Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 26.

[p. 29] chamber—to see the power of faith triumphing over bodily pain and the hope of immortality victorious over the fear of death. Cheerful he gave his being up and went to share the holy rest that waits a life well spent.

The other two privateers, the Avon and the Aboellino, were built too late to take an active part in the war.

Meanwhile, on the Pacific ocean, the British cruisers and privateers had driven all the merchant fleet into neutral ports. Among them was the brig Pedlar, which took refuge in the Hawaiian Islands.

The Charon was unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of a British privateer. The frigate Essex was finally sent to the Pacific and played havoc with the British cruisers and privateers for a time, but she was finally captured by two British vessels of war in a desperate naval battle off Valparaiso.

On the Northwest coast Astor had finally succeeded in establishing a trading post, after several previous attempts had been defeated by Indian attacks. His company was called the Pacific Fur Co. He had built Fort Astoria, which the British war vessels so far had not seized. They had cut off most of the supplies for the post, however.

They were now in a precarious position. Cruisers were watching them, ready to pounce upon them and the chances of escape of a richly laden caravan fleeing across the Rocky Mountains from the Walla Walla and Blackfeet Indians were nothing. Even if they escaped after being robbed, their lives were in jeopardy unless supplies could be got to them.

Astor fitted out the brig Lark and sent her to their relief, but she was unfortunately wrecked on the Hawaiian Islands. Hunt, the chief agent, proceeded to Hawaii and authorized one of his assistants, McDougall, to conclude arrangements with the British N. W. Fur Co. as best he might.

McDougall finally sold the Pacific Fur Co. to their British rivals for $80,500, after a canny Scotch game played for their possession with McTavish. ‘The ’