336 Stella M. Drumm Upon their arrival at St. Louis the men were hailed with great joy. Much anxiety had been felt for the safety of the Astorians, for news of the fate of the ship Tonquin had reached St. Louis in May, 1812. 3 Starvation, and most every other peril had faced this little band of brave men on their return journey over- land, but all their hardships were soon forgotten and great was their enthusiasm over the finding of a new route. The local newspaper in publishing the news of their return said : "The narrative of this event will evince to the world that a journey to the Western Sea will not be considered (within a few years) of much greater im- portance than a trip to New York." This paper further said that "By information received from these gentlemen a journey across the continent of North America might be performed with a waggon, there being no obstruction in the whole route that any person would dare to call a mountain in addition to its being the most direct route to go from this place to the mouth of the Columbia." 4 Not until the spring of 1830, however, were wagons used on the Oregon Trail. When the party reached the Walla Walla river on this return journey they secured horses from the Indians and started off southward and across the Blue Mountains. After leaving the Snake river country they became con- fused and were lost. They suffered almost every hard- ship imaginable. They were followed by a party of hos- tile Crows who stampeded their horses and thus forced of withdrawing from the concern should he not have an augmentation of shares be permitted so to withdraw, and that he be no longer considered a partner of the Pacific Fur Co., nor in any way entitled to any right, etc. arising from his having been a partner. Astoria, March 1, 1812. Ramsay Crooks relinquished all right to the interest he held in the Pacific Fur Co.— to-wit five shares. Also relinquished all profits and emoluments or privileges arising from having been a partner thereof. Binds himself not to engage or be concerned in the Indian trade or in any business whatever which may effect the interest of said Company. May 14, 1812." (Missouri Hist. Soc. MSS.) - 3Letter from Charles Gratiot, St. Louis, May 31, 1812, to John Jacob Astor. (Gratiot Letter Book — Mo. Hist. Soc. MSS.) ^Missouri Gazette, May 8th and 15th, 1813.
