AUTHOR’SINTRODUCTION
INTHECOURSEofoccasionalvisitstoCanadamanyyearssince，I
becameintimatelyacquaintedwithsomeoftheprincipalpartnersofthegreatNorthwestFurCompany，whoatthattimelivedingenialstyleatMontreal，andkeptalmostopenhouseforthestranger。AttheirhospitableboardsIoccasionallymetwithpartners，andclerks，andhardyfurtradersfromtheinteriorposts;menwhohadpassedyearsremotefromcivilizedsociety，amongdistantandsavagetribes，andwhohadwonderstorecountoftheirwideandwildperegrinations，theirhuntingexploits，andtheirperilousadventuresandhair-breadthescapesamongtheIndians。Iwasatanagewhenimaginationlendsitscoloringtoeverything，andthestoriesoftheseSinbadsofthewildernessmadethelifeofatrapperandfurtraderperfectromancetome。
Ievenmeditatedatonetimeavisittotheremotepostsofthecompanyintheboatswhichannuallyascendedthelakesandrivers，beingtheretoinvitedbyoneofthepartners;andIhaveeversinceregrettedthatIwaspreventedbycircumstancesfromcarryingmyintentionintoeffect。Fromthoseearlyimpressions，thegrandenterpriseofthegreatfurcompanies，andthehazardouserrantryoftheirassociatesinthewildpartsofourvastcontinent，havealwaysbeenthemesofcharmedinteresttome;andIhavefeltanxioustogetatthedetailsoftheiradventurousexpeditionsamongthesavagetribesthatpeopledthedepthsofthewilderness。
Abouttwoyearsago，notlongaftermyreturnfromatourupontheprairiesofthefarWest，Ihadaconversationwithmyfriend，Mr。JohnJacobAstor，relativetothatportionofourcountry，andtotheadventuroustraderstoSantaFeandtheColumbia。Thisledhimtoadverttoagreatenterprisesetonfootandconductedbyhim，betweentwentyandthirtyyearssince，havingforitsobjecttocarrythefurtradeacrosstheRockyMountains，andtosweeptheshoresofthePacific。
FindingthatItookaninterestinthesubject，heexpressedaregretthatthetruenatureandextentofhisenterpriseanditsnationalcharacterandimportancehadneverbeenunderstood，andawishthatIwouldundertaketogiveanaccountofit。Thesuggestionstruckuponthechordofearlyassociationsalreadyvibratinginmymind。Itoccurredtomethataworkofthiskindmightcompriseavarietyofthosecuriousdetails，sointerestingtome，illustrativeofthefurtrade;ofitsremoteandadventurousenterprises，andofthevariouspeople，andtribes，andcastes，andcharacters，civilizedandsavage，affectedbyitsoperations。Thejournals，andletters，also，oftheadventurersbyseaandlandemployedbyMr。Astorinhiscomprehensiveproject，mightthrowlightuponportionsofourcountryquiteoutofthetrackofordinarytravel，andasyetbutlittleknown。I
thereforefeltdisposedtoundertakethetask，provideddocumentsofsufficientextentandminutenesscouldbefurnishedtome。Allthepapersrelativetotheenterprisewereaccordinglysubmittedtomyinspection。Amongthemwerejournalsandlettersnarratingexpeditionsbysea，andjourneystoandfroacrosstheRockyMountainsbyroutesbeforeuntravelled，togetherwithdocumentsillustrativeofsavageandcoloniallifeonthebordersofthePacific。Withsuchmaterialinhand，Iundertookthework。Thetroubleofrummagingamongbusinesspapers，andofcollectingandcollatingfactsfromamidsttediousandcommonplacedetails，wassparedmebymynephew，PierreM。Irving，whoactedasmypioneer，andtowhomIamgreatlyindebtedforsmoothingmypathandlighteningmylabors。
Asthejournals，onwhichIchieflydepended，hadbeenkeptbymenofbusiness，intentuponthemainobjectoftheenterprise，andbutlittleversedinscience，orcuriousaboutmattersnotimmediatelybearingupontheirinterest，andastheywerewrittenofteninmomentsoffatigueorhurry，amidtheinconveniencesofwildencampments，theywereoftenmeagreintheirdetails，furnishinghintstoprovokeratherthannarrativestosatisfyinquiry。Ihave，therefore，availedmyselfoccasionallyofcollaterallightssuppliedbythepublishedjournalsofothertravellerswhohavevisitedthescenesdescribed:suchasMessrs。
LewisandClarke，Bradbury，Breckenridge，Long，Franchere，andRossCox，andmakeageneralacknowledgmentofaidreceivedfromthesequarters。
TheworkIherepresenttothepublicisnecessarilyofaramblingandsomewhatdisjointednature，comprisingvariousexpeditionsandadventuresbylandandsea。Thefacts，however，willprovetobelinkedandbandedtogetherbyonegrandscheme，devisedandconductedbyamasterspirit;onesetofcharacters，also，continuesthroughout，appearingoccasionally，thoughsometimesatlongintervals，andthewholeenterprisewindsupbyaregularcatastrophe;sothatthework，withoutanylaboredattemptatartificialconstruction，actuallypossessesmuchofthatunitysomuchsoughtafterinworksoffiction，andconsideredsoimportanttotheinterestofeveryhistory。
WASHINGTONIRVING
CHAPTERI。
ObjectsofAmericanEnterprise。GoldHuntingandFurTrading。
TheirEffectonColonization。EarlyFrenchCanadianSettlers。
OttawaandHuronHunters。AnIndianTradingCamp。CoureursDesBois，orRangersoftheWoods。TheirRoamingLife。TheirRevelsandExcesses。LicensedTraders。Missionaries。TradingPosts。PrimitiveFrenchCanadianMerchant。HisEstablishmentandDependents。BritishCanadianFurMerchant。OriginoftheNorthwestCompany。ItsConstitution。ItsInternalTrade。A
CandidatefortheCompany。PrivationsintheWilderness。NorthwestClerks。NorthwestPartners。NorthwestNabobs。FeudalNotionsintheForests。TheLordsoftheLakes。FortWilliam。ItsParliamentaryHallandBanquetingRoom。WassailingintheWilderness。
TWOleadingobjectsofcommercialgainhavegivenbirthtowideanddaringenterpriseintheearlyhistoryoftheAmericas;thepreciousmetalsoftheSouth，andtherichpeltriesoftheNorth。
WhilethefieryandmagnificentSpaniard，inflamedwiththemaniaforgold，hasextendedhisdiscoveriesandconquestsoverthosebrilliantcountriesscorchedbytheardentsunofthetropics，theadroitandbuoyantFrenchman，andthecoolandcalculatingBriton，havepursuedthelesssplendid，butnolesslucrative，trafficinfursamidstthehyperboreanregionsoftheCanadas，untiltheyhaveadvancedevenwithintheArcticCircle。
Thesetwopursuitshavethusinamannerbeenthepioneersandprecursorsofcivilization。Withoutpausingontheborders，theyhavepenetratedatonce，indefianceofdifficultiesanddangers，totheheartofsavagecountries:layingopenthehiddensecretsofthewilderness;leadingthewaytoremoteregionsofbeautyandfertilitythatmighthaveremainedunexploredforages，andbeckoningafterthemtheslowandpausingstepsofagricultureandcivilization。
Itwasthefurtrade，infact，whichgaveearlysustenanceandvitalitytothegreatCanadianprovinces。Beingdestituteofthepreciousmetals，atthattimetheleadingobjectsofAmericanenterprise，theywerelongneglectedbytheparentcountry。TheFrenchadventurers，however，whohadsettledonthebanksoftheSt。Lawrence，soonfoundthatintherichpeltriesoftheinterior，theyhadsourcesofwealththatmightalmostrivaltheminesofMexicoandPeru。TheIndians，asyetunacquaintedwiththeartificialvaluegiventosomedescriptionsoffurs，incivilizedlife，broughtquantitiesofthemostpreciouskindsandbarteredthemawayforEuropeantrinketsandcheapcommodities。
Immenseprofitswerethusmadebytheearlytraders，andthetrafficwaspursuedwithavidity。
