The ships took out tobacco, molasses, blankets, hardware, and trinkets in large quantities.
Proceeding around Cape Horn, they entered the Pacific Ocean, and on reaching the north-west coast, anchored in some of the bays and harbors north of Columbia River.

They were visited by canoes from the shore, and traffic commenced.

The natives exchanged their furs for articles useful or ornamental.

The ship went from port to port until a cargo of furs was obtained, and then sailed for Canton, and disposed of them to the Chinese for silks and teas.

After an absence of a couple of years the ship would return to the United States with a cargo worth a hundred thousand dollars.