The British blockade of American shipping made it impossible to maintain the supply lines that Fort Astoria depended upon.

The North West Company — the British-backed fur enterprise that was Astor’s primary competitor — was in a position to acquire the post at a price that was, under wartime conditions, difficult for the Pacific Fur Company to refuse.

In October 1813, Fort Astoria became Fort George, under North West Company management.

Marie Dorion and her family were part of the Astorian enterprise during this period of transition.

They had returned to the interior after reaching Fort Astoria, joining the Reed trapping party that went back up the Columbia and into the Snake River country.