Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/183



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scut out to sound the entrance, and two more white mm wn-r IdsL l-'iinilly tlio ship itself tried the bar, and as if by a miracle the Tonquiii (liiltcd in over the Columbia bar and into Baker's bay on the 24th of March, 1M1. Here the live slock which had been purchased at the Sandwich Islands, was hinded and eon- fined in pens of poles, and from this point an exploring party was sent out to find and select a point to build a fort. This exploring party was composed of Cajitain Thorn, Alexander McKay, David Stuart, three clerks and members of the wcw well armed, provisioned and manned for the occasion to fight if necessary, i-'ive days were occupied in examining the north bank of tiie river, when the party re- turned to the ship without agreeing on a location. McDougal and Stuart deter- mined to try the south bank, although Captain Thorn bitterly objected, saying that it was nothing but a sporting excursion and he would land all the goods right where they were on the south bank unless they returned in two days. Mc- Dougal and Stuart encountered a heavy squall on the river, their boat was upset and they were saved from drowning only by the timely succor of the Chinook Indians who came to their rescue in canoes. But they finally agreed upon a ]:)oint for the fort. Point George, and on which the fort was built, which is now llie city of Astoi'ia. To Duncan ilcDougal and David Stuart is the honor due for founding the city of Astoria. And on the 12th day of Ajjril, 1811, twelve men of the Tonquin Astor party landed on Point George with tools and provisions and began the erection of the fort, a picture of which is given on another page. Trading, fort building and sliip building now- commenced in earnest. The Chinook Indians, under the chieftaincy of Concomly, were friendl.y and lent the white men what assistance tlicy could and supplied them with fish and game. For this the white men were grateful, and especially jMcDougal, who in a few weeks took a wife, a comel.y daughter of the hospitable chief, Concomly.

Turning now to the ship Tonquin that carried the adventuresome party around the world and founded American civilization at the mouth of the great Columbia, it is to be regretted that either damned by the evil eye and splenetic temper of Commander Thorn, or doomed b.v the irony oi fate, the ship sailed out of the Columbia and north to Clayoquot on Nootka sound on the west coast of Vancouver island, and here put in for trade with the Indians. Astor warned Thorn before he sailed from New York to beware of the Indians at this place, saying, "All accidents which have as yet happened there arose out of too much confidence in the Indians." The interpreter also warned Thorn, but all to no purpose. The Indians came on board the ship with furs to trade in great numbers, unrestrained by the precautions enforced bv other ship masters of allowing only a few Indians at one time on the ship. And Thorn being unable to trade with them on his own terms, quarreled with them and drove them off the ship in anger, striking a chief in the face with his own furs. This started the trouble. The next day the In- dians came back in still greater numbers and with more furs, conducting them- selves in most peaceable st.vle. They would trade one roll of furs but keep back another which they would not part with. They crowded the deck of the ship fore and aft. Finally, to get rid of them, and now alarmed himself. Thorn or- dered the sails unfurled and the anchor raised : then ordered the Indians to leave the ship. Each Indian arose, picked up his roll of furs, thrust his hand within it, and upon a prearranged signal out came knife and club, and with a demoniac yell they fell upon the few white men — captain and crew — and killed every man