Asthevaluablefurssoonbecamescarceintheneighborhoodofthesettlements，theIndiansofthevicinitywerestimulatedtotakeawiderrangeintheirhuntingexpeditions;theyweregenerallyaccompaniedontheseexpeditionsbysomeofthetradersortheirdependents，whosharedinthetoilsandperilsofthechase，andatthesametimemadethemselvesacquaintedwiththebesthuntingandtrappinggrounds，andwiththeremotetribes，whomtheyencouragedtobringtheirpeltriestothesettlements。
Inthiswaythetradeaugmented，andwasdrawnfromremotequarterstoMontreal。EverynowandthenalargebodyofOttawas，Hurons，andothertribeswhohuntedthecountriesborderingonthegreatlakes，wouldcomedowninasquadronoflightcanoes，ladenwithbeaverskins，andotherspoilsoftheiryear’shunting。Thecanoeswouldbeunladen，takenonshore，andtheircontentsdisposedinorder。Acampofbirchbarkwouldbepitchedoutsideofthetown，andakindofprimitivefairopenedwiththatgraveceremonialsodeartotheIndians。Anaudiencewouldbedemandedofthegovernor-general，whowouldholdtheconferencewithbecomingstate，seatedinanelbow-chair，withtheIndiansrangedinsemicirclesbeforehim，seatedontheground，andsilentlysmokingtheirpipes。Speecheswouldbemade，presentsexchanged，andtheaudiencewouldbreakupinuniversalgoodhumor。
Nowwouldensueabrisktrafficwiththemerchants，andallMontrealwouldbealivewithnakedIndiansrunningfromshoptoshop，bargainingforarms，kettles，knives，axes，blankets，bright-coloredcloths，andotherarticlesofuseorfancy;uponallwhich，saysanoldFrenchwriter，themerchantsweresuretoclearatleasttwohundredpercent。Therewasnomoneyusedinthistraffic，and，afteratime，allpaymentinspirituousliquorswasprohibited，inconsequenceofthefranticandfrightfulexcessesandbloodybrawlswhichtheywereapttooccasion。
Theirwantsandcapricesbeingsupplied，theywouldtakeleaveofthegovernor，striketheirtents，launchtheircanoes，andplytheirwayuptheOttawatothelakes。
Anewandanomalousclassofmengraduallygrewoutofthistrade。Thesewerecalledcoureursdesbois，rangersofthewoods;
originallymenwhohadaccompaniedtheIndiansintheirhuntingexpeditions，andmadethemselvesacquaintedwithremotetractsandtribes;andwhonowbecame，asitwere，peddlersofthewilderness。ThesemenwouldsetoutfromMontrealwithcanoeswellstockedwithgoods，witharmsandammunition，andwouldmaketheirwayupthemazyandwanderingriversthatinterlacethevastforestsoftheCanadas，coastingthemostremotelakes，andcreatingnewwantsandhabitudesamongthenatives。Sometimestheysojournedformonthsamongthem，assimilatingtotheirtastesandhabitswiththehappyfacilityofFrenchmen，adoptinginsomedegreetheIndiandress，andnotunfrequentlytakingtothemselvesIndianwives。
Twelve，fifteen，eighteenmonthswouldoftenelapsewithoutanytidingsofthem，whentheywouldcomesweepingtheirwaydowntheOttawainfullglee，theircanoesladendownwithpacksofbeaverskins。Nowcametheirturnforrevelryandextravagance。“Youwouldbeamazed。”saysanoldwriteralreadyquoted，“ifyousawhowlewdthesepeddlersarewhentheyreturn;howtheyfeastandgame，andhowprodigaltheyare，notonlyintheirclothes，butupontheirsweethearts。Suchofthemasaremarriedhavethewisdomtoretiretotheirownhouses;butthebachelorsactjustasanEastIndiamanandpiratesarewonttodo;fortheylavish，eat，drink，andplayallawayaslongasthegoodsholdout;andwhenthesearegone，theyevenselltheirembroidery，theirlace，andtheirclothes。Thisdone，theyareforceduponanewvoyageforsubsistence。”
ManyofthesecoureursdesboisbecamesoaccustomedtotheIndianmodeofliving，andtheperfectfreedomofthewilderness，thattheylostrelishforcivilization，andidentifiedthemselveswiththesavagesamongwhomtheydwelt，orcouldonlybedistinguishedfromthembysuperiorlicentiousness。Theirconductandexamplegraduallycorruptedthenatives，andimpededtheworksoftheCatholicmissionaries，whowereatthistimeprosecutingtheirpiouslaborsinthewildsofCanada。
Tochecktheseabuses，andtoprotectthefurtradefromvariousirregularitiespracticedbytheselooseadventurers，anorderwasissuedbytheFrenchgovernmentprohibitingallpersons，onpainofdeath，fromtradingintotheinteriorofthecountrywithoutalicense。
Theselicensesweregrantedinwritingbythegovernor-general，andatfirstweregivenonlytopersonsofrespectability;togentlemenofbrokenfortunes;tooldofficersofthearmywhohadfamiliestoprovidefor;ortotheirwidows。Eachlicensepermittedthefittingoutoftwolargecanoeswithmerchandiseforthelakes，andnomorethantwenty-fivelicensesweretobeissuedinoneyear。Bydegrees，however，privatelicenseswerealsogranted，andthenumberrapidlyincreased。Thosewhodidnotchoosetofitouttheexpeditionsthemselves，werepermittedtosellthemtothemerchants;theseemployedthecoureursdesbois，orrangersofthewoods，toundertakethelongvoyagesonshares，andthustheabusesoftheoldsystemwererevivedandcontinued。
ThepiousmissionariesemployedbytheRomanCatholicChurchtoconverttheIndians，dideverythingintheirpowertocounteracttheprofligacycausedandpropagatedbythesemenintheheartofthewilderness。TheCatholicchapelmightoftenbeseenplantedbesidethetradinghouse，anditsspiresurmountedbyacross，toweringfromthemidstofanIndianvillage，onthebanksofariveroralake。Themissionshadoftenabeneficialeffectonthesimplesonsoftheforest，buthadlittlepowerovertherenegadesfromcivilization。
Atlengthitwasfoundnecessarytoestablishfortifiedpostsattheconfluenceoftheriversandthelakesfortheprotectionofthetrade，andtherestraintoftheseprofligatesofthewilderness。ThemostimportantofthesewasatMichilimackinac，situatedatthestraitofthesamename，whichconnectsLakesHuronandMichigan。Itbecamethegreatinteriormartandplaceofdeposit，andsomeoftheregularmerchantswhoprosecutedthetradeinperson，undertheirlicenses，formedestablishmentshere。This，too，wasarendezvousfortherangersofthewoods，aswellthosewhocameupwithgoodsfromMontrealasthosewhoreturnedwithpeltriesfromtheinterior。HerenewexpeditionswerefittedoutandtooktheirdepartureforLakeMichiganandtheMississippi;LakeSuperiorandtheNorthwest;andherethepeltriesbroughtinreturnwereembarkedforMontreal。
TheFrenchmerchantathistradingpost，intheseprimitivedaysofCanada，wasakindofcommercialpatriarch。Withthelaxhabitsandeasyfamiliarityofhisrace，hehadalittleworldofself-indulgenceandmisrulearoundhim。Hehadhisclerks，canoemen，andretainersofallkinds，wholivedwithhimontermsofperfectsociability，alwayscallinghimbyhisChristianname;hehadhisharemofIndianbeauties，andhistroopofhalfbreedchildren;norwasthereeverwantingaloutingtrainofIndians，hangingabouttheestablishment，eatinganddrinkingathisexpenseintheintervalsoftheirhuntingexpeditions。
TheCanadiantraders，foralongtime，hadtroublesomecompetitorsintheBritishmerchantsofNewYork，whoinveigledtheIndianhuntersandthecoureursdesboistotheirposts，andtradedwiththemonmorefavorableterms。AstillmoreformidableoppositionwasorganizedintheHudson’sBayCompany，charteredbyCharlesII。，in1670，withtheexclusiveprivilegeofestablishingtradinghousesontheshoresofthatbayanditstributaryrivers;aprivilegewhichtheyhavemaintainedtothepresentday。BetweenthisBritishcompanyandtheFrenchmerchantsofCanada，feudsandcontestsaroseaboutallegedinfringementsofterritoriallimits，andactsofviolenceandbloodshedoccurredbetweentheiragents。
