Astoria Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains Part 1

This section introduces John Jacob Astor’s grand vision to establish a fur-trading post on the Pacific coast. Gathering merchants, sailors, hunters, and interpreters, he forms the Astoria Expedition. The early voyage unfolds with both ambition and peril, depicting the blend of commerce and discovery. Preparation, departure, and first encounters with the unknown are vividly described, marking the dawn of America’s western expansion.