The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-05

Mes. They reached Astoria early in Janua-
ny.
Three of the five men who remain ed
with Mr.. Crooks, afraid of perishing by
want, left him in February on small ri
yer on tho ROAD by which Mr.. Hunt had
passed in quest of Indians, and have not
since been heard Of Mr.. c. had followed
MIR. HIS track in the snow for seven DAYS
but coming to a low prairie, he lost every
appearance OF their trace and was compell-
ed to pass the remaining part of winter in
ihemountains, subsisting sometimes on bea-
yer q horse meat, * their skins, & at others
on their success in finding roots. Finally,
on the last of March, the other only Cana
DIAN being unable toproceed, was left with
lodSe OF Shoshonies, and Mr.. G. with
John Day, finding the snow sufficiently 'di-
minlshed, undertook, from Indian informa-
ton, to cross the last ridge, which they
happily effected, and reached the banks of
the Columbia by the middle of April.
where, in the beginning of May, they fell
in with Messrs. Steuarts, having been
lew days before stripped of every thing
they possessed, by a band of villains near
the falls. On the 10th of May they arriv-
cd safe at Astoria, the principal establish
ment OF the Pasi6c Fur company, within
fourteen miles of Cape Disappointment.
Loss OF THE SHIP ToNQUIN, NEAR THE
MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA.
A large ship had arrived from N. York
after passage of near months, with mer
chandize and provisions for the company.
1t was here we learnt with sorrow that the
story of the Tonquin's having been cut off
was but too true. The circumstances have
been related in different ways bv the ma
tivcs in the environs Of the establishment,
but that which from their own knowledge
carries with 1t the greatest appearance of
truth is as follows: That vessel, after
landing the cargo intended for Astoria, de-
parted on trading voyage to the coast
north OF Columbia river, with company of
(lnciuding officers) twenty-three men, and
had proceeded about 400 miles along the
seaboard, when they stopped on Vancou-
yer $ Island al place called Woody Point.
Inhabited by a powerful nation, called
Waac-a-nin-ishes. These people came en-
board TO barter their furs for merchandise,
and conducted themselves in the most de-
corous and friendly manner during the first
day, but the same evening Information was
brought OH board by an Indian whom the
officers had as interpreter, that the tribe
where they then lay were ill-disposed, and
intended attacking the ship next day cap
tain Jonathan Throne affected to disbe.
Geye this piece of news, and even when the
sayages came next morning in great num-
bers, it was only at the pressing remon-
STRANGE Of M'Kay that he ordered seven
men aloft to loosen the sails In the mean
time about so Indians were permitted to
come on board, who traded number of
sea offers for blankets and knives; the for
mer they threw into their canoes as soon as
received, but secreted the knives. Every
one when armed moved from the quarter
deck to different part of the vessel, so that
by the time they were ready, in such
manner we're they distributed that at least
three sayages were opposite every man of
the ship, and at signal given, they rush
ed on their prey, and notwithstanding the
braTe resistance OF every individual Of the
whites, they were all butchered in few
minutes. The men above, in attempting
to descend, lost two of their number, be- /
sides one MORALLY wounded, who, notwith- |
standing his weakened. condition made
good his retreat with the four others to the
cabin, where, finding quantity of loaded
arms they fred on their savage assailers
through the skylights and companion way,
which had the effect of clearing the ship
in short time, and long before night these
five intrepid sons of America were again in
full possession of her. Whether from
want OF abilities or strength, supposing
themselves unable to take the vessel back
to Columbia, it cannot be ascertained, this
far only is known, that between the time
the Indians were driven from the ship and
the following morning, the four who were
nnhurt left her in the long boat in hopes of
regaining the river, wishing to take along