In1762，theFrenchlostpossessionofCanada，andthetradefellprincipallyintothehandsofBritishsubjects。Foratime，however，itshrunkwithinnarrowlimits。Theoldcoureursdesboiswerebrokenupanddispersed，or，wheretheycouldbemetwith，wereslowtoaccustomthemselvestothehabitsandmannersoftheirBritishemployers。Theymissedthefreedom，indulgence，andfamiliarityoftheoldFrenchtradinghouses，anddidnotrelishthesoberexactness，reserve，andmethodofthenew-
comers。TheBritishtraders，too，wereignorantofthecountry，anddistrustfulofthenatives。Theyhadreasontobeso。ThetreacherousandbloodyaffairsofDetroitandMichilimackinacshowedthemthelurkinghostilitycherishedbythesavages，whohadtoolongbeentaughtbytheFrenchtoregardthemasenemies。
Itwasnotuntiltheyear1766，thatthetraderegaineditsoldchannels;butitwasthenpursuedwithmuchavidityandemulationbyindividualmerchants，andsoontranscendeditsformerbounds。
ExpeditionswerefittedoutbyvariouspersonsfromMontrealandMichilimackinac，andrivalshipsandjealousiesofcourseensued。
Thetradewasinjuredbytheirartificestooutbidandundermineeachother;theIndiansweredebauchedbythesaleofspirituousliquors，whichhadbeenprohibitedundertheFrenchrule。Scenesofdrunkeness，brutality，andbrawlweretheconsequence，intheIndianvillagesandaroundthetradinghouses;whilebloodyfeudstookplacebetweenrivaltradingpartieswhentheyhappenedtoencountereachotherinthelawlessdepthsofthewilderness。
Toputanendtothesesordidandruinouscontentions，severaloftheprincipalmerchantsofMontrealenteredintoapartnershipinthewinterof1783，whichwasaugmentedbyamalgamationwitharivalcompanyin1787。Thuswascreatedthefamous“NorthwestCompany。”whichforatimeheldalordlyswayoverthewintrylakesandboundlessforestsoftheCanadas，almostequaltothatoftheEastIndiaCompanyoverthevoluptuousclimesandmagnificentrealmsoftheOrient。
Thecompanyconsistedoftwenty-threeshareholders，orpartners，butheldinitsemployabouttwothousandpersonsasclerks，guides，interpreters，and“voyageurs。”orboatmen。Theseweredistributedatvarioustradingposts，establishedfarandwideontheinteriorlakesandrivers，atimmensedistancesfromeachother，andintheheartoftracklesscountriesandsavagetribes。
SeveralofthepartnersresidedinMontrealandQuebec，tomanagethemainconcernsofthecompany。Thesewerecalledagents，andwerepersonagesofgreatweightandimportance;theotherpartnerstooktheirstationsattheinteriorposts，wheretheyremainedthroughoutthewinter，tosuperintendtheintercoursewiththevarioustribesofIndians。Theywerethencecalledwinteringpartners。
ThegoodsdestinedforthiswideandwanderingtrafficwereputupatthewarehousesofthecompanyinMontreal，andconveyedinbatteaux，orboatsandcanoes，uptheriverAttawa，orOttowa，whichfallsintotheSt。LawrencenearMontreal，andbyotherriversandportages，toLakeNipising，LakeHuron，LakeSuperior，andthence，byseveralchainsofgreatandsmalllakes，toLakeWinnipeg，LakeAthabasca，andtheGreatSlaveLake。Thissingularandbeautifulsystemofinternalseas，whichrendersanimmenseregionofwildernesssoaccessibletothefrailbarkoftheIndianorthetrader，wasstuddedbytheremotepostsofthecompany，wheretheycarriedontheirtrafficwiththesurroundingtribes。
Thecompany，aswehaveshown，wasatfirstaspontaneousassociationofmerchants;but，afterithadbeenregularlyorganized，admissionintoitbecameextremelydifficult。A
candidatehadtoenter，asitwere，“beforethemast。”toundergoalongprobation，andtoriseslowlybyhismeritsandservices。
Hebegan，atanearlyage，asaclerk，andservedanapprenticeshipofsevenyears，forwhichhereceivedonehundredpoundssterling，wasmaintainedattheexpenseofthecompany，andfurnishedwithsuitableclothingandequipments。Hisprobationwasgenerallypassedattheinteriortradingposts;
removedforyearsfromcivilizedsociety，leadingalifealmostaswildandprecariousasthesavagesaroundhim;exposedtotheseveritiesofanorthernwinter，oftensufferingfromascarcityoffood，andsometimesdestituteforalongtimeofbothbreadandsalt。Whenhisapprenticeshiphadexpired，hereceivedasalaryaccordingtohisdeserts，varyingfromeightytoonehundredandsixtypoundssterling，andwasnoweligibletothegreatobjectofhisambition，apartnershipinthecompany;
thoughyearsmightyetelapsebeforeheattainedtothatenviablestation。
Mostoftheclerkswereyoungmenofgoodfamilies，fromtheHighlandsofScotland，characterizedbytheperseverance，thrift，andfidelityoftheircountry，andfittedbytheirnativehardihoodtoencountertherigorousclimateoftheNorth，andtoendurethetrialsandprivationsoftheirlot;thoughitmustnotbeconcealedthattheconstitutionsofmanyofthembecameimpairedbythehardshipsofthewilderness，andtheirstomachsinjuredbyoccasionalfamishing，andespeciallybythewantofbreadandsalt。Nowandthen，atanintervalofyears，theywerepermittedtocomedownonavisittotheestablishmentatMontreal，torecruittheirhealth，andtohaveatasteofcivilizedlife;andthesewerebrilliantspotsintheirexistence。
Astotheprincipalpartners，oragents，whoresidedinMontrealandQuebec，theyformedakindofcommercialaristocracy，livinginlordlyandhospitablestyle。Theirposts，andthepleasures，dangers，adventures，andmishapswhichtheyhadsharedtogetherintheirwildwoodlife，hadlinkedthemheartilytoeachother，sothattheyformedaconvivialfraternity。FewtravellersthathavevisitedCanadasomethirtyyearssince，inthedaysoftheM’Tavishes，theM’Gillivrays，theM’Kenzies，theFrobishers，andtheothermagnatesoftheNorthwest，whenthecompanywasinallitsglory，butmustremembertheroundoffeastingandrevelrykeptupamongthesehyperboreannabobs。
Sometimesoneortwopartners，recentlyfromtheinteriorposts，wouldmaketheirappearanceinNewYork，inthecourseofatourofpleasureandcuriosity。Ontheseoccasionstherewasadegreeofmagnificenceofthepurseaboutthem，andapeculiarpropensitytoexpenditureatthegoldsmith’sandjeweler’sforrings，chains，brooches，necklaces，jeweledwatches，andotherrichtrinkets，partlyfortheirownwear，partlyforpresentstotheirfemaleacquaintances;agorgeousprodigality，suchaswasoftentobenoticedinformertimesinSouthernplantersandWestIndiacreoles，whenflushwiththeprofitsoftheirplantations。
TobeholdtheNorthwestCompanyinallitsstateandgrandeur，however，itwasnecessarytowitnessanannualgatheringatthegreatinteriorplaceofconferenceestablishedatFortWilliam，nearwhatiscalledtheGrandPortage，onLakeSuperior。HeretwoorthreeoftheleadingpartnersfromMontrealproceededonceayeartomeetthepartnersfromthevarioustradingpostsofthewilderness，todiscusstheaffairsofthecompanyduringtheprecedingyear，andtoarrangeplansforthefuture。
OntheseoccasionsmightbeseenthechangesincetheunceremonioustimesoftheoldFrenchtraders;nowthearistocraticcharacteroftheBritonshoneforthmagnificently，orratherthefeudalspiritoftheHighlander。Everypartnerwhohadchargeofaninteriorpost，andascoreofretainersathisCommand，feltlikethechieftainofaHighlandclan，andwasalmostasimportantintheeyesofhisdependentsasofhimself。
TohimavisittothegrandconferenceatFortWilliamwasamostimportantevent，andherepairedthereastoameetingofparliament。
