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furs in June (181 3) vetoed this plan, insisting on remaining another winter if possible. M'Tavish descended the river with his men, spent much time about Astoria, and received needed supplies from the Americans, while he waited for the ship, which, as he declared, was daily expected.

Movements of Mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt sailed away in the Beaver on the 4th of August, 18 12. He ran to Sitka, made a successful trade with the Russians, and then proceeded to the islands of St. Peter and St. Paul, where he received eighty thousand sealskins. By this time it was winter; the vessel was much damaged, and all haste had to be made to get the valuable cargo to Canton. The Beaver, therefore, did not stop at the Columbia, but carried Hunt to Hawaii and continued on to China. Here the captain (Sowles) obtained news of the war, which sent him into hiding with his vessel till it was over. Hunt finally learned of the war in Hawaii and came to the Columbia in an American ship, the Albatross, reaching Astoria August 4, 1813, after an absence of exactly one year. He learned that the partners were resolved to abandon the river, and while he opposed, he could not change the resolution. Still, hoping to save something, he sailed again in the Albatross to seek a vessel which might be available for the purpose of carrying away the goods and furs.

Astoria sold, October 16, 1813; taken by the Raccoon December 12 (or 13), 1813. At last, on the 1 6th of October, influenced by their fears if not by selfish motives, the partners sold Astoria and its be 78'