Oregon Treaty

OREGON TREATY, 15 June 1846, fixed the southern boundary between BC and the US. Since the Anglo-American Convention of 1818, Britain and the US had agreed to joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, including what is now Washington state, because they could not agree on a border. The Americans wanted a boundary along the 49th parallel of latitude; the British wanted to keep everything south to the COLUMBIA R. Joint occupancy was renewed in 1827 but soon the influx of American settlers into Oregon made it clear that Britain would have to withdraw. Anticipating a withdrawal, the HBC established FORT VICTORIA at the southern tip of VANCOUVER ISLAND in 1843 to replace its trading headquarters, Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia R. During the 1844 American election campaign James Polk, who later won the election, insisted that he would claim territory as far north as 54°40' N ("Fifty-four Forty or Fight"). The British now wanted to compromise at the 49th parallel, and war with the Americans seemed a possibility. However, Polk toned down his rhetoric and the 2 parties came to an agreement. The 1846 treaty, officially the Treaty of Washington, established the border along the 49th parallel west from the ROCKY MTS to the coast, then south through the GULF ISLANDS and out through the middle of JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT so that Vancouver Island remained in British hands. The line through the Gulf Islands remained in dispute for several more years, leading in 1859 to the PIG WAR. It was finally resolved by international arbitration in 1872.