She had arrived in the Columbia river, and found
the establishment in possession of the party that
came over-land, and the English colors flying on
the fort. On the approach of the party, they had
informed the Americans that some of his majesty's
ships were coming to take possession of the place.
Upon this the colony made the best bargain they
could, and the English took possession of the
fort, with a valuable assortment of furs. A few
of the American clerks went on board the Amer-
ican brig Pedlar, but the governor, Mr. McDou-
gal and the rest, entered into the service of the
English Northwest Company. The Racoon^
after having completed her wooding and water-
ing, lay sometime in the river; on her crossing
the bar, she struck, and so much damaged her
bottom, that she could scarcely be kept above
water till her arrival at Port St. Francisco, a dis-
tance not exceeding 500 miles from the Columbia.
By means of the Isaac Todd, his majesty's ship
was soon repaired, and sailed towards the Sand-
wich Islands. Several of the crew of the Isaac
Todd deserted at Monterey, being afraid they
should be pressed into the Racoon. She then
sailed from Port St. Francisco, and arrived off
the Columbia river in April, 18 14, got over the
bar in safety, and anchored in Baker's Bay.
The Todd went up the river, and moored oppo-
site the fort above Village Point ; and all the en-
treaties of Mr. McTavish could not prevail on
Captain Smith to bring the ship across : his ex-
cuse was, want of water in the chanpel, where
there is three fathoms and a half at high tide.
