ADVENTURES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER
CHAPTER I
Introductory remarks—John Jacob Astor—Grasping views—Early traders of Canada—The Hudson's Bay Company—American fur companies—Astor's policy—Russian settlements—Coasting vessels—The Pacific Fur Company—Flattering results—Oregon territory—New association—Mr. Hunt—Golden prospects—Proposals accepted—List of adventurers—Land party—Sea party—The ship Tonquin—Remarks—Opinion against opinion—Observations—Land expedition departs—Sea party set off for New York—Bark canoe—Spectators—Canadian voyageurs.
When I first conceived the idea of writing the following narrative, my design was to begin with a brief outline of the discoveries already made on the coast of the Pacific, from Drake in 1579 to Vancouver in 1792;[1] or, rather, down to the present time; but, on second thoughts, I felt convinced that enough had been done already in that branch of [2] inquiry; or, at least, that the further prosecution of it might be better left to those who aspire to literary fame. Mine is an humbler ambition—not to figure as an author, but to record faithfully, as a trader, the events in which I bore a part; and, in so doing, to gratify a desire kindled by an acquaintance with strange scenes
- ↑ For a brief account of the discoveries of the Northwest Coast, see Thwaites, Rocky Mountain Exploration (New York, 1904), chap. i. For notes on Vancouver and Drake, see Franchère's Narrative, volume vi of our series, notes 2, 66. Further references to this Narrative, in the following notes, will be to that reprint.—Ed.
