Fact of the Day -In Canadian history what was the cause of the Pig War

Fact of the Day : In Canadian history what was the cause of the Pig War, which erupted in 1859? (from The Oxford Companion to Canadian History)

"Pig War." A controversial border dispute between Great Britain and the United States, erupting in 1859 during the British Columbia gold rush. Partly a result of ambiguous wording in the Oregon Boundary Treaty of 1846 , the contested land was San Juan Island, east of southern Vancouver Island. The Hudson's Bay Company under James Douglas claimed ownership of the island, while US authorities based in Whatcom County, Washington Territory, did the same.

The quarrel reached a crisis in 1859 when an American squatter shot a marauding pig that belonged to the HBC—hence the title of the dispute. Under George E. Pickett 60 American troops were sent to occupy the island; although British war vessels were sent, no armed conflict resulted.

The island was placed under joint Anglo-American occupation until 1872 , when Emperor Wilhelm I of Germany, acting as arbitrator, decided upon Haro Strait as the boundary. Thus, the entire San Juan archipelago became US territory. Historical data, based upon discussions prior to the Oregon Treaty, have revealed that the British were primarily concerned with Vancouver Island and not so interested in maintaining control of the surrounding islands.

Barry M. Gough

How to cite this entry:
Barry M. Gough "Pig War" The Oxford Companion to Canadian History. Ed. Gerald Hallowell. Oxford University Press, 2004. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 8 September 2011