Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/19

Rh interested in the trade to the east of the mountains, possessed of abundance of capital, endowed with great ability in organization, he was well fitted for an enterprise of such great magnitude and boldness. In partnership with other fur men he organized the Pacific Fur Company, the first important enterprise to utilize the resources of Oregon from the interior of the country. A fort was established at Astoria in 1811, and plans were made for the development of the business. As a business undertaking it was well conceived. The monopolistic methods of the company would best conserve the fur product, which the older methods were fast exterminating. Connection with the operations east of the mountains would give a continuous trade across the country. Accessibility to the Pacific Coast would insure the trade with China. The Russian traders to the north had expressed a willingness to purchase supplies from the fort at Astoria. Everything seemed favorable for a successful business. Unforeseen events, however, led to failure. The breaking out of the War of 1812 resulted in the appearance of an English vessel before the fort at Astoria; but a sale of the fort and the possessions of the company had already been made to a rival, the English Northwest Fur Company, and what had promised so well ended in failure. Mr. Astor refused to renew the enterprise unless the United States government would guarantee protection. As this could not be brought about, because of political complications, the fur trade of the Northwest fell into the hands of the English, who managed to keep control as long as the fur resource formed the prevailing industrial life of Oregon. Various heroic attempts, both by individuals and companies, were made to regain the trade for the Americans,