Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-10-23


big river on the Pacific shore would
open a highway TO trade and settle-
meut The station at the mouth OF the
Columbia river would be depot from
which a feet might trade along the
northwest coast to the Russian pos
sessions in Alaska, and also with the
rich markets Of China and the Whole
Pacific.
II must be understood that thus far
the whole Columbia river country was
open territory II the British got there
first IL would be theirs The northern
limits OF the Louisiana that JEFFERSON
purchased We're vague. And what made
the situation acute was the fact that
the Northwest company had pushed
across the Canadian Rockies ana es-
tablished some trading posts in a sec
ton Il called New Caledonia. II was
nearing the Pacific and approaching
the Columbia valley.
THE CHARTER
To Washington went Mr.. Astor 10 get
from the president the sanction Of the
government for the magnificent plan
he had in mind. He got the enthusias-
tic support of Mr.. Jefferson and the
cabinet No doubt Mr. Aston saw great
profit for himself In the enterprise, but
far more than profit he sought the
fame the project would bring 10 hin
There was n lot Of work preparing
properly for the expedition. FIRST or
an Mr. Astor organized the American
Fur company That company got It's
charter just 100 years ago. Unable To
get in the United states the Noyageurs
he thought necessary, he recruited
force from among the attaches OF the
Northwest company For his lieuten-
f,s he
mainly on the men of the Northwest
company. These men he made part
ners. He gave to them 50 per cent OF
the Interest retaining the other % per
cent himself They were under no
financial responsibility. He put up
500 900. In his selection of men he eN-
hibited exceptionally bad judgment
The plan was to send two forces, one
by ship around the Horn, the other
through Canada and down the Missis-
sippi and then up the Missouri over
the Rockies and down the columbie~
The land force was 10 establish posts
along the route and meet the other
force at the mouth of the Columbia.
A fine ship, the Tonquin. was equip
ped for the sea trip. She carried In
her hold the frame Of schooner,
which was TO be employed in the Pa
ciac coast trade. The TOnquin was
commanded by Jonathan Thorn lieu
tenant in the navy, on leave or ab-
sence. Nearly an OF the Northwest
company men Mr. Aston had taken into
partnership were British subjects, ana
before the Tonquin sailed two OF thcm
went TO the British minister TO The
United States and advised him Of what
Mr. Astor was doing. Hardly had the
Tonquin left port than trouble began.
CAPT Thorn was a martinez, honest
and punctilious but with an abiding
contempt for landsmen. Duncan Nc
Dougal. the partner 20 whom Mr.. As
tor gave his proxy 20 act In any dls-
agreement, was O. peppery' hamboy an,
creature. Thorn and McDoUgal CLASH
ed at once. and there was n condition
approaching mutiny on inc iohqulh
from start 10 tnish.
THE ToNQUIN.
on Sept s. 1910 the Tonquin left New
York The frlgate Constitution con
voyed her 10 sea. there being a British
warship outside which, 1t was under
stood. Intended 20 stop and search her
and take on such British subjects 1s
were aboard The TOnquin got away
without molestation. but there was tur-
moll aboard every day Many times
the captain threatened 10 Dut the part
ners the clerks and all the Noyageurs
in irons The ship stopped at the Falk-
land Islands and two OF the partners
had "a narrow escape from being MAJ
rooued there. the captain sailing away
without them. But the ship became be-
Gained and the men were able 20 get ID
her ln "a boat on Christmas day the
Tonuuln doubled cape Horn and on
Feb. ~ reached the Sandwich Islands
There some HaWalians were recruited
for service in the Columbia river coun-
try and the Tonquin resumed her jour
noy. on March 22, 1911, the Tonquin
arrived OF the mouth ~ the Columbia.
The weather was tempestuous ana the
sea was nigh For several days vain
efforts We're made to ma the channel
Eight men were lost ia the capsiying
of small boats that the captain sent
out 90 find "a way into the river At
last after much delay and trouble tha
Tonquin got inside. and on April ~
site was selected on small bay Tor
the establishment Of the station Whlsh
was 90 boz tho cumpauy's headquarters
an the Pacific fOrtlhed post WAS
built the stars and stripes were raised
and the settlement was named Astoria.
From Astoria parties were sent up tne
river % explore the stream. establish
stations al advantageous points ana
open up trade with the Indians.
After all the cargo destined Tor As
t0ra had been taken out OF tho ship the
Tnuquln departed 90 proceed up the
coast to trade FOR prlts at the various
hnrhors. visit Alaska ANA begin husl-
ncss with the Russians M Astor hay
ing sent "a representative tp 81 Peters
burg and made arrangements by which
the American Fur company was a. sup
ply the Russian posts with goods and
handle the bulk on the seal skins the
Russian hunters gathered In Boring
sea.
Hardly had the Tonquin LEFT than the
people I'M Astoria learned from the In
dianH that "a party N 80 white men had
arrived several hundred miles w the