[Astoria by Washington Irving]@TWC D-Link book
Astoria

CHAPTER II
1/7

CHAPTER II.
Rise of the Mackinaw Company .-- Attempt of the American Government to Counteract Foreign Influence Over the Indian Tribes .-- John Jacob Astor .-- His Birth-Place .-- His Arrival in the United States .-- What First Turned His Attention to the Fur Trade .-- His Character, Enterprises, and Success .-- His Communications With the American Government .-- Origin of the American Fur Company THE success of the Northwest Company stimulated further enterprise in this opening and apparently boundless field of profit.

The traffic of that company lay principally in the high northern latitudes, while there were immense regions to the south and west, known to abound with valuable peltries; but which, as yet, had been but little explored by the fur trader.

A new association of British merchants was therefore formed, to prosecute the trade in this direction.

The chief factory was established at the old emporium of Michilimackinac, from which place the association took its name, and was commonly called the Mackinaw Company.
While the Northwesters continued to push their enterprises into the hyperborean regions from their stronghold at Fort William, and to hold almost sovereign sway over the tribes of the upper lakes and rivers, the Mackinaw Company sent forth their light perogues and barks, by Green Bay, Fox River, and the Wisconsin, to that areas artery of the West, the Mississippi; and down that stream to all its tributary rivers.

In this way they hoped soon to monopolize the trade with all the tribes on the southern and western waters, and of those vast tracts comprised in ancient Louisiana.
The government of the United States began to view with a wary eye the growing influence thus acquired by combinations of foreigners, over the aboriginal tribes inhabiting its territories, and endeavored to counteract it.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books