1856. · Chicago
by Scripps, John Locke
Chicago, 1856.. 20pp. Modern half morocco and marbled boards, spine stamped in brown and gilt. Text trimmed close at fore-edge, costing portions of words throughout. Good. A rare and important polemic "written in bitter hostility to the Hudson's Bay Company, and exposing their operations on the Pacific Coast and among the Indian tribes and fur traders from the earliest times" (Eberstadt). Scripps is perhaps best known as the author of one of Lincoln's earliest biographies, penned for the 1860 presidential campaign. A journalist in Chicago, he was the founder and chief editor of the CHICAGO DEMOCRATIC PRESS until it was purchased by the CHICAGO TRIBUNE in 1858, after which he served as chief editor of the latter for a number of years. In amongst his numerous criticisms of the Hudson's Bay Company, the author also includes a discussion of the depopulation of indigenous tribes through war and illness, and laments the lack of success by Christian missionaries in the region.
"Scripps, author of an official life of Lincoln, visited the Lake Superior Country in 1855 and upon his return, made an extensive study of the region from the Great Lakes westward with special reference to the fur companies, the inhabitants, Hudson's Bay Company, water courses and minerals. He also points out the economic advantages of the Northern region for the United States" - Decker.
"Scripps, who was editor and publisher of the DEMOCRATIC PRESS, had visited the Lake Superior country in 1855. He discusses here primarily the area of western Canada from Lake Superior to the Pacific, with comments on the Minnesota region south of the international boundary. He has a good deal to say about the fur trade and the Hudson's Bay Company. 'There can be little doubt but that the sole reason why the company maintains its posts in Oregon and Washington is to induce brother Jonathan to 'shell out' liberally for them'" - Streeter.
The Streeter copy sold to an order bidder for $200 in 1969. EBERSTADT 114:690. DECKER 39:360. STREETER SALE 3721. CHICAGO ANTE-FIRE IMPRINTS 221. GRAFF 3717. BYRD 2357 HOWES S248, "aa." SABIN 78485. (Inventory #: WRCAM50507)
"Scripps, author of an official life of Lincoln, visited the Lake Superior Country in 1855 and upon his return, made an extensive study of the region from the Great Lakes westward with special reference to the fur companies, the inhabitants, Hudson's Bay Company, water courses and minerals. He also points out the economic advantages of the Northern region for the United States" - Decker.
"Scripps, who was editor and publisher of the DEMOCRATIC PRESS, had visited the Lake Superior country in 1855. He discusses here primarily the area of western Canada from Lake Superior to the Pacific, with comments on the Minnesota region south of the international boundary. He has a good deal to say about the fur trade and the Hudson's Bay Company. 'There can be little doubt but that the sole reason why the company maintains its posts in Oregon and Washington is to induce brother Jonathan to 'shell out' liberally for them'" - Streeter.
The Streeter copy sold to an order bidder for $200 in 1969. EBERSTADT 114:690. DECKER 39:360. STREETER SALE 3721. CHICAGO ANTE-FIRE IMPRINTS 221. GRAFF 3717. BYRD 2357 HOWES S248, "aa." SABIN 78485. (Inventory #: WRCAM50507)