is the war,-but ought we to give equal share of historic. When the French and English were those profits they never raised a finger to fighting at Waterloo, two rival fur companies obtain, nay, did all they could to discourage were fighting in North America, the Hudson's and destroy? What reward have we for those Bay and the Northwest. When the smoke of years of toil and trial if we hand over the battle over there cleared away, the British moiety now to a rival? It is not right, it is not Parliament saw the smoke of battle over here just, and on behalf of the Northwest Company and called a halt. I contend for better terms." So the hoary old Hudson's Bay Company So spoke young McLoughlin, in that London that had slumbered for a century proposed to wareroom over one hundred years ago. The the young Northwest Company of Montreal, very clerks, amazed, stopped scratching with and both sent their best men to London to their quill pens in the dim candle-light to discuss the 'marriage dowry. It was plainly a listen. They watched him with breathless in- wedding of capital and labour. The .Canadian terest, the Canadian merchants proud of their company had nothing but her hands, her champion, the British; baronets and stock- courage, and her magnificent exploration. The holders wondering if of such stuff was made London bridegroom had the money-bags of the rebels of the American Revolution. But he nobles and control of the Bank of England. was not yet done. In the midst of the nuptial settlement a young "Gentlemen, if I contend for better terms 472 THE CANADiAN MEDicAL AssocIATION JOURISTAL [Oct. 1931 472T E,

for ourselves, what shall I say for our voyageurs, staff was the Fort physician, Dr. Barclay. yours as well as ours, who upon a pittance of Arriving at Astoria he found the situation seventeen pounds a year must man our boats unsuitable, being too close to the ocean to and pack our furs? Wading in icy waters, avoid visiting trading ships, and he moved his cordelling canoes in rocky torrents, transform- headquarters up the Columbia on the north ing themselves into beasts of burden at every side, opposite the Willamette River, some portage, working eighteen hours out of the ninety miles from the sea. twenty-four, cut off from all refinements of Long after McLoughlin came to Fort Van- social and civilized life, condeimned to exile couver in 1824 the river bristled with danger. and rapidly sinking to the level of savages, all One dark night in 1829, the Dalles Indians, the this that the inordinate profits of their muscles most notorious of the river banditti, appeared and sinews may pour wealth into the coffers of before the Fort, intent on its capture and de- this trade. Gentlemen, let us consider the struction of its inmates. A friendly chief had hardships of our employees' lives and realize rallied his forces to aid the allies. Next morn- that seventeen pounds a year is beggarly ing McLoughlin called a council and one by one recompense for service such as theirs." the hostile chiefs were admitted. James Douglas, It was a new thing for a factor in the fur McLoughlin 's chief lieutenant, was there, as company to utter a sentiment like that. But, were also the chiefs supporting the Governor. alas! the doctor was too direct for a diplomat. The hostile chiefs were sullen, when into their Even the merchants of Montreal were willing midst came Colin Fraser, a six-foot Highlander to profit by the serfdom of those French- in kilts and flowing plume, playing the bag- Canadian voyageurs and thought their philan- pipes. Up and down the great council hall he thropic favourite had gone too far. One-vitet- strode and played an hour while they waited one voice, could not bring bettei terms, buit for McLoughlin. The savages were so subdued one thing the doctor could and did do. John they forgot their warlike errand. While still McLoughlin never set his name to the articles the piper played, McLoughlin entered with a of the agreement. treaty ready drawn up that they would never That speech was not forgotten. The Board molest Vancouver. It was signed, presents were admired and yet they feared him. He was the distributed and the hostiles departed .happy. most popular and energetic of all the North- Incidents such as these were not uncommon and west leaders. He must be quieted, he must be in addition there arose the graver problem of honoured, and, more than all, the great North- what to do with the incoming settlers. Al- wester must have room for executive sway. though a tiny stream at first, they gradually He must rule in Canada, or as far as possible increased in such numbers that in twenty years from Canada. No intermediate ground would it settled the question of the Hudson's Bay do. About that time the American Congress Company continuing as a fur-trading monopoly had agreed with Parliament upon a joint and also decided the possession of Oregon as occupancy of a certain wilderness called British territory. In handling these difficult Oregon. The very place! A sort of Siberia, far problems, McLoughlin displayed a wise judg- off. Dr. John McLoughlin was delegated with ment and his firm but humane policies won for absolute power to the