Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson's Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival (43 page)

Hunt, Wilson Price—with Overland Party: and Arikara-Lisa council, 118–23, 125; and Astor letter of credit, 161; Astor’s letters to and from, 93, 97, 114, 116; Astor’s promotion of, 97; and Blackfeet threat, 99; botanists and, 102; and Crooks-Hunt Mad River meeting, 159–62, 170–71; Crooks’s relationship with, 178; and food shortages, 148–52; horse for, 124; as leader of scouting party, 147; leadership of, 23, 41, 97, 114, 126–27, 167, 172, 178, 254, 270; at Mackinaw Island, 46–50; McDougall as second-in-command to, 58; and Miller incident, 141; and Overland Party as stuck on Mad River, 148–50; Sioux promises of, 122, 123; and splitting up of Overland Party, 150–52, 153–55, 156–62, 169–76; in St. Louis, 50–51, 97, 101, 107, 114; and Teton Mountains, 131.
See also
Overland Party

Indians: Astor’s knowledge of, 13; Cook expedition and, 71; French relations with, 33–34; fur trade and, 13, 14, 34, 35, 71, 74–75; hospitality of, 123–24, 129–30, 188–89, 286; as interpreters with Overland Party, 101; Mid-Continental Divide and, 50; pregnancy among, 180–81; sexual barter system with, 114; torture by, 272; wealth of, 203–4.
See also
Coastal Indians;
specific person or tribe

insanity, 225, 244, 246–48

Irving, Washington: Astor’s collaboration with, 281, 293, 294; and Astor’s learning about
Tonquin
loss, 240; and Astor’s war plans for Astoria, 257–58; and
Beaver
passengers, 238; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 288, 289; and Clarke’s silver goblet incident, 266, 267; and Crooks’s recognition of Indian thieves, 249; and Day’s death, 308; and decision to abandon Astoria, 265; and impact of War of 1812 on Astoria, 262–63; and importance of Astoria, 297; McDougall comments of, 218, 262, 273; and McTavish-Mackenzie-Clarke meeting, 256; Overland Party account by, 131, 141, 146, 173; popularity of Astoria story by, 302; Reed comments of, 228; Santa Claus and, 164
n
; and selling of Astoria, 282–83; and Seton’s lost journal, 307; and Thorn-Nookamis bargaining, 202–3; and Thorn’s personality, 77, 213; and
Tonquin
-Vancouver Indian events, 214, 215

Isaac Todd
(North West ship), 256, 258–59, 264, 265, 269, 282

Jefferson, Thomas: as Astor supporter, 2, 7, 25, 26, 102, 258, 260, 295–96; and Astor’s concerns about British, 16, 251–52, 258; Astor’s first meeting with, 17, 19–20, 252, 296; Astor’s progress report to, 166–67; Astor’s proposal letter to, 16–17; Ledyard and, 72, 73; and Lewis and Clark expedition, 16, 252; as Paris diplomat, 10, 72; personal background of, 72–73; scientific interests of, 101; vision of, 2, 3, 19–20, 22, 26, 76, 278, 295–96, 303, 304

Jones, Benjamin, 114, 115, 228

Joseachal (Indian interpreter), 201–2, 203, 208–9, 214, 215–16

Landry, François, 47–48, 286
n

Lapensée (brothers), 68, 90

Lark
(Astor’s ship): and Astor’s attempts to protect Astoria, 3, 265, 277, 289; and Astor’s instructions to Hunt, 260, 277–78, 279; human losses on the, 287; influence on
Forester
crew of, 289; and Northrup’s dismasting decision, 1–2, 3, 278–79; number aboard, 288; Russian papers for, 258, 265; survivors of, 279; wreck of, 281, 289

Le Clerc, Gilles (voyageur), 159, 170, 171–72, 173, 285, 286
n

Le Gauche (Arikara Chief), 118–23

Ledyard, John, 71, 72–74

Les Yeux Gris (Gray Eyes) (Arikara Chief), 122–23

Lewis and Clark expedition, 3, 16, 41, 51, 93, 99, 102, 105, 107, 108, 112, 117, 125, 167, 228, 252, 298, 302

