Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-09-20
'TRAGiCAL FATE OF THE TON.
k rG GUN si0sFIn Is


The following narrative Of terrible trag.
sdy is extracted from lrying's Astoria. u
work written in the usual fascinating style
'ol the uuthor, end detailing adventures 10
abe vasl wilderness Of the west, and with
The savages which inhabh il, far surprising
IN their extraordinary and diversified chur.
uclcr, the most elaborate creations of the
iiovelisfs brain. Tue Tonquin was yes.
SCI despatched BY MIR. Astor, Of New York,
Tor the purpose Of forming trading es,ab.
iishncnt ut the mouth OF the ColumLii riv-
rr Leaving "a number of persons al that
post, this vessel continued her course, the
result o! which was MS follows:
We have already stated that the Tonquin
set sail from the mouth Of the river on the
9TH OF June. The whole number Of persons
on board amounted to twrnty-three. la
one Of the outer buys they picked up. from
u fishing canoe, an Indian named Lamazee
who had already made two voyages along
the coast, and knew something OF the Ian
guagrs Of the various tribes. He agreed TO
accompany them as un interpreter.
Steering 10 the north. Captain Thorn ar.
rived in "a few days at Nuncouver's Island
and anchored in the harbor of Neweelee,
very much against the advice of his Indian
Interpreter who warned him against The
natives Of this part oil the coast Numbers
oil canoes soon came off bringing sea-otter
skins TO sell. II was too hate ia the day to
commence traffic, but Mr. Mckay accom-
panied by few Of the men, went on shore
TO II large village. TO visit Wicsuanish, the
chief of the surrounding territory, six OF the
natives remaining on board as hostages
lie was received with great professions oil
friendship, entertained hospitality. and a
couch oi sea-olter skins was prepared for
him IN the dwelling oil the chicftun, where he
was prevailed upon 10 pass the night.
In the morning, before Mr.. Mckay had
returned TO the ship. great numbers OF the
natives came oil. III their canoes. 10 trade,
headed by two sons OF Wicananish. Ashley
brought abundance OF sea otter skins, and
there was every appearance Of brisk trade
Captain Thorn did not wait for the return
.oi Mr.. Mckay. but spread out his wares
snron the deck. making tempting display oil
!blanke's. cloths. knives. beads and fish-hooks,
expecting prompt and profitable sale. The
indians however were not SO eager and
simple as he had supposed, having learned
theart Of bargaining 4 the value OF merchan-
disc from the casual traders along the coast.
They were euld,d, too, by shrewd old
chief named Nookamis. who had grown
grey in traffic with New England shippers.
aud prided himself upon his accuieness.
His opinion seemed to regulate the market
When Thorn made what he considered II
liberal offer for an ouer-skin. the willy old
Indian treated il with scorn and asked more
than double His companions all took
their cue from him. and not another skin
was to be had at a reasonable rate.
The old fellow. however, overshot his
mark, and mistools the character OF the man
he was treating with IboIn was pIain.
straightforward sailor, who never had two
minds nor two prices in his dealings. was
deficient in patience and pliancy. and totally
wanting in the chicancry Of traffic lie
had vast deal OF stern but honest pride in
his nature. and. moreover, held the whole
savage race in sovereign contempt Adam
doning all further attempts. therefore. to bar
gain with his shutting customers. he thrust
his hands into his pockets. and paced upand
down The deck IN sullen silence. The Gun.
ming old lndlnn followed him to and fro,
holding out sea-olier skin 10 h'nl at every
turn, and prsIrring him 10 trade. Finding
other means unnvaiiing, he suddenly chang
ed his tone, and began TO JreI and banter
him upon the mean prices he Offered. This
was too much Tor the patience OF the Captain
who MAS never remarkable Tor relIShlnE n