Columbia Department. him the name of. the "Father of Oregon." He knew it was a banishment, but he knew too, The events of most interest and those which that he would be king in that realm beyond gave the greatest pleasure to the people of the the mountains. Fort in these days was the coming and going of George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson's the fur brigades. One of the most colourful Bay Company, was appointed Governor of the was the annual fall trip of the Spanish Brigade, Consolidated Fur Companies and soon after Dr. an event eagerly looked forward to by all. Led McLoughlin's return to Canada, it was ar- by McLoughlin himself with his chief officers in ranged that he take up his new command at the vanguard, the gay cavalcade with its long Astoria which had been held by the Nor'- array of French traders in scarlet belts and Westers since 1812. On the long journey from Canadian caps, with their picturesque Indian Fort William to Astoria, the route followed was families, the plumes of men and women dancing that taken by the fur brigades, via the Lake and waving in the wind, was as brilliant as a of the Woods, Fort Garry, Lake Winnipeg, up hawking party in the days of mediawval song. the Saskatchewan to Edmonton; across the Along the valleys, gorges and canyons the Rockies by Athabaska Pass, first traversed by brigade made its way, Mt. McLoughlin on the Thompson of the Northwest Company in 1811, summit of the Cascades a conspicuous landmark and Canoe River to the Big Bend of the on the southern trail; then over the Siskiyouse Columbia, past what is now Revelstoke, Nakusp, and the Spanish border is crossed; down 'past through the Arrow Lakes, Trail, Fort Colville, Shasta, (first described by Ogden) on to "the Walla Walla, and the Dalles of Astoria. Ac- valley of the Sacramento" and the brigade companying him besides his family and trading finally terminated its long trek in San Francisco Oct. 1931] MEN AND BOOKS: THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 473 where the Spanish Governor, General Valejo, Hudson's Bay Company wanted the earth. Al- held sway. ready it controlled an extent of territory greater In 1838 McLoughlin went to London. Many than all Europe. Of what value could be a motives brought this about. He was entitled barren bit of shore on that lonely northwest to leave of absence and his holiday was long coast? Dr. McLoughlin knew its value better overdue. Troubles with the Russians at the than the Russian Directorate, better than the Stikeen-the firing of Baron Wrangell's men on London Board, certainly better than the English Peter Skene Ogden when he attempted to pass statesmen, who then regarded those distant the Russian strip of shore-led to vigorous pro- realms as vaguely as the phantom deserts in the test, and complaint was lodged by the Hudson's moon. He knew those rocky islets were rich in Bay Company at their London headquarters. priceless sea-furs. For 10,000 land-otter a year The London papers were full of "the outrage the strip was leased, and further reciprocity upon our traders in those distant seas." contracted in furs and flour. Four years Lord Other great schemes Palmerston and Count were incubated during Nesselrode had been that London visit; the negotiating over the Puget's Sound Agri- privileges of the shore- cultural Company, to strip. Four years Dr. hold that inland sea McLoughlin had been 4 for England; a plan piling up supplies that for posts in California the Russians w o u l d just ready to drop have been glad to pur- from decaying Spanish chase. Let us go to rule;r u and an out- Europe and settle it.," reach to the Hawaiian wrote the governor on _ Islands. In fact, if the Columbia to the those American mis- governor at Sitka. To t_ sionaries had stayed s o m e who did not over the mountains, understand the doc- England held in her tor 's statesmanship - hand the key to com- and he kept his secrets mercial empire on the to himself and Douglas Pacific. - there were other It was in 1840 that reasons for that long Sir George Simpson, and tedious trip to stirred by the news of London. So m e said the American influx that Sir George Simp- into the Oregon State, son had complained said "I will checkmate that Dr.iMcLoughlin this American move if favoured the American I have to depopulate m i s s i o n a r i e s. Red River." To the Sir George Simpson, prosperous farmers of so the Hudson's Bay the Red River Valley gossips said, had pre- he promised to each pared the London I e6<$ - head of a family who Board to give the doc- 4 would move to Oregon, tor a "wigging" for ten pounds sterling in the high hand he held on the Columbia; but advance, goods for the journey, horses and when that stately form darkened the doors in provisions at the forts en route, and on Fenchurch Street the king of the Columbia was arrival at Puget Sound, the Company would weighed at a true value, a veritable monarch furnish houses, barns, fenced fields, fifteen come out of the west. cows, fifty sheep, oxen, horses, farming im- It was a stately occasion when the delegates of plements and seed. So in the following year the Russian American Fur Company of St. twenty-three families, or eighty persons al- Petersburg met the delegates of the Hudson's together, agreed to accept Sir George's offer Bay Company in a London council and discussed and met at a rendezvous in June on the White matters usually relegated to the cabinets of Horse Plains, west of Fort Garry. It was in kings. The difficulty was adjusted. "And that year (1841) that Sir George Simpson com- now," said McLoughlin, "we want to lease that menced his famous trip around the world and ten-league strip of Russian seaboard." Lord on his way to the Columbia he passed a Palmerston and Parliament wondered if the lengthened cavalcade far back in Saskatchewan, 474.47'THE CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL[[Oct. 1931

