The St.Louis fur-traders had been making a way to the Rockies for years, and in 1810 John Jacob Astor sent a ship around Cape Horn, to establish a post for the fur-trade on the Pacific Coast, and also sent an expedition of some sixty persons from St.Louis, overland, by the way of the Missouri and Yellowstone, to the Columbia River.

The pioneer ship was called the Tonquin.

She arrived at the mouth of the Columbia before the overland expedition.

These traders came together at last, and founded Astoria, on the Columbia.
Ships now began to sail for Astoria, and the trading-post flourished in the beautiful climate and amid the majestic scenery.

But the English claimed the country.