William Sturgis and the Oregon Questions

In 1845, William Sturgis of Barnstable was asked to give a lecture in Boston to explain “The Oregon Question.”  The decision about where to place the border between the U.S. and British Canada out to the Pacific Ocean was being discussed in the press, debated in Congress, and negotiated at the highest levels of two governments.  Sturgis had visited the Northwest Coast on several occasions as a merchant mariner, and was the owner of most of the American vessels then active in the North Pacific.  He was unique in speaking on behalf of the indigenous people of the Pacific Coast, and he suggested the border that was finally adopted.

In this lecture, Dr. Mary Malloy of the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, will introduce the role Sturgis played in this important episode of American History.  This talk is free, but registration is requested.

This event is part of History Along Route 6A, a series of historical programs in Barnstable and Yarmouth Port that runs from 6 to 16 June.  For more info, visit sturgislibrary.org and click on the History Along Route 6A link.