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

by Stark, Peter

  Gallatin, Albert, 252, 264–65, 295, 298

  goblets, Astor’s silver, 266–68

  Grand Portage fur post, 46–47

  Gray, Robert, 74–75, 76, 188, 207, 306

  “Great Migration,” 299–300

  Green River: Overland Party on, 132–33, 132–33 n, 136, 137–38

  Hawaii: Beaver in, 275–76, 292; Cook in, 55, 60–62, 71; Forester in, 289; Hunt in, 276, 284, 289, 292; Lark and, 279, 281; Perrault incident in, 55–56; Tonquin in, 55–65, 76–77

  Hawaiians: at Astoria, 221, 222, 227; as expert swimmers, 85–86; recruitment of, 58, 64–65; and Tongue Point flotilla, 245, 246; and Tonquin crossing Columbia Bar, 82–90

  Hells Canyon: Overland Party at, 160–62, 169–76, 177

  Henry, Andrew, 51, 111, 134–35, 225

  Hoback, John, 110–11, 112, 114–15, 117, 126, 131, 132, 133, 134–35, 140–41, 307

  horses: and Arikara-Lisa-Hunt council, 122–23, 125; and Caldron Linn cache, 228; and decision to abandon Astoria, 268; and Dorion rescue, 285–86; Overland Party and, 111–12, 122–25, 127, 130, 136, 148–50, 158, 161, 170, 171, 173–75, 177–79; and Return Overland Party, 245; “smoking” and, 123; stealing of, 123; and Stuart’s resupplying of Okanogan post, 230

  Hudson’s Bay Company, 13, 14, 24, 35, 299, 306, 307, 308

  Hunt, Wilson Price: in Alaska, 274–75, 292; on Albatross, 276–77, 279, 281; Astoria arrival of, 223, 225–26; Astor’s lack of information about, 259; Astor’s letters to and from, 93, 97, 114, 116, 227–29, 230, 231, 239, 245, 260, 270, 277–78, 279, 295; Astor’s relationship with, 101, 114, 253, 254, 260, 291; Beaver and, 239, 257, 261, 269, 270, 274–77, 289, 292; and blame for failure of Astoria expedition, 289, 291; challenges facing, 225–26; and decision to abandon Astoria, 269–70, 277; in Hawaii, 276, 284, 289, 292; lack of experience of, 41, 98, 117, 151–52, 170; and leadership at Astoria, 187, 225–26, 227–28, 238, 242, 261, 276, 284; MacKenzie’s relationship with, 42; in Marquesas, 279, 284, 289; McDougall and, 238, 273–74, 277, 284; mission of, 238–39; and Nicoll’s quitting, 244; and North West Company, 239; partners relationship with, 115, 238, 269–70; on Pedlar, 284; personality and character of, 23, 41, 79, 115, 126–27, 133, 162, 171, 172, 176, 178, 225, 238, 291–92; post-Astoria life of, 305; priorities at Astoria of, 227–28; professional background of, 23, 305; and recruitment for Astoria expedition, 41, 42, 46–50, 101, 107, 139, 269; reputation of, 162, 305; responsibilities of, 114, 116; return to Astoria of, 273–74, 276–77, 284; role in Astoria expedition of, 23; and selling of Astoria furs, 284; stress of, 292; and War of 1812, 276. See also Hunt, Wilson Price—with Overland Party

  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

  Robinson, Edward, 110–11, 112, 114–15, 117, 126, 131–35, 140–41, 307

  Rocky Mountains: Overland Party route and, 153, 156; Return Overland Party and, 297

  Ross, Alexander: and Astoria expedition losses, 287; and British claims to Northwest Coast, 294; and building of Astoria, 190, 191; as caretaker for McKay’s son, 192; and Clarke-Caratouch Indian incident, 266–68; Clarke comments by, 238; Crooks-Day ordeal narrative by, 233–36; and decision to abandon Astoria, 264, 268, 269; and establishment of Astoria fur posts, 219; and Falkland Islands incident, 54; in Hawaii, 62, 63, 65; and Hunt-Astor relationship, 101; Mackenzie (Donald) comments of, 42, 255; McDougall and, 191, 195, 196; McKay comments of, 213; and Okanagan fur trade, 232; and Overland Party arrival in Astoria, 223; post-Astoria life of, 307–8; and recruitment for Astoria expedition, 41; Stuart (David) comments of, 233; and Thompson’s visit to Astoria, 195; and Thorn, 77; and Tonquin crossing of Columbia Bar, 68–69, 77, 79, 80, 81–82, 83, 84, 87, 88; and Tonquin desertions, 62; as Tonquin passenger, 29, 37, 39; and Tonquin relationships, 56–57; and Tonquin-Vancouver Island events, 203; Willamette Valley comments of, 238

  Royal Navy, British: Astor’s concerns about, 97, 241, 252–53, 264, 277, 287; and North West interest in Astoria, 256, 258–59, 264, 269, 281–82; and selling of Astoria, 282; stop-and-search activities of, 30, 241, 258, 265; and Thompson’s astronomical equipment, 195; War of 1812 and, 258–59, 264, 269