CHAPTERLVIII。
ArrangementsAmongthePartners-Mr。HuntSailsintheAlbatross-
ArrivesattheMarquesas-NewsoftheFrigatePhoebe-Mr。HuntProceedstotheSandwichIslands-VoyageoftheLark-HerShipwreck-TransactionsWiththeNativesoftheSandwichIslands-ConductofTamaahmaah。
MR。HUNTwasoverwhelmedwithsurprisewhenhelearnttheresolutiontakenbythepartnerstoabandonAstoria。Hesoonfound，however，thatmattershadgonetoofar，andthemindsofhiscolleagueshadbecometoofirmlybentuponthemeasure，torenderanyoppositionofavail。Hewasbeset，too，withthesamedisparagingaccountsoftheinteriortrade，andofthewholeconcernsandprospectsofthecompanythathadbeenrenderedtoMr。Astor。Hisownexperiencehadbeenfullofperplexitiesanddiscouragements。HehadaconscientiousanxietyfortheinterestsofMr。Astor，and，notcomprehendingtheextendedviewsofthatgentleman，andhishabitofoperatingwithgreatamounts，hehadfromthefirstbeendauntedbytheenormousexpensesrequired，andhadbecomedisheartenedbythesubsequentlossessustained，whichappearedtohimtoberuinousintheirmagnitude。Bydegrees，therefore，hewasbroughttoacquiesceinthesteptakenbyhiscolleagues，asperhapsadvisableintheexigenciesofthecase;hisonlycarewastowindupthebusinesswithaslittlefurtherlossaspossibletoMr。Astor。
Alargestockofvaluablefurswascollectedatthefactory，whichitwasnecessarytogettoamarket。Thereweretwenty-fiveSandwichIslandersalsointheemployofthecompany，whomtheywerebound，byexpressagreement，torestoretotheirnativecountry。Forthesepurposesashipwasnecessary。
TheAlbatrosswasboundtotheMarquesas，andthencetotheSandwichIslands。ItwasresolvedthatMr。Huntshouldsailinherinquestofavessel，andshouldreturn，ifpossible，bythe1stofJanuary，bringingwithhimasupplyofprovisions。Shouldanythingoccur，however，topreventhisreturn，anarrangementwastobeproposedtoMr。M’Tavish，totransfersuchofthemenasweresodisposed，fromtheserviceoftheAmericanFurCompanyintothatoftheNorthwest，thelatterbecomingresponsibleforthewagesduethem，onreceivinganequivalentingoodsfromthestore-houseofthefactory。Asameansoffacilitatingthedespatchofbusiness，Mr。M’Dougalproposed，thatincaseMr。
Huntshouldnotreturn，thewholearrangementwithMr。M’Tavishshouldbeleftsolelytohim。Thiswasassentedto;thecontingencybeingconsideredpossible，butnotprobable。
Itispropertonote，that，onthefirstannouncementbyMr。
M’Dougalofhisintentiontobreakuptheestablishment，threeoftheclerks，Britishsubjects，had，withhisconsent，passedintotheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，anddepartedwithMr。
M’Tavishforhispostintheinterior。
HavingarrangedallthesemattersduringasojournofsixdaysatAstoria，Mr。HuntsetsailintheAlbatrossonthe26thofAugust，andarrivedwithoutaccidentattheMarquesas。Hehadnotbeentherelong，whenPorterarrivedinthefrigateEssex，bringinginanumberofstoutLondonwhalersasprizes，havingmadeasweepingcruiseinthePacific。FromCommodorePorterhereceivedthealarmingintelligencethattheBritishfrigatePhoebe，withastore-shipmountedwithbatteringpieces，calculatedtoattackforts，hadarrivedatRioJaneiro，whereshehadbeenjoinedbythesloopsofwarCherubandRaccoon，andthattheyhadallsailedincompanyonthe6thofJulyforthePacific，bound，asitwassupposed，toColumbiaRiver。
Here，then，wasthedeath-warrantofunfortunateAstoria！TheanxiousmindofMr。Huntwasingreaterperplexitythanever。HehadbeeneagertoextricatethepropertyofMr。Astorfromafailingconcernwithaslittlelossaspossible;therewasnowdangerthatthewholewouldbeswallowedup。Howwasittobesnatchedfromthegulf？Itwasimpossibletocharterashipforthepurpose，nowthataBritishsquadronwasonitswaytotheriver。HeappliedtopurchaseoneofthewhaleshipsbroughtinbyCommodorePorter。Thecommodoredemandedtwenty-fivethousanddollarsforher。Thepriceappearedexorbitant，andnobargaincouldbemade。Mr。Huntthenurgedthecommodoretofitoutoneofhisprizes，andsendhertoAstoria，tobringoffthepropertyandpartofthepeople，buthedeclined，“fromwantofauthority。”HeassuredMr。Hunt，however，thathewouldendeavortofallinwiththeenemy，orshouldhehearoftheirhavingcertainlygonetotheColumbia，hewouldeitherfolloworanticipatethem，shouldhiscircumstanceswarrantsuchastep。
Inthistantalizingstateofsuspense，Mr。HuntwasdetainedattheMarquesasuntilNovember23d，whenheproceededintheAlbatrosstotheSandwichIslands。Hestillcherishedafainthopethat，notwithstandingthewar，andallotherdiscouragingcircumstances，theannualshipmighthavebeensentbyMr。Astor，andmighthavetouchedattheislands，andproceededtotheColumbia。Heknewtheprideandinteresttakenbythatgentlemaninhisgreatenterprise，andthathewouldnotbedeterredbydangersanddifficultiesfromprosecutingit;muchlesswouldheleavetheinfantestablishmentwithoutsuccorandsupportinthetimeoftrouble。Inthis，wehaveseen，hedidbutjusticetoMr。
Astor;andwemustnowturntonoticethecauseofthenon-
arrivalofthevesselwhichhehaddespatchedwithreinforcementsandsupplies。Hervoyageformsanotherchapterofaccidentsinthiseventfulstory。
TheLarksailedfromNewYorkonthe6thofMarch，1813，andproceededprosperouslyonhervoyage，untilwithinafewdegreesoftheSandwichIslands。Hereagalesprangupthatsoonblewwithtremendousviolence。TheLarkwasastaunchandnobleship，andforatimebuffetedbravelywiththestorm。Unluckily，however，she“broachedto。”andwasstruckbyaheavysea，thathoveheronherbeam-ends。Thehelm，too，wasknockedtoleeward，allcommandofthevesselwaslost，andanothermountainwavecompletelyoversether。Ordersweregiventocutawaythemasts。
Inthehurryandconfusion，theboatsalsowereunfortunatelycutadrift。Thewreckthenrighted，butwasamerehulk，fullofwater，withaheavyseawashingoverit，andallthehatchesoff。
Onmusteringthecrew，onemanwasmissing，whowasdiscoveredbelowintheforecastle，drowned。
Incuttingawaythemasts，ithadbeenutterlyimpossibletoobservethenecessaryprecautionofcommencingwiththeleerigging，thatbeing，fromthepositionoftheship，completelyunderwater。Themastsandspars，therefore，beinglinkedtothewreckbytheshroudsandtherigging，remainedalongsideforfourdays。Duringallthistimetheshiplayrollinginthetroughofthesea，theheavysurgesbreakingoverher，andthesparsheavingandbangingtoandfro，bruisingthehalf-drownedsailorsthatclungtothebowspritandthestumpsofthemasts。Thesufferingsofthesepoorfellowswereintolerable。Theystoodtotheirwaistsinwater，inimminentperilofbeingwashedoffbyeverysurge。Inthispositiontheydarednotsleep，lesttheyshouldletgotheirholdandbesweptaway。Theonlydryplaceonthewreckwasthebowsprit。Heretheytookturnstobetiedon，forhalfanhouratatime，andinthiswaygainedshortsnatchesofsleep。
Onthe14th，thefirstmatediedathispost，andwassweptoffbythesurges。Onthe17th，twoseamen，faintandexhausted，werewashedoverboard。Thenextwavethrewtheirbodiesbackuponthedeck，wheretheyremained，swashingbackwardandforward，ghastlyobjectstothealmostperishingsurvivors。Mr。Ogden，thesupercargo，whowasatthebowsprit，calledtothemennearesttothebodies，tofastenthemtothewreck;asalasthorribleresourceincaseofbeingdriventoextremitybyfamine！
Onthe17ththegalegraduallysubsided，andtheseabecamecalm。
Thesailorsnowcrawledfeeblyaboutthewreck，andbegantorelieveitfromthemainincumbrances。Thesparswereclearedaway，theanchorsandgunsheavedoverboard;thesprit-sailyardwasriggedforajury-mast，andamizzentopsailsetuponit。A
sortofstagewasmadeofafewbrokenspars，onwhichthecrewwereraisedabovethesurfaceofthewater，soastobeenabledtokeepthemselvesdry，andtosleepcomfortably。Stilltheirsufferingsfromhungerandthirstweregreat;buttherewasaSandwichIslanderonboard，anexpertswimmer，whofoundhiswayintothecabin，andoccasionallybroughtupafewbottlesofwineandporter，andatlengthgotintotherum，andsecuredaquartercaskofwine。Alittlerawporkwaslikewiseprocured，anddealtoutwithasparinghand。Thehorrorsoftheirsituationwereincreasedbythesightofnumeroussharksprowlingaboutthewreck，asifwaitingfortheirprey。Onthe24th，thecook，ablackman，died，andwascastintothesea，whenhewasinstantlyseizedonbytheseravenousmonsters。
Theyhadbeenseveraldaysmakingslowheadwayundertheirscantysail，when，onthe25th，theycameinsightofland。Itwasaboutfifteenleaguesdistant，andtheyremainedtwoorthreedaysdriftingalonginsightofit。Onthe28th，theydescried，totheirgreattransport，acanoeapproaching，managedbynatives。
Theycamealongside，andbroughtamostwelcomesupplyofpotatoes。TheyinformedthemthatthelandtheyhadmadewasoneoftheSandwichIslands。Thesecondmateandoneoftheseamenwentonshoreinthecanoeforwaterandprovisions，andtoprocureaidfromtheislanders，intowingthewreckintoaharbor。
Neitherofthemenreturned，norwasanyassistancesentfromshore。Thenextday，tenortwelvecanoescamealongside，butroamedroundthewrecklikesomanysharks，andwouldrendernoaidintowinghertoland。
Theseacontinuedtobreakoverthevesselwithsuchviolence，thatitwasimpossibletostandatthehelmwithouttheassistanceoflashings。Thecrewwerenowsoworndownbyfamineandthirst，thatthecaptainsawitwouldbeimpossibleforthemtowithstandthebreakingofthesea，whentheshipshouldground;hedeemedtheonlychancefortheirlives，therefore，wastogettolandinthecanoes，andstandreadytoreceiveandprotectthewreckwhensheshoulddriftashore。Accordingly，theyallgotsafetoland，buthadscarcelytouchedthebeachwhentheyweresurroundedbythenatives，whostrippedthemalmostnaked。ThenameofthisinhospitableislandwasTahoorowa。
Inthecourseofthenight，thewreckcamedriftingtothestrand，withthesurfthunderingaroundher，andshortlyafterwardsbilged。Onthefollowingmorning，numerouscasksofprovisionsfloatedonshore。Thenativesstavedthemforthesakeoftheironhoops，butwouldnotallowthecrewtohelpthemselvestothecontents，ortogoonboardofthewreck。
Asthecrewwereinwantofeverything，andasitmightbealongtimebeforeanyopportunityoccurredforthemtogetawayfromtheseislands，Mr。Ogden，assoonashecouldgetachance，madehiswaytotheislandofOwyhee，andendeavoredtomakesomearrangementwiththekingforthereliefofhiscompanionsinmisfortune。
TheillustriousTamaahmaah，aswehaveshownonaformeroccasion，wasashrewdbargainer，andinthepresentinstanceprovedhimselfanexperiencedwrecker。HisnegotiationswithM’Dougal，andtheother“ErisofthegreatAmericanFurCompany。”