toiling westward under a broiling July sun. In make a mistake in assisting these missionaries. ox carts they crossed the plains, and scaled the Let them take care of themselves, refuse them mountains on horse back. They arrived on the favours, drive them out of the country as soon Columbia and the leaders and head men of the as possible." "But," interposed the doctor, Red River immigrants came to the Fort. standing up beside Sir George-he could look Simpson was perturbed. He had not told down upon him like a little boy-"What excuse McLoughlin about this scheme of settlement can we have for driving them out of the - and no preparation had been made for them. country? They are peaceable, industrious, He said "I am sorry to tell you that we cannot helpful to the Indian. By the terms of our fulfil our agreement. We have neither horses, treaty with the United States they have as good nor barns, nor fields for you and you are at right here as we have." liberty to go where you please. You may go "The Hudson's Bay Company -was not with the California traders and we will give chartered to educate the Indian," curtly re- you an outfit. If you locate south of Columbia sponded Sir George, hitching up the wires of we will give you nothing. If- you go to the- his glasses in a few once curly locks behind his Cowlitz we will help you, some. To those who ears. "That is no part of our business. I will go to the Sound we will fulfill our agree- would not give them even a spade to till the ment.' Amazement and then rage filled the soil. Wevwant furs, not farms. We must toler- minds of the immigrants. Dr. McLoughlin was ate nothing that interferes with our business." greatly distressed at the plight of these poor "Sir George prays only to mammon," was a people who had sold their homes and after well-known' saying in the upperl country. travelling 2,000 miles had been so cruelly de- The doctor kept his temper. Better than any ceived. -He followed them to their encampment one else west of the mountains he understood and in every way helped them to their destina- the policy of his company, and never had that tion with food, clothing, boots and horses. company a more brilliantly cold and calculating Slowly, wearily and disheartened they toiled manager than Sir George Simpson. through the woods to Puget Sound. Some re- "By your management already you have lost mained there but after a severe winter and usall-that country south of the Columbia," con- suffering many hardships, most of th"em moved tinued Sir George. to the Willamette Valley where their descen- "I lost that country?" cried Dr. McLoughlin, dents still live. bristling at this unexpected charge. "England The coming of these immigrants evidently never claimed it. The company never expected spurred the Company to enter upon agricul- to hold it. The Joint Occupancy Treaty was in tural developments in a larger way and it was "itself official notice to that effect. As for these not, long afterwards on the Nisqually Plains, missionaries, when they come bringing passports some few miles south of the present site of signed by the Secretary of War, dare I treat Tacoma, that the Company was operating a .them like Yankee skippers or overland traders?" large farm under the name of the Puget Sound Sii George, by his John Bull obstinacy, was Agricultural Association and which was under fast converting the doctor into an American the management of Dr. William Fraser Tolmie. advocate. He saw his error, and with the quick Other happenings had conduced to put Sir diplomacy for which he was noted he grasped George in bad humour. When he arrived at-- the angry doetor's hand. the Fort, travelling with all the pomp lo! a- "I beg your pardon, Chief Factor Mc- potentate, Dr. McLoughlin was absent. James Loughlin. I beg your pardon. Your situation Douglas received him and accorded him the is indeed a complicated one. I shall take im- honours due as Governor of the Company. mediate measures to press this Oregon question McLoughlin returned next day from the Sound to an issue. 'England cannot afford to lose this where he had been paying a courtesy call on territory." How he pressed this question is Commodore Wilks,' whose ships were anchored hidden in the English archives. there. A rapid survey of the situation by the A few days later Sir George left with Douglas Governor made him realize what a thin hold to inspect the northwest coast and visit Sitka. the Company had on the territory. He up- Late that fall Dr. McLoughlin and Sir George braided McLoughlin for protecting- the mis- Simpson dropped down on the Columbia on sionaries and settlers, and was incensed when board -the Hudson's Bay barque Cowltitz on he knew he had entertained the officers of a their way to California. On the last day of visiting war vessel. 