This Instrument, Accompanied By Private Letters Of Similar
Import, Was Delivered To Mr. M'Tavish, Who Departed On The 5th Of
July.
He engaged to forward the despatches to Mr. Astor, by the
usual winter express sent overland by the Northwest Company.
The manifesto was signed with great reluctance by Messrs. Clarke
and D. Stuart, whose experience by no means justified the
discouraging account given in it of the internal trade, and who
considered the main difficulties of exploring an unknown and
savage country, and of ascertaining the best trading and trapping
grounds, in a great measure overcome. They were overruled,
however, by the urgent instances of M'Dougal and M'Kenzie, who,
having resolved upon abandoning the enterprise, were desirous of
making as strong a case as possible to excuse their conduct to
Mr. Astor and to the world.
CHAPTER LV.
Anxieties of Mr. Astor.- Memorial of the Northwest Company-
Tidings of a British Naval Expedition Against Astoria. - Mr.
Astor Applies to Government for Protection.- The Frigate Adams
Ordered to be Fitted Out.- Bright News From Astoria.- Sunshine
Suddenly Overclouded.
WHILE difficulties and disasters had been gathering about the
infant settlement of Astoria, the mind of its projector at New
York was a prey to great anxiety. The ship Lark, despatched by
him with supplies for the establishment, sailed on the 6th of
March, 1813. Within a fortnight afterwards, he received
intelligence which justified all his apprehensions of hostility
on the part of the British. The Northwest Company had made a
second memorial to that government, representing Astoria as an
American establishment, stating the vast scope of its
contemplated operations, magnifying the strength of its
fortifications, and expressing their fears that, unless crushed
in the bud, it would effect the downfall of their trade.
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