hadbutlittleeffectonpresentcircumstances，andheproceededtoavailhimselfoftheirmisfortunes。Heagreedtofurnishthecrewwithprovisionsduringtheirstayinhisterritories，andtoreturntothemalltheirclothingthatcouldbefound，buthestipulatedthatthewreckshouldbeabandonedtohimasawaifcastbyfortuneonhisshores。WiththeseconditionsMr。Ogdenwasfaintocomply。UponthisthegreatTamaahmaahdeputedhisfavorite，JohnYoung，thetarpaulingovernorofOwyhee，toproceedwithanumberofroyalguards，andtakepossessionofthewreckonbehalfofthecrown。Thiswasdoneaccordingly，andthepropertyandcrewwereremovedtoOwyhee。Theroyalbountyappearstohavebeenbutscantyinitsdispensations。Thecrewfaredbutmeagerly;though，onreadingthejournalofthevoyage，itissingulartofindthem，afterallthehardshipstheyhadsuffered，sosensitiveaboutpettyinconveniences，astoexclaimagainstthekingasa“savagemonster。”forrefusingthema“pottocookin。”anddenyingMr。Ogdentheuseofaknifeandforkwhichhadbeensavedfromthewreck。
SuchwastheunfortunatecatastropheoftheLark;hadshereachedherdestinationinsafety，affairsatAstoriamighthavetakenadifferentcourse。Astrangefatalityseemstohaveattendedalltheexpeditionsbysea，norwerethosebylandmuchlessdisastrous。
CaptainNorthropwasstillattheSandwichIslands，onDecember20th，whenMr。Huntarrived。Thelatterimmediatelypurchased，fortenthousanddollars，abrigcalledthePedler，andputCaptainNorthropincommandofher。TheysetsailforAstoriaonthe22dJanuary，intendingtoremovethepropertyfromthenceasspeedilyaspossibletotheRussiansettlementsonthenorthwestcoast，topreventitfromfallingintothehandsoftheBritish。
SuchweretheordersofMr。Astor，sentoutbytheLark。
WewillnowleaveMr。Huntonhisvoyage，andreturntoseewhathastakenplaceatAstoriaduringhisabsence。
CHAPTERLIX。
ArrivalofM’TavishatAstoria-ConductofHisFollowers-
NegotiationsofM’DougalandM’Tavish-BargainfortheTransferofAstoria-DoubtsEntertainedoftheLoyaltyofM’Dougal。
0Nthe2dofOctober，aboutfiveweeksafterMr。HunthadsailedintheAlbatrossfromAstoria，Mr。M’Kenziesetoffwithtwocanoes，andtwelvemen，forthepostsofMessrs。StuartandClarke，toappraisethemofthenewarrangementsdetermineduponintherecentconferenceofthepartnersatthefactory。
Hehadnotascendedtheriverahundredmiles，whenhemetasquadronoftencanoes，sweepingmerrilydownunderBritishcolors，theCanadianoarsmen，asusual，infullsong。
ItwasanarmamentfittedoutbyM’Tavish，whohadwithhimMr。
J。Stuart，anotherpartneroftheNorthwestCompany，togetherwithsomeclerks，andsixty-eightmen-seventy-fivesoulsinall。TheyhadheardofthefrigatePhoebeandtheIsaacToddbeingonthehighseas，andwereontheirwaydowntoawaittheirarrival。InoneofthecanoesMr。Clarkecameasapassenger，thealarmingintelligencehavingbroughthimdownfromhispostontheSpokan。Mr。M’KenzieimmediatelydeterminedtoreturnwithhimtoAstoria，and，veeringabout，thetwopartiesencampedtogetherforthenight。Theleaders，ofcourse，observedaduedecorum，butsomeofthesubalternscouldnotrestraintheirchucklingexultation，boastingthattheywouldsoonplanttheBritishstandardonthewallsofAstoria，anddrivetheAmericansoutofthecountry。
Inthecourseoftheevening，Mr。M’KenziehadasecretconferencewithMr。Clarke，inwhichtheyagreedtosetoffprivatelybeforedaylight，andgetdownintimetoappraiseM’DougaloftheapproachoftheseNorthwesters。Thelatter，however，werecompletelyonthealert;justasM’Kenzie’scanoeswereabouttopushoff，theywerejoinedbyacouplefromtheNorthwestsquadron，inwhichwasM’Tavish，withtwoclerks，andelevenmen。Withthese，heintendedtopushforwardandmakearrangements，leavingtherestoftheconvoy，inwhichwasalargequantityoffurs，toawaithisorders。
ThetwopartiesarrivedatAstoriaonthe7thofOctober。TheNorthwestersencampedunderthegunsofthefort，anddisplayedtheBritishcolors。Theyoungmeninthefort，nativesoftheUnitedStates，wereonthepointofhoistingtheAmericanflag，butwereforbiddenbyMr。M’Dougal。Theywereastonishedatsuchaprohibition，andwereexceedinglygalledbythetoneandmannerassumedbytheclerksandretainersoftheNorthwestCompany，whoruffledaboutinthatswellingandbraggartstylewhichgrowsupamongtheseheroesofthewilderness;they，infact，consideredthemselveslordsoftheascendantandregardedthehamperedandharassedAstoriansasaconqueredpeople。
OnthefollowingdayM’Dougalconvenedtheclerks，andreadtothemanextractfromaletterfromhisuncle，Mr。AngusShaw，oneoftheprincipalpartnersoftheNorthwestCompany，announcingthecomingofthePhoebeandIsaacTodd，“totakeanddestroyeverythingAmericanonthenorthwestcoast。”
ThisintelligencewasreceivedwithoutdismaybysuchoftheclerksaswerenativesoftheUnitedStates。TheyhadfeltindignantatseeingtheirnationalflagstruckbyaCanadiancommander，andtheBritishflagflowed，asitwere，intheirfaces。Theyhadbeenstungtothequick，also，bythevauntingairsassumedbytheNorthwesters。Inthismoodofmind，theywouldwillinglyhavenailedtheircolorstothestaff，anddefiedthefrigate。Shecouldnotcomewithinmanymilesofthefort，theyobserved，andanyboatsshemightsendcouldbedestroyedbytheircannon。
Therewerecoolerandmorecalculatingspirits，however，whohadthecontrolofaffairs，andfeltnothingofthepatrioticprideandindignationoftheseyouths。Theextractoftheletterhad，apparently，beenreadbyM’Dougal，merelytopreparethewayforapreconcertedstrokeofmanagement。OnthesamedayMr。M’Tavishproposedtopurchasethewholestockofgoodsandfursbelongingtothecompany，bothatAstoriaandintheinterior，atcostandcharges。Mr。M’Dougalundertooktocomply;assumingthewholemanagementofthenegotiationinvirtueofthepowervestedinhim，incaseofthenon-arrivalofMr。Hunt。Thatpower，however，waslimitedandspecific，anddidnotextendtoanoperationofthisnatureandextent;noobjection，however，wasmadetohisassumption，andheandM’Tavishsoonmadeapreliminaryarrangement，perfectlysatisfactorytothelatter。
Mr。Stuart，andthereservepartyofNorthwesters，arrivedshortlyafterwards，andencampedwithM’Tavish。Theformerexclaimedloudlyagainstthetermsofthearrangement，andinsisteduponareductionoftheprices。Newnegotiationshadnowtobeenteredinto。ThedemandsoftheNorthwestersweremadeinaperemptorytone，andtheyseemeddisposedtodictatelikeconquerors。TheAmericanslookedonwithindignationandimpatience。TheyconsideredM’Dougalasacting，ifnotaperfidious，certainlyacravenpart。Hewascontinuallyrepairingtothecamptonegotiate，insteadofkeepingwithinhiswallsandreceivingoverturesinhisfortress。Hiscase，theyobserved，wasnotsodesperateastoexcusesuchcrouching。Hemight，infact，holdoutforhisownterms。TheNorthwestpartyhadlosttheirammunition;theyhadnogoodstotradewiththenativesforprovisions;andtheyweresodestitutethatM’Dougalhadabsolutelytofeedthem，whilehenegotiatedwiththem。He，onthecontrary，waswelllodgedandvictualled;hadsixtymen，witharms，ammunition，boats，andeverythingrequisiteeitherfordefenseorretreat。Theparty，beneaththegunsofhisfort，wereathismercy;shouldanenemyappearintheoffing，hecouldpackupthemostvaluablepartofthepropertyandretiretosomeplaceofconcealment，ormakeofffortheinterior。
Theseconsiderations，however，hadnoweightwithMr。M’Dougal，orwereoverruledbyothermotives。ThetermsofsalewereloweredbyhimtothestandardfixedbyMr。Stuart，andanagreementexecutedonthe16thofOctober，bywhichthefursandmerchandiseofallkindsinthecountry，belongingtoMr。Astor，passedintothepossessionoftheNorthwestCompanyataboutathirdoftheirvalue。*AsafepassagethroughtheNorthwestpostswasguaranteedtosuchasdidnotchoosetoenterintotheserviceofthatCompany，andtheamountofwagesduetothemwastobedeductedfromthepricepaidforAstoria。
TheconductandmotivesofMr。M’Dougal，throughoutthewholeofthisproceeding，havebeenstronglyquestionedbytheotherpartners。Hehasbeenaccusedofavailinghimselfofawrongconstructionofpowersvestedinhimathisownrequest，andofsacrificingtheinterestsofMr。AstortotheNorthwestCompany，underthepromiseorhopeofadvantagetohimself。
Healwaysinsisted，however，thathemadethebestbargainforMr。Astorthatcircumstanceswouldpermit;thefrigatebeinghourlyexpected，inwhichcasethewholepropertyofthatgentlemanwouldbeliabletocapture。ThatthereturnofMr。Huntwasproblematical;thefrigateintendingtocruisealongthecoastfortwoyears，andclearitofallAmericanvessels。Hemoreoveraverred，andM’Tavishcorroboratedhisavermentbycertificate，thatheproposedanarrangementtothatgentleman，bywhichthefursweretobesenttoCanton，andsoldthereatMr。Astor’srisk，andforhisaccount;butthepropositionwasnotaccededto。
Notwithstandingallhisrepresentations，severalofthepersonspresentatthetransaction，andacquaintedwiththewholecourseoftheaffair，andamongthenumberMr。M’Kenziehimself，hisoccasionalcoadjutor，remainedfirminthebeliefthathehadactedahollowpart。NeitherdidhesucceedinexculpatinghimselftoMr。Astor;thatgentlemandeclaring，inaletterwrittensometimeafterwards，toMr。Hunt，thatheconsideredthepropertyvirtuallygivenaway。“Hadourplaceandourproperty。”
headds，“beenfairlycaptured，Ishouldhavepreferredit;I
shouldnotfeelasifIweredisgraced。”
Allthesemaybeunmeritedsuspicions;butitcertainlyisacircumstancestronglycorroborativeofthem，thatMr。M’Dougal，shortlyafterconcludingthisagreement，becameamemberoftheNorthwestCompany，andreceivedashareproductiveofahandsomeincome。
*Notquite$40，000wereallowedforfursworthupwardsof$100，000。Beaverwasvaluedattwodollarsperskin，thoughworthfivedollars。Landotteratfiftycents，thoughworthfivedollars。Sea-otterattwelvedollars，worthfromforty-fivetosixtydollars;andforseveralkindsoffursnothingwasallowed。
Moreover，thegoodsandmerchandisefortheIndiantradeoughttohavebroughtthreetimestheamountforwhichtheyweresold。
Thefollowingestimatehasbeenmadeofthearticlesonhand，andtheprices:
17，705lbs。beaverparchment，valuedat$2。00worth$5。00
465oldcoatbeaver，valuedat1。66worth3。50
907landotter，valuedat。50worth5。00
68sea-otter，valuedat12。00worth45to60。00
30sea-otter，valuedat5。00worth25。00
Nothingwasallowedfor179minkskins，wortheach。40
22raccoon，wortheach。40
28lynx，wortheach2。00
18fox，wortheach1。00
106fox，wortheach1。50
71blackbear，wortheach4。00
16grizzlybear，wortheach10。00
CHAPTERLX。
ArrivalofaStrangeSail-AgitationatAstoria-WarlikeOfferofComcomly-AstoriaTakenPossessionofbytheBritish-
IndignationofComcomlyattheConductofHisSon-in-Law。
0Nthemorningofthe30thofNovember，asailwasdescrieddoublingCapeDisappointment。ItcametoanchorinBaker’sBay，andprovedtobeashipofwar。Ofwhatnation？wasnowtheanxiousinquiry。IfEnglish，whydiditcomealone？wherewasthemerchantvesselthatwastohaveaccompaniedit？IfAmerican，whatwastobecomeofthenewlyacquiredpossessionoftheNorthwestCompany？
