Ross's Adventures of the first settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813

"Ross's Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River" by Alexander Ross, tells a tale of daring exploration and survival, recounting the true story of Ross and his companions as they embark on a perilous journey to establish a fur trading empire in the Pacific Northwest for the Pacific Fur Company in the early 1800s. Facing treacherous conditions at sea and on land after leaving New York on the ship "Tonquin", the settlers struggle against rival fur companies, navigate complex relationships with various Native American tribes, and endure the everyday hardships of frontier life, all driven by the promise of wealth and adventure in a new American territory. Ross's narrative vividly illustrates the ambitions, challenges, and often harsh realities faced by these early pioneers, providing a firsthand perspective on a pivotal chapter in American history and western expansion, fueled by the hope of commerical success tied to the fur trade.