Pacific Fur Company

Organized by John Jacob Astor in 1810. Sometimes known as the Astor Fur Company. Astor had made a fortune in the fur trade, and formed the plan of extending his operations to the Pacific coast, and building a post at the mouth of the Columbia. He suggested to the North West Company that the project be undertaken jointly, but the Company declining the offer, he induced several of its partners and employees to join him. These men sailed to the Columbia by way of Cape Horn, while another party went overland by the route followed by Lewis and Clark. Astoria was built in 1811, at the mouth of the Columbia, but the energetic competition of the North West Company, and complications arising out of the War of 1812, defeated Astor's plans. Index : D Logical sequel to journey of Lewis and Clark, 68; formed in 1810 by John Jacob Astor, 68; made famous by Washington Irving, 68; character and extent of its operations, 69-71; employees recruited in Montreal, 70; expeditions sent out, 71. See also Astoria. Bib. : Cox, Adventures on the Columbia River ; Ro , Fur Hunters of the Far West ; Franchère, Voyage to North-West Coast of America ; Irving, Astoria .