Inthisdilemma，M’Tavish，inallhaste，loadedtwobargeswithallthepackagesoffursbearingthemarkoftheNorthwestCompany，andmadeoffforTonguePoint，threemilesuptheriver。
TherehewastoawaitapreconcertedsignalfromM’Dougal，onascertainingthecharacteroftheship。IfitshouldproveAmerican，M’Tavishwouldhaveafairstart，andcouldbearoffhisrichcargototheinterior。Itissingularthatthispromptmodeofconveyingvaluable，buteasilytransportableeffectsbeyondthereachofahostileshipshouldnothavesuggesteditselfwhilethepropertybelongedtoMr。Astor。
Inthemeantime，M’Dougal，whostillremainednominalchiefatthefort，launchedacanoe，mannedbymenrecentlyintheemployoftheAmericanFurCompany，andsteeredfortheship。Ontheway，heinstructedhismentopassthemselvesforAmericansorEnglishmen，accordingtotheexigenciesofthecase。
ThevesselprovedtobetheBritishsloopofwarRaccoon，oftwenty-sixguns，andonehundredandtwentymen，commandedbyCaptainBlack。Accordingtotheaccountofthatofficer，thefrigatePhoebe，andtwosloopsofwarCherubandRaccoon，hadsailedinconvoyoftheIsaacToddfromRioJaneiro。OnboardofthePhoebe，Mr。JohnM’Donald，apartneroftheNorthwestCompany，embarkedaspassenger，toprofitbytheanticipatedcatastropheatAstoria。TheconvoywasseparatedbystressofweatheroffCapeHorn。ThethreeshipsofwarcametogetheragainattheislandofJuanFernandez，theirappointedrendezvous，butwaitedinvainfortheIsaacTodd。
Inthemeantime，intelligencewasreceivedofthemischiefthatCommodorePorterwasdoingamongtheBritishwhaleships。
CommodoreHillyerimmediatelysetsailinquestofhimwiththePhoebeandtheCherub，transferringMr。M’DonaldtotheRaccoon，andorderedthatvesseltoproceedtotheColumbia。
TheofficersoftheRaccoonwereinhighspirits。TheagentsoftheNorthwestCompany，ininstigatingtheexpedition，hadtalkedofimmensebootytobemadebythefortunatecaptorsofAstoria。
Mr。M’Donaldhadkeptuptheexcitementduringthevoyage，sothatnotamidshipmanbutrevelledindreamsofampleprize-
money，noralieutenantthatwouldhavesoldhischanceforathousandpounds。Theirdisappointment，therefore，mayeasilybeconceived，whentheylearnedthattheirwarlikeattackuponAstoriahadbeenforestalledbyasnugcommercialarrangement;
thattheiranticipatedbootyhadbecomeBritishpropertyintheregularcourseoftraffic，andthatallthishadbeeneffectedbytheveryCompanywhichhadbeeninstrumentalingettingthemsentonwhattheynowstigmatizedasafool’serrand。Theyfeltasiftheyhadbeendupedandmadetoolsof，byasetofshrewdmenoftraffic，whohademployedthemtocrackthenut，whiletheycarriedoffthekernel。Inaword，M’Dougalfoundhimselfsoungraciouslyreceivedbyhiscountrymenonboardoftheship，thathewasgladtocutshorthisvisit，andreturntoshore。Hewasbusyatthefort，makingpreparationsforthereceptionofthecaptainoftheRaccoon，whenhisone-eyedIndianfather-in-
lawmadehisappearance，withatrainofChinookwarriors，allpaintedandequippedinwarlikestyle。
OldComcomlyhadbeheld，withdismay，thearrivalofa“bigwarcanoe“displayingtheBritishflag。Theshrewdoldsavagehadbecomesomethingofapoliticianinthecourseofhisdailyvisitsatthefort。Heknewofthewarexistingbetweenthenations，butknewnothingofthearrangementbetweenM’DougalandM’Tavish。Hetrembled，therefore，forthepowerofhiswhiteson-
in-law，andthenew-fledgedgrandeurofhisdaughter，andassembledhiswarriorsinallhaste。“KingGeorge。”saidhe，“hassenthisgreatcanoetodestroythefort，andmakeslavesofalltheinhabitants。Shallwesufferit？TheAmericansarethefirstwhitementhathavefixedthemselvesintheland。Theyhavetreateduslikebrothers。Theirgreatchiefhastakenmydaughtertobehissquaw:weare，therefore，asonepeople。”
HiswarriorsalldeterminedtostandbytheAmericanstothelast，andtothiseffecttheycamepaintedandarmedforbattle。
Comcomlymadeaspiritedwar-speechtohisson-in-law。HeofferedtokilleveryoneofKingGeorge’smenthatshouldattempttoland。Itwasaneasymatter。Theshipcouldnotapproachwithinsixmilesofthefort;thecrewcouldonlylandinboats。Thewoodsreachedtothewater’sedge;inthese，heandhiswarriorswouldconcealthemselves，andshootdowntheenemyasfastastheyputfootonshore。
M’Dougalwas，doubtless，properlysensibleofthisparentaldevotiononthepartofhissavagefather-in-law，andperhapsalittlerebukedbythegamespirit，sooppositetohisown。HeassuredComcomly，however，thathissolicitudeforthesafetyofhimselfandtheprincesswassuperfluous;as，thoughtheshipbelongedtoKingGeorge，hercrewwouldnotinjuretheAmericans，ortheirIndianallies。Headvisedhimandhiswarriors，therefore，tolayasidetheirweaponsandwarshirts，washoffthepaintfromtheirfacesandbodies，andappearlikecleanandcivilsavages，toreceivethestrangerscourteously。
Comcomlywassorelypuzzledatthisadvice，whichaccordedsolittlewithhisIndiannotionsofreceivingahostilenation，anditwasonlyafterrepeatedandpositiveassurancesoftheamicableintentionsofthestrangersthathewasinducedtolowerhisfightingtone。Hesaidsomethingtohiswarriorsexplanatoryofthissingularpostureofaffairs，andinvindication，perhaps，ofthepacifictemperofhisson-in-law。TheyallgaveashrugandanIndiangruntofacquiescence，andwentoffsulkilytotheirvillage，tolayasidetheirweaponsforthepresent。
TheproperarrangementsbeingmadeforthereceptionofCaptainBlack，thatofficercausedhisship’sboatstobemanned，andlandedwithbefittingstateatAstoria。FromthetalkthathadbeenmadebytheNorthwestCompanyofthestrengthoftheplace，andthearmamenttheyhadrequiredtoassistinitsreduction，heexpectedtofindafortressofsomeimportance。Whenhebeheldnothingbutstockadesandbastions，calculatedfordefenseagainstnakedsavages，hefeltanemotionofindignantsurprise，mingledwithsomethingoftheludicrous。“Isthisthefort。”
criedhe，“aboutwhichIhaveheardsomuchtalking？D-nme，butI’dbatteritdownintwohourswithafourpounder！“
Whenhelearned，however，theamountofrichfursthathadbeenpassedintothehandsoftheNorthwesters，hewasoutrageous，andinsistedthataninventoryshouldbetakenofallthepropertypurchasedoftheAmericans，“withaviewtoulteriormeasuresinEngland，fortherecoveryofthevaluefromtheNorthwestCompany。”
Ashegrewcool，however，hegaveoverallideaofpreferringsuchaclaim，andreconciledhimself，aswellashecould，totheideaofhavingbeenforestalledbyhisbargainingcoadjutors。
Onthe12thofDecember，thefateofAstoriawasconsummatedbyaregularceremonial。CaptainBlack，attendedbyhisofficers，enteredthefort，causedtheBritishstandardtobeerected，brokeabottleofwineanddeclared，inaloudvoice，thathetookpossessionoftheestablishmentandofthecountry，inthenameofhisBritannicMajesty，changingthenameofAstoriatothatofFortGeorge。
TheIndianwarriors，whohadofferedtheirservicestorepelthestrangers，werepresentonthisoccasion。Itwasexplainedtothemasbeingafriendlyarrangementandtransfer，buttheyshooktheirheadsgrimly，andconsidereditanactofsubjugationoftheirancientallies。TheyregrettedthattheyhadcompliedwithM’Dougal’swishes，inlayingasidetheirarms，andremarked，that，howevertheAmericansmightconcealthefact，theywereundoubtedlyallslaves;norcouldtheybepersuadedofthecontrary，untiltheybeheldtheRaccoondepartwithouttakingawayanyprisoners。
AstoComcomly，henolongerpridedhimselfuponhiswhiteson-
in-law，but，wheneverhewasaskedabouthim，shookhishead，andreplied，thathisdaughterhadmadeamistake，and，insteadofgettingagreatwarriorforahusband，hadmarriedherselftoasquaw。
CHAPTERLXI。
ArrivaloftheBrigPedleratAstoria-BreakingUpoftheEstablishment-DepartureofSeveraloftheCompany-TragicalStoryToldbytheSquawofPierreDorion-FateofReedandHisCompanions-AttemptsofMr。AstortoRenewHisEnterprise-
Disappointment-ConcludingObservationsandReflection。
HAVINGgiventhecatastropheattheFortofAstoria，itremainsnowbuttogatherupafewlooseendsofthiswidelyexcursivenarrativeandconclude。Onthe28thofFebruarythebrigPedleranchoredinColumbiaRiver。ItwillberecollectedthatMr。HunthadpurchasedthisvesselattheSandwichIslands，totakeoffthefurscollectedatthefactory，andtorestoretheSandwichIslanderstotheirhomes。Whenthatgentlemanlearned，however，theprecipitateandsummarymannerinwhichthepropertyhadbeenbargainedawaybyM’Dougal，heexpressedhisindignationinthestrongestterms，anddeterminedtomakeanefforttogetbackthefurs。Assoonashiswisheswereknowninthisrespect，M’DougalcametosoundhimonbehalfoftheNorthwestCompany，intimatingthathehadnodoubtthepeltriesmightberepurchasedatanadvanceoffiftypercent。ThisoverturewasnotcalculatedtosoothetheangryfeelingsofMr。Hunt，andhisindignationwascomplete，whenhediscoveredthatM’DougalhadbecomeapartneroftheNorthwestCompany，andhadactuallybeensosincethe23dofDecember。Hehadkepthispartnershipasecret，however;hadretainedthepapersofthePacificFurCompanyinhispossession;
andhadcontinuedtoactasMr。Astor’sagent，thoughtwoofthepartnersoftheothercompany，Mr。M’KenzieandMr。Clarke，werepresent。Hehad，moreover，divulgedtohisnewassociatesallthatheknewastoMr。Astor’splansandaffairs，andhadmadecopiesofhisbusinesslettersfortheirperusal。
Mr。HuntnowconsideredthewholeconductofM’Dougalhollowandcollusive。Hisonlythoughtwas，therefore，togetallthepapersoftheconcernoutofhishands，andbringthebusinesstoaclose;fortheinterestsofMr。Astorwereyetcompletelyatstake;thedraftsoftheNorthwestCompanyinhisfavor，forthepurchasemoney，nothavingyetbeenobtained。Withsomedifficultyhesucceededingettingpossessionofthepapers。Thebillsordraftsweredeliveredwithouthesitation。ThelatterheremittedtoMr。Astorbysomeofhisassociates，whowereabouttocrossthecontinenttoNewYork。Thisdone，heembarkedonboardthePedler，onthe3dofApril，accompaniedbytwooftheclerks，Mr。SetonandMr。Halsey，andbadeafinaladieutoAstoria。
Thenextday，April4th，Messrs。Clarke，M’Kenzie，DavidStuart，andsuchoftheAstoriansashadnotenteredintotheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，setouttocrosstheRockyMountains。Itisnotourintentiontotakethereaderanotherjourneyacrossthoseruggedbarriers;butwewillstepforwardwiththetravellerstoadistanceontheirway，merelytorelatetheirinterviewwithacharacteralreadynotedinthiswork。
AsthepartywereproceedinguptheColumbia，nearthemouthoftheWallah-WallahRiver，severalIndiancanoesputofffromtheshoretoovertakethem，andavoicecalledupontheminFrenchandrequestedthemtostop。Theyaccordinglyputtoshore，andwerejoinedbythoseinthecanoes。Totheirsurprise，theyrecognizedinthepersonwhohadhailedthemtheIndianwifeofPierreDorion，accompaniedbyhertwochildren。Shehadastorytotell，involvingthefateofseveralofourunfortunateadventurers。
