Astoria: John Jacob Astor And Thomas Jefferson's Lost Pacific Empire: A Story Of Wealth, Ambition, And Survival - Plot & Excerpts
The half-starved members of the Overland Party recovered their vitality and muscle mass, feasting on the spring runs of fat-rich candlefish that now swarmed up the Columbia and were harvested by the Chinook and brought to the traders. The reports from the inland tributaries such as the Okanagan and the Willamette indicated rich harvests of furs, the Okanagan post alone trading less than $200 worth of merchandise to the Indians for $10,000 worth of furs. Astoria’s thin ranks, defended by McDougall’s smallpox-in-a-bottle, was now, after the arrival of the Overland Party, suddenly bustling with nearly one hundred men. Here was Astor’s vision taking shape in reality—the beginnings of his great emporium on the Pacific Rim. Hunt brought a renewed energy to the leadership of Astoria. Taking command from McDougall—much to the relief of voyageurs, Hawaiians, and clerks who toiled under the Scotsman—Hunt immediately put to good use his business management skills. He intended to make a success of the grand enterprise, as instructed, despite the shocking setbacks they had all suffered so far.
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