Role in Oregon Question Fort Astoria

the uss ontario dispatched in 1817 reassert american claim fort astoria, though ordered avoid armed confrontation. nwc partner simon mcgillivray dramatically claimed vessel sent seize or destroy establishments , trade of north west company... nwc partners had instructed staff @ fort george not resist attempt americans reclaim fur trading station. despite ceremony of formally transferring national possession, actual ownership nwc went on before, , no actual american presence established aside symbolic repossession.

the negotiations formally end war of 1812 briefly touched upon topic of fort astoria/george. american government exerted pressure return of station british subjects. secretary of state foreign affairs viscount castlereagh determined conciliatory policy. in letter charles bagot on 4 february 1818, castlereagh stated whilst government not disposed contest american govt t point of possession stood in columbia river @ moment of rupture, not prepared admit validity of title of govt of united states settlement. treaty of 1818 established joint occupancy of pacific northwest between united kingdom , united states. accord allowed subjects either nation travel distant region without hindrance.

in 1846 post became united states territory 1 of terms of oregon treaty, ended oregon boundary dispute. in treaty, great britain ceded territorial rights south of 49th parallel. treaty have subjected hudson s bay company american jurisdiction, company opted sell off possessions south of 49th parallel, despite fact treaty had guaranteed right retain such properties.