Mr。JohnReed，theHibernian，itwillberemembered，hadbeendetachedduringthesummertotheSnakeRiver。HispartyconsistedoffourCanadians，GilesLeClerc，FrancoisLandry，JeanBaptisteTurcot，andAndreLaChapelle，togetherwithtwohunters，PierreDorionandPierreDelaunay;Dorion，asusual，beingaccompaniedbyhiswifeandchildren。Theobjectsofthisexpeditionweretwofold:totrapbeaver，andtosearchforthethreehunters，Robinson，Hoback，andRezner。
Inthecourseoftheautumn，Reedlostoneman，Landry，bydeath;
anotherone，PierreDelaunay，whowasofasullen，perversedisposition，lefthiminamoodyfit，andwasneverheardofafterwards。Thenumberofhispartywasnot，however，reducedbytheselosses，asthethreehunters，Robinson，Hoback，andRezner，hadjoinedit。
ReednowbuiltahouseontheSnakeRiver，fortheirwinterquarters;whichbeingcompleted，thepartysetabouttrapping。
Rezner，LeClerc，andPierreDorionwentaboutfivedays’journeyfromthewinteringhouse，toapartofthecountrywellstockedwithbeaver。Heretheyputupahut，andproceededtotrapwithgreatsuccess。Whilethemenwereouthunting，PierreDorion’swiferemainedathometodresstheskinsandpreparethemeals。
ShewasthusemployedoneeveningaboutthebeginningofJanuary，cookingthesupperofthehunters，whensheheardfootsteps，andLeClercstaggered，paleandbleeding，intothehut。Heinformedherthatapartyofsavageshadsurprisedthem，whileattheirtraps，andhadkilledReznerandherhusband。Hehadbarelystrengthlefttogivethisinformation，whenhesankupontheground。
Thepoorwomansawthattheonlychanceforlifewasinstantflight，but，inthisexigency，showedthatpresenceofmindandforceofcharacterforwhichshehadfrequentlybeennoted。Withgreatdifficulty，shecaughttwoofthehorsesbelongingtotheparty。Thencollectingherclothesandasmallquantityofbeavermeatanddriedsalmon，shepackedthemupononeofthehorses，andhelpedthewoundedmantomountuponit。Ontheotherhorseshemountedwithhertwochildren，andhurriedawayfromthisdangerousneighborhood，directingherflighttoMr。Reed’sestablishment。Onthethirdday，shedescriedanumberofIndiansonhorsebackproceedinginaneasterlydirection。Sheimmediatelydismountedwithherchildren，andhelpedLeClerclikewisetodismount，andallconcealedthemselves。Fortunatelytheyescapedthesharpeyesofthesavages，buthadtoproceedwiththeutmostcaution。Thatnighttheysleptwithoutfireorwater;shemanagedtokeepherchildrenwarminherarms;butbeforemorning，poorLeClercdied。
Withthedawnofdaytheresolutewomanresumedhercourse，and，onthefourthday，reachedthehouseofMr。Reed。Itwasdeserted，andallroundweremarksofbloodandsignsofafuriousmassacre。NotdoubtingthatMr。Reedandhispartyhadallfallenvictims，sheturnedinfreshhorrorfromthespot。Fortwodaysshecontinuedhurryingforward，readytosinkforwantoffood，butmoresolicitousaboutherchildrenthanherself。AtlengthshereachedarangeoftheRockyMountains，neartheupperpartoftheWallah-WallahRiver。Hereshechoseawildlonelyravine，asherplaceofwinterrefuge。
Shehadfortunatelyabuffalorobeandthreedeer-skins;ofthese，andofpinebarkandcedarbranches，sheconstructedarudewigwam，whichshepitchedbesideamountainspring。Havingnootherfood，shekilledthetwohorses，andsmokedtheirflesh。
Theskinsaidedtocoverherhut。Hereshedraggedoutthewinter，withnoothercompanythanhertwochildren。TowardsthemiddleofMarchherprovisionswerenearlyexhausted。Shethereforepackeduptheremainder，slungitonherback，and，withherhelplesslittleones，setoutagainonherwanderings。
Crossingtheridgeofmountains，shedescendedtothebanksoftheWallah-Wallah，andkeptalongthemuntilshearrivedwherethatriverthrowsitselfintotheColumbia。ShewashospitablyreceivedandentertainedbytheWallah-Wallahs，andhadbeennearlytwoweeksamongthemwhenthetwocanoespassed。
Onbeinginterrogated，shecouldassignnoreasonforthismurderousattackofthesavages;itappearedtobeperfectlywantonandunprovoked。SomeoftheAstorianssupposeditanactofbutcherybyarovingbandofBlackfeet;others，however，andwithgreaterprobabilityofcorrectness，haveascribedittothetribeofPierced-noseIndians，inrevengeforthedeathoftheircomradehangedbyorderofMr。Clarke。Ifso，itshowsthatthesesuddenandapparentlywantonoutbreakingsofsanguinaryviolenceonthepartofthesavageshaveoftensomeprevious，thoughperhapsremote，provocation。
ThenarrativeoftheIndianwomanclosesthecheckeredadventuresofsomeofthepersonagesofthismotleystory;suchasthehonestHibernianReed，andDorionthehybridinterpreter。TurcotandLaChapelleweretwoofthemenwhofellofffromMr。Crooksinthecourseofhiswintryjourney，andhadsubsequentlysuchdisastroustimesamongtheIndians。WecannotbutfeelsomesympathywiththatperseveringtrioofKentuckians，Robinson，Rezner，andHoback，whotwiceturnedbackwhenontheirwayhomeward，andlingeredinthewildernesstoperishbythehandsofsavages。
ThereturnpartiesfromAstoria，bothbyseaandland，experiencedonthewayasmanyadventures，vicissitudes，andmishaps，asthefar-famedheroesoftheOdyssey;theyreachedtheirdestinationatdifferenttimes，bearingtidingstoMr。
Astoroftheunfortunateterminationofhisenterprise。
Thatgentleman，however，wasnotdisposed，evenyet，togivethematterupaslost。Onthecontrary，hisspiritwasrousedbywhatheconsideredungenerousandunmeritedconductonthepartoftheNorthwestCompany。“Aftertheirtreatmentofme。”saidhe，inalettertoMr。Hunt，“Ihavenoideaofremainingquietandidle。”
Hedetermined，therefore，assoonascircumstanceswouldpermit，toresumehisenterprise。
Atthereturnofpeace，Astoria，withtheadjacentcountry，revertedtotheUnitedStatesbythetreatyofGhent，ontheprincipleofstatusantebellum，andCaptainBiddlewasdespatchedinthesloopofwar，Ontario，totakeformalpossession。
Inthewinterof1815，alawwaspassedbyCongressprohibitingalltrafficofBritishtraderswithintheterritoriesoftheUnitedStates。
ThefavorablemomentseemednowtoMr。Astortohavearrivedfortherevivalofhisfavoriteenterprise，butnewdifficultieshadgrownuptoimpedeit。TheNorthwestCompanywerenowincompleteoccupationoftheColumbiaRiver，anditschieftributarystreams，holdingthepostswhichhehadestablished，andcarryingonatradethroughouttheneighboringregion，indefianceoftheprohibitorylawofCongress，which，ineffect，wasadeadletterbeyondthemountains。
Todispossessthemwouldbeanundertakingofalmostabelligerentnature;fortheiragentsandretainerswerewellarmed，andskilledintheuseofweapons，asisusualwithIndiantraders。TheferociousandbloodycontestswhichhadtakenplacebetweentherivaltradingpartiesoftheNorthwestandHudson’sBayCompanieshadshownwhatmightbeexpectedfromcommercialfeudsinthelawlessdepthsofthewilderness。Mr。Astordidnotthinkitadvisable，therefore，toattemptthematterwithouttheprotectionoftheAmericanflag;underwhichhispeoplemightrallyincaseofneed。HeaccordinglymadeaninformaloverturetothePresidentoftheUnitedStates，Mr。Madison，throughMr。
Gallatin，offeringtorenewhisenterprise，andtoreestablishAstoria，provideditwouldbeprotectedbytheAmericanflag，andmadeamilitarypost;statingthatthewholeforcerequiredwouldnotexceedalieutenant’scommand。
Theapplication，approvedandrecommendedbyMr。Gallatin，oneofthemostenlightenedstatesmenofourcountry，wasfavorablyreceived，butnostepwastakeninconsequence;thePresidentnotbeingdisposed，inallprobability，tocommithimselfbyanydirectcountenanceorovertact。Discouragedbythissupinenessonthepartofthegovernment，Mr。Astordidnotthinkfittorenewhisoverturesinamoreformalmanner，andthefavorablemomentforthere-occupationofAstoriawassufferedtopassunimproved。
TheBritishtradingestablishmentswerethusenabled，withoutmolestation，tostrikedeeptheirroots，andextendtheirramifications，indespiteoftheprohibitionofCongress，untiltheyhadspreadthemselvesovertherichfieldofenterpriseopenedbyMr。Astor。TheBritishgovernmentsoonbegantoperceivetheimportanceofthisregion，andtodesiretoincludeitwithintheirterritorialdomains。Aquestionhasconsequentlyrisenastotherighttothesoil，andhasbecomeoneofthemostperplexingnowopenbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritain。
Inthefirsttreatyrelativetoit，underdateofOctober20th，1818，thequestionwasleftunsettled，anditwasagreedthatthecountryonthenorthwestcoastofAmerica，westwardoftheRockyMountains，claimedbyeithernation，shouldbeopentotheinhabitantsofbothfortenyears，forthepurposeoftrade，withtheequalrightofnavigatingallitsrivers。Whenthesetenyearshadexpired，asubsequenttreaty，in1828，extendedthearrangementtotenadditionalyears。Sothematterstandsatpresent。
Oncastingbackoureyesovertheseriesofeventswehaverecorded，weseenoreasontoattributethefailureofthisgreatcommercialundertakingtoanyfaultinthescheme，oromissionintheexecutionofit，onthepartoftheprojector。Itwasamagnificententerprise;wellconcertedandcarriedon，withoutregardtodifficultiesorexpense。Asuccessionofadversecircumstancesandcrosspurposes，however，besetitalmostfromtheoutset;someofthem，infact，arisingfromneglectoftheordersandinstructionsofMr。Astor。ThefirstcripplingblowwasthelossoftheTonquin，whichclearlywouldnothavehappened，hadMr。Astor’searnestinjunctionswithregardtothenativesbeenattendedto。Hadthisshipperformedhervoyageprosperously，andrevisitedAstoriainduetime，thetradeoftheestablishmentwouldhavetakenitspreconcertedcourse，andthespiritsofallconcernedbeenkeptupbyaconfidentprospectofsuccess。Herdismalcatastrophestruckachillintoeveryheart，andpreparedthewayforsubsequentdespondency。
AnothercauseofembarrassmentandlosswasthedeparturefromtheplanofMr。Astor，astothevoyageoftheBeaver，subsequenttohervisitingAstoria。Thevariationfromthisplanproducedaseriesofcrosspurposes，disastroustotheestablishment，anddetainedMr。Huntabsentfromhispost，whenhispresencetherewasofvitalimportancetotheenterprise;soessentialisitforanagent，inanygreatandcomplicatedundertaking，toexecutefaithfully，andtotheletter，thepartmarkedoutforhimbythemastermindwhichhasconcertedthewhole。
ThebreakingoutofthewarbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainmultipliedthehazardsandembarrassmentsoftheenterprise。Thedisappointmentastoconvoyrendereditdifficulttokeepupreinforcementsandsupplies;andthelossoftheLarkaddedtothetissueofmisadventures。
