The West End of the Rainbow
-
An Unorthodox History -
Our 19th Century George W. Bush and the Other Washington
Richard Robison took a serious look at
the effect that Tumwater settlers had on the boundary question.
The thesis of his book was "Would Western Washington and Puget Sound be
a part
of Canada without George W. Bush?" His book was published in 2002.
Robison states that Bush will come to be known, understood and
respected for his importance in American history because of the content
of his
character.
Recently
released records from the Public Records Office and Admiralty in London
indicate that the H.M.S.
America was anchored on August 28, 1845 at Discovery Bay (six
miles west
of Port Townsend) investigating the Oregon Country. This Royal British
Navy
Frigate was commanded by Captain John Gordon. Here is part of his
report...
Having well examined this part of the country and
visited the head of Puget Sound [Tumwater], lately taken possession of
by an American party, I returned to Port Discovery [Port Townsend], and
there crossed over, in my boat to Fort Victoria, which is a new and
extensive establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company. ...My officer [Lt.
William Peel] having returned from Fort Vancouver on the 24th [of
September], bringing with him Mr. [James] Douglas [one of the
commissioners of the new
Vancouver County, north of the Columbia River, formed by Applegate and
McLoughlin, to extend the Provisional Government northward in July
1845]...
I have had much conversation with Mr. Douglas, and what I have
learned from him and others, that the Hudson's Bay Company are anxious
for a speedy settlement of the question, as under present circumstances
any subjects of the United States pending the question, takes
possession
of the disputed ground, however contiguous to the company's
settlements,
trusting to the chance and the difficulty of removing him
hereafter.
I fear that some untoward event and collision must soon take place
between
the disputants for the land. The Hudson's Bay Company, at present, are
too strong, but when the emigrants have their petition granted, and a
military
force at their disposal, they will no doubt employ it in a most
unscrupulous
manner.
There also was a report by Lt. Peel that was a
part of the same exploration. Peel
mentions
the new Vancouver County [organized in July 1845 by the American
Provisional Government in Oregon], and scattered settlers, "chiefly
from the Missouri," and why they are coming, and their marketing
problems, etc. (grain, and Hudson's Bay Co. role). Their spring
departure from Independence [Missouri] and difficulties with late fall
arrival. Little money, promissory
notes (paid in wheat).
Captain Gordon had traveled with Lt. Peel as far as Cowlitz Landing,
but then returned back to his ship via Fort Nisqually.
Lt. Peel * continued aboard the steamer R.M.S. Trent from
southern Mexico in January 1846. He arrived in London on February 10.
On February 13, 1846, he submitted reports which included both Captain
Gordon's and his own work to several leaders including Lord Aberdeen,
Foreign Secretary.(Captain Gordon's brother). These reports are
found under British Foreign Office 5 459 HIS 00509.
Britain soon sent envoys to
the USA to handle this matter.
The treaty setting the
boundary as the 49th parallel was ratified by U.S. Senate in Washington
D.C. on June 18, 1846.
* Coincidentally Lt. William
Peel was the son of Sir Robert Peel, former Prime Minister (December 10, 1834 – April 8,
1835 and
August 30, 1841 – June 29, 1846)
