Oregon Prayer Spotlight: Astoria
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. Psalm 107: 23-24
In an effort to pray more effectively for my home state of Oregon, I have drawn from the writings of experienced prayer warriors, leading me to focus on our early history, praying over places where massacres occurred, for instance. Getting back to our roots is an ongoing and very interesting journey. Our recent unexpected move to Oregon City providentially puts me in the heart of the historic district and right where a lot of the early events took place.
Some teachings I’ve come across mention praying over points of entry into a region, both the early settlements and the transportation routes – the “gateways.” For example, we just celebrated the 400thanniversary of the landing at Plymouth Rock (November 11, 1620). Some prayer groups went to Plymouth Rock to physically pray over the spot on that anniversary (quadricentennial).
Looking at Oregon I have realized we need to go further back than the first wagon train of 1843. While those were certainly early days, to find our true “point of entry” we have to go further back and to the west: Astoria.
Lewis and Clark had made their way to the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Columbia River, spending the winter of 1805-06 camped at Fort Clatsop just south of present-day Astoria. Their journey and the trail they marked across the continent had far-reaching consequences. President Jefferson was eager to add the Pacific Northwest to the United States and continued seeking ways to claim the Oregon Country before the British got it. Meanwhile, a German immigrant with a fur-selling business in New York, John Jacob Astor, envisioned an elaborate fur-trading network that included the Pacific Northwest. He contacted President Jefferson which resulted in Astor sending two groups to establish a fur-trading colony at the mouth of the Columbia.
One group sailed in Astor’s ship, the Tonquin,with Captain Jonathan Thorn. Captain Thorn came well recommended, a U. S. naval hero and highly skilled. However, he was also rigid and overbearing and almost immediately alienated the other members of Astor’s expedition. The ship did make it around the Horn and to the mouth of the Columbia, but not without the loss of several men. The group claimed the site of Fort Astoria in 1811, establishing the first U.S. settlement in the Northwest and the first west of the Rockies.
Captain Thorn and the Tonquin came to a bad end after dropping Astor’s group off at the mouth of the Columbia. After helping them get settled a bit, they went on to Vancouver Island (Canada) to trade for furs, but Captain Thorn insulted a Native American chief resulting in the massacre of all but one of the crew. One sailor survived long enough to blow up and sink the ship. A good book to read on these early events is Astoria by Peter Stark, although journals by some of the expedition members can also be found.
The second group was sent out overland and also eventually reached Astoria. This was led by Wilson Price Hunt, an employee of Astor’s, and Donald Mackenzie, a Canadian fur trader. The route they took overland became the basis for the Oregon Trail.
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While this early colony in the Northwest was a good argument for the American claim on the Oregon Country, the settlement remained in U. S. hands for only a short time. During the War of 1812 it was turned over to the British and was British-run until the 1840’s.
President Jefferson and John Jacob Astor saw the settlement of Astoria as a colony, much like the original colonies on the east coast, some of which were strictly entrepreneurial. Astoria was an economic venture – no one came seeking religious freedom - and a pretty rough-and-tumble beginning.
We explored Astoria and Clatsop County in an earlier post, here.
Praying for Astoria:
Pray for our state’s beginnings, for forgiveness for mistakes made, injustices committed. And for God to reveal anything in our early days over which we need to pray.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22
Bruce Jones is the current mayor of Astoria. The City Council is made up of four members who serve four-year terms. The city manager, city attorney and municipal judge are appointed by the mayor and council. Pray for their wisdom and unity.
Astoria is a great place to visit, has a low crime rate and is considered a good place to live.
Margaret
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