ThatMr。Astorbattledresolutelyagainsteverydifficulty，andpursuedhiscourseindefianceofeveryloss，hasbeensufficientlyshown。Hadhebeensecondedbysuitableagents，andproperlyprotectedbygovernment，theultimatefailureofhisplanmightyethavebeenaverted。Itwashisgreatmisfortunethathisagentswerenotimbuedwithhisownspirit。Somehadnotcapacitysufficienttocomprehendtherealnatureandextentofhisscheme;otherswerealieninfeelingandinterest，andhadbeenbroughtupintheserviceofarivalcompany。Whateversympathiestheymightoriginallyhavehadwithhim，wereimpaired，ifnotdestroyed，bythewar。Theylookeduponhiscauseasdesperate，andonlyconsideredhowtheymightmakeinteresttoregainasituationundertheirformeremployers。TheabsenceofMr。Hunt，theonlyrealrepresentativeofMr。Astor，atthetimeofthecapitulationwiththeNorthwestCompany，completedtheseriesofcrosspurposes。Hadthatgentlemanbeenpresent，thetransfer，inallprobability，wouldnothavetakenplace。
Itispainful，atalltimes，toseeagrandandbeneficialstrokeofgeniusfallofitsaim:butweregretthefailureofthisenterpriseinanationalpointofview;for，haditbeencrownedwithsuccess，itwouldhaveredoundedgreatlytotheadvantageandextensionofourcommerce。TheprofitsdrawnfromthecountryinquestionbytheBritishFurCompany，thoughofampleamount，formnocriterionbywhichtojudgeoftheadvantagesthatwouldhavearisenhaditbeenentirelyinthehandsofthecitizensoftheUnitedStates。Thatcompany，ashasbeenshown，islimitedinthenatureandscopeofitsoperations，andcanmakebutlittleuseofthemaritimefacilitiesheldoutbyanemporiumandaharboronthatcoast。Inourhands，besidestherovingbandsoftrappersandtraders，thecountrywouldhavebeenexploredandsettledbyindustrioushusbandmen;andthefertilevalleysborderingitsrivers，andshutupamongitsmountains，wouldhavebeenmadetopourforththeiragriculturaltreasurestocontributetothegeneralwealth。
Inrespecttocommerce，weshouldhavehadalineoftradingpostsfromtheMississippiandtheMissouriacrosstheRockyMountains，formingahighroadfromthegreatregionsofthewesttotheshoresofthePacific。WeshouldhavehadafortifiedpostandportatthemouthoftheColumbia，commandingthetradeofthatriveranditstributaries，andofawideextentofcountryandsea-coast;carryingonanactiveandprofitablecommercewiththeSandwichIslands，andadirectandfrequentcommunicationwithChina。Inaword，AstoriamighthaverealizedtheanticipationsofMr。Astor，sowellunderstoodandappreciatedbyMr。Jefferson，ingraduallybecomingacommercialempirebeyondthemountains，peopledby“freeandindependentAmericans，andlinkedwithusbytiesofbloodandinterest。”
Werepeat，therefore，oursincereregretthatourgovernmentshouldhaveneglectedtheovertureofMr。Astor，andsufferedthemomenttopassby，whenfullpossessionofthisregionmighthavebeentakenquietly，asamatterofcourse，andamilitarypostestablished，withoutdispute，atAstoria。Ourstatesmenhavebecomesensible，whentoolate，oftheimportanceofthismeasure。BillshaverepeatedlybeenbroughtintoCongressforthepurpose，butwithoutsuccess;andourrightfulpossessionsonthatcoast，aswellasourtradeonthePacific，havenorallyingpointprotectedbythenationalflag，andbyamilitaryforce。
Inthemeantime，thesecondperiodoftenyearsisfastelapsing。
In1838，thequestionoftitlewillagaincomeup，andmostprobably，inthepresentamicablestateofourrelationswithGreatBritain，willbeagainpostponed。Everyyear，however，thelitigatedclaimisgrowinginimportance。Thereisnopridesojealousandirritableastheprideofterritory。Asonewaveofemigrationafteranotherrollsintothevastregionsofthewest，andoursettlementsstretchtowardstheRockyMountains，theeagereyesofourpioneerswillprybeyond，andtheywillbecomeimpatientofanybarrierorimpedimentinthewayofwhattheyconsideragrandoutletofourempire。Shouldanycircumstance，therefore，unfortunatelyoccurtodisturbthepresentharmonyofthetwonations，thisill-adjustedquestion，whichnowliesdormant，maysuddenlystartupintooneofbelligerentimport，andAstoriabecomethewatchwordinacontestfordominionontheshoresofthePacific。
Sincetheabovewaswritten，thequestionofdominionoverthevastterritorybeyondtheRockyMountains，whichforatimethreatenedtodisturbthepeacefulrelationswithourtransatlantickindred，hasbeenfinallysettledinaspiritofmutualconcession，andthevenerableprojectorwhoseearlyenterpriseformsthesubjectofthisworkhadthesatisfactionofknowing，erehiseyesclosedupontheworld，thattheflagofhiscountryagainwavedover“ASTORIA。”
APPENDIX
DraughtofaPetitiontoCongress，sentbyMr。Astorin1812。
TothehonorabletheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStates，inCongressassembled，ThepetitionoftheAmericanFurCompanyrespectfullyshoweth:
THATthetradewiththeseveralIndiantribesofNorthAmericahas，formanyyearspast，beenalmostexclusivelycarriedonbythemerchantsofCanada;who，havingformedpowerfulandextensiveassociationsforthatpurpose，beingaidedbyBritishcapital，andbeingencouragedbythefavorandprotectionoftheBritishgovernment，couldnotbeopposed，withanyprospectofsuccessbyindividualsoftheUnitedStates。
Thatbymeansoftheabovetrade，thussystematicallypursued，notonlytheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStateshavebeendeprivedofcommercialprofitsandadvantages，towhichtheyappeartohavejustandnaturalpretensions，butagreatanddangerousinfluencehasbeenestablishedovertheIndiantribes，difficulttobecounteracted，andcapableofbeingexertedatcriticalperiods，tothegreatinjuryandannoyanceofourfrontiersettlements。
Thatinordertoobtainatleastapartoftheabovetrade，andmoreparticularlythatwhichiswithintheboundariesoftheUnitedStates，yourpetitioners，intheyear1808，obtainedanactofincorporationfromtheStateofNewYork，wherebytheyareenabled，withacompetentcapital，tocarryonthesaidtradewiththeIndiansinsuchamannerasmaybeconformabletothelawsandregulationsoftheUnitedStates，inrelationtosuchacommerce。
Thatthecapitalmentionedinthesaidact，amountingtoonemillionofdollars，havingbeendulyformed，yourpetitionersenteredwithzealandalacrityintothoselargeandimportantarrangements，whichwerenecessaryfor，orconducivetotheobjectoftheirincorporation;and，amongotherthings，purchasedagreatpartofthestockintrade，andtradingestablishments，oftheMichilimackinacCompanyofCanada。Yourpetitionersalso，withtheexpectationofgreatpublicandprivateadvantagesfromtheuseofthesaidestablishments，ordered，duringthespringandsummerof1810，anassortmentofgoodsfromEngland，suitablefortheIndiantrade;which，inconsequenceofthePresident’sproclamationofNovemberofthatyear，wereshippedtoCanadainsteadofNewYork，andhavebeentransported，underaveryheavyexpense，intotheinteriorofthecountry。ButastheycouldnotlegallybebroughtintotheIndiancountrywithintheboundariesoftheUnitedStates，theyhavebeenstoredontheIslandofSt。Joseph，inLakeHuron，wheretheynowremain。
Yourpetitioners，withgreatdeferenceandimplicitsubmissiontothewisdomofthenationallegislature，begleavetosuggestforconsideration，whethertheyhavenotsomeclaimtonationalattentionandencouragement，fromthenatureandimportanceoftheirundertaking;whichthoughhazardousanduncertainasconcernstheirprivateemolument，must，atanyrate，redoundtothepublicsecurityandadvantage。Iftheirundertakingshallappeartobeofthedescriptiongiven，theywouldfurthersuggesttoyourhonorablebodies，thatunlesstheycanprocurearegularsupplyforthetradeinwhichtheyareengaged，itmaylanguish，andbefinallyabandonedbyAmericancitizens;whenitwillreverttoitsformerchannel，withadditional，andperhapswithirresistible，power。
Underthesecircumstances，anduponallthoseconsiderationsofpublicpolicywhichwillpresentthemselvestoyourhonorablebodies，inconnectionwiththosealreadymentioned，yourpetitionersrespectfullypraythatalawmaybepassedtoenablethePresident，oranyoftheheadsofdepartmentsactingunderhisauthority，tograntpermitsfortheintroductionofgoodsnecessaryforthesupplyoftheIndians，intotheIndiancountrythatiswithintheboundariesoftheUnitedStates，undersuchregulations，andwithsuchrestrictions，asmaysecurethepublicrevenueandpromotethepublicwelfare。
Andyourpetitionersshalleverpray，&c。
Inwitnesswhereof，thecommonsealoftheAmericanFurCompanyishereuntoaffixed，thedayofMarch，1812。
ByorderoftheCorporation。
ANACTtoenabletheAmericanFurCompany，andothercitizens，tointroducegoodsnecessaryfortheIndiantradeintotheterritorieswithintheboundariesoftheUnitedState。
WHEREAS，thepublicpeaceandwelfarerequirethatthenativeIndiantribes，residingwithintheboundariesoftheUnitedStates，shouldreceivetheirnecessarysuppliesundertheauthorityandfromthecitizensoftheUnitedStates:Therefore，beitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStates，inCongressassembled，thatitshallbelawfulforthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，oranyoftheheadsofdepartmentsthereuntobyhimdulyauthorized，fromtimetotimetograntpermitstotheAmericanFurCompany，theiragentsorfactors，oranyothercitizensoftheUnitedStatesengagedintheIndiantrade，tointroduceintotheIndiancountry，withintheboundariesoftheUnitedStates，suchgoods，wares，andmerchandise，asmaybenecessaryforthesaidtrade，undersuchregulationsandrestrictionsasthesaidPresidentorheadsofdepartmentsmayjudgeproper;anylaworregulationtothecontrary，inanywise，notwithstanding。
LetterfromMr。GallatintoMr。Astor，datedNewYork，August5，1835。
DEARSIR，-Incompliancewithyourrequest，IwillstatesuchfactsasIrecollecttouchingthesubjectsmentionedinyourletterof28thult。Imaybemistakenrespectingdatesanddetails，andwillonlyrelategeneralfacts，whichIwellremember。
Inconformitywiththetreatyof1794withGreatBritain，thecitizensandsubjectsofeachcountrywerepermittedtotradewiththeIndiansresidingintheterritoriesoftheotherparty。
Thereciprocitywasaltogethernominal。SincetheconquestofCanada，theBritishhadinheritedfromtheFrenchthewholefurtrade，throughthegreatlakesandtheircommunications，withallthewesternIndians，whetherresidingintheBritishdominionsortheUnitedStates。Theykepttheimportantwesternpostsonthoselakestillabouttheyear1797。AndthedefensiveIndianwar，whichtheUnitedStateshadtosustainfrom1776to1795，hadstillmorealienatedtheIndians，andsecuredtotheBritishtheirexclusivetrade，carriedthroughthelakes，wherevertheIndiansinthatquarterlived。NoAmericancould，withoutimminentdangerofpropertyandlife，carryonthattrade，evenwithintheUnitedStates，bythewayofeitherMichilimackinacorSt。Mary’s。Andindependentofthelossofcommerce，GreatBritainwasenabledtopreserveamostdangerousinfluenceoverourIndians。
