History
The Astor Expedition was named after its financier, John Jacob Astor, and is sometimes referred to as the "Hunt Party" due to Wilson Price Hunt being in charge of the group. However, it has been suggested that the title "Overland Expedition of the Pacific Fur Company" might be more accurate with the members of the party referred to as "Overland Astorians."
Following the death of Meriwether Lewis in 1809, a search commenced for a suitable governor for the area. Astor hoped to propose a solution with his proposed route west. Astor's plans were to create a company that aimed to control the entire existing fur trade, as well as extend it all the way to the Pacific. However, the British had claims to the area Astor hoped to control with the establishment of The Pacific Fur Company. Astor's plans were not only in defiance of the British, but the organization of the Astoria party was also not welcomed by established companies including the North West and the Hudson Bay Company.
Another trade war was plausible due to the organization and implementation of such an organized group. Just as other American fur merchants refused, Astor would not "concede so lucrative a trade to their British and Canadian counterparts without a spirited contest." Astor understood his proposal for the expedition was as much political, as it was commercial. He needed to get the support of the government in order to be successful in his endeavor. In 1810 John Jacob Astor, along with his Canadian partners, Alexander McKay, Duncan McDougall, and Donald Mackenzie met in New York to sign the Pacific Fur Company's provisional agreement.
Astor owned a one-half interest in the Pacific Fur Company (half of the shares being held by the American Fur Company, which was solely owned by Astor). The other half-interest of the Pacific Fur Company was divided among working partners, each owning two-and-a-half to five shares (with some shares held in reserve). The working partners all ventured to the Columbia River, either overland or by ship.
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