1841 they landed on the sand dunes where in "You are not to encourage Americans in any a few short years would rise the magic city of way," said Sir George, in the positive tone bred San Francisco. They were royally entertained of years of command. "The United States will by General Mariano Guadalupe Valejo, the never possess more than a nominal jurisdiction "Prince of Northern California". On leaving west of the Rocky Mountains, nor, if you do for Monterey, Sir George remarked "England your duty, will it long possess even that. You has. no rivals on this coast but the Russians. Oct. 1931] MEN AND BooKs: THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 475

Now Mexico owes to- British subjects a debt of Loughlin from the service. - That is not the more than fifty millions of dollars. By assuming way it was put. It was suggested he should a share of this debt on condition of being put retire. McLoughlin gave up the reins in 1846 in possession of California-" Sir George looked and withdrew from Vancouver Fort to live what he did not say. Dr. McLoughlin was among the settlers he had befriended at silent. He too had his dreams. Dr. McLoughlin Oregon City on the Willamette. returned to the Columbia and Sir George went The commissioners' report of Dr. McLough- on across Siberia on his journey around the lin irritated the London Board. "What right world. has a chief factor in our employ to meet those By the end of 1843 a great tide of new settlers immigrants with boatloads of supplies, to nurse had arrived from across the mountains and Mc- their sick in our hospital, and to loan 'them Loughlin had written the governing Board in seed and agricultural implements to open up London. "You must positively protect your farms on the Willamette?" Across the sea rights here, and at, once, or lose the country." there came a call to halt, and an account was No answer had come. The threats against Fort demanded of Dr. Mcboughlin. Strong in the Vancouver became bolder. The Indian con- consciousness of his own integrity the doctor spiracy, that shortly deluged the land in blood, answered: "Gentlemen, as a man of common was throwing off all concealment. McLoughlin humanity I could not do otherwise than to give built more bastions and strengthened his pickets. those naked and starving people to eat and to Still no answer came to his appeal for protection Wear of' our stores. I foresaw clearly that it by the English Government. Colonists' who aided in the American settlement of the loved McLoughlin as "The Father of Oregon"' country, but this I cannot help. It is not for begged him to subscribe to the provisional me, but for God, to look after and take care of government. Ogden advised it. Ermatinger the consequences. The Bible tells me, 'If thine was ready to become an American citizen. enemy hunger, feed him; if he be naked, clothe Douglas was absent in the North... FSearful of- him.'' These settlers are not even enemies. If Indian war now threatening and dreading still the directors find fault with me they quarrel more an international war over the possession with heaven. I have simply done what any one of Oregon, McLoughlin, after-ong -stru'ggles truly worthy the name of a man could not between Company and conscience, after prayers hesitate to do. I ask you not to bear these debts; for hours on his knees for -God's guidance' in let them be my own. Let me retain the profits his choice, subscribed -to the provisional upon these supplies and advances made to government in August, 1844. Six months too' settlers, and I will cheerfully assume all pay- late came the protection for which he had been ments to the' company. All that I can do asking all these years, the British Pacific honourably for my company shall be done. Squadron. Perhaps it was as well that the war -'Beyond that I have no pledges. Shall I leave vessels did come too late, for Captain Gordon,' these.Americans to starve, or drive them from commander of the fleet and brother toAberdeen,' the country? - Gentlemen, if such be your then Cabinet Minister of'' England, was a orders, I can serve you no longer." And so, on pompous, fire-eating, blustering fellow, utterly account of assisting the immigrants, Dr. Mc- incapable of steering a peaceful course through Loughlin resigned his position at the head of such troublous times. With Gordon boasting the Hudson's Bay Company west of the Rocky how his marines could "draw the Yankees Mountains, and thereby sacrificed a personal over the mountains," and outlaws among the income of $12,000 per annum. .colonists keen for the loot of a raid on Fort It is'unnecessary to express an opinion on his Vancouver-friction might have fanned-to wat' character. The record of his rule in Oregon is before England or the United States could the truest verdict on his character. His was one intervene. The main fleet lay off