In The Winter Of 1815, A Law Was Passed By Congress Prohibiting
All Traffic Of British Traders Within The Territories Of The
United States.
The favorable moment seemed now to Mr. Astor to have arrived for
the revival of his favorite enterprise, but new difficulties had
grown up to impede it.
The Northwest Company were now in complete
occupation of the Columbia River, and its chief tributary
streams, holding the posts which he had established, and carrying
on a trade throughout the neighboring region, in defiance of the
prohibitory law of Congress, which, in effect, was a dead letter
beyond the mountains.
To dispossess them would be an undertaking of almost a
belligerent nature; for their agents and retainers were well
armed, and skilled in the use of weapons, as is usual with Indian
traders. The ferocious and bloody contests which had taken place
between the rival trading parties of the Northwest and Hudson's
Bay Companies had shown what might be expected from commercial
feuds in the lawless depths of the wilderness. Mr. Astor did not
think it advisable, therefore, to attempt the matter without the
protection of the American flag; under which his people might
rally in case of need. He accordingly made an informal overture
to the President of the United States, Mr. Madison, through Mr.
Gallatin, offering to renew his enterprise, and to reestablish
Astoria, provided it would be protected by the American flag, and
made a military post; stating that the whole force required would
not exceed a lieutenant's command.
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