Gouverneur Kemble Warren's Copy of a Key Northwestern Work
Ross Cox’s Adventures on the Columbia River . . . is a seminal work documenting the early years of the fur trade in the Oregon Country and the nascent stages of settlement in the far West. First published in London in 1831 (in 2 volumes) and then in New York in 1832 (in a single volume), this narrative stands as one of the primary first-hand sources for understanding the rivalry between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, as well as the interactions between fur traders and Native American tribes across what is now Montana, Idaho, and eastern Washington. The book is considered essential for its detailed and vivid portrayal of life in the Pacific Northwest during a transformative period in American and Canadian history.
The present example bears the signature of western explorer Gouverneur Kemble Warren on the inside cover, noting that it was subsequently given by Warren to the "off. Ex. & Sur." (an abbreviation for the War Department Office of Explorations and Surveys, which was officially established in 1853 and primarily handled the large-scale government surveys of the western territories, including the Pacific Railroad Surveys.). It must be imagined that Warren would have utilized this book during his time on the Raynolds Expeditions between 1855 and 1857 in the Nebraska Territory (which then included Wyoming, Montana and Idaho), before "turning over" the book to the War Department Office of Explorations and Surveys.
Cox’s narrative is rooted in the complex and often contentious fur trade of the early 19th century, when British and American interests competed for dominance in the Columbia River basin. Arriving in Oregon in 1812 onboard the Beaver from the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), Cox was initially part of John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company, based at the short-lived trading post of Astoria. After the sale of Astoria to the North West Company during the War of 1812, Cox continued to work for the latter organization, spending the next five years navigating the perilous trade routes between the Columbia River and the Rocky Mountains.
The narrative offers invaluable insights into the day-to-day operations of the fur trade, detailing the grueling overland journeys, trading practices, and cultural exchanges with Native American tribes. Cox provides a compelling account of his travels across the rugged terrain from Oregon to Montreal in 1817, including interactions with notable figures like Peter Skene Ogden and encounters with indigenous groups along the Columbia River, Athabasca River, and in the Rocky Mountain House region. The book is particularly noted for its descriptions of the tribes of the Columbia basin and the intricate social dynamics within the fur trade during a time of intense rivalry between the Hudson's Bay and North West Companies.
Cox’s work is frequently cited alongside the narratives of contemporaries such as Alexander Ross and Gabriel Franchère as a foundational source for the history of the early Oregon Country. As noted by Hill, the narrative provides an exceptional account of the indigenous populations of the inland Northwest and the fur traders’ interactions with them. Streeter highlights the significance of Cox’s observations on the fierce competition between the two fur-trading giants, which shaped much of the region’s history during this period. The book’s rich detail and accessible prose make it a valuable resource not only for scholars of the fur trade but also for those interested in the early exploration and settlement of the Pacific Northwest.
The narrative of the personal experience of a fur-trader, among the Indians of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Slope; full of adventure, history, and character - Field.
Gouverneur Kemble Warren (1830-1882)
G. K. Warren was a pivotal figure in both military operations and the exploration of the American West, making his association with Adventures on the Columbia River particularly significant. Kemble graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1850, ranking second in his class. After graduation, he was commissioned as a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical Engineers, marking the beginning of a career deeply intertwined with the exploration and mapping of the western territories.
In his early assignments, Warren was involved in surveying missions critical to the expansion of the United States. His first significant project took place from 1850 to 1853, when he was assigned to the Mississippi River Delta, under the command of Captain Andrew A. Humphreys, where he was promoted to second lieutenant.
From 1853 to 1854, Warren served under Captain John Pope in surveying the route of the proposed transcontinental railroad along the 32nd parallel from Texas to California. This survey was part of the larger Pacific Railroad Surveys commissioned by Congress to determine the best route for a railroad connecting the eastern United States to the Pacific coast.
Warren’s most influential contributions in the West came between 1855 and 1859, when he took part in several expeditions across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. From 1855 to 1857, he served under Captain William Raynolds, who led surveys of the Nebraska Territory and the Dakota Territory. In 1857, Warren played a central role in a significant survey under the command of Captain Raynolds. The Raynolds Expedition mapped the Yellowstone River region and was one of the first government explorations of what would later become Yellowstone National Park. Warren’s work culminated in his 1857 publication of the Map of the Territory of the United States from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean, which became a critical resource for future explorers, settlers, and military operations.
Warren’s ownership of the present example of Ross Cox’s Adventures on the Columbia River is especially meaningful given his deep involvement in the exploration and mapping of the American West. Cox’s narrative, which details the early fur trade and settlement in the Pacific Northwest, resonates with Warren’s own efforts to chart and understand the western territories. Warren’s familiarity with the geography, indigenous cultures, and the challenges of navigating the wilderness would have made him appreciate the insights offered in Cox’s account.