ThepartnersfromMontreal，however，werethelordsoftheascendant;comingfromthemidstofluxuriousandostentatiouslife，theyquiteeclipsedtheircompeersfromthewoods，whoseformsandfaceshadbeenbatteredandhardenedbyhardlivingandhardservice，andwhosegarmentsandequipmentswerealltheworseforwear。Indeed，thepartnersfrombelowconsideredthewholedignityofthecompanyasrepresentedintheirpersons，andconductedthemselvesinsuitablestyle。Theyascendedtheriversingreatstate，likesovereignsmakingaprogress:orratherlikeHighlandchieftainsnavigatingtheirsubjectlakes。Theywerewrappedinrichfurs，theirhugecanoesfreightedwitheveryconvenienceandluxury，andmannedbyCanadianvoyageurs，asobedientasHighlandclansmen。Theycarriedupwiththemcooksandbakers，togetherwithdelicaciesofeverykind，andabundanceofchoicewinesforthebanquetswhichattendedthisgreatconvocation。Happywerethey，too，iftheycouldmeetwithsomedistinguishedstranger;aboveall，sometitledmemberoftheBritishnobility，toaccompanythemonthisstatelyoccasion，andgracetheirhighsolemnities。
FortWilliam，thesceneofthisimportantannualmeeting，wasaconsiderablevillageonthebanksofLakeSuperior。Here，inanimmensewoodenbuilding，wasthegreatcouncilhall，asalsothebanquetingchamber，decoratedwithIndianarmsandaccoutrements，andthetrophiesofthefurtrade。Thehouseswarmedatthistimewithtradersandvoyageurs，somefromMontreal，boundtotheinteriorposts;somefromtheinteriorposts，boundtoMontreal。
Thecouncilswereheldingreatstate，foreverymemberfeltasifsittinginparliament，andeveryretaineranddependentlookeduptotheassemblagewithawe，astotheHouseofLords。Therewasavastdealofsolemndeliberation，andhardScottishreasoning，withanoccasionalswellofpompousdeclamation。
Thesegraveandweightycouncilswerealternatedbyhugefeastsandrevels，likesomeoftheoldfeastsdescribedinHighlandcastles。Thetablesinthegreatbanquetingroomgroanedundertheweightofgameofallkinds;ofvenisonfromthewoods，andfishfromthelakes，withhunters’delicacies，suchasbuffalos’
tongues，andbeavers’tails，andvariousluxuriesfromMontreal，allservedupbyexperiencedcooksbroughtforthepurpose。Therewasnostintofgenerouswine，foritwasahard-drinkingperiod，atimeofloyaltoasts，andbacchanaliansongs，andbrimmingbumpers。
Whilethechiefsthusrevelledinhall，andmadetheraftersresoundwithburstsofloyaltyandoldScottishsongs，chantedinvoicescrackedandsharpenedbythenorthernblast，theirmerrimentwasechoedandprolongedbyamongrellegionofretainers，Canadianvoyageurs，half-breeds，Indianhunters，andvagabondhangers-onwhofeastedsumptuouslywithoutonthecrumbsthatfellfromtheirtable，andmadethewelkinringwitholdFrenchditties，mingledwithIndianyelpsandyellings。
SuchwastheNorthwestCompanyinitspowerfulandprosperousdays，whenitheldakindoffeudalswayoveravastdomainoflakeandforest。Wearedwellingtoolong，perhaps，upontheseindividualpictures，endearedtousbytheassociationsofearlylife，when，asyetastriplingyouth，wehavesatatthehospitableboardsofthe“mightyNorthwesters。”thelordsoftheascendantatMontreal，andgazedwithwonderingandinexperiencedeyeatthebaronialwassailing，andlistenedwithastonishedeartotheirtalesofhardshipandadventures。Itisoneobjectofourtask，however，topresentscenesoftheroughlifeofthewilderness，andwearetemptedtofixthesefewmemorialsofatransientstateofthingsfastpassingintooblivion;forthefeudalstateofFortWilliamisatanend，itscouncilchamberissilentanddeserted;itsbanquethallnolongerechoestotheburstofloyalty，orthe“auldworld“ditty;thelordsofthelakesandforestshavepassedaway;andthehospitablemagnatesofMontrealwherearethey？
CHAPTERII。
RiseoftheMackinawCompany。AttemptoftheAmericanGovernmenttoCounteractForeignInfluenceOvertheIndianTribes。JohnJacobAstor。HisBirth-Place。HisArrivalintheUnitedStates。WhatFirstTurnedHisAttentiontotheFurTrade。HisCharacter，Enterprises，andSuccess。HisCommunicationsWiththeAmericanGovernment。OriginoftheAmericanFurCompanyTHEsuccessoftheNorthwestCompanystimulatedfurtherenterpriseinthisopeningandapparentlyboundlessfieldofprofit。Thetrafficofthatcompanylayprincipallyinthehighnorthernlatitudes，whiletherewereimmenseregionstothesouthandwest，knowntoaboundwithvaluablepeltries;butwhich，asyet，hadbeenbutlittleexploredbythefurtrader。AnewassociationofBritishmerchantswasthereforeformed，toprosecutethetradeinthisdirection。ThechieffactorywasestablishedattheoldemporiumofMichilimackinac，fromwhichplacetheassociationtookitsname，andwascommonlycalledtheMackinawCompany。
WhiletheNorthwesterscontinuedtopushtheirenterprisesintothehyperboreanregionsfromtheirstrongholdatFortWilliam，andtoholdalmostsovereignswayoverthetribesoftheupperlakesandrivers，theMackinawCompanysentforththeirlightperoguesandbarks，byGreenBay，FoxRiver，andtheWisconsin，tothatareasarteryoftheWest，theMississippi;anddownthatstreamtoallitstributaryrivers。Inthiswaytheyhopedsoontomonopolizethetradewithallthetribesonthesouthernandwesternwaters，andofthosevasttractscomprisedinancientLouisiana。
ThegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesbegantoviewwithawaryeyethegrowinginfluencethusacquiredbycombinationsofforeigners，overtheaboriginaltribesinhabitingitsterritories，andendeavoredtocounteractit。Forthispurpose，asearlyas1796，thegovernmentsentoutagentstoestablishrivaltradinghousesonthefrontier，soastosupplythewantsoftheIndians，tolinktheirinterestsandfeelingswiththoseofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates，andtodivertthisimportantbranchoftradeintonationalchannels。
Theexpedition，however，wasunsuccessful，asmostcommercialexpedientsarepronetobe，wherethedullpatronageofgovernmentiscountedupontooutviethekeenactivityofprivateenterprise。Whatgovernmentfailedtoeffect，however，withallitspatronageandallitsagents，wasatlengthbroughtaboutbytheenterpriseandperseveranceofasinglemerchant，oneofitsadoptedcitizens;andthisbringsustospeakoftheindividualwhoseenterpriseistheespecialsubjectofthefollowingpages;
amanwhosenameandcharacterareworthyofbeingenrolledinthehistoryofcommerce，asillustratingitsnoblestaimsandsoundestmaxims。Afewbriefanecdotesofhisearlylife，andofthecircumstanceswhichfirstdeterminedhimtothebranchofcommerceofwhichwearetreating，cannotbebutinteresting。
JohnJacobAstor，theindividualinquestion，wasborninthehonestlittleGermanvillageofWaldorf，nearHeidelberg，onthebanksoftheRhine。Hewasbroughtupinthesimplicityofrurallife，but，whileyetamerestripling，lefthishome，andlaunchedhimselfamidthebusyscenesofLondon，havinghad，fromhisveryboyhood，asingularpresentimentthathewouldultimatelyarriveatgreatfortune。
AtthecloseoftheAmericanRevolutionhewasstillinLondon，andscarceonthethresholdofactivelife。AnelderbrotherhadbeenforsomefewyearsresidentintheUnitedStates，andMr。
Astordeterminedtofollowhim，andtoseekhisfortunesintherisingcountry。Investingasmallsumwhichhehadamassedsinceleavinghisnativevillage，inmerchandisesuitedtotheAmericanmarket，heembarked，inthemonthofNovember，1783，inashipboundtoBaltimore，andarrivedinHamptonRoadsinthemonthofJanuary。Thewinterwasextremelysevere，andtheship，withmanyothers，wasdetainedbytheiceinandaboutChesapeakeBayfornearlythreemonths。
