In the summer of 1846 Crofton led 400 troops of the 6th Regiment of Foot to
Red River to respond to the threat of American attack, which the Oregon Treaty eliminated.
In response to a petition of complaint against the Hudson's Bay Company, which gathered
977 signatories and precipitated an inquiry in Britain, Crofton defended the actions
of the company in a brief report, which was frequently copied and cited. Galbraith
describes him as
not a credible witness
because he exchanged favours with
George Simpson.