Itwasunderthesecircumstancesthatyoucommunicatedtoourgovernmenttheprospectyouhadtobeable，andyourintention，topurchaseonehalfoftheinterestoftheCanadianFurCompany，engagedintradebythewayofMichilimackinacwithourownIndians。Youwishedtoknowwhethertheplanmetwiththeapprobationofgovernment，andhowfaryoucouldrelyonitsprotectionandencouragement。Thisoverturewasreceivedwithgreatsatisfactionbytheadministration，andMr。Jefferson，thenPresident，wroteyoutothateffect。Iwasalsodirected，asSecretaryoftheTreasury，towritetoyouanofficiallettertothesamepurpose。Oninvestigatingthesubject，itwasfoundthattheExecutivehadnoauthoritytogiveyouanydirectaid;andI
believeyoureceivednothingmorethananentireapprobationofyourplan，andgeneralassurancesoftheprotectionduetoeverycitizenengagedinlawfulandusefulpursuits。
Youdideffectthecontemplatedpurchase，butinwhatyearIdonotrecollect。Immediatelybeforethewar，yourepresentedthatalargequantityofmerchandise，intendedfortheIndiantrade，andincludingarmsandmunitionsofwar，belongingtothatconcernofwhichyouownedonehalf，wasdepositedatapostonLakeHuron，withintheBritishdominions;that，inordertopreventtheirultimatelyfallingintothehandsofIndianswhomightprovehostile，youweredesiroustotrytohavethemconveyedintotheUnitedStates;butthatyouwerepreventedbythethenexistinglawofnon-intercoursewiththeBritishdominions。
TheExecutivecouldnotannultheprovisionsofthatlaw。ButI
wasdirectedtoinstructthecollectorsonthelakes，incaseyouandyouragentsshouldvoluntarilybringinanddelivertothemanypartofthegoodsabovementioned，toreceiveandkeepthemintheirguard，andnottocommenceprosecutionsuntilfurtherinstructions:theintentionbeingthentoapplytoCongressforanactremittingtheforfeitureandpenalties。Iwroteaccordingly，tothateffect，tothecollectorsofDetroitandMichilimackinac。
Theattempttoobtainthegoodsdidnot，however，succeed;andI
cannotsayhowfarthefailureinjuredyou。Butthewarprovedfataltoanothermuchmoreextensiveandimportantenterprise。
Previoustothattime，butIalsoforgettheyear，youhadundertakentocarryonatradeonyourownaccount，thoughI
believeundertheNewYorkcharteroftheAmericanFurCompany，withtheIndianswestoftheRockyMountains。Thisprojectwasalsocommunicatedtogovernment，andmet，ofcourse，withitsfullapprobation，andbestwishes，foryoursuccess。Youcarriediton，onthemostextensivescale，sendingseveralshipstothemouthoftheColumbiaRiver，andalargepartybylandacrossthemountains，andfinallyfoundingtheestablishmentofAstoria。
Thisunfortunatelyfellintothehandsoftheenemyduringthewar，fromcircumstanceswithwhichIambutimperfectlyacquainted-beingthenabsentonaforeignmission。IreturnedinSeptember，1815，andsailedagainonamissiontoFranceinJune，1816。DuringthatperiodIvisitedWashingtontwice-inOctoberorNovember，1815，andinMarch，1816。Ononeoftheseoccasions，andIbelieveonthelast，youmentionedtomethatyouweredisposedoncemoretorenewtheattempt，andtoreestablishAstoria，providedyouhadtheprotectionoftheAmericanflag;forwhichpurpose，alieutenant’scommandwouldbesufficienttoyou。YourequestedmetomentionthistothePresident，whichIdid。Mr。Madisonsaidhewouldconsiderthesubject，and，althoughhedidnotcommithimself，Ithoughtthathereceivedtheproposalfavorably。Themessagewasverbal，andI
donotknowwhethertheapplicationwaseverrenewedinamoreformalmanner。IsailedsoonafterforEurope，andwassevenyearsabsent。Ineverhadthepleasure，since1816，toseeMr。
Madison，andneverheardagainanythingconcerningthesubjectinquestion。
Iremain，dearsir，mostrespectfully，Yourobedientservant，ALBERTGALLATIN。
JohnJacobAstor，Esq。，NewYork。
NoticesofthePresentStateoftheFurTrade，chieflyextractedfromanarticlepublishedinSilliman’sMagazineforJanuary，1834。
THENorthwestCompanydidnotlongenjoytheswaytheyhadacquiredoverthetradingregionsoftheColumbia。Acompetition，ruinousinitsexpenses，whichhadlongexistedbetweenthemandtheHudson’sBayCompany，endedintheirdownfallandtheruinofmostofthepartners。Therelictofthecompanybecamemergedintherivalassociation，andthewholebusinesswasconductedunderthenameoftheHudson’sBayCompany。
Thiscoalitiontookplacein1821。TheythenabandonedAstoria，andbuiltalargeestablishmentsixtymilesuptheriver，ontherightbank，whichtheycalledFortVancouver。Thiswasinaneighborhoodwhereprovisionscouldbemorereadilyprocured，andwheretherewaslessdangerfrommolestationbyanynavalforce。
Thecompanyaresaidtocarryonanactiveandprosperoustrade，andtogivegreatencouragementtosettlers。Theyareextremelyjealous，however，ofanyinterferenceorparticipationintheirtrade，andmonopolizeitfromthecoastofthePacifictothemountains，andforaconsiderableextentnorthandsouth。TheAmericantradersandtrapperswhoventureacrossthemountains，insteadofenjoyingtheparticipationinthetradeoftheriveranditstributaries，thathadbeenstipulatedbytreaty，areobligedtokeeptothesouth，outofthetrackoftheHudson’sBayparties。
Mr。AstorhaswithdrawnentirelyfromtheAmericanFurCompany，ashehas，infact，fromactivebusinessofeverykind。ThatcompanyisnowheadedbyMr。RamsayCrooks;itsprincipalestablishmentisatMichilimackinac，anditreceivesitsfursfromthepostsdependingonthatstation，andfromthoseontheMississippi，Missouri，andYellowStoneRivers，andthegreatrangeofcountryextendingthencetotheRockyMountains。Thiscompanyhassteamboatsinitsemploy，withwhichitascendstherivers，andpenetratestoavastdistanceintothebosomofthoseregionsformerlysopainfullyexploredinkeel-boatsandbarges，orbywearypartiesonhorsebackandonfoot。Thefirstirruptionofsteamboatsintheheartofthesevastwildernessesissaidtohavecausedtheutmostastonishmentandaffrightamongtheirsavageinhabitants。
Inadditiontothemaincompaniesalreadymentioned，minorassociationshavebeenformed，whichpushtheirwayinthemostintrepidmannertotheremotepartsofthefarWest，andbeyondthemountainbarriers。OneofthemostnotedoftheseisAshley’scompany，fromSt。Louis，whotrapforthemselves，anddriveanextensivetradewiththeIndians。Thespirit，enterprise，andhardihoodofAshleyarethemesofthehighesteulogyinthefarWest，andhisadventuresandexploitsfurnishabundanceoffrontierstories。
AnothercompanyofonehundredandfiftypersonsfromNewYork，formedin1831，andheadedbyCaptainBonnevilleoftheUnitedStatesarmy，haspusheditsenterpriseintotractsbeforebutlittleknown，andhasbroughtconsiderablequantitiesoffursfromtheregionbetweentheRockyMountainsandthecoastsofMontereyandUpperCalifornia，ontheBuenaventuraandTimpanogosrivers。
Thefurcountries，fromthePacific，easttotheRockyMountains，arenowoccupied(exclusiveofprivatecombinationsandindividualtrappersandtraders)bytheRussians;andonthenorthwestfromBehring’sStraittoQueenCharlotte’sIsland，innorthlatitudefifty-threedegrees，andbytheHudson’sBayCompanythence，southoftheColumbiaRiver;whileAshley’scompany，andthatunderCaptainBonneville，taketheremainderoftheregiontoCalifornia。Indeed，thewholecompassfromtheMississippitothePacificOceanistraversedineverydirection。
Themountainsandforests，fromtheArcticSeatotheGulfofMexico，arethreadedthrougheverymaze，bythehunter。Everyriverandtributarystream，fromtheColumbiatothemouthoftheRiodelNorte，andfromtheM’KenzietotheColoradooftheWest，fromtheirheadspringstotheirjunction，aresearchedandtrappedforbeaver。AlmostalltheAmericanfurs，whichdonotbelongtotheHudson’sBayCompany，findtheirwaytoNewYork，andareeitherdistributedthenceforhomeconsumption，orsenttoforeignmarkets。
TheHudson’sBayCompanyshiptheirfursfromtheirfactoriesofYorkFortandfromMooseRiver，onHudson’sBay;theircollectionfromGrandRiver，&c。，theyshipfromCanada;andthecollectionfromColumbiagoestoLondon。NoneoftheirfurscometotheUnitedStates，exceptthroughtheLondonmarket。
TheexporttradeoffursfromtheUnitedStatesischieflytoLondon。SomequantitieshavebeensenttoCanton，andsomefewtoHamburg;andanincreasingexporttradeinbeaver，otter，nutria，andvicuniawool，preparedforthehatter’suse，iscarriedoninMexico。SomefursareexportedfromBaltimore，Philadelphia，andBoston;buttheprincipalshipmentsfromtheUnitedStatesarefromNewYorktoLondon，fromwhencetheyaresenttoLeipsic，awell-knownmartforfurs，wheretheyaredisposedofduringthegreatfairinthatcity，anddistributedtoeverypartofthecontinent。
TheUnitedStatesimportfromSouthAmerica，nutria，vicunia，chinchilla，andafewdeer-skins;alsofursealsfromtheLobosIslands，offtheriverPlate。Aquantityofbeaver，otter，&c。，arebroughtannuallyfromSantaFe。Dressedfursforedgings，linings，caps，muffs，&c。，suchassquirrel，genet，fitch-skins，andbluerabbit，arereceivedfromthenorthofEurope;alsoconyandhare’sfur;butthelargestimportationsarefromLondon，whereisconcentratednearlythewholeoftheNorthAmericanfurtrade。
Suchisthepresentstateofthefurtrade，bywhichitwillappearthattheextendedswayoftheHudson’sBayCompany，andthemonopolyoftheregionofwhichAstoriawasthekey，hasoperatedtoturnthemaincurrentofthisopulenttradeintothecoffersofGreatBritain，andtorenderLondontheemporiuminsteadofNewYork，asMr。Astorhadintended。
Wewillsubjoinafewobservationsontheanimalssoughtafterinthistraffic，extractedfromthesameintelligentsourcewiththeprecedingremarks。
Ofthefur-bearinganimals，“thepreciousermine。”socalledbywayofpreeminence，isfound，ofthebestquality，onlyinthecoldregionsofEuropeandAsia。*Itsfurisofthemostperfectwhiteness，exceptthetipofitstail，whichisofabrilliantshiningblack。Withthesebacktipstackedontheskins，theyarebeautifullyspotted，producinganeffectoftenimitated，butneverequalledinotherfurs。Theermineisofthegenusmustela(weasel)，andresemblesthecommonweaselinitsform，isfromfourteentosixteeninchesfromthetipofthenosetotheendofthetail。Thebodyisfromtentotwelveincheslong。Itlivesinhollowtrees，riverbanks，andespeciallyinbeechforests;preysonsmallbirds，isveryshy，sleepingduringtheday，andemployingthenightinsearchoffood。Thefuroftheolderanimalsispreferredtotheyounger。Itistakenbysnaresandtraps，andsometimesshotwithbluntarrows。Attemptshavebeenmadetodomesticateit;butitisextremelywildandhasbeenfounduntameable。
Thesablecanscarcelybecalledsecondtotheermine。ItisanativeofNorthernEuropeandSiberia，andisalsoofthegenusmustela。InSamoieda，Yakutsk，Kamtschatka，andRussianLapland，itisfoundoftherichestquality，anddarkestcolor。Initshabits，itresemblestheermine。Itpreysonsmallsquirrelsandbirds，sleepsbyday，andprowlsforfoodduringthenight。Itissolikethemartenineveryparticularexceptitssize，andthedarkshadeofitscolor，thatnaturalistshavenotdecidedwhetheritistherichestandfinestofthemartentribe，oravarietyofthatspecies:Itvariesindimensionsfromeighteentotwentyinches。
