Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/15

Rh the dream of a visionary mind. In Philadelphia his welcome was more cordial, and the great banker, Robert Morris, would have sent a vessel to engage in the trade had not financial embarrassments prevented. In Boston the merchants were favorably impressed but not yet ready to act. Indeed, it was a matter to warrant careful consideration. It was a venture that required capital and that moral courage which risks the loss of all in the effort to win reward. There were dangers to be met from the sea, disease, and the hostility of Indians. Failing at last to secure the encouragement of American capital Ledyard went to Europe upon the same mission. In France he was encouraged by a company, but only to be again disappointed. The revolutionary hero, Paul Jones, cordially favored the enterprise and agreed to join in an expedition which also failed. Jefferson, the representative of the American Confederation in Paris, gave intelligent and sympathetic support to the enterprise, and kept the subject in 'mind long after Ledyard had perished. Failing in every effort to win the support of capital, Ledyard accepted a suggestion of Jefferson and started to cross Europe and Asia, with the purpose of reaching the shore of the Pacific Coast and exploring the country to the Mississippi River. Captured by Russian officers when nearly across Siberia, he was expelled from the country and entered the service of African exploration, where he perished. To the expedition of Captain Cook therefore, and particularly to the enthusiasm of that American member of his crew, the world owes its first knowledge of the resources of Oregon and the Northwest.

The Russians were best fitted by nature and position to avail themselves immediately of the fur resources.