Puget Sound. of the rare spirits in this world who not only The ship Modiste with five hundred marines, followed right, but followed right when there anchored in the Columbia off Vancouver and was no reward; who not only did right, but did patrolled the river for eighteen months, men right when it meant positive loss -to himself and drilling and camping on the esplanade in front the stabs of malignity from ungrateful people of the fur post. whom he had benefited. Most people can be There came also in October, 1845, two special saintly when a Heaven of prizes is dangling commissioners from the Hudson's Bay Com- just in front of them, but fewer' people can pany to report on Oregon. The report was sent follow the narrow way when it leads to loss and back without McLoughlin's inspection. They pain and ignominy. McLoughlin could, and had reported against him for favouring the that Christ-like quality in his character places American settlers. Knowing well this was the him second to none among the heroes of Can- beginning of the end, McLoughlin sent for adian history. As Selkirk's name is indis- Douglas to come down and take charge. The solubly connected with the hero-days of Red mail of the following spring dismissed Me- River, so McLoughlin 's is enshrined in the 1931 476 THE CANADiAN MEDICAL ASSOCLATION JOURNAL [Oct. RM64"m heroic past of Oregon. In Hudson's Bay House James Douglas, the latter made his headquarters in London one may look in vain for portraits at the new post of James Bay, and it was in or marble busts of these men. Portraits there 1849 that Vancouver was made a Crown Colony are of bewigged and beruffled princes and dukes under Governor Blanshard. who ruled over estates that would barely make a back-door patch to Red River or Oregon; but WILLIAM FRASER TOLMIE not a sign to commemorate the fame of the two men who founded empires in America, greater Although more than four decades have passed in area than Great Britain and France and since Dr. William Fraser Tolmie died he is still Germany and Spain combined. remembered by the older residents of British Following his retirement from the Hudson's Columbia as one of its most esteemed and Bay Company, Dr. McLoughlin established his prominent citizens. Almost, one hundred years home at Oregon City, a few miles below Port- ago, in 1833, he first came to Fort Vancouver, land. Dr. Barclay had followed him there and Washington, as a surgeon in the service of the was his constant attendant during the few re- Hudson's Bay Company and throughout the maining years of his old _ remainder of his life chief. The end came i continued an a c ti v e in 1857. He and his factor in the work of beloved wife lie side byRM progress and develop- side in the little R.C. ment here. During the churchyard in Oregon later years of his life City. A full length h e w a s prominently portrait of him hangs in ,2_g identified with agricul- the Legislative Chamber tural pursuits, owning a of the State Capitol at valuable farm of eleven Salem where his memory hundred acres. He was is revered as "Father of likewise well known as Oregon." an ethnologist and his- To complete the medi- torian and possessed an .cal records during Dr. intimate knowledge of McLoughlin 's regime on Indian affairs. the Columbia, there is Dr. Tolmie was born noted in the minutes of in Inverness, Scotland, the Council of the on February 3, 1812. Company, 1830, at an He acquired his educa- annual gathering of all tion in Glasgow, gradu- the chief administrators ating from Glasgow from the Atlantic to University in 1832, in Pacific and held at which year he crossed Norway House, Lake the Atlantic to America Winnipeg, a list of as a surgeon in the personnel at Fort Van- service of the Hudson's couver containing the _ Bay Company. He came names of James Ken- f,-- to Fort Vancouver on nedy, surgeon; also the s a i I i n g vessel of Forbes BarclIay, Columbia by way of surgeon. As before men- jCape Horn, stopping at tioned, the latter fol- Dr. Williarmn FraserI Tolmle Honolulu afid the Sand- lowed Dr. McLoughlin wich Islands, arriving at to Oregon City and ministered to him in his the Fort in 1833. In his younger days he was last illness. In the records of the same Council, greatly interested in botany and natural history, 1843, we find mention made of Dr. William and discovered many new plants and birds on Fraser Tolmie who had joined the Company at this coast, some of which were named after him. Fort Vancouver in 1833. In the minutes of the In 1833, while on a botanizing trip, accom- Council in this year, orders were given to estab- panied by two or three Indians, he made the lish on the Straits of Fuca a post to be named first attempt of any white man to scale Mount Fort Victoria. No doubt coming events in Rainier, Washington, but owing to his holiday Oregon had led to this action and it was Douglas coming to an end, he was unable to get to the himself who was sent from Vancouver to- estab- summit. A peak of this mountain is now called lish the new post at Camosun and now Victoria. Tolmie Peak in his honour. In 1834 he was a When Dr. McLoughlin handed over the reins to member of an expedition along the northwest Oct. ."