The Curious Case of the ‘Pig War’ Between the US and Britain

Contrary to popular belief, the 'Pig War' was not a violent conflict between the United States and Britain in 1860. Instead, it was a prolonged stand-off that occurred in 1859 due to a series of contentious events involving a pig and two neighboring islands. This fascinating tale provides insight into international relations and territorial disputes of the 19th century.

Background and Key Players

In 1859, tensions began to rise on the Puget Sound, a body of water in the Pacific Northwest of North America. The dispute centered around a small island then known as San Juan Island, now part of Washington State, USA. This island was of strategic importance due to its location, making it a critical point of contention between the United States and the British colony of Canada.

The Incident

The initial spark for the conflict was a simple act of trespass: a pig owned by Charles Griffin, a Hudson's Bay Company representative, entered the property of American farmer Lyman Cutler. The pig, due to its grazing, damaged Cutler's potato crop. This event, while seemingly trivial, was the precursor to a much more significant stand-off. Griffin was arrested by local authorities, and his supporters, including British forces, demanded his release. This led to a tense standoff, with both sides mobilizing troops.

Fighting Forces and Tensions

On August 10, 1859, the situation boiled over. A U.S. military detachment of 461 men, under the command of Colonel Silas Casey, was in direct confrontation with five British warships that had arrived on the scene. These British vessels were equipped with 70 guns and carried a complement of 2,140 men. Despite the apparent military imbalance, neither side took any action, leading to a state of prolonged stand-off for the next 12 years.

Resolution Through Diplomacy

The tension on San Juan Island persisted until diplomatic efforts began to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the British authorities in the region continued to argue for seizure of the entire Puget Sound area, basing their claims on the principle of international sovereignty under the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty which ended the Mexican-American War. However, with the American Civil War preoccupying U.S. troops, the British were unable to implement their plans.

In 1865, the situation reached a diplomatic milestone when the Colony of Vancouver Island was merged with the Colony of British Columbia, forming an enlarged colony. Soon after, in 1871, this newly enlarged colony joined the Dominion of Canada. The increased Canadian presence put further pressure on the British authorities to seek a resolution.

International Arbitration

To resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner, the United Kingdom and the United States signed the Treaty of Washington in 1871. This treaty addressed various differences between the two nations, including border issues involving the newly formed Dominion of Canada. A critical outcome of this treaty was the decision to resolve the San Juan dispute through international arbitration.

The Resolution

The arbitrator chosen for this task was Wilhelm I, the German Emperor at the time. Wilhelm referred the issue to a three-person arbitration commission, which met in Geneva for nearly a year. On October 21, 1872, the commission ruled in favor of the United States. The arbitrator opted for the American-preferred maritime boundary via Haro Strait to the west of San Juan Island, thereby resolving the longstanding dispute in favor of the U.S. forces stationed there.

Conclusion

The 'Pig War' may seem like a tale from a bygone era, but it serves as a vivid illustration of the complex interplay of diplomacy, military strategy, and international law in resolving territorial disputes. This incident highlights the delicate balance between military readiness and peaceful resolution in international relations.