RESTORATION OF ASTORIA

321

he had omitted to direct the proper communication to be made to me upon the subject." But if the Ontario was originally destined to sail in August, in the pressure of business there,

.

one wonders whether

this

.

.

excuse was entirely truthful.

Meanwhile, in August, the Ontario arrived at the Columbia and we have reason to think from other reports that it was one of the soft summer days at the mouth of the river, when the river flowed swift and wide and blue as it does today, on a sunny August day, under a blue sky, though lashed to

gleaming whiteness in the crashing breakers on the bar. James Keith tells the story, two months later, in October, and a ludicrous yarn it is, to any one with a sense of humor though Keith had no intention of being humorous.

Captain Frederick Hickey of the Blossom, sent in his formal request to the fur trader

36

H. M.

S.

Ship Blossom, Columbia River, Oct. 4, 1818.

To James

Keith, Esq.,

Fort George.

Upon the restitution of the post and settlement of Fort George to the American Government, I request that you will have the goodness to furnish me with an exact account Sir:

of

its

state

and condition, and with such other information as of importance should be communicated to His

you may deem

Majesty's Ministers. I have the honor to be, &c., &c.

FREDERICK HICKEY.

And

the fur trader promptly replied, with full details, and Part of this is published in the U. S. Government documents, but not the Ontario

then gave the story of the Ontario. episode.

37

36 F. o. 37 F. O.

5, s,

Vol. 147. Vol. 147.