On the 30th of April they arrived
in perfect health and fine spirits at St. Louis, having been ten
months in performing this perilous expedition from Astoria. Their
return caused quite a sensation at the place, bringing the first
intelligence of the fortune of Mr. Hunt and his party in their
adventurous route across the Rocky Mountains, and of the new
establishment on the shores of the Pacific.
CHAPTER LI.
Agreement Between Mr. Astor and the Russian Fur Company- War
Between the United States and Great Britain.- Instructions to
Captain Sowle of the Beaver- Fitting Out of the Lark.- News of
the Arrival of Mr. Stuart.
IT is now necessary, in linking together the parts of this
excursive narrative, that we notice the proceedings of Mr. Astor
in support of his great undertaking. His project with respect to
the Russian establishments along the northwest coast had been
diligently prosecuted. The agent sent by him to St. Petersburg,
to negotiate in his name as president of the American Fur
Company, had, under sanction of the Russian government, made a
provisional agreement with the Russian company.
By this agreement, which was ratified by Mr. Astor in 1813, the
two companies bound themselves not to interfere with each other's
trading and hunting grounds, nor to furnish arms and ammunition
to the Indians. They were to act in concert, also, against all
interlopers, and to succor each other in case of danger. The
American company was to have the exclusive right of supplying the
Russian posts with goods and necessaries, receiving peltries in
payment at stated prices. They were also, if so requested by the
Russian governor, to convey the furs of the Russian company to
Canton, sell them on commission, and bring back the proceeds, at
such freight as might be agreed on at the time. This agreement
was to continue in operation four years, and to be renewable for
a similar term, unless some unforeseen contingency should render
a modification necessary.
It was calculated to be of great service to the infant
establishment at Astoria; dispelling the fears of hostile rivalry
on the part of the foreign companies in its neighborhood, and
giving a formidable blow to the irregular trade along the coast.
It was also the intention of Mr. Astor to have coasting vessels
of his own, at Astoria, of small tonnage and draft of water,
fitted for coasting service. These, having a place of shelter and
deposit, could ply about the coast in short voyages, in favorable
weather, and would have vast advantage over chance ships, which
must make long voyages, maintain numerous crews, and could only
approach the coast at certain seasons of the year. He hoped,
therefore, gradually to make Astoria the great emporium of the
American fur trade in the Pacific, and the nucleus of a powerful
American state.