Lewis, James, 192, 201, 208, 210, 211, 212, 214–15, 216, 220

Lewis, Meriwether: Astor’s letter about expedition to, 20; Blackfeet Indians and, 105, 111; death of, 51, 247
n
; illness of, 126
n
; as Louisiana Territory governor, 20; and Sacagawea childbirth, 180–81; stress of, 247
n
; urges Jefferson to create a seaport in the West, 16.
See also
Lewis and Clark expedition

Lisa, Manuel, 105, 106–7, 110, 118–23, 125–26, 127, 230, 259

Little Cedar Island: Overland Party at, 115–16, 117

London, England: Astor’s agents in, 259–60, 264, 265

Mackenzie, Alexander, 14, 15, 16, 28, 93–94, 97, 192

Mackenzie, Donald: Astoria arrival of, 222–23; Astor’s concerns about loyalty of, 254, 294; Astor’s demotion of, 97, 114, 254; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 289; Clarke visit with, 254; and Clarke’s silver goblet incident, 267–68; Clearwater fur post and, 254–57, 262; death of, 306; and decision to abandon Astoria, 263, 264, 265–66, 268, 269–71; experience of, 41; fur trade and, 42, 254–57, 306; Hunt’s relationship with, 42; at Mackinac Island, 46, 48, 50; and McTavish-Clarke-Mackenzie meeting, 255–56; negativity of, 262–63; with Overland Party, 97, 106, 114, 124, 126, 129, 137, 144; as partner in Astoria expedition, 24, 41, 106; Pelton and, 223, 225; personality and character of, 42; post-Astoria career of, 306; and recruitment for Overland Party, 41, 42, 46, 48, 49–50, 139; return to Astoria of, 261, 262, 268; Ross’s comments about, 255; Sciatogas’ report about group of, 183; and selling of Astoria, 289, 292, 294; and splitting up of Overland Party, 150, 154, 159, 169; and Tongue Point flotilla, 245; views about Astor of, 269–71; and War of 1812, 255–56; and Willamette River explorations, 238

Mackinac Island, 42, 43, 44, 45–50, 101, 306

Mad River: Crooks-Hunt meeting on, 159–62; drowning of Overland Party members in, 223; MacKenzie (Donald) and McClellan reconnaissance parties meeting up on, 222; plate tectonics and, 156–57; and route of Overland Party, 133, 134, 135, 138–52, 153–62, 170–78; as separating Crooks and Hunt’s groups, 170–71, 173–74

Madison, James, 10, 241, 251, 252, 255, 256, 258, 264, 265, 287, 298

Mandan Villages, 41, 51, 107, 123, 125, 180–81

Manifest Destiny, 298, 300

Marquesas: Hunt in, 279, 284, 289

McClellan, Robert: and Arikara-Lisa-Hunt council, 119, 122; Astoria arrival of, 222–23; background of, 106; Crooks and Day meeting up with, 233, 235; death of, 307; horse for, 124; and Indians plundering of goods, 230–31; and Lisa rivalry, 106–7, 118, 119, 122; as member of Overland Party, 106; Pelton and, 225; personality and character of, 106, 307; post-Astoria life of, 307; quitting of, 242, 307; return to Astoria of, 233; and Return Overland Party, 245, 307; and route of Overland Party, 137, 144; Sciatoga’s report about group of, 183; and splitting up of Overland Party, 150, 154, 169

