William A. Slacum
William A. Slacum | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1799 Alexandria, Virginia |
| Died | 1839 (aged 39–40) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1829–1839 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | USS Potomac |
| Other work | worked for State Department |
William A. Slacum (1799 - November 1, 1839) was an American sailor and diplomat. He served as a purser in the United States Navy and received a Presidential commission to gather information on the Oregon Country. At that time the region was under the jurisdiction of both the United States and Great Britain. Previously, Slacum served as a diplomat to Mexico.
Early life
Slacum was likely born and raised in
On June 8, 1829, William Slacum joined the United States Navy.[2] During his naval career in 1831, Slacum was the purser aboard the USS Potomac as that ship spent four years at sea circumnavigating the globe.[3] Then from 1835 to 1836 Slacum served in Mexico as a Special Diplomatic Agent for the United States.[4] During this time Slacum sent a letter to President Andrew Jackson praising California, then under control of Mexico. This letter is credited with raising Jackson's interest in acquiring that region.[5]
Oregon
In 1835 Lieutenant Slacum was selected by President Jackson to travel to Oregon Country to gather information on the affairs of the region.[6] Dated November 11, 1835, Slacum was ordered to inquire about the inhabitants and prospects of those white inhabitants living along the Columbia River.[7] Slacum then sailed from
Slacum then spent time interviewing
Willamette Cattle Company
While in the Willamette Valley, Slacum noted the dependency of the pioneers on the Hudson's Bay Company.[6] This was especially true when it came to cattle, as the HBC only leased cattle to the settlers.[6] Any offspring were the property of the HBC.[6] So the lieutenant offered to take any of the settlers to California to buy cattle, and even provided $500 for the venture.[7]
Congress
After returning to the United States, William Slacum prepared a report on the information he gathered on the Northwest Coast. In his report that was read in
On November 1, 1839, Slacum died.[2] After his death, Slacum's estate tried to receive funds from the United States government for Slacum's expenses from his trip to the Oregon Country.[12]
References
- ^ Benham, Mary Louisa Slacum. Alexandria Library. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ Reynolds, Jeremiah N. (1835). Voyage of the United States Frigate Potomac: Under the Command of Commodore John Downes. Harper & brothers.
- ^ U.S. Diplomatic chiefs of mission to Mexico. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ Cleland, Robert Glass (1922). A History of California: The American Period. The Macmillan company.
- ^ a b c d e "Ewing Young Route". Oregon's Historic Trails. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
- ^ a b c d e f Marshall, William Isaac (1911). Acquisition of Oregon: And the Long Suppressed Evidence about Marcus Whitman. Lowman & Hanford Co.
- ^ The Leviathan of the North. Oregon Historical Quarterly, Winter 2003. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ a b The Oregon Trail 1831-1840 at the Wayback Machine (archived July 30, 2009). Oregon Trail Time Frame. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ a b "Diary of Philip Leget Edwards". Historical California Longhorns. California Association of Texas Longhorn Breeders. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
- ^ Wong, Lisa. Open Wide: Examining the Mouth of the Columbia River. Oregon State University. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
- ^ Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873 WEDNESDAY, February 7, 1849. Library of Congress. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
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