Duringthisperiod，thepassengersofthevariousshipsusedoccasionallytogoonshore，andminglesociablytogether。InthiswayMr。Astorbecameacquaintedwithacountrymanofhis，afurrierbytrade。HavinghadapreviousimpressionthatthismightbealucrativetradeintheNewWorld，hemademanyinquiriesofhisnewacquaintanceonthesubject，whocheerfullygavehimalltheinformationinhispowerastothequalityandvalueofdifferentfurs，andthemodeofcarryingonthetraffic。
HesubsequentlyaccompaniedhimtoNewYork，and，byhisadvice，Mr。Astorwasinducedtoinvesttheproceedsofhismerchandiseinfurs。WiththesehesailedfromNewYorktoLondonin1784，disposedofthemadvantageously，madehimselffurtheracquaintedwiththecourseofthetrade，andreturnedthesameyeartoNewYork，withaviewtosettleintheUnitedStates。
Henowdevotedhimselftothebranchofcommercewithwhichhehadthuscasuallybeenmadeacquainted。Hebeganhiscareer，ofcourse，onthenarrowestscale;buthebroughttothetaskaperseveringindustry，rigideconomy，andstrictintegrity。Tothesewereaddedanaspiringspiritthatalwayslookedupwards;ageniusbold，fertile，andexpansive;asagacityquicktograspandconverteverycircumstancetoitsadvantage，andasingularandneverwaveringconfidenceofsignalsuccess。
Asyet，tradeinpeltrieswasnotorganizedintheUnitedStates，andcouldnotbesaidtoformaregularlineofbusiness。FursandskinswerecasuallycollectedbythecountrytradersintheirdealingswiththeIndiansorthewhitehunters，butthemainsupplywasderivedfromCanada。AsMr。Astor’smeansincreased，hemadeannualvisitstoMontreal，wherehepurchasedfursfromthehousesatthatplaceengagedinthetrade。TheseheshippedfromCanadatoLondon，nodirecttradebeingallowedfromthatcolonytoanybutthemothercountry。
In1794or’95，atreatywithGreatBritainremovedtherestrictionsimposeduponthetradewiththecolonies，andopenedadirectcommercialintercoursebetweenCanadaandtheUnitedStates。Mr。AstorwasinLondonatthetime，andimmediatelymadeacontractwiththeagentsoftheNorthwestCompanyforfurs。HewasnowenabledtoimportthemfromMontrealintotheUnitedStatesforthehomesupply，andtobeshippedthencetodifferentpartsofEurope，aswellastoChina，whichhaseverbeenthebestmarketfortherichestandfinestkindsofpeltry。
Thetreatyinquestionprovided，likewise，thatthemilitarypostsoccupiedbytheBritishwithintheterritoriallimitsoftheUnitedStates，shouldbesurrendered。Accordingly，Oswego，Niagara，Detroit，Michilimackinac，andotherpostsontheAmericansideofthelakes，weregivenup。AnopeningwasthusmadefortheAmericanmerchanttotradeontheconfinesofCanada，andwithintheterritoriesoftheUnitedStates。Afteranintervalofsomeyears，about1807，Mr。Astorembarkedinthistradeonhisownaccount。Hiscapitalandresourceshadbythistimegreatlyaugmented，andhehadrisenfromsmallbeginningstotakehisplaceamongthefirstmerchantsandfinanciersofthecountry。Hisgeniushadeverbeeninadvanceofhiscircumstances，promptinghimtonewandwidefieldsofenterprisebeyondthescopeofordinarymerchants。Withallhisenterpriseandresourceshowever，hesoonfoundthepowerandinfluenceoftheMichilimackinac(orMackinaw)Companytoogreatforhim，havingengrossedmostofthetradewithintheAmericanborders。
Aplanhadtobedevisedtoenablehimtoenterintosuccessfulcompetition。HewasawareofthewishoftheAmericangovernment，alreadystated，thatthefurtradewithinitsboundariesshouldbeinthehandsofAmericancitizens，andoftheineffectualmeasuresithadtakentoaccomplishthatobject。Henowoffered，ifaidedandprotectedbygovernment，toturnthewholeofthattradeintoAmericanchannels。Hewasinvitedtounfoldhisplanstogovernment，andtheywerewarmlyapproved，thoughtheexecutivecouldgivenodirectaid。
Thuscountenanced，however，heobtained，in1809，acharterfromthelegislatureoftheStateofNewYork，incorporatingacompanyunderthenameof“TheAmericanFurCompany。”withacapitalofonemillionofdollars，withtheprivilegeofincreasingittotwomillions。Thecapitalwasfurnishedbyhimselfhe，infact，constitutedthecompany;for，thoughhehadaboardofdirectors，theyweremerelynominal;thewholebusinesswasconductedonhisplansandwithhisresources，buthepreferredtodosoundertheimposingandformidableaspectofacorporation，ratherthaninhisindividualname，andhispolicywassagaciousandeffective。
AstheMackinawCompanystillcontinueditsrivalry，andasthefurtradewouldnotadvantageouslyadmitofcompetition，hemadeanewarrangementin1811，bywhich，inconjunctionwithcertainpartnersoftheNorthwestCompany，andotherpersonsengagedinthefurtrade，heboughtouttheMackinawCompany，andmergedthatandtheAmericanFurCompanyintoanewassociation，tobecalledthe“SouthwestCompany。”ThishelikewisedidwiththeprivityandapprobationoftheAmericangovernment。
BythisarrangementMr。AstorbecameproprietorofonehalfoftheIndianestablishmentsandgoodswhichtheMackinawCompanyhadwithintheterritoryoftheIndiancountryintheUnitedStates，anditwasunderstoodthatthewholewastobesurrenderedintohishandsattheexpirationoffiveyears，onconditionthattheAmericanCompanywouldnottradewithintheBritishdominions。
Unluckily，thewarwhichbrokeoutin1812betweenGreatBritainandtheUnitedStatessuspendedtheassociation;and，afterthewar，itwasentirelydissolved;CongresshavingpassedalawprohibitingtheBritishfurtradersfromprosecutingtheirenterpriseswithintheterritoriesoftheUnitedStates。
CHAPTERIII。
FurTradeinthePacific-AmericanCoastingVoyages-RussianEnterprises-DiscoveryoftheColumbiaRiver-Carver’sProjecttoFoundaSettlementThere-Mackenzie’sExpedition-LewisandClarke’sJourneyAcrosstheRockyMountains-Mr。Astor’sGrandCommercialScheme-HisCorrespondenceontheSubjectWithMr。
Jefferson。HisNegotiationsWiththeNorthwestCompany-HisStepstoCarryHisSchemeIntoEffect。
WHILEthevariouscompanieswehavenoticedwerepushingtheirenterprisesfarandwideinthewildsofCanada，andalongthecourseofthegreatwesternwaters，otheradventurers，intentonthesameobjects，weretraversingthewaterywastesofthePacificandskirtingthenorthwestcoastofAmerica。Thelastvoyageofthatrenownedbutunfortunatediscoverer，CaptainCook，hadmadeknownthevastquantitiesofthesea-ottertobefoundalongthatcoast，andtheimmensepricestobeobtainedforitsfurinChina。Itwasasifanewgoldcoasthadbeendiscovered。
Individualsfromvariouscountriesdashedintothislucrativetraffic，sothatintheyear1792，thereweretwenty-onevesselsunderdifferentflags，plyingalongthecoastandtradingwiththenatives。ThegreaterpartofthemwereAmerican，andownedbyBostonmerchants。Theygenerallyremainedonthecoastandabouttheadjacentseas，fortwoyears，carryingonaswanderingandadventurousacommerceonthewaterasdidthetradersandtrappersonland。TheirtradeextendedalongthewholecoastfromCaliforniatothehighnorthernlatitudes。Theywouldruninnearshore，anchor，andwaitforthenativestocomeoffintheircanoeswithpeltries。Thetradeexhaustedatoneplace，theywouldupanchorandofftoanother。Inthiswaytheywouldconsumethesummer，andwhenautumncameon，wouldrundowntotheSandwichIslandsandwinterinsomefriendlyandplentifulharbor。Inthefollowingyeartheywouldresumetheirsummertrade，commencingatCaliforniaandproceedingnorth:and，havinginthecourseofthetwoseasonscollectedasufficientcargoofpeltries，wouldmakethebestoftheirwaytoChina。Heretheywouldselltheirfurs，takeinteas，nankeens，andothermerchandise，andreturntoBoston，afteranabsenceoftwoorthreeyears。
