On November 24, 1836, the Loriot set sail from the Sandwich Islands for the Columbia River[3] with Lieutenant William A. Slacum of the U.S. Navy.[4] Earlier in 1836 President Andrew Jackson sent Lieutenant William A. Slacum to the west coast of North America to examine San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River estuary to assess these anchorages for their strategic value.[4] Additionally, Slacum and his expedition were to examine the economy of the region.[4] The ship, under the command of Captain Bancroft, arrived at the river on December 22, 1836.[3] In the Oregon Country, Slacum offered to take some settlers to California on the Loriot to purchase cattle for the settlers to then drive north to Oregon.[5] On February 10, 1837, the ship sailed out of the Columbia and towards California with Ewing Young and other members of the Willamette Cattle Company.[3] Ship and passengers arrived at the Russian settlement of Bodega on February 20, 1837, where the pioneers disembarked with Slacum then continuing on his mission.[6]
During the journey in 1836 the Loriot was involved in an event that created a minor diplomatic incident with Russia involving Russian-America lands.[7] In that year the vessel attempted to make land in the Alexander Archipelago at Tuckessan harbor, but was denied by Russian authorities.[7]
- "When the captain of the Loriot asked permission to enter the harbor of Tateskey, he was ordered to "leave the waters of His Imperial Majesty.""[7]
United States