Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains

"Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains" by Washington Irving is a historical account likely written in the early 19th century. The work delves into the adventurous exploits of fur traders and explorers in the uncharted regions of North America, particularly focusing on the endeavors of John Jacob Astor and the establishment of a trading enterprise extending across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. The opening portion sets the stage by recounting Irving's experiences with fur traders in Canada, highlighting their thrilling stories and the allure of the fur trade. He discusses the vibrant lives of the coureurs des bois, the early French Canadian settlers involved in the fur trade, and paints a picture of the complex dynamics between various trading companies as they vie for control over lucrative markets. Irving introduces the historical context of Astor's ambitious plans to create an American fur trading company, showcasing the pioneering spirit of the time and the significant cultural exchanges that resulted from these ventures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Washington Irving was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He wrote the short stories "Rip Van Winkle" (1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820), both of which appear in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain that deal with subjects such as the Alhambra, Christopher Columbus, and the Moors. Irving served as American ambassador to Spain in the 1840s.