Thepeople，however，whoenteredmostextensivelyandeffectivelyinthefurtradeofthePacific，weretheRussians。Insteadofmakingcasualvoyages，intransientships，theyestablishedregulartradinghousesinthehighlatitudes，alongthenorthwestcoastofAmerica，anduponthechainoftheAleutianIslandsbetweenKamtschatkaandthepromontoryofAlaska。
Topromoteandprotecttheseenterprises，acompanywasincorporatedbytheRussiangovernmentwithexclusiveprivileges，andacapitaloftwohundredandsixtythousandpoundssterling;
andthesovereigntyofthatpartoftheAmericancontinent，alongthecoastofwhichthepostshadbeenestablished，wasclaimedbytheRussiancrown，onthepleathatthelandhadbeendiscoveredandoccupiedbyitssubjects。
AsChinawasthegrandmartforthefurscollectedinthesequarters，theRussianshadtheadvantageovertheircompetitorsinthetrade。ThelatterhadtotaketheirpeltriestoCanton，which，however，wasamerereceivingmart，fromwhencetheyhadtobedistributedovertheinterioroftheempireandsenttothenorthernparts，wheretherewasthechiefconsumption。TheRussians，onthecontrary，carriedtheirfurs，byashortervoyage，directlytothenorthernpartsoftheChineseempire;
thusbeingabletoaffordtheminthemarketwithouttheadditionalcostofinternaltransportation。
Wecomenowtotheimmediatefieldofoperationofthegreatenterprisewehaveundertakentoillustrate。
AmongtheAmericanshipswhichtradedalongthenorthwestcoastin1792，wastheColumbia，CaptainGray，ofBoston。Inthecourseofhervoyageshediscoveredthemouthofalargeriverinlat。
4619’north。Enteringitwithsomedifficulty，onaccountofsand-barsandbreakers，shecametoanchorinaspaciousbay。A
boatwaswellmanned，andsentonshoretoavillageonthebeach，butalltheinhabitantsfledexceptingtheagedandinfirm。Thekindmannerinwhichtheseweretreated，andthepresentsgiventhem，graduallyluredbacktheothers，andafriendlyintercoursetookplace。Theyhadneverseenashiporawhiteman。WhentheyhadfirstdescriedtheColumbia，theyhadsupposeditafloatingisland;thensomemonsterofthedeep;butwhentheysawtheboatputtingforshorewithhumanbeingsonboard，theyconsideredthemcannibalssentbytheGreatSpirittoravagethecountryanddevourtheinhabitants。CaptainGraydidnotascendtheriverfartherthanthebayinquestion，whichcontinuestobearhisname。Afterputtingtosea，hefellinwiththecelebrateddiscoverer，Vancouver，andinformedhimofhisdiscovery，furnishedhimwithachartwhichhehadmadeoftheriver。Vancouvervisitedtheriver，andhislieutenant，Broughton，exploreditbytheaidofCaptainGray’schart;
ascendingitupwardsofonehundredmiles，untilwithinviewofasnowymountain，towhichhegavethenameofMt。Hood，whichitstillretains。
Theexistenceofthisriver，however，wasknownlongbeforethevisitsofGrayandVancouver，buttheinformationconcerningitwasvagueandindefinite，beinggatheredfromthereportsofIndians。ItwasspokenofbytravellersastheOregon，andastheGreatRiveroftheWest。ASpanishshipissaidtohavebeenwreckedatthemouth，severalofthecrewofwhichlivedforsometimeamong，thenatives。TheColumbia，however，isbelievedtobethefirstshipthatmadearegulardiscoveryandanchoredwithinitswaters，andithassincegenerallybornethenameofthatvessel。
Asearlyas1763，shortlyaftertheacquisitionoftheCanadasbyGreatBritain，CaptainJonathanCarver，whohadbeenintheBritishprovincialarmy，projectedajourneyacrossthecontinentbetweentheforty-thirdandforty-sixthdegreesofnorthernlatitudetotheshoresof-thePacificOcean。Hisobjectsweretoascertainthebreadthofthecontinentatitsbroadestpart，andtodetermineonsomeplaceontheshoresofthePacific，wheregovernmentmightestablishaposttofacilitatethediscoveryofanorthwestpassage，oracommunicationbetweenHudson’sBayandthePacificOcean。ThisplacehepresumedwouldbesomewhereabouttheStraitsofAnnian，atwhichpointhesupposedtheOregondisembogueditself。Itwashisopinion，also，thatasettlementonthisextremityofAmericawoulddisclosenewsourcesoftrade，promotemanyusefuldiscoveries，andopenamoredirectcommunicationwithChinaandtheEnglishsettlementsintheEastIndies，thanthatbytheCapeofGoodHopeortheStraitsofMagellan。*Thisenterprisingandintrepidtravellerwastwicebaffledinindividualeffortstoaccomplishthisgreatjourney。In1774，hewasjoinedintheschemebyRichardWhitworth，amemberofParliament，andamanofwealth。Theirenterprisewasprojectedonabroadandboldplan。Theyweretotakewiththemfiftyorsixtymen，artificersandmariners。WiththesetheyweretomaketheirwayuponeofthebranchesoftheMissouri，explorethemountainsforthesourceoftheOregon，orRiveroftheWest，andsaildownthatrivertoitssupposedexit，neartheStraitsofAnnian。Heretheyweretoerectafort，andbuildthevesselsnecessarytocarrytheirdiscoveriesbyseaintoeffect。TheirplanhadthesanctionoftheBritishgovernment，andgrantsandotherrequisiteswerenearlycompleted，whenthebreakingoutoftheAmericanRevolutiononcemoredefeatedtheundertaking。**
TheexpeditionofSirAlexanderMackenziein1793，acrossthecontinenttothePacificOcean，whichhereachedinlat。5220’
48“，againsuggestedthepossibilityoflinkingtogetherthetradeofbothsidesofthecontinent。Inlat。5230’hehaddescendedariverforsomedistancewhichflowedtowardsthesouth，andwagcalledbythenativesTacoutcheTesse，andwhichheerroneouslysupposedtobetheColumbia。Itwasafterwardsascertainedthatitemptieditselfinlat。49degrees，whereasthemouthoftheColumbiaisaboutthreedegreesfurthersouth。
WhenMackenziesomeyearssubsequentlypublishedanaccountofhisexpeditions，hesuggestedthepolicyofopeninganintercoursebetweentheAtlanticandPacificoceans，andformingregularestablishmentsthroughtheinteriorandatbothextremes，aswellasalongthecoastsandislands。Bythismeans，heobserved，theentirecommandofthefurtradeofNorthAmericamightbeobtainedfromlat。48northtothepole，exceptingthatportionheldbytheRussians，forastotheAmericanadventurerswhohadhithertoenjoyedthetrafficalongthenorthwestcoast，theywouldinstantlydisappear，headded，beforeawellregulatedtrade。
Aschemeofthiskind，however，wastoovastandhazardousforindividualenterprise;itcouldonlybeundertakenbyacompanyunderthesanctionandprotectionofagovernment;andastheremightbeaclashingofclaimsbetweentheHudson’sBayandNorthwestCompany，theoneholdingbyrightofcharter，theotherbyrightofpossession，heproposedthatthetwocompartiesshouldcoalesceinthisgreatundertaking。Thelong-cherishedjealousiesofthesetwocompanies，however，weretoodeepandstrongtoallowthemtolistentosuchcounsel。
InthemeantimetheattentionoftheAmericangovernmentwasattractedtothesubject，andthememorableexpeditionunderMessrs。LewisandClarkefittedout。Thesegentlemen，in1804，accomplishedtheenterprisewhichhadbeenprojectedbyCarverandWhitworthin1774。TheyascendedtheMissouri，passedthroughthestupendousgatesoftheRockyMountains，hithertounknowntowhitemen;discoveredandexploredtheupperwatersoftheColumbia，andfollowedthatriverdowntoitsmouth，wheretheircountryman，Gray，hadanchoredabouttwelveyearspreviously。
Heretheypassedthewinter，andreturnedacrossthemountainsinthefollowingspring。Thereportspublishedbythemoftheirexpeditiondemonstratedthepracticabilityofestablishingalineofcommunicationacrossthecontinent，fromtheAtlantictothePacificOcean。
itwasthenthattheideapresenteditselftothemindofMr。
