--Agitation at Astoria.--Warlike
Offer of Comcomly.--Astoria Taken Possession of by the
British.--Indignation of Comcomly at the Conduct of His Son-
in-Law.
ON the morning of the 30th of November, a sail was descried doubling
Cape Disappointment. It came to anchor in Baker's Bay, and proved to be
a ship of war. Of what nation? was now the anxious inquiry. If English,
why did it come alone? where was the merchant vessel that was to have
accompanied it? If American, what was to become of the newly acquired
possession of the Northwest Company?
In this dilemma, M'Tavish, in all haste, loaded two barges with all the
packages of furs bearing the mark of the Northwest Company, and made
off for Tongue Point, three miles up the river. There he was to await a
preconcerted signal from M'Dougal, on ascertaining the character of the
ship. If it should prove American, M'Tavish would have a fair start, and
could bear off his rich cargo to the interior. It is singular that this
prompt mode of conveying valuable, but easily transportable effects
beyond the reach of a hostile ship should not have suggested itself
while the property belonged to Mr. Astor.
In the meantime, M'Dougal, who still remained nominal chief at the fort,
launched a canoe, manned by men recently in the employ of the American
Fur Company, and steered for the ship.
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