Some Thoughts

Dominic Vautier
9/17/18

The most important expedition of the early 1800s was the Overland Party planned and financed by John Jacob Aster because it discovered a way to transport wagons to the west coast and back.  This significant accomplishment was celebrated in historical accounts for many years. But because of all the hardships and difficulties involved or maybe for other reasons, modern history conveniently forgot about it and instead turned to the more glamorous and exciting exploits of the Lewis and Clark expedition which did not contribute much to American growth westward, but it did stir up some interest.

Great Britain had firm and justifiable rights to large portions of the Oregon Territory in particular the Cascadia region, what is now western Washington.  They surrendered the land because there was a very real possibility that America had the means and will to take possession of all the Oregon territory including British Columbia up to the 54th parallel.  This would deliver the entire coast from San Diego to Alaska into American hands, leaving western Canada bereft of sea access, something the British could not abide.

The great pioneer movement west to Oregon beginning in 1843 was the result of a spontaneous effort ignited by many economic conditions and by numerous popular accounts, especially the writings of Narcissa Whitman (Buck, 103).  The early pioneers consisted largely of adventurous young American farming families who had been dispossessed by the panic of 1839, and were simply in search of a new life.  It also included the normal collection of trappers, guides, horsemen, hunters, frontiersmen, zealous Christians, opportunists, thieves and charlatans.  The journey west was undoubtedly hard and up to 10 percent died on the way, but those who did formed the backbone of a solid American presence in the Oregon Territory.

A final and apparently desperate offer made by Britain in 1846 was not seen by them as really such a bad deal.  The British by this time had convinced themselves that they had walked away with the better part of Oregon, and had staved off a continued American land grab.  They agreed to give half of the straight of Juan de Fuca to America along with the smaller area south including the islands below Admiralty Inlet, which they did not consider strategic or important.  The San Juan Islands would remain in dispute.  The 49th parallel would be extended to the sea but not include Vancouver Island.  The treaty offer would thus protect the entire straight of Georgia and all islands in that area as well as lands north of the parallel from further American encroachment.  The British thereby hoped to put an end to American expansionism (as if Britain did not engage in the same practice on a much larger scale).

Britain had no overland route to the west coast capable of supporting war.  The trail blazed by Mackenzie was suitable only for pack mules and horses.  Their access by sea was limited by the narrow straight of Juan de Fuca.  Polk held all the cards in this game.  His goal was really only to secure Cascadia and the excellent sea port of Puget Sound.  Britain simply had no way to wage war.

It was not long after the 1846 treaty giving the Cascadia land to America, just as the British had suspected, Americans moved in large numbers from Oregon City and Portland north into Ft. Vancouver and soon began building cities and logging camps in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle. This was years before the Canadians were able to sufficiently occupy British Columbia beyond Vancouver Island. Had the treaty of 1846 been delayed as Britain feared, America would only have increased its position of strength by further occupation of the disputed territory.

So Cascadia became part of America, all the vibrant and exciting country west of the Columbia river, a land teaming with trees, wildlife, deer, bears, rivers, orcas, salmon, sasquatches, and fir trees.  A land so rich in timber and farmland that early settlers were astonished and overwhelmed at the prospect of clearing stumps for farms.  From the abundant wine growing country around the Horse Heaven Hills and the Yakama Valley to the rich dairy regions east of Bellingham and Snoqualmie to the verdant forests of the Olympic Peninsula, it all became part of America.

Sources:

Buck, Rinker, The  Oregon Trail, 2015
Toll, Ian, Six Frigates, 2006
Horwitz, Tony, Blue Latitudes, 2003
Borneman, Walter R., Polk, 2008
Borneman, Walter R.,Rival Rails, 2002
Bown, Stephen R., Madness Betrayal and the Lash, 2008
Stark, Peter, Astoria, 2015
* Borneman cited from Polk unless otherwise indicated