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"Chouteau and McKenzie were ordered to seize the Western trade at any cost, to enlarge the virtual monopoly American fur held in the east... Until RMF was destroyed or bought out price was no object."GIVE YOUR HEART TO THE HAWKS by Winfred Blevins
The great exploritory trek, in 1804 to 1807, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was not only the chart the uncharted new lands of the Great Western Desert, it was also felt that the fur trade of the western territory was essential to the fledgling United States. In 1801, Alexander Mackenzie published a report where he outlined a plan to establish the Canadian (British) fur trade into the Northern Pacific Territory and thereby create a monopoly which the Americans could not attain. Jefferson and certain members of Congress were far sighted enough to realize that if the entire western coast was left to the Spainish, Russian, and French/Canadian trappers without a strong contingency of American competition the results would be disastrous for the expansionary plans of the new country.
By 1834, when Rocky Mountain Fur, under the ownership of Tom Fitzpatrick, Jim Bridger, and Milton Sublette finally went out of business it is very unlikely that they realized the degree of magnitude their struggle with American Fur had had in relation to the Nation at large. HELL! Bridger, wasn't exactly "greenhorn-friendly. He didn't want anyone else in his Mountains!
Below are some links to some ORGANIZATIONS of a different sort. These are folks that know just what a modern day MOUNTAIN MAN needs, and they are involved, "up to the Green River" in trying to provide it. If you want to know about a Rondezveous, Pow-Wow, or a shootout in your part of the country, these are the folks. Or if you want to start an organization or club in your neck of the woods, these are the people that can tell you how.
Coon'n Crockett Muzzleloaders Club
The Texian Heritage Society, Inc.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment Light Infantry
National Association of Buckskinners
American Mountain Man Association
Coalition of Historical Trekkers
The Northwest Territory Alliance
American Longrifle Association
The Swedish Federation of Blackpowder Shooters
Muzzleloaders Association of Great Britian
Single Action Shooter's Homepage
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