- MEN, 130OKS:,. LADY, -OSLER -.I 477 1931] '' Oct.1931 ME J30s AY~ 7 A-: -'-l - / coast as far as the Russian boundary, now June 23, 1880, became the mother of seven sons Alaska, establishing trading posts at various and five daughters. Hon. Simon Fraser Tolmie, points for the Hudson's Bay Company and at the present Premier of British Columbia and an this time also choosing the site for Fort outstanding man of affairs in his native Simpson. About 1835 he was the first white province, is a son of this distinguished pioneer man to draw attention to the fact that coal was physician. to be found on this coast somewhere in the Dr. Tolmie was a member of the local legis- north. lature for two terms, representing the Victoria In 1836 Dr. Tolmie returned to Fort Van- district until 1878. The cause of public instruc- couver in the capacity of surgeon. In 1841 he tion always found in him a staunch supporter visited his native land, and returned to Canada and ardent champion and for many years he the following year, making the overland served as a member of the board of education. journey by way of Fort Garry and other He held many positions of trust and responsi- Hudson's Bay Company posts. Upon arriving bility and was everywhere recognized as a at Fort Vancouver he was placed in charge of valued and respected citizen. Generous and the Hudson's Bay Company posts on Puget kind-hearted, he is still remembered for his Sound, with headquarters at Fort Nisqually. many acts of quiet charity and for his loyalty He took a very prominent part in the Indian and friendship. war of 1855 and 1856, and as he was quite In the western part of Point Grey, Van- familiar with a number of Indian languages, it couver, near the main entrance to the Univer- was through his efforts and knowledge that the sity of British Columbia, "Tolmie Street" red men were pacified. In 1855 he was made brings to one's mind, the memory of this out- chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company at standing pioneer. Fort Nisqually, and after the company gave (To be continued) up their possessory rights to American soil, he removed to Victoria in 1859 and continued in its service, building at this time the first stone LADY OSLER house erected in British Columbia and which is now occupied by his descendants. A REvnw Dr. Tolmie remained in the service of the By A. D. BLACKADER, M.A., M.D., LL.D., Hudson's Bay Company and also as agent of the Puget Sound Company until 1870, when he Montreal retired to his farm, which he had purchased It is with much pleasure that we-have read several years previously. He was very active the brief memoir of the life of Lady Osler as in agricultural affairs and did much to raise presented in a small volume issued by the Oxford the standard and grade of cattle and horses. -University Press ;* an edition, to our great importing thoroughbred stock . He also gained regret, limited to private circulation. The author recognition as an ethnologist and historian, is Mr. Arnold Muirhead, one of her student contributing valuable treatises and articles on guests. For many Canadians the name of Lady the history and languages of the west coast Osler will always be linked with that of Sir natives. He gave the vocabularies of a number William. An unusually talented woman herself, of tribes to Dr. Scouler and George Gibbs and she contributed much by her devotion to the these have been published in contributions to happiness of Sir William, and by the skilful American Ethnology. In 1884 he collaborated arrangement of her home services was able to with Dr. G. M. Dawson in the publication of a extend the open hospitality enjoyed by succes- nearly complete series of short vocabularies of sive generations -of students both in Baltimore the principal languages spoken in British and Oxford, not a few of whom were permitted Columbia. To-day, the works of Dr. Tolmie the use of a latch key which allowed them to stand as authoritative in the history of the north- enter the house and library as was most con- west and this province. All through his life venient to them. Even Sir William 's death did he was ever ready to contribute from his ex- not put an end to this arrangement. There were tensive store of knowledge to anyone to whom always three or four privileged students given it would be useful, and, being at, all times the free run of the library and encouraged to public-spirited and progressive, his opinions use the garden and tennis court. After his sad were highly valued. He remained intimate passing, to which the death of his son greatly with Indian affairs until the time of his death, contributed, she made it her chief endeavour which occurred on December 8, 1886, when he to further the cataloguing of his library and its had reached the age of 74 years. careful removal to McGill University where her In 1850 Dr. Tolmie married Miss Jane Work, the eldest daughter of John Work, then chief Grace Revere Osler: A brief Memoir by Arnold factor Muirhead: Printed for private circulation for her devoted of the Hudson's Bay Company at sister, Mrs. IL B. Chapin, of Boston, at the Oxford Victoria. Mrs. Tolmie, who passed away on University Press, 1931.