Therichdarkshadesofthesable，andthesnowywhitenessoftheermine，thegreatdepth，andthepeculiar，almostflowingsoftnessoftheirskinsandfur，havecombinedtogainthemapreferenceinallcountries，andinallagesoftheworld。Inthisage，theymaintainthesamerelativeestimateinregardtootherfurs，aswhentheymarkedtherankoftheproudcrusader，andwereemblazonedinheraldry:butinmostEuropeannations，theyarenowwornpromiscuouslybytheopulent。
ThemartensfromNorthernAsiaandtheMountainsofKamtschatkaaremuchsuperiortotheAmerican，thoughineverypackofAmericanmartenskinsthereareacertainnumberwhicharebeautifullyshaded，andofadarkbrownolivecolor，ofgreatdepthandrichness。
Nexttheseinvalue，forornamentandutility，arethesea-otter，themink，andthefieryfox。
ThefieryfoxisthebrightredofAsia;ismorebrilliantlycoloredandoffinerfurthananyotherofthegenus。Itishighlyvaluedforthesplendorofitsredcolorandthefinenessofitsfur。ItisthestandardofvalueonthenortheasterncoastofAsia。
Thesea-otterwhichwasfirstintroducedintocommercein1725，fromtheAleutianandKurileIslands，isanexceedinglyfine，soft，closefur，jetblackinwinter，withasilkengloss。Thefuroftheyounganimalisofabeautifulbrowncolor。ItismetwithingreatabundanceinBehring’sIsland，Kamtschatka，AleutianandFoxIslands，andisalsotakenontheoppositecoastsofNorthAmerica。Itissometimestakenwithnets，butmorefrequentlywithclubsandspears。Theirfoodisprincipallylobsterandothershell-fish。
In1780furshadbecomesoscarceinSiberiathatthesupplywasinsufficientforthedemandintheAsiaticcountries。Itwasatthistimethatthesea-otterwasintroducedintothemarketsforChina。Theskinsbroughtsuchincredibleprices，astooriginateimmediatelyseveralAmericanandBritishexpeditionstothenorthernislandsofthePacific，toNootkaSound，andthenorthwestcoastofAmerica;buttheRussiansalreadyhadpossessionofthetractwhichtheynowhold，andhadarrangedatradeforthesea-otterwiththeKoudektribes。Theydonotengrossthetrade，however;theAmericannorthwesttradingshipsprocurethem，allalongthecoast，fromtheIndians。
Atoneperiod，thefursealsformednoinconsiderableiteminthetrade。SouthGeorgia，insouthlatitudefifty-fivedegrees，discoveredin1675，wasexploredbyCaptainCookin1771。TheAmericansimmediatelycommencedcarryingsealskinsthencetoChina，wheretheyobtainedthemostexorbitantprices。Onemilliontwohundredthousandskinshavebeentakenfromthatislandalone，andnearlyanequalnumberfromtheIslandofDesolation，sincetheywerefirstresortedtoforthepurposeofcommerce。
ThediscoveryoftheSouthShetlands，sixty-threedegreessouthlatitude，in1818，addedsurprisinglytothetradeinfurseals。
ThenumbertakenfromtheSouthShetlandsin1821and1822
amountedtothreehundredandtwentythousand。Thisvaluableanimalisnowalmostextinctinalltheseislands，owingtotheexterminatingsystemadoptedbythehunters。TheyarestilltakenontheLobosIslands，wheretheprovidentgovernmentofMontevideorestrictthefishery，orhunting，withincertainlimits，whichinsuresanannualreturnoftheseals。Atcertainseasons，theseamphibia，forthepurposeofrenewingtheircoat，comeuponthedarkfrowningrocksandprecipices，wherethereisnotatraceofvegetation。InthemiddleofJanuary，theislandsarepartiallyclearedofsnow，whereafewpatchesofshortstragglinggrassspringupinfavorablesituations;butthesealsdonotresorttoitforfood。Theyremainontherocksnotlessthantwomonths，withoutanysustenance，whentheyreturnmuchemaciatedtothesea。
Bearsofvariousspeciesandcolors，manyvarietiesofthefox，thewolf，thebeaver，theotter，themarten，theraccoon，thebadger，thewolverine，themink，thelynx，themuskrat，thewoodchuck，therabbit，thehare，andthesquirrel，arenativesofNorthAmerica。
Thebeaver，otter，lynxfisher，hare，andraccoon，areusedprincipallyforhats;whilethebearsofseveralvarietiesfurnishanexcellentmaterialforsleighlinings，forcavalrycaps，andothermilitaryequipments。ThefuroftheblackfoxisthemostvaluableofanyoftheAmericanvarieties;andnexttothatthered，whichisexportedtoChinaandSmyrna。InChina，theredisemployedfortrimmings，linings，androbes;thelatterbeingvariegatedbyaddingtheblackfurofthepaws，inspotsorwaves。TherearemanyothervarietiesofAmericanfox，suchasthegray，thewhite，thecross，thesilver，andthedun-colored。
Thesilverfoxisarareanimal，anativeofthewoodycountrybelowthefallsoftheColumbiaRiver。Ithasalong，thick，deeplead-coloredfur，intermingledwithlonghairs，invariablywhiteatthetop，formingabrightlustroussilvergray，esteemedbysomemorebeautifulthananyotherkindoffox。
Theskinsofthebuffalo，oftheRockyMountainsheep，ofvariousdeerandoftheantelope，areincludedinthefurtradewiththeIndiansandtrappersofthenorthandwest。
FoxandsealskinsaresentfromGreenlandtoDenmark。ThewhitefurofthearcticfoxandpolarbearissometimesfoundinthepacksbroughttothetradersbythemostnortherntribesofIndians，butisnotparticularlyvaluable。Thesilver-tippedrabbitispeculiartoEngland，andissentthencetoRussiaandChina。
Otherfursareemployedandvaluedaccordingtothecapricesoffashion，aswellinthosecountrieswheretheyareneededfordefensesagainsttheseverityoftheseasons，asamongtheinhabitantsofmilderclimates，who，severelyofTartarorSclavoniandescent，aresaidtoinheritanattachmenttofurredclothing。SucharetheinhabitantsofPoland，ofSouthernRussia，ofChina，ofPersia，ofTurkey，andallthenationsofGothicorigininthemiddleandwesternpartsofEurope。UndertheburningsunsofSyriaandEgypt，andthemildclimesofBuchariaandIndependentTartary，thereisalsoaconstantdemand，andagreatconsumption，wherethereexistsnophysicalnecessity。Inourowntemperatelatitudes，besidestheiruseinthearts，theyareinrequestforornamentandwarmthduringthewinter，andlargequantitiesareannuallyconsumedforbothpurposesintheUnitedStates。
Fromtheforegoingstatements，itappearsthatthefurtrademusthenceforwarddecline。Theadvancedstateofgeographicalscienceshowsthatnonewcountriesremaintobeexplored。InNorthAmericatheanimalsareslowlydecreasing，fromtheperseveringeffortsandtheindiscriminateslaughterpracticedbythehunters，andbytheappropriationtotheusesofmanofthoseforestsandriverswhichhaveaffordedthemfoodandprotection。
Theyrecedewiththeaborigines，beforethetideofcivilization;
butadiminishedsupplywillremaininthemountainsanduncultivatedtractsofthisandothercountries，iftheavidityofthehuntercanberestrainedwithinproperlimitations。
*Ananimalcalledthestoat，akindofermine，issaidtobefoundinNorthAmerica，butveryinferiortotheEuropeanandAsiatic。
**Thefinestfurandthedarkestcoloraremostesteemed;andwhetherthedifferencearisesfromtheageoftheanimal，orfromsomepeculiarityoflocation，isnotknown。TheydonotvarymorefromthecommonmartenthantheArabianhorsefromtheshaggyCanadian。
HeightoftheRockyMountains。
VARIOUSestimateshavebeenmadeoftheheightoftheRockyMountains，butitisdoubtfulwhetheranyhave，asyet，donejusticetotheirrealaltitude，whichpromisestoplacethemonlysecondtothehighestmountainsoftheknownworld。Theirheighthasbeendiminishedtotheeyebythegreatelevationoftheplainsfromwhichtheyrise。Theyconsist，accordingtoLong，ofridges，knobs，andpeaks，variouslydisposed。Themoreelevatedpartsarecoveredwithperpetualsnows，whichcontributetogivethemaluminous，and，atagreatdistance，evenabrilliantappearance;whencetheyderive，amongsomeofthefirstdiscoverers，thenameoftheShiningMountains。
James’sPeakhasgenerallybeencitedasthehighestofthechain;anditselevationabovethecommonlevelhasbeenascertained，byatrigonometricalmeasurement，tobeabouteightthousandfivehundredfeet。Mr。Long，however，judged，fromthepositionofthesnownearthesummitsofotherpeaksandridgesatnogreatdistancefromit，thattheyweremuchhigher。HavingheardProfessorRenwick，ofNewYork，expressanopinionofthealtitudeofthesemountainsfarbeyondwhathadusuallybeenascribedtothem，weappliedtohimfortheauthorityonwhichhegroundedhisobservation，andheresubjoinhisreply:
ColumbiaCollege，NewYork，February23，1836。
DearSir，-Incompliancewithyourrequest，IhavetocommunicatesomefactsinrelationtotheheightsoftheRockyMountains，andthesourceswhenceIobtainedtheinformation。
InconversationwithSimonM’Gillivray，Esq。，apartneroftheNorthwestCompany，hestatedtomehisimpression，thatthemountainsinthevicinityoftheroutepursuedbythetradersofthatcompanywerenearlyashighastheHimalayas。Hehadhimselfcrossedbythisroute，seenthesnowysummitsofthepeaks，andexperiencedadegreeofcoldwhichrequiredaspiritthermometertoindicateit。Hisauthorityfortheestimateoftheheightswasagentlemanwhohadbeenemployedforseveralyearsassurveyorofthatcompany。Thisconversationoccurredaboutsixteenyearssince。
Ayearortwoafterwards，Ihadthepleasureofdining，atMajorDelafield’swithMr。Thompson，thegentlemanreferredtobyMr。
M’Gillivray。IinquiredofhiminrelationtothecircumstancesmentionedbyMr。M’Gillivray，andhestatedthat，bythejointmeansofthebarometricandtrigonometricmeasurement，hehadascertainedtheheightofoneofthepeakstobeabouttwenty-
fivethousandfeet，andtherewereothersofnearlythesameheightinthevicinity。
Iam，dearsir，ToW。Irving，Esq。
Yourstruly，JAMESRENWICK。
SuggestionswithrespecttotheIndiantribes，andtheprotectionofourTrade。
