It
Was Important, Therefore, To Render The Place As Independent As
Possible, Of The Surrounding Tribes For Its Support; And
It was
accordingly resolved that M'Kenzie, with four hunters, and eight
common men, should winter in the abundant country of
Wollamut,
from whence they might be enabled to furnish a constant supply of
provisions to Astoria.
As there was too great a proportion of clerks for the number of
privates in the service, the engagements of three of them, Ross
Cox, Ross, and M'Lennan, were surrendered to them, and they
immediately enrolled themselves in the service of the Northwest
Company; glad, no doubt, to escape from what they considered a
sinking ship.
Having made all these arrangements, the four partners, on the
first of July, signed a formal manifesto, stating the alarming
state of their affairs, from the non-arrival of the annual ship,
and the absence and apprehended loss of the Beaver, their want of
goods, their despair of receiving any further supply, their
ignorance of the coast, and their disappointment as to the
interior trade, which they pronounced unequal to the expenses
incurred, and incompetent to stand against the powerful
opposition of the Northwest Company. And as by the 16th article
of the company's agreement, they were authorized to abandon this
undertaking, and dissolve the concern, if before the period of
five years it should be found unprofitable, they now formally
announced their intention to do so on the 1st day of June, of the
ensuing year, unless in the interim they should receive the
necessary support and supplies from Mr. Astor, or the
stockholders, with orders to continue.
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