The Oregon Territory & The Colony of Vancouver Island

The Pacific Northwest The last part of North America to be explored and settled was the Pacific Northwest Home to more than 25 different Aboriginal groups for 10,000 years. First explored by the Russians in 1741. Spain, Britain, and the US followed. The economy flourished around the sea otter trade.

The Oregon Territory: Contested Land The areas of New Caledonia and Columbia were a challenge for George Simpson, the governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company as there were so many countries interested in it. Russia claimed the coast as far south as N. Vancouver Island. The 49th Parallel drew a boundary between the U.S and BNA but the boundary ended at the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The Americans claimed the Oregon Territory on the other side of the mountains. The HBC saw the Oregon Territory as an extension of Rupert’s Land.

Both the Americans and the British wanted to territory and the HBC wanted it but did not want to encourage settlement as the area was just for the fur trade. The U.S was encouraging settlement at an alarming rate as a means to secure the area. Manifest destiny was a very real fear for Canada and this struggle was an example of that fear. Many Americans settled North of the Columbia River to Puget Sound and along the south of the Columbia River called Williamette Valley. Pursuit of Oregon

HBC Fights Back Simpson toured forts in area; HBC not using resources fully Decided to create post on north bank of Columbia River; opposite the Williamette River. Fort Vancouver is placed under the direction of Chief Factor John McLoughlin; a capable but homeless looking man. He was a realist who knew the Americans would settle part of the region. Simpson ordered employees to open trade in Fraser Valley and expand trade networks with natives in the area. Furs were plentiful in the Fraser Valley; fur supplies depleting in other areas. 1827, established post at Fort Langley.

The Russians Appeased The Russians established trading posts in Alaska; extended influence south along the northern coast. In 1839, HBC and Russia agreed Russians would stop operations south of the 54O 40’ N. HBC to supply Russian posts in Alaska with food the Beaver, an HBC steamship -supplied the food to Russians -used as mobile trading base for Northwest Coast native groups -added British presence in area

McLoughlin and Fort Victoria Agreement upset McLoughlin as he believed chain of posts along coast made HBC strong and the agreement eliminated 15 years of his hard work Anger/hatred at Simpson and HBC deepened with the agreement AND McLoughlin’s son was killed in a brawl at Fort Stikine which Simpson recommended be seen as a “justifiable homicide.” McLoughlin continued promotion of US settlement south of Columbia River and discouraged settlement north of it  He had been allowing American settlement here as he believed it was inevitable. Simpson now worried due to rising population of Americans in Oregon Territory that area including Fort Vancouver could be lost Ordered Chief Factor, James Douglas to open depot on Vancouver Island which is named Fort Victoria in 1843 to honor Queen Victoria. Bitter, McLoughlin retired (1845) from HBC with decent pension. He settled south of Columbia River in Oregon City and became known as the “Father of Oregon”

Questions: 1. Using a t-chart, compare and contrast the American and British Attitudes to the Oregon Territory 2. Why do you think McLoughlin went out of his way to assist American settlers. Give two pieces of evidence. 3. How could the HBC have changed its policies in the 1830s in order to gain control of at least a portion of the Oregon Territory south of the forty-ninth parallel?

Territory Split In the 1840s the US pursues aggressive expansion of territory James Polk -- 1844, Democratic candidate for president ran on slogan “54o 40’ or fight”: This meant US claimed Oregon Territory to 54o 40’N. The slogan is popular enough to get Polk elected In 1845, Polk tried to negotiate with Britain for Oregon Territory. When Britain would not budge, Polk decided he did not want war despite aggressive stand in 1844 election. boundary of 1818 was extended along the 49th parallel to Pacific Ocean Vancouver Island remained in British hands and all area south of the 49th parallel went to US including Fort Vancouver and the farmlands of Puget Sound.

Colony of Vancouver Island In 1848, Colony of Vancouver Island created to establish more official presence on Pacific coast and James Douglas is appointed as governor. The HBC given trade monopoly but had to sell land to British settlers Douglas does not want more Americans in area so actively encouraged British settlement. He wanted to give free land grants to new settlers. Britain disagreed and wanted to recreate English class system which required land purchase of 20 acres. With a purchase of more than 100 acres, owner was required to bring at least 5 employees This plan to recreate Britain’s land/class system was not very successful By 1849, only settlers in area were ex-HBC employees and they had most of the best farmland already. Colony of Vancouver Island

The Colonies Economy The HBC dominated in 1850s By 1840, coal discovered near Nanaimo- the Douglas Coal Seam immigrants came to start mining operations potential coal customer was the Royal Navy Esquimault harbour (next to Victoria) set up as naval base - war ships need coal supplies mines also set up at Cumberland (further North on Vancouver Island) in mid-1850s

The Royal Navy: Victoria’s Social Life HMS Victoria 1887 Royal Navy’s role is Victoria’s social life officers from upper class partied with British landowners Douglas encouraged social activities but not approve of the new upper class Douglas had been working class. Had been a fur trader and married a Métis woman (Amelia) Douglas had a dim view of Victorian high society which was shared by former HBC employees. Upper class was prejudiced, and class conscious shunned lower classes

Legislative Assembly & First Treaties 1856, Governor Douglas created a Legislative Assembly in response to ex-HBC employees complaint that the area becoming like club for landed gentry small Assembly, only 7 elected representatives as only 40 of colony’s 450 adults could votehad to own land to vote Assembly passed resolutions but couldn’t enforce them as Douglas had veto power. The Assembly could, however, grant monies for government use. By 1855, population of settlers was 774; but there were more than 30 000 Aboriginal peoples on the island Douglas had to negotiate treaties before area could attract more settlers The native peoples surrendered their land lands to Europeans but retained hunting and fishing rights Agreement seemed to suggest land was being leased so annual compensation was given to each native family led to idea of native entitlement to the land by BC, Canada, and Britain- WAS NOT UPHELD