McDougall, Duncan: ambitions of, 198; Astor’s concerns about loyalty of, 254; Astor’s relationship with, 58, 294–95; auctioning of Lewis’s belongings by, 220; and
Beaver
at Astoria, 237; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 289, 290–91; and British-U.S. relations, 254; and building of Astoria, 191, 242; death of, 305; and decision to abandon Astoria, 263–64, 265–66, 268, 269, 271, 277; depression/paranoia of, 197–98, 217–18, 262–63, 273, 289, 291; and desertions from Astoria, 219; at Falkland Islands, 53; and food for Astorians, 221; in Hawaii, 63; Hunt and, 238, 273–74, 277, 284; illness of, 222, 244, 262; Indian relationships with, 191, 197–98, 273, 291; and leadership of Astoria, 190, 191, 219, 225, 227, 242, 272, 291; marriage of, 273, 291; McKay’s relationship with, 58; McTavish letter/offer to, 281–82; North West relationship with, 284, 291, 295, 305; as partner in Astoria expedition, 24; and Pelton, 244; personality and character of, 23, 58, 191, 197–98, 225, 273, 290–91, 292, 305; and plans for Astoria, 58; post-Astoria life of, 305; professional background of, 23, 305; and recruitment for Astoria expedition, 23–24; reputation of, 305; responsibilities of, 58; role in Astoria expedition of, 23–24; Ross’s views about, 191, 195, 196; and selling of Astoria, 271–72, 282–83, 284, 289, 291, 292, 294–95; and siting of Astoria, 187, 188, 189; smallpox threat of, 218, 227, 273, 291; and Thompson’s visit to Astoria, 193, 195, 196; Thorn’s relationship with, 187, 190; and
Tonquin
attempts to cross Columbia Bar, 77; as
Tonquin
passenger, 28; and War of 1812, 262

McKay, Alexander: Astor’s concerns about loyalty of, 254; Astor’s relationship with, 58; and British-U.S. relations, 254; citizenship of, 253; death of, 214; Franchère’s description of, 29; in Hawaii, 63; as leader of voyageurs, 19, 58; McDougall’s relationship with, 58; as partner in Astoria expedition, 24, 32; personality and character of, 28, 213; and plans for Astoria, 58; responsibilities of, 58; and silver goblet incident, 266; and
Tonquin
attempts to cross Columbia Bar, 77, 81–82, 83, 88; as
Tonquin
passenger, 28–29, 32, 192; and
Tonquin
-Vancouver Island events, 201, 202, 203, 208–9, 210, 213–14

McTavish, John George, 255–56, 259, 261, 268–69, 271, 272, 281–82

Miller, Joseph, 106, 124, 127, 141, 242, 307

Missouri Fur Company, 107, 110, 119

Missouri River: plate tectonics and, 156; and route of Overland Party, 41, 43, 51, 99, 106, 109, 112, 114–18, 122, 167

Montreal: Astor’s travels to, 14, 24, 93; as center of Scottish fur trade, 34; recruitment for Astoria expedition in, 41–42, 269; and War of 1812, 258.
See also
North West Company

Mumford, Mr. (
Tonquin
second mate), 81–82, 83, 192

Narrows, Columbia River, 209, 229–30, 229
n,
231, 232, 235, 246, 248, 249

Navy, U.S., 24, 80, 258, 259, 265, 278, 287

New Caledonia, 228, 239

New York City: Astor’s immigration to, 9–10; voyageurs arrival in, 17–19, 21–22

Nez Percé Indians, 223, 225, 266

Nicoll (clerk), 242, 244

Nodaway winter camp, 41, 51, 97, 101, 105, 106, 108, 270

Nookamis (Clayoquot Chief), 202–3, 208

North West Company (NWC): as Astor rival, 166, 228, 232, 239, 242, 252–53, 258–59, 261, 264, 271, 289; Astoria and, 228, 242, 261, 268–69, 271, 281–88; Astor’s negotiations with, 93–98; Astor’s partnership with, 25; Astor’s relationship with, 14, 24; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 289; and British regulation of fur trade, 35; Columbia Basin trading posts of, 243; creation and expansion of, 13, 299; and decision to abandon Astoria, 268–69, 271, 289; McDougall and, 284, 291; and McTavish-Clarke-Mackenzie meeting, 255–56; and recruitment for Astoria expedition, 23–24; regional headquarters of, 46–47; and selling of Astoria, 271–72, 282–83, 284, 291, 295; and Thompson’s visit to Astoria, 193–96; and War of 1812, 252–53, 255–56, 258–59, 261, 264. See also
Isaac Todd
;
specific person

