This was ten years
before Lewis and Clark reached the Columbia, almost twenty years before
Astor had thought of his Pacific Company. The Columbia, a full-rigged
two-decker, two hundred and twelve tons and eighty-three feet long,
mounting {213} ten guns, which had been built fourteen years before on
Hobart's Landing, North River, was immediately purchased. But a
smaller ship to cruise about inland waters and collect furs was also
needed; and for this purpose the partners bought the _Lady Washington_,
a little sloop of ninety tons. Captain John Kendrick of the merchant
marine was chosen to command the _Columbia_, Robert Gray, a native of
Rhode Island, who had served in the revolutionary navy, a friend of
Kendrick's, to be master of the _Lady Washington_. Kendrick was of
middle age, cautious almost to indecision; but Gray was younger with
the daring characteristic of youth.
In order to insure a good reception for the ships, letters were
obtained from the federal government to foreign powers. Massachusetts
furnished passports; and the Spanish minister to the United States gave
letters to the viceroy of New Spain.
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