By this arrangement Mr. Astor became proprietor of one half of the
Indian establishments and goods which the Mackinaw Company had within
the territory of the Indian country in the United States, and it was
understood that the whole was to be surrendered into his hands at the
expiration of five years, on condition that the American Company would
not trade within the British dominions.

Unluckily, the war which broke out in 1812 between Great Britain and
the United States suspended the association; and, after the war, it was
entirely dissolved; Congress having passed a law prohibiting the British
fur traders from prosecuting their enterprises within the territories of
the United States.




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,