CHAPTER LVI.
Affairs of State at Astoria.-M'Dougal Proposes for the Hand of An Indian Princess-
Matrimonial Embassy to Comcomly.- Matrimonial Notions Among the Chinooks.-
Settlements and Pin-Money.- The Bringing Home of the Bride.- A Managing Father-in-Law.- Arrival of Mr. Hunt at Astoria.
WE have hitherto had so much to relate of a gloomy and disastrous nature, that it is
with a feeling of momentary relief we turn to something of a more pleasing complexion,
and record the first, and indeed only nuptials in high life that took place in the infant
settlement of Astoria.
M'Dougal, who appears to have been a man of a thousand projects, and of great,
though somewhat irregular ambition, suddenly conceived the idea of seeking the hand
of one of the native princesses, a daughter of the one-eyed potentate Comcomly, who
held sway over the fishing tribe of the Chinooks, and had long supplied the factory with
smelts and sturgeons.
Some accounts give rather a romantic origin to this affair, tracing it to the stormy night
when M'Dougal, in the course of an exploring expedition, was driven by stress of
weather to seek shelter in the royal abode of Comcomly. Then and there he was first
struck with the charms of the piscatory princess, as she exerted herself to entertain her
father's guest.
The "journal of Astoria," however, which was kept under his own eye, records this union
as a high state alliance, and great stroke of policy. The factory had to depend, in a
great measure, on the Chinooks for provisions. They were at present friendly, but it was
to be feared they would prove otherwise, should they discover the weakness and the
exigencies of the post, and the intention to leave the country. This alliance, therefore,
would infallibly rivet Comcomly to the interests of the Astorians, and with him the
powerful tribe of the Chinooks. Be this as it may, and it is hard to fathom the real policy
of governors and princes, M'Dougal despatched two of the clerks as ambassadors
extraordinary, to wait upon the one-eyed chieftain, and make overtures for the hand of
his daughter.
The Chinooks, though not a very refined nation, have notions of matrimonial
arrangements that would not disgrace the most refined sticklers for settlements and
pin-money. The suitor repairs not to the bower of his mistress, but to her father's lodge,
and throws down a present at his feet. His wishes are then disclosed by some discreet
friend employed by him for the purpose. If the suitor and his present find favor in the
eyes of the father, he breaks the matter to his daughter, and inquires into the state of
her inclinations. Should her answer be favorable, the suit is accepted and the lover has
to make further presents to the father, of horses, canoes, and other valuables,
according to the beauty and merits of the bride; looking forward to a return in kind
whenever they shall go to housekeeping.
We have more than once had occasion to speak of the shrewdness, of Comcomly; but
never was it exerted more adroitly than on this occasion. He was a great friend of
M'Dougal, and pleased with the idea of having so distinguished a son-in-law; but so
favorable an opportunity of benefiting his own fortune was not likely to occur a second
time, and he determined to make the most of it. Accordingly, the negotiation was
protracted with true diplomatic skill. Conference after conference was held with the two
ambassadors. Comcomly was extravagant in his terms; rating the charms of his
daughter at the highest price, and indeed she is represented as having one of the
flattest and most aristocratical heads in the tribe. At length the preliminaries were all
happily adjusted. On the 20th of July, early in the afternoon, a squadron of canoes
crossed over from the village of the Chinooks, bearing the royal family of Comcomly,
and all his court.
That worthy sachem landed in princely state, arrayed in a bright blue blanket and red
breech clout, with an extra quantity of paint and feathers, attended by a train of half-naked warriors and nobles. A horse was in waiting to receive the princess, who was
mounted behind one of the clerks, and thus conveyed, coy but compliant, to the
fortress. Here she was received with devout, though decent joy, by her expecting
bridegroom.
Her bridal adornments, it is true, at first caused some little dismay, having painted and
anointed herself for the occasion according to the Chinook toilet; by dint, however, of
copious ablutions, she was freed from all adventitious tint and fragrance, and entered
into the nuptial state, the cleanest princess that had ever been known, of the somewhat
unctuous tribe of the Chinooks.
From that time forward, Comcomly was a daily visitor at the fort, and was admitted into
the most intimate councils of his son-in-law. He took an interest in everything that was
going forward, but was particularly frequent in his visits to the blacksmith's shop;
tasking the labors of the artificer in iron for every state, insomuch that the necessary
business of the factory was often postponed to attend to his requisitions.
The honey-moon had scarce passed away, and M'Dougal was seated with his bride in
the fortress of Astoria, when, about noon of the 20th of August, Gassacop, the son of
Comcomly, hurried into his presence with great agitation, and announced a ship at the
mouth of the river. The news produced a vast sensation. Was it a ship of peace or war?
Was it American or British? Was it the Beaver or the Isaac Todd? M'Dougal hurried to
the waterside, threw himself into a boat, and ordered the hands to pull with all speed for
the mouth of the harbor. Those in the fort remained watching the entrance of the river,
anxious to know whether they were to prepare for greeting a friend or fighting an
enemy. At length the ship was descried crossing the bar, and bending her course
towards Astoria. Every gaze was fixed upon her in silent scrutiny, until the American
flag was recognized. A general shout was the first expression of joy, and next a
salutation was thundered from the cannon of the fort.
The vessel came to anchor on the opposite side of the river, and returned the salute.
The boat of Mr. M'Dougal went on board, and was seen returning late in the afternoon.
The Astorians watched her with straining eyes, to discover who were on board, but the
sun went down, and the evening closed in, before she was sufficiently near. At length
she reached the land, and Mr. Hunt stepped on shore. He was hailed as one risen from
the dead, and his return was a signal for merriment almost equal to that which prevailed
at the nuptials of M'Dougal.
We must now explain the cause of this gentleman's long absence, which had given rise
to such gloomy and dispiriting surmises.