The Breaking Out Of The War Between The United States And Great
Britain Multiplied The Hazards And Embarrassments Of The
Enterprise.
The disappointment as to convoy rendered it difficult
to keep up reinforcements and supplies; and the loss of the Lark
added to the tissue of misadventures.
That Mr. Astor battled resolutely against every difficulty, and
pursued his course in defiance of every loss, has been
sufficiently shown. Had he been seconded by suitable agents, and
properly protected by government, the ultimate failure of his
plan might yet have been averted. It was his great misfortune
that his agents were not imbued with his own spirit. Some had not
capacity sufficient to comprehend the real nature and extent of
his scheme; others were alien in feeling and interest, and had
been brought up in the service of a rival company. Whatever
sympathies they might originally have had with him, were
impaired, if not destroyed, by the war. They looked upon his
cause as desperate, and only considered how they might make
interest to regain a situation under their former employers. The
absence of Mr. Hunt, the only real representative of Mr. Astor,
at the time of the capitulation with the Northwest Company,
completed the series of cross purposes. Had that gentleman been
present, the transfer, in all probability, would not have taken
place.
It is painful, at all times, to see a grand and beneficial stroke
of genius fall of its aim: but we regret the failure of this
enterprise in a national point of view; for, had it been crowned
with success, it would have redounded greatly to the advantage
and extension of our commerce.
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