Astor，ofgraspingwithhisindividualhandthisgreatenterprise，whichforyearshadbeendubiouslyyetdesirouslycontemplatedbypowerfulassociationsandmaternalgovernments。
Forsometimeherevolvedtheideainhismind，graduallyextendingandmaturinghisplansashismeansofexecutingthemaugmented。ThemainfeatureofhisschemewastoestablishalineoftradingpostsalongtheMissouriandtheColumbia，tothemouthofthelatter，wherewastobefoundedthechieftradinghouseormart。Inferiorpostswouldbeestablishedintheinterior，andonallthetributarystreamsoftheColumbia，totradewiththeIndians;thesepostswoulddrawtheirsuppliesfromthemainestablishment，andbringtoitthepeltriestheycollected。Coastingcraftwouldbebuiltandfittedout，alsoatthemouthoftheColumbia，totrade，atfavorableseasons，allalongthenorthwestcoast，andreturn，withtheproceedsoftheirvoyages，tothisplaceofdeposit。ThusalltheIndiantrade，bothoftheinteriorandthecoast，wouldconvergetothispoint，andthencederiveitssustenance。
AshipwastobesentannuallyfromNewYorktothismainestablishmentwithreinforcementsandsupplies，andwithmerchandisesuitedtothetrade。Itwouldtakeonboardthefurscollectedduringtheprecedingyear，carrythemtoCanton，investtheproceedsintherichmerchandiseofChina，andreturnthusfreightedtoNewYork。
As，inextendingtheAmericantradealongthecoasttothenorthward，itmightbebroughtintothevicinityoftheRussianFurCompany，andproduceahostilerivalry，itwaspartoftheplanofMr。Astortoconciliatethegood-willofthatcompanybythemostamicableandbeneficialarrangements。TheRussianestablishmentwaschieflydependentforitssuppliesupontransienttradingvesselsfromtheUnitedStates。Thesevessels，however，wereoftenofmoreharmthanadvantage。Beingownedbyprivateadventurers，orcasualvoyagers，whocaredonlyforpresentprofit，andhadnointerestinthepermanentprosperityofthetrade，theywererecklessintheirdealingswiththenatives，andmadenoscrupleofsupplyingthemwithfire-arms。InthiswayseveralfiercetribesinthevicinityoftheRussianposts，orwithintherangeoftheirtradingexcursions，werefurnishedwithdeadlymeansofwarfare，andrenderedtroublesomeanddangerousneighbors。
TheRussiangovernmenthadmaderepresentationstothatoftheUnitedStatesofthesemalpracticesonthepartofitscitizens，andurgedtohavethistrafficinarmsprohibited;but，asitdidnotinfringeanymunicipallaw，ourgovernmentcouldnotinterfere。Yet，stillitregarded，withsolicitude，atrafficwhich，ifpersistedin，mightgiveoffencetoRussia，atthattimealmosttheonlyfriendlypowertous。InthisdilemmathegovernmenthadappliedtoMr。Astor，asoneconversantinthisbranchoftrade，forinformationthatmightpointoutawaytoremedytheevil。ThiscircumstancehadsuggestedtohimtheideaofsupplyingtheRussianestablishmentregularlybymeansoftheannualshipthatshouldvisitthesettlementatthemouthoftheColumbia(orOregon);bythismeansthecasualtradingvesselswouldbeexcludedfromthosepartsofthecoastwheretheirmalpracticesweresoinjurioustotheRussians。
SuchisabriefoutlineoftheenterpriseprojectedbyMr。Astor，butwhichcontinuallyexpandedinhismind。Indeeditisduetohimtosaythathewasnotactuatedbymeremotivesofindividualprofit。Hewasalreadywealthybeyondtheordinarydesiresofman，buthenowaspiredtothathonorablefamewhichisawardedtomenofsimilarscopeofmind，whobytheirgreatcommercialenterpriseshaveenrichednations，peopledwildernesses，andextendedtheboundsofempire。HeconsideredhisprojectedestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbiaastheemporiumtoanimmensecommerce;asacolonythatwouldformthegermofawidecivilization;thatwould，infact，carrytheAmericanpopulationacrosstheRockyMountainsandspreaditalongtheshoresofthePacific，asitalreadyanimatedtheshoresoftheAtlantic。
AsMr。Astor，bythemagnitudeofhiscommercialandfinancialrelations，andthevigorandscopeofhisself-taughtmind，hadelevatedhimselfintotheconsiderationofgovernmentandthecommunionandcorrespondencewithleadingstatesmen，he，atanearlyperiod，communicatedhisschemestoPresidentJefferson，solicitingthecountenanceofgovernment。Howhighlytheywereesteemedbythateminentman，wemayjudgebythefollowingpassage，writtenbyhimsometimeafterwards。
“Irememberwellhavinginvitedyourpropositiononthissubject，***andencourageditwiththeassuranceofeveryfacilityandprotectionwhichthegovernmentcouldproperlyafford。Iconsidered，asagreatpublicacquisition，thecommencementofasettlementonthatpointofthewesterncoastofAmerica，andlookedforwardwithgratificationtothetimewhenitsdescendantsshouldhavespreadthemselvesthroughthewholelengthofthatcoast，coveringitwithfreeandindependentAmericans，unconnectedwithusbutbythetiesofbloodandinterest，andenjoyinglikeustherightsofself-government。”
ThecabinetjoinedwithMr。Jeffersoninwarmapprobationoftheplan，andheldoutassuranceofeveryprotectionthatcould，consistentlywithgeneralpolicy，beafforded。
Mr。Astornowpreparedtocarryhisschemeintopromptexecution。
Hehadsomecompetition，however，toapprehendandguardagainst。
TheNorthwestCompany，actingfeeblyandpartiallyuponthesuggestionsofitsformeragent，SirAlexanderMackenzie，hadpushedoneortwoadvancedtradingpostsacrosstheRockyMountains，intoatractofcountryvisitedbythatenterprisingtraveller，andsincenamedNewCaledonia。ThistractlayabouttwodegreesnorthoftheColumbia，andintervenedbetweentheterritoriesoftheUnitedStatesandthoseofRussia。Itslengthwasaboutfivehundredandfiftymiles，anditsbreadth，fromthemountainstothePacific，fromthreehundredtothreehundredandfiftygeographicmiles。
ShouldtheNorthwestCompanypersistinextendingtheirtradeinthatquarter，theircompetitionmightbeofseriousdetrimenttotheplansofMr。Astor。Itistruetheywouldcontendwithhimtoavastdisadvantage，fromthechecksandrestrictionstowhichtheyweresubjected。TheywerestraitenedononesidebytherivalryoftheHudson’sBayCompany;thentheyhadnogoodpostonthePacificwheretheycouldreceivesuppliesbyseafortheirestablishmentsbeyondthemountains;nor，iftheyhadone，couldtheyshiptheirfursthencetoChina，thatgreatmartforpeltries;theChinesetradebeingcomprisedinthemonopolyoftheEastIndiaCompany。Theirpostsbeyondthemountainshadtobesuppliedinyearlyexpeditions，likecaravans，fromMontreal，andthefursconveyedbackinthesameway，bylong，precarious，andexpensiveroutes，acrossthecontinent。Mr。Astor，onthecontrary，wouldbeabletosupplyhisproposedestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbiabysea，andtoshipthefurscollectedtheredirectlytoChina，soastounderselltheNorthwestCompanyinthegreatChinesemarket。
Still，thecompetitionoftworivalcompanieswestoftheRockyMountainscouldnotbutprovedetrimentaltoboth，andfraughtwiththoseevils，bothtothetradeandtotheIndians，thathadattendedsimilarrivalriesintheCanadas。Topreventanycontestofthekind，therefore，hemadeknownhisplantotheagentsoftheNorthwestCompany，andproposedtointerestthem，totheextentofonethird，inthetradethustobeopened。Somecorrespondenceandnegotiationensued。ThecompanywereawareoftheadvantageswhichwouldbepossessedbyMr。Astorshouldhebeabletocarryhisschemeintoeffect;buttheyanticipatedamonopolyofthetradebeyondthemountainsbytheirestablishmentsinNewCaledonia，andwerelothtoshareitwithanindividualwhohadalreadyprovedaformidablecompetitorintheAtlantictrade。Theyhoped，too，byatimelymove，tosecurethemouthoftheColumbiabeforeMr。Astorwouldbeabletoputhisplansintooperation;and，thatkeytotheinternaltradeonceintheirpossession，thewholecountrywouldbeattheircommand。Aftersomenegotiationanddelay，therefore，theydeclinedthepropositionthathadbeenmadetothem，butsubsequentlydespatchedapartyforthemouthoftheColumbia，toestablishaposttherebeforeanyexpeditionsentoutbyMr。
