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.
Unfortunately for these sanguine anticipations,
before Mr. Astor had ratified the agreement, as above stated, war
broke out between the United States and Great Britain. He
perceived at once the peril of the case. The harbor of New York
would doubtless be blockaded, and the departure of the annual
supply ship in the autumn prevented; or, if she should succeed in
getting out to sea, she might be captured on her voyage.
In this emergency, he wrote to Captain Sowle, commander of the
Beaver. The letter, which was addressed to him at Canton,
directed him to proceed to the factory at the mouth of the
Columbia, with such articles as the establishment might need; and
to remain there, subject to the orders of Mr. Hunt, should that
gentleman be in command there.
The war continued. No tidings had yet been received from Astoria;
the despatches having been delayed by the misadventure of Mr.
Reed at the falls of the Columbia, and the unhorsing of Mr.
Stuart by the Crows among the mountains. A painful uncertainty,
also, prevailed about Mr. Hunt and his party.
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