SIMPSON P. MOSES

Born: 1823, South Carolina

Died: before 1890, probably in the District of Columbia

In 1851 Simpson P. Moses, a fiery young lawyer from Ohio, was appointed by President Millard Fillmore to the new post of customs collector at Olympia. After consultations with the Treasury Department on U.S. revenue laws, Simpson traveled overland to begin his duties in Oregon Territory. From the beginning of his brief career, Simpson would become known for his aggressive enforcement against the Hudson Bay Company.

The British company had long dominated the waters of Puget Sound since establishing the port of Fort Nisqually to handle fur trade. The port also served as the main shipping point for its subsidiary farming operation at Cowlitz Prairie. From Fort Nisqually, large quantities of wool, cowhides and horns were sent to London. The port also received trade from Alaska and Hawaii and manufactured goods from England. After the Oregon Treaty of 1846, this commerce came under the control of U.S. Customs at Astoria.

Within five years, establishment of another customs office at Olympia became necessary to address concerns of British and Americans alike. Complaints arose from Hudson Bay Company because of the distance required to clear cargo at Astoria, a 350-mile detour, before it could be unloaded. Astoria customs officials also complained that it was impossible to patrol the myriad of water courses in Puget Sound where smuggling went undetected, resulting in losses of revenue for the U. S. Treasury.

Upon arrival at Olympia in November, Simpson boldly announced his intention to end British evasion of revenue laws. He stated doing that when two ships from Fort Victoria, the 'Beaver' and the 'Mary Dare', dropped anchor at Fort Nisqually. They unloaded passengers, thence proceeding to Olympia to receive clearance before unloading cargo.

Back at Nisqually, SimpsonÕs deputies performed an inspection, comparing the shipsÕ manifests against their cargoes. Before long, they discovered the concealment of 230 pounds of sugar and several scythes. Additionally, violations were issued for allowing passengers to leave the ships before reaching Olympia. Passenger H. A. Goldsborough described the scene "as pitiful trifling and utterly unworthy of official action."

Simpson ordered the cargo holds sealed while he brought charges in Oregon District Court. To SimpsonÕs dismay, the Court ruled that he erred in seizing the ships. Although the court assessed fines for revenue law violations, Simpson was unsatisfied and determined to seek greater punishment. He thus became Hudson Bay CompanyÕs nemesis, demanding and collecting bribes from its officials to facilitate ship clearances while 'waving off' American vessels.

Simpson was unpopular not only with the British. During his tenure, he accumulated unpaid bills for customs workersÕ salaries and other obligations, including a contract with Michael Simmons for office space. In 1853, President Franklin PierceÕs appointee, Isaac Ebey, wrote of his predecessor, "He swindled everyone around here".

Soon after, Simpson left Oregon Territory to resume his legal practice. He established himself in Washington, D.C., where he and his wife, Lizzie, raised three daughters and five sons.

Junel Davidsen wrote this article, using public records and information published in "Confederacy of Ambition, William Winlock Miller and the Making of Washington Territory," by William L. Lang, University of Washington Press, 1996 and "U.S. Customs in the state of Washington: Ports of the Imagination," by Harvey Steele, U.S. Customs Service, Portland Oregon.

Compiled and contributed by Junel Davidsen on 13 May 2003.


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