CHAPTER XV.
Arrival of a Number of Canoes of the Northwest Company .-- Sale of the Establishment at Astoria to that Company .-- Canadian News .-- Arrival of the British Sloop-of-War "Raccoon."-- Accident on Board that Vessel .-- The Captain takes Formal Possession of Astoria .-- Surprise and Discontent of the Officers and Crew .-- Departure of the "Raccoon." A few days after Mr.M'Kenzie left us, we were greatly surprised by the appearance of two canoes bearing the British flag, with a third between them, carrying the flag of the United States, all rounding Tongue Point.
It was no other than Mr.M'Kenzie himself, returning with Messrs.

J.G.
M'Tavish and Angus Bethune, of the Northwest Company.

He had met these gentlemen near the first rapids, and had determined to return with them to the establishment, in consequence of information which they gave him.
Those gentlemen were in _light_ canoes (i.e., without any lading), and formed the vanguard to a flotilla of eight, loaded with furs, under the conduct of Messrs.

John Stuart and M'Millan.
Mr.M'Tavish came to our quarters at the factory, and showed Mr.
M'Dougal a letter which had been addressed to the latter by Mr.Angus Shaw, his uncle, and one of the partners of the Northwest Company.

Mr.
Shaw informed his nephew that the ship _Isaac Todd_ had sailed from London, with letters of _marque_, in the month of March, in company with the frigate _Phoebe_, having orders from the government to seize our establishment, which had been represented to the lords of the admiralty as an important colony founded by the American government.