The attempt to obtain the goods did not, however, succeed; and I cannot say how far the failure injured you.  But the war proved fatal to another much more extensive and important enterprise.

Previous to that time, but I also forget the year, you had undertaken to carry on a trade on your own account, though I believe under the New York charter of the American Fur Company, with the Indians west of the Rocky Mountains.  This project was also communicated to government, and met, of course, with its full approbation, and best wishes, for your success.  You carried it on, on the most extensive scale, sending several ships to the mouth of the Columbia River, and a large party by land across the mountains, and finally founding the establishment of Astoria.

This unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy during the war, from circumstances with which I am but imperfectly acquainted—­being then absent on a foreign mission.  I returned in September, 1815, and sailed again on a mission to France in June, 1816.  During that period I visited Washington twice—­in October or November, 1815, and in March, 1816.  On one of these occasions, and I believe on the last, you mentioned to me that you were disposed once more to renew the attempt, and to reestablish Astoria, provided you had the protection of the American flag; for which purpose, a lieutenant’s command would be sufficient to you.  You requested me to mention this to the President, which I did.  Mr. Madison said he would consider the subject, and, although he did not commit himself, I thought that he received the proposal favorably.  The message was verbal, and I do not know whether the application was ever renewed in a more formal manner.  I sailed soon after for Europe, and was seven years absent.  I never had the pleasure, since 1816, to see Mr. Madison, and never heard again anything concerning the subject in question.

I remain, dear sir, most respectfully, Your obedient servant,

Albert Gallatin.

John Jacob Astor, Esq., New York.

Notices of the Present State of the Fur Trade,

chiefly extracted from an article published in Silliman’s Magazine for January, 1834.

The Northwest Company did not long enjoy the sway they had acquired over the trading regions of the Columbia.  A competition, ruinous in its expenses, which had long existed between them and the Hudson’s Bay Company, ended in their downfall and the ruin of most of the partners.  The relict of the company became merged in the rival association, and the whole business was conducted under the name of the Hudson’s Bay Company.