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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: the purpose, now that a British squadron was on its way to the
river. He applied to purchase one of the whale ships brought in
by Commodore Porter. The commodore demanded twenty-five thousand
dollars for her. The price appeared exorbitant, and no bargain
could be made. Mr. Hunt then urged the commodore to fit out one
of his prizes, and send her to Astoria, to bring off the property
and part of the people, but he declined, "from want of
authority." He assured Mr. Hunt, however, that he would endeavor
to fall in with the enemy, or should he hear of their having
certainly gone to the Columbia, he would either follow or
anticipate them, should his circumstances warrant such a step.
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