Northrup, Samuel, 1–2, 3, 278, 279

Northwest Coast: and boundaries of Oregon Territory, 300; British claims to, 97, 232, 294, 295, 298, 299, 300; early explorations of, 69–75, 75
n
; “joint occupation” of, 294, 295, 298, 299, 300; U.S. claims to, 294, 295, 298–99, 300; western movement and, 299–300.
See also
Coastal Indians

Northwest Passage, 70–71

Nuttall, Thomas, 102, 106, 109, 115, 120

Okanagan fur post, 219, 220, 227, 228, 229, 230, 232–33, 239, 254

Oregon Territory, 298, 299, 300, 305

Oregon Trail, 297–98, 300

Overland Party: and Arikara-Lisa council, 118–23, 125; artifacts from canoe of, 146
n
; Astoria arrival of, 223, 225–26, 227; Astorians’ concerns about, 217, 218, 223; Astor’s lack of information about, 259; beginning of expedition of, 43–45; and Crooks-Hunt meeting on Mad River, 159–62; dangers facing, 99, 101, 103–4, 105, 111–12, 116, 135–36, 147–48, 167, 169–76, 244; deaths among, 145–46, 147, 173, 287; delays of, 41, 123–24, 126, 127, 151, 157, 176, 225; final leg to the Pacific for, 135–36, 137–52; food and supplies for, 118–23, 129, 131, 132–33, 139, 148–52, 154, 158, 159–62, 169–76, 177, 178, 179; illness among members of, 126–27; impact of geology on, 155–56; importance of, 297; leadership of, 23, 41, 42, 97, 114, 126–27, 133, 167, 172, 177, 178, 254, 270; Mackinac Island and, 42, 43, 45–50; Mid-Continental Divide and, 50; mission of, 20, 178; and Missouri River, 41, 43, 51, 99, 106, 109, 112, 114–18, 122, 167; Nodaway winter camp for, 41, 51, 97, 101, 105, 106, 108, 270; number of members of, 101, 106, 109, 112, 178–79, 288; plains trek of, 124–36; reconnaissance parties of, 150–51, 222–23; recruitment for, 41, 42, 46–51, 97, 101; route of, 41, 43, 51, 99, 100, 105–6, 109, 111–18, 127–28, 130–31, 133–35, 138–51, 153–62, 166–67, 169–76, 177–83, 224, 228, 297; splitting up of, 150–52, 153–62, 169–76, 177–83, 222; at St. Louis, 42, 43, 50–51; time table for, 108; and trek to Sciatoga Indians, 177–83; weather and, 157–58, 160, 169, 170, 173–74, 176, 225.
See also
specific person or topic

partners, Scottish: at Astoria, 188, 189, 193–96, 238, 242; Astor’s concerns about, 253; Astor’s relations with, 269–70; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 289; commitment of, 242; contracts for, 24; and decision to abandon Astoria, 268–70, 277, 289; dissatisfaction of, 242; at Falkland Islands, 38, 39, 53–55; in Hawaii, 58–65; Hunt’s relationship with, 115, 238, 269–70; with Overland Party, 106, 115, 146, 147, 150, 270; quitting by, 242, 245; recruitment in Hawaii by, 58, 64–65; and siting of Astoria, 188, 189; and Thompson’s visit to Astoria, 193–96; Thorn’s relationship with, 27–29, 31, 32, 38, 39, 56–58, 76, 270, 290; and Tongue Point flotilla, 245; as
Tonquin
passengers, 27–29, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 56–58, 76, 270, 290; and
Tonquin’
s attempts to cross Columbia Bar, 77.
See also
Scottish fur traders;
specific person

Pedlar
(Astor ship), 284, 306

Pelton, Archibald, 223, 225, 244, 247, 287–88

Perrault, Guillaume, 55–56, 58–59

Phoebe
(British ship), 281–82

plate tectonics, 156–57, 160

Prevost, Jean Baptiste, 173, 223

Racoon
(British ship), 282–83, 294

Reed, John, 106, 124, 134, 138, 144, 150, 151, 159, 222, 228–33, 235, 285, 286
n,
307

Return Overland Party, 245–49, 297, 304, 307

Reznor, Jacob, 110–11, 112, 114–15, 117, 126, 131, 132, 133, 134–35, 140–41, 285, 286
n,
307