ASTORIA;

OR,

ANECDOTES OF AN ENTERPRISE

BEYOND THE

ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

BY

WASHINGTON IRVING.

AUTHOR'S REVISED EDITION.

COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME.

NEW YORK:

G. P. PUTNAM, 441 BROADWAY.

•HA D
NIMEKATY
LIBRARY

ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by
WASHINGTON IRVING,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New-York.

JOHN F. TROW,

Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper 46, 48 & 50 Greene Street,

Between Grand & Broome, New York,

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Objects of American enterprise-gold hunting and fur trading—their effect on

colonization-early French Canadian settlers-Ottowa and Huron hunters—

an Indian trading camp-couriers des bois, or rangers of the woods-their

roaming life-their revels and excesses-licensed traders-missionaries—

trading posts-primitive French Canadian merchant-his establishment and

dependents-British Canadian fur merchant-origin of the Northwest Com-

pany-its constitution—its internal trade-a candidate for the company-

privations in the wilderness-northwest clerks-northwest partners-a north-

west nabob-feudal notions in the forests-the lords of the lakes-Fort Wil-

liam-its parliamentary hall and banqueting room-wassailing in the wil-

derness,
PAGE 13

CHAPTER II.

Rise of the Mackinaw Company-attempt of the American government to

counteract foreign influence over the Indian tribes-John Jacob Astor-his

birth-place-his arrival in the United States-what first turned his atten-

tion to the fur trade-his character, enterprises, and success-his commu-

nications with the American government-origin of the American Fur

Company
26

CHAPTER III.

Fur trade in the Pacific-American coasting voyages-Russian enterprises-

discovery of the Columbia River-Carver's project to found a settlement

there-Mackenzie's expedition-Lewis and Clarke's journey across the Rocky

Mountains-Mr. Astor's grand commercial scheme-his correspondence on

the subject with Mr. Jefferson-his negotiations with the Northwest Company

-his steps to carry his scheme into effect,

32

CHAPTER IV.

Two expeditions set on foot-the Tonquin and her crew-Captain Thorn 48

character-the partners and clerks-Canadian voyageurs, their habits, em-

ployments, dress, character, songs-expedition of a Canadian boat and its

crew by land and water-arrival at New-York-preparations for a sea voyage

-northwest braggarts-underhand precautions-letter of instructions, 45

CHAPTER V.

Sailing of the Tonquin-a rigid commander and a reckless crew-landsmen

on shipboard-fresh water sailors at sea-lubber nests-ship fare-a Labra-

dor veteran-literary clerks-curious travellers-Robinson Crusoe's Island-

quarter-deck quarrels-Falkland Islands—a wild-goose chase-Port Egmont

-epitaph hunting-Old Mortality-penguin shooting-sportsmen left in the

lurch-a hard pull-further altercations-arrival at Owyhee,
53

CHAPTER VI.

Owyhee-Sandwich Islanders—their nautical talents-Tamaahmaah-hia navy

--his negotiations-views of Mr. Astor with respect to the Sandwich Islands

-Karakakora-royal monopoly of pork-description of the islanders-gaye-

ties on shore-chronicler of the island-place where Captain Cook was killed

-John Young, a nautical governor-his story-Waititi-a royal residence

-a royal visit--grand ceremonials--close dealing—a royal pork merchant-

grievances of a matter-of-fact-man,

CHAPTER VII.

64

Departure from the Sandwich Islands-misunderstandings-miseries of a sus-

picious man-arrival at the Columbia-dangerous service-gloomy appre-

hensions-bars and breakers-perils of the ship-disasters of a boat's crew

-burial of a Sandwich Islander,

CHAPTER VIII.

77

Mouth of the Columbia-the native tribes--their fishing-their canoes-bold

navigators-equestrian Indians and piscatory Indians, difference in their

physical organization-search for a trading site-expedition of M'Dougal

and David Stewart-Comcomly, the one-eyed chieftain-influence of wealth

in savage life-slavery among the natives-an aristocracy of Flatheads-

hospitality among the Chinooks-Comcomly's daughter--her conquest,

CHAPTER IX.

85

Point George-founding of Astoria-Indian visitors their reception—the cap-

tain taboos the ship-departure of the Tonquin-comments on the conduct

of Captain Thorn,

91