INthecourseofthiswork，afewgeneralremarkshavebeenhazardedrespectingtheIndiantribesoftheprairies，andthedangerstobeapprehendedfromtheminfuturetimestoourtradebeyondtheRockyMountainsandwiththeSpanishfrontiers。Sincewritingthoseremarks，wehavemetwithsomeexcellentobservationsandsuggestions，inmanuscript，onthesamesubject，writtenbyCaptainBonneville，oftheUnitedStatesarmy，whohadlatelyreturnedfromalongresidenceamongthetribesoftheRockyMountains。CaptainB。approveshighlyoftheplanrecentlyadoptedbytheUnitedStatesgovernmentfortheorganizationofaregimentofdragoonsfortheprotectionofourwesternfrontier，andthetradeacrosstheprairies。“Nootherspeciesofmilitaryforce。”heobserves，“isatallcompetenttocopewiththeserestlessandwanderinghordes，whorequiretobeopposedwithswiftnessquiteasmuchaswithstrength;andtheconsciousnessthatatroop，unitingthesequalifications，isalwaysonthealerttoavengetheiroutragesuponthesettlersandtraders，willgoveryfartowardsrestrainingthemfromtheperpetrationofthosetheftsandmurderswhichtheyhaveheretoforecommittedwithimpunity，wheneverstratagemorsuperiorityofforcehasgiventhemtheadvantage。Theirinterestalreadyhasdonesomethingtowardstheirpacificationwithourcountrymen。Fromthetradersamongthem，theyreceivetheirsuppliesinthegreatestabundance，anduponveryequitableterms;andwhenitisrememberedthataveryconsiderableamountofpropertyisyearlydistributedamongthembythegovernment，aspresents，itwillreadilybeperceivedthattheyaregreatlydependentuponusfortheirmostvaluedresources。If，superaddedtothisinducement，afrequentdisplayofmilitarypowerbemadeintheirterritories，therecanbelittledoubtthatthedesiredsecurityandpeacewillbespeedilyaffordedtoourownpeople。Buttheideaofestablishingapermanentamityandconcordamongstthevariouseastandwesttribesthemselves，seemstome，ifnotwhollyimpracticable，atleastinfinitelymoredifficultthanmanyexcellentphilanthropistshavehopedandbelieved。Thosenationswhichhavesolatelyemigratedfromthemidstofoursettlementstoliveuponourwesternborders，andhavemadesomeprogressinagricultureandtheartsofcivilization，have，inthepropertytheyhaveacquired，andtheprotectionandaidextendedtothem，toomanyadvantagestobeinducedreadilytotakeuparmsagainstus，particularlyiftheycanbebroughttothefullconvictionthattheirnewhomeswillbepermanentandundisturbed;andthereiseveryreasonandmotive，inpolicyaswellashumanity，forouramelioratingtheirconditionbyeverymeansinourpower。ButthecaseisfardifferentwithregardtotheOsages，theKanzas，thePawnees，andotherrovinghordesbeyondthefrontiersofthesettlements。Wildandrestlessintheircharacterandhabits，theyarebynomeanssosusceptibleofcontrolorcivilization;
andtheyareurgedbystrong，and，tothem，irresistiblecausesintheirsituationandnecessities，tothedailyperpetuationofviolenceandfraud。Theirpermanentsubsistence，forexample，isderivedfromthebuffalohuntinggrounds，whichlieagreatdistancefromtheirtowns。Twiceayeartheyareobligedtomakelonganddangerousexpeditions，toprocurethenecessaryprovisionsforthemselvesandtheirfamilies。Forthispurposehorsesareabsolutelyrequisite，fortheirowncomfortandsafety，aswellasforthetransportationoftheirfood，andtheirlittlestockofvaluables;andwithoutthemtheywouldbereduced，duringagreatportionoftheyear，toastateofabjectmiseryandprivation。Theyhavenobroodmares，noranytradesufficientlyvaluabletosupplytheiryearlylosses，andendeavortokeepuptheirstockbystealinghorsesfromtheothertribestothewestandsouthwest。Ourownpeople，andthetribesimmediatelyuponourborders，mayindeedbeprotectedfromtheirdepredations;andtheKanzas，Osages，Pawnees，andothers，maybeinducedtoremainatpeaceamongthemselves，solongastheyarepermittedtopursuetheoldcustomoflevyingupontheCamanchesandotherremotenationsfortheircomplementofsteedsforthewarriors，andpack-horsesfortheirtransportationtoandfromthehuntingground。ButtheinstanttheyareforcedtomaintainapeacefulandinoffensivedemeanortowardsthetribesalongtheMexicanborder，andfindthateveryviolationoftheirrightsisfollowedbytheavengingarmofourgovernment，theresultmustbe，that，reducedtoawretchednessandwantwhichtheycanillbrook，andfeelingthecertaintyofpunishmentforeveryattempttoamelioratetheirconditionintheonlywaytheyasyetcomprehend，theywillabandontheirunfruifulterritoryandremovetotheneighborhoodoftheMexicanlands，andtherecarryonavigorouspredatorywarfareindiscriminatelyupontheMexicansandourownpeopletradingortravellinginthatquarter。
“TheIndiansoftheprairiesarealmostinnumerable。Theirsuperiorhorsemanship，whichinmyopinion，farexceedsthatofanyotherpeopleonthefaceoftheearth，theirdaringbravery，theircunningandskillinthewarfareofthewilderness，andtheastonishingrapidityandsecrecywithwhichtheyareaccustomedtomoveintheirmartialexpeditions，willalwaysrenderthemmostdangerousandvexatiousneighbors，whentheirnecessitiesortheirdiscontentsmaydrivethemtohostilitywithourfrontiers。
Theirmodeandprinciplesofwarfarewillalwaysprotectthemfromfinalandirretrievabledefeat，andsecuretheirfamiliesfromparticipatinginanyblow，howeversevere，whichourretributionmightdealouttothem。
“TheCamancheslaytheMexicansundercontributionforhorsesandmules，whichtheyarealwaysengagedinstealingfromtheminincrediblenumbers;andfromtheCamanches，alltherovingtribesofthefarWest，byasimilarexertionofskillanddaring，supplythemselvesinturn。Itseemstome，therefore，underallthesecircumstances，thattheapparentfutilityofanyphilanthropicschemesforthe。benefitofthesenations，andaregardforourownprotection，concurinrecommendingthatweremainsatisfiedwithmaintainingpeaceuponourownimmediateborders，andleavetheMexicansandtheCamanches，andallthetribeshostiletotheselast，tosettletheirdifferencesanddifficultiesintheirownway。
“Inordertogivefullsecurityandprotectiontoourtradingpartiescirculatinginalldirectionsthroughthegreatprairies，Iamundertheimpressionthatafewjudiciousmeasuresonthepartofthegovernment，involvingaverylimitedexpense，wouldbesufficient。And，inattainingthisend，whichofitselfhasalreadybecomeanobjectofpublicinterestandimport，another，ofmuchgreaterconsequence，mightbebroughtabout，namely，thesecuringtotheStatesamostvaluableandincreasingtrade，nowcarriedonbycaravansdirectlytoSantaFe。
“Astothefirstdesideratum:theIndianscanonlybemadetorespectthelivesandpropertyoftheAmericanparties，byrenderingthemdependentuponusfortheirsupplies;whichalonecanbedonewithcompleteeffectbytheestablishmentofatradingpost，withresidenttraders，atsomepointwhichwilluniteasufficientnumberofadvantagestoattracttheseveraltribestoitself，inpreferencetotheirpresentplacesofresortforthatpurpose;foritisawell-knownfactthattheIndianswillalwaysprotecttheirtrader，andthoseinwhomheisinterested，solongastheyderivebenefitsfromhim。Thealternativepresentedtothoseatthenorth，bytheresidenceoftheagentsoftheHudson’sBayCompanyamongstthem，renderstheconditionofourpeopleinthatquarterlesssecure;butIthinkitwillappearatonce，uponthemostcursoryexamination，thatnosuchoppositionfurthersouthcouldbemaintained，soastoweakenthebenefitsofsuchanestablishmentasisheresuggested。
“Inconsideringthismatter，thefirstquestionwhichpresentsitselfis，wheredothesetribesnowmaketheirexchanges，andobtaintheirnecessarysupplies。TheyresortalmostexclusivelytotheMexicans，who，themselves，purchasefromuswhatevertheIndiansmostseekfor。Inthispointofview，therefore，coeterisparibus，itwouldbeaneasymatterforustomonopolizethewholetraffic。AllthatiswantedissomelocationmoreconvenientforthenativesthanthatofferedbytheMexicans，togiveustheundisputedsuperiority;andtheselectionofsuchapointrequiresbutaknowledgeofthesinglefact，thatthesenationsinvariablywinterupontheheadwatersoftheArkansas，andtherepreparealltheirbuffalorobesfortrade。Theserobesareheavy，and，totheIndian，verydifficultoftransportation。
Nothingbutnecessityinducesthemtotravelanygreatdistancewithsuchinconvenientbaggage。Apost，therefore，establishedupontheheadwatersoftheArkansas，mustinfalliblysecureanuncontestedpreferenceoverthatoftheMexicans;evenattheirpricesandratesofbarter。Thenletthedragoonsoccasionallymoveaboutamongthesepeopleinlargeparties，impressingthemwiththeproperestimateofourpowertoprotectandtopunish，andatoncewehavecompleteandassuredsecurityforallcitizenswhoseenterprisemayleadthembeyondtheborder，andanendtotheoutragesanddepredationswhichnowdogthefootstepsofthetraveller，intheprairies，andarrestanddepressthemostadvantageouscommerce。Suchapostneednotbestrongerthanfiftymen;twenty-fivetobeemployedashunters，tosupplythegarrison，andtheresidueasadefenseagainstanyhostility。
SituatedhereuponthegoodlandsoftheArkansas，inthemidstofabundanceoftimber，whileitmightbekeptupatamostinconsiderableexpense，suchanestablishmentwithinninetymilesofSantaFeorTaoswouldbemorethanjustifiedbytheotherandmoreimportantadvantagesbeforealludedto，leavingtheprotectionofthetraderswiththeIndiantribesentirelyoutofthequestion。
“Thisgreattrade，carriedonbycaravanstoSantaFe，annuallyloadsonehundredwagonswithmerchandise，whichisbarteredinthenorthernprovincesorMexicoforcashandforbeaverfurs。
Thenumerousarticlesexcludedascontraband，andtheexorbitantdutieslaiduponallthosethatareadmittedbytheMexicangovernment，presentsomanyobstaclestocommerce，thatIamwellpersuaded，thatifapost，suchasisheresuggested，shouldbeestablishedontheArkansas，itwouldbecometheplaceofdeposit，notonlyforthepresenttrade，butforoneinfinitelymoreextended。HeretheMexicansmightpurchasetheirsupplies，andmightwellaffordtosellthematpriceswhichwouldsilenceallcompetitionfromanyotherquarter。
“Thesetwotrades，withtheMexicansandtheIndians，centringatthispost，wouldgiverisetoalargevillageoftradersandlaborers，andwouldundoubtedlybehailed，byallthatsectionofcountry，asapermanentandinvaluableadvantage。Afewpack-
horseswouldcarryalltheclothingandammunitionnecessaryforthepostduringthefirstyear，andtwolightfield-pieceswouldbealltheartilleryrequiredforitsdefense。Afterwards，allthehorsesrequiredfortheuseoftheestablishmentmightbepurchasedfromtheMexicansatthelowpriceoftendollarseach;
and，atthesametime，whateveranimalsmightbeneededtosupplythelossesamongthedragoonstraversingtheneighborhood，couldbereadilyprocured。TheUpperMissouriIndianscanfurnishhorses，atverycheaprates，toanynumberofthesametroopswhomightbedetailedforthedefenseofthenorthernfrontier;and，inotherrespects，averylimitedoutlayofmoneywouldsufficetomaintainapostinthatsectionofthecountry。
“Fromtheseconsiderations，andmyownpersonalobservations，I
am，therefore，disposedtobelievethattwopostsestablishedbythegovernment，oneatthemouthoftheYellowstoneRiver，andoneontheArkansas，wouldcompletelyprotectallourpeopleineverysectionofthegreatwildernessoftheWest;whileotheradvantages，atleastwithregardtooneofthem，confirmandurgethesuggestion。AfortatthemouthoftheYellowstone，garrisonedbyfiftymenwouldbeperfectlysafe。Theestablishmentmightbeconstructedsimplywithaviewtothestores，stablesforthedragoons’horses，andquartersfortheregulargarrison;therestbeingprovidedwithshedsorlodges，erectedinthevicinity，fortheirresidenceduringthewintermonths。”
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