CHAPTER III.
Fur Trade in the Pacific--American Coasting Voyages--Russian Enterprises .-- Discovery of the Columbia River .-- Carver's Project to Found a Settlement There .-- Mackenzie's Expedition .-- Lewis and Clarke's Journey Across the Rocky Mountains--Mr.Astor's Grand Commercial Scheme .-- His Correspondence on the Subject With Mr.Jefferson .-- His Negotiations With the Northwest Company .-- His Steps to Carry His Scheme Into Effect.
WHILE the various companies we have noticed were pushing their enterprises far and wide in the wilds of Canada, and along the course of the great western waters, other adventurers, intent on the same objects, were traversing the watery wastes of the Pacific and skirting the northwest coast of America.

The last voyage of that renowned but unfortunate discoverer, Captain Cook, had made known the vast quantities of the sea-otter to be found along that coast, and the immense prices to be obtained for its fur in China.

It was as if a new gold coast had been discovered.

Individuals from various countries dashed into this lucrative traffic, so that in the year 1792, there were twenty-one vessels under different flags, plying along the coast and trading with the natives.

The greater part of them were American, and owned by Boston merchants.