Astormightarrive。
InthemeantimeMr。Astor，findinghisoverturesrejected，proceededfearlesslytoexecutehisenterpriseinfaceofthewholepoweroftheNorthwestCompany。HismainestablishmentonceplantedatthemouthoftheColumbia，helookedwithconfidencetoultimatesuccess。Beingabletoreinforceandsupplyitamplybysea，hewouldpushhisinteriorpostsineverydirectionuptheriversandalongthecoast;supplyingthenativesatalowerrate，andthusgraduallyobligingtheNorthwestCompanytogiveupthecompetition，relinquishNewCaledonia，andretiretotheothersideofthemountains。Hewouldthenhavepossessionofthetrade，notmerelyoftheColumbiaanditstributaries，butoftheregionsfarthernorth，quitetotheRussianpossessions。Suchwasapartofhisbrilliantandcomprehensiveplan。
Henowproceeded，withalldiligence，toprocureproperagentsandcoadjutors，habituatedtotheIndiantradeandtothelifeofthewilderness。AmongtheclerksoftheNorthwestCompanywereseveralofgreatcapacityandexperience，whohadservedouttheirprobationaryterms，butwho，eitherthroughlackofinterestandinfluence，orawantofvacancies，hadnotbeenpromoted。Theywereconsequentlymuchdissatisfied，andreadyforanyemploymentinwhichtheirtalentsandacquirementsmightbeturnedtobetteraccount。
Mr。Astormadehisoverturestoseveralofthesepersons，andthreeofthementeredintohisviews。Oneofthese，Mr。AlexanderM’Kay，hadaccompaniedSirAlexanderMackenzieinbothofhisexpeditionstothenorthwestcoastofAmericain1789and1793。
TheothertwowereDuncanM’DougalandDonaldM’Kenzie。TotheseweresubsequentlyaddedMr。WilsonPriceHunt，ofNewJersey。AsthisgentlemanwasanativeborncitizenoftheUnitedStates，apersonofgreatprobityandworth，hewasselectedbyMr。Astortobehischiefagent，andtorepresenthiminthecontemplatedestablishment。
Onthe23dofJune，1810，articlesofagreementwereenteredintobetweenMr。Astorandthosefourgentlemen，actingforthemselvesandfortheseveralpersonswhohadalreadyagreedtobecome，orshouldthereafterbecome，associatedunderthefirmof“ThePacificFurCompany。”
Accordingtothesearticles，Mr。Astorwastobeattheheadofthecompany，andtomanageitsaffairsinNewYork。Hewastofurnishvessels，goods，provisions，arms，ammunition，andallotherrequisitesfortheenterpriseatfirstcostandcharges，providedthattheydidnot，atanytime，involveanadvanceofmorethanfourhundredthousanddollars。
Thestockofthecompanywastobedividedintoahundredequalshares，withtheprofitsaccruingthereon。FiftysharesweretobeatthedispositionofMr。Astor，andtheotherfiftytobedividedamongthepartnersandtheirassociates。
Mr。Astorwastohavetheprivilegeofintroducingotherpersonsintotheconnectionaspartners，twoofwhom，atleast，shouldbeconversantwiththeIndiantrade，andnoneofthementitledtomorethanthreeshares。
AgeneralmeetingofthecompanywastobeheldannuallyatColumbiaRiver，fortheinvestigationandregulationofitsaffairs;atwhichabsentmembersmightberepresented，andmightvotebyproxyundercertainspecifiedconditions。
Theassociation，ifsuccessful，wastocontinuefortwentyyears;
butthepartieshadfullpowertoabandonanddissolveitwithinthefirstfiveyears，shoulditbefoundunprofitable。ForthistermMr。Astorcovenantedtobearallthelossthatmightbeincurred;afterwhichitwastobebornebyallthepartners，inproportiontotheirrespectiveshares。
Thepartiesofthesecondpartweretoexecutefaithfullysuchdutiesasmightbeassignedtothembyamajorityofthecompanyonthenorthwestcoast，andtorepairtosuchplaceorplacesasthemajoritymightdirect。
Anagent，appointedforthetermoffiveyears，wastoresideattheprincipalestablishmentonthenorthwestcoast，andWilsonPriceHuntwastheonechosenforthefirstterm。Shouldtheinterestsoftheconcernatanytimerequirehisabsence，apersonwastobeappointed，ingeneralmeeting，totakehisplace。
Suchweretheleadingconditionsofthisascociation;weshallnowproceedtorelatethevarioushardyandeventfulexpeditions，byseaandland，towhichitgaverise。
*Carver’sTravels，Introd。b。iii。Philad。1796。
**Carver’sTravels，p。360。
***OnthispointMr。Jefferson’smemorywasinerror。Thepropositionalludedtowastheone，alreadymentioned，fortheestablishmentofanAmericanFurCompanyintheAtlanticStates。
Thegreatenterprisebeyondthemountains，thatwastosweeptheshoresofthePacific，originatedinthemindofMr。Astor，andwasproposedbyhimtothegovernment。
CHAPTERIV。
TwoExpeditionsSetonFoot-TheTonquinandHerCrew-CaptainThorn，HisCharacter-ThePartnersandClerks-CanadianVoyageurs，TheirHabits，Employments，Dress，Character，Songs-
ExpeditionofaCanadianBoatandItsCrewbyLandandWater-
ArrivalatNewYork-PreparationsforaSeaVoyage-NorthwestBraggarts-UnderhandPrecautions-LetterofInstructions。
INprosecutinghisgreatschemeofcommerceandcolonization，twoexpeditionsweredevisedbyMr。Astor，onebysea，theotherbyland。Theformerwastocarryoutthepeople，stores，ammunition，andmerchandise，requisiteforestablishingafortifiedtradingpostatthemouthofColumbiaRiver。Thelatter，conductedbyMr。
Hunt，wastoproceeduptheMissouri，andacrosstheRockyMountains，tothesamepoint;exploringalineofcommunicationacrossthecontinentandnotingtheplaceswhereinteriortradingpostsmightbeestablished。Theexpeditionbyseaistheonewhichcomesfirstunderconsideration。
AfineshipwasprovidedcalledtheTonquin，oftwohundredandninetytonsburden，mountingtenguns，withacrewoftwentymen。
Shecarriedanassortmentofmerchandisefortradingwiththenativesoftheseaboardandoftheinterior，togetherwiththeframeofaschooner，tobeemployedinthecoastingtrade。Seedsalsowereprovidedforthecultivationofthesoil，andnothingwasneglectedforthenecessarysupplyoftheestablishment。ThecommandoftheshipwasintrustedtoJonathanThorn，ofNewYork，alieutenantintheUnitedStatesnavy，onleaveofabsence。Hewasamanofcourageandfirmness，whohaddistinguishedhimselfinourTripolitanwar，and，frombeingaccustomedtonavaldiscipline，wasconsideredbyMr。Astoraswellfittedtotakechargeofanexpeditionofthekind。Fourofthepartnersweretoembarkintheship，namely，Messrs。M’Kay，M’Dougal，DavidStuart，andhisnephew，RobertStuart。Mr。M’DougalwasempoweredbyMr。AstortoactashisproxyintheabsenceofMr。Hunt，tovoteforhimandinhisname，onanyquestionthatmightcomebeforeanymeetingofthepersonsinterestedinthevoyage。
Besidesthepartners，thereweretwelveclerkstogooutintheship，severalofthemnativesofCanada，whohadsomeexperienceintheIndiantrade。Theywereboundtotheserviceofthecompanyforfiveyears，attherateofonehundreddollarsayear，payableattheexpirationoftheterm，andanannualequipmentofclothingtotheamountoffortydollars。Incaseofillconducttheywereliabletoforfeittheirwagesandbedismissed;but，shouldtheyacquitthemselveswell，theconfidentexpectationwasheldouttothemofpromotion，andpartnership。
