states that on May 2, 1811, a party consisting of Alexander McKay[1] and Robert Stuart,[2] partners, and Ovide de Montigny[3] and Gabriel Franchere, clerks, together with a Clatsop chief, Coalpo, set out for a trip up the Columbia. On May 6, 1811, they passed for the first time the mouth of the Willamette. Coalpo informed them that about a day's journey up this river there was a considerable fall, beyond which the country abounded in deer, elk, bear, beaver and otter.
No further record regarding the Willamette occurs until after a lapse of six months, when on Nov. 10, 1811, three of the Canadian boatmen deserted and were captured by the chief of a tribe of Indians on the Willamette. They were not located until Nov. 18th, when a ransom was paid for them and they were taken back to Astoria, where the party arrived the 24th.
No doubt the Willamette country had been discussed pro and con, for on Dec. 5,1811, Robert Stuart, (partner),
- ↑ Alexander McKay, partner in Pacific Fur Co., was Sir Alexander McKenzie's lieutenant on his voyage to the Pacific in 1793. Became partner in N. W . Co. in 1804, joined Astor's Pacific Fur Co. in 1810- Commander of the party which left Montreal July 26, 1810, traversing Lake Champlain and arriving in N. Y ., August 3, 1810. Sailed on Tonquin Sept 6, 1810, arrived at Columbia Bar March 22, 1811. Sailed on Tonquin for the North, and was killed in the Tonquin massacre at Newitty.
- ↑ Robert Stuart, partner in Pacific Fur Co., born in Scotland in 1784, educated in Paris, landed in Montreal in 1806, and entered the service of the N. W. Co. Joined Pacific Fur Co., sailed in Tonquin Sept. 6, 1810, arrived Columbia River March 22, 1811. Up the Willamette with Pillet and McGillis December 5, 1811. Returned overland in 1812 with despatches for Astor. Partner with Astor in Am. Fur Co., and was manager at Mackinac in 1819. Moved to Detroit in 1834. Served one term as State Treasurer, in 1840-41. Was thereafter Indian Agent for four years. Died in Chicago in 1848.
- ↑ Ovide de Montigny, joined Alex. McKay at Whitehall, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1810. Sailed on Tonquin Sept. 6. 1810, arrived at Columbia River March 22, 1811. Was selected by Alex. McKay to go North with him on the Tonquin, but begged off on account seasickness, thus escaping the massacre. On the Okanogan in 1811. Made trip to north branch of Fraser River with David Stuart in 1812. Was seen at Okanogan by Franchere in 1814. No further record.
