Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-09-27
From The Saturday Evening Post.
THE FATE OF THE TONQUIN.
A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE OR
ECON FUR TRADE.

BY II. G. CHAPMAN.

SHSdBeu Ill lne UOIu ScHeTlc Oh eSlhDllSHllS
of trading ports on the Columbia River,
in Oregon, its tributaries, and along the shores
of the Pacific, also OIL the head waters of the
Missouri, with a factory at the mouth of the
His plan was to send goods from
New York by sea to this factory, to be exchang-
ed for fuTs, which he intended to have conveyed
to China, and exchange them there for silks and
teas. In execution of this project, he fitted out
a large vessel called the Tonquin, with men and
guns, and such articles as might be needed at
his ports in Oregon. This ship was commanded
by man named Thorn, vino might have UNDER
stood. the management oil vessel, but ne GER
talnly did not know how to treat savages to the
best advantage, at least for his own and his en-
poyer's interests. He was very impatient un-
der any provocaton, and few into passion in
a moment if any thing happened to 60 wrong
with him and his crew, often abusing them for
triAng offences, and thus placing himself in no
very pleasant relations towards his men,
The mouth of the Columbia, according to all
accounts, must bea very frightfu aspect and
it is represented as having very extensive sand
bars at its entrance, a fact that will always d.
minish the value Of that river in a commercial
point of view. The vast amount of sand borne
down the river, is thrown back by the constant
swelling of the sea, and thus becomes serious
obstruction in the way of vessels that woud en-
ter the Columbia.
The Tonquin met with delay, difficulties and
dangers at this place, and was compelled to stand
Oloof from shore several days, while boats were
sent to sound the bars, and find a channel of
sufficient depth to allow the ship to pass over.
One of these boats swamped and those in it
persisted in the waves, but at length a channel
was discovered, and the Tonquin getting over
the bars, found a safe anchorage in the mouth of
the river site was selected for trading
post, and several buildings erected, and when
these were finished, and the vessel relieved of
her cargo, Captain Thorn, agreeable to his Or
ders, put out to sea, and coasted northward.
On the North Western coast of Oregon, there
is large island which goes by the name of
Vancouver's Island, where the natives have long
been noted for their treachery, and where the
Captain anchored the Tonquin for the purpose
of trading. An Indian interpreter, picked up
somewhere along the coast, informed the Captain
of this fact and warned him to be upon his
guard against the treachery of the savages, but
being man of obstinate will, and one who did
things in his own way, he landed upon the ISL
tunt,1nd opened trade with the Indians.
the saRRg " aBergEeat bagwiar ss
French traders, and thereby learned the bette
: value of their skins, they demanded a heavie
price than Thorn felt disposed to give, and h
returned on board the Tonquin grumbling ant
dissatisfied with his bad success.
The Captain was pacing up and down his yes
sells deck, in the worst mood imaginable whel
the interpreter approached him. and told him tina
he had better beware of the tribe on shore, O.
they would surprise him and put his crew tc
death.
"Let them try it," was the careless reply
"and they will meet with different reception
than they calculate upon. do not feel afaic
of an attack from them"
"They are exceedingly treacherous and hos
tile, and Shushong, their chieftain, is shrewt
Y and cunning warrior" urged the interpreter.
81 have heard enough of your prating abou
!, dangers and surprisas," exclaimed Thorn, in a
r exctable tonc and don't want to hear an
|, more of them. | can manage the affairs of IN
own ship without any of your assistance" an
turning away he went into the cabin.
8 The interpreter walked modify to the forwar
d part of the vessel, and as he stood leaning upo
n the taffrai, gazing into the sea, hand was lai
heavily upon his shoulder, and looking up, Ii
beheld Lewis, the steward of the ship standin
beside him.
l. "What were you telling Captain Thorn" h
asked, 81 thought caught the word 'savages
as l passed by you"
=. "Me no speak more," answered the India
, "White chef no like tn hear me speak"
The interpreter had assumed the guttera
= half spoken words of the English language, an
seemed inclined to say no more.
=, "The Captain IS cross and ilI-natured," cor
:, tinued Lewis, "tol me what you told him"
mo, me no tell more," and the insuIted say
; age relapscd into silence, and the steward i
vain endeavored to get anything more out {
him.
Lewis walked away to the stern of the shil
~ and thought bitterly of the situation of the ere
N and the vessel. The course Of the Captain ha
~ been heartily condemned by him, and he we
), knew that majority of the men were entire
dissatisfied with the brutal and tyranncal COZ
duct of Thorn. Thoughts of a mutny passt
through the mind of the brave seaman but h
mind shrunk from such a hostile course, and u
decided what to do, he concluded to retire
Is the night, and act the next day as circumstance
I'll might dictate
u The next morning Thorn was upon deck |
ID daylight, and was surprised to discover a arf
E. number CT canoes loaded with savages approach
y ing the Tonquin. AS they came gliding on ov
the water and neared the vessel, he saw th
they were each filled with furs, and his rapacior
70 mind at once formed an opinion that they ha
s. repenled Of the hard bargains they wished
it make the day before, and were coming to Sc
ID him the skins at his own offer. In a few M
!" ments they came alongside, and mounted up ii
$, ships side upon deck, carrying some of the
- furs with them. Among the rest WIS Shushon
the head Sachem Of the tribe, who came al:
with pelfries to trade.
ct Upon making propositions to them, Thorn wi
y greatly enraged to find that they asked the san
= price as they did the day previous, and indil
uantly refused to purchase them,