Standoff over a dead pig nearly led U.S., Britain to war
Sometimes, pork on Capitol Hill has to do with, well, pork.
Or in this case a pig, a dead pig.
With bipartisan support, a resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pig War.
The name, age, sex, and size of the pig has long been forgotten but the dispute its death triggered is the reason the border is where it is today between Washington state and Canada.
The pig was part of a herd owned by the Hudson's Bay Co., a British outfit. An American farmer shot it in the summer of 1859.
Killing livestock on the frontier was a serious offense. The farmer offered to pay restitution. Hudson's Bay wanted $100, an exorbitant sum back then. The farmer balked. Both countries sent in troops, with weapons were locked and loaded.
Nearly 500 U.S. Army regulars were commanded by Capt. George Pickett, who four years later would lead the charge almost 3,000 miles away at Gettysburg. The British had 400 battle-tested Royal Marines who had fought in conflicts such as the Opium Wars. They were supported by three Royal Navy warships with 62 total guns.
Word of the showdown took weeks to reach Washington and London.
"This was a territorial dispute between a world power and a rising world power," said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., whose congressional district includes the San Juan Islands, now part of Washington state. "Who knew where it would end. It's somewhat fortunate only a pig got shot."...
The 33-word resolution, introduced by Larsen, notes the peaceful resolution of the Pig War and praises the close ties between the U.S. and Britain. Larsen said he consulted with the British Embassy before introducing the resolution....
Read entire article at McClatchy
Or in this case a pig, a dead pig.
With bipartisan support, a resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pig War.
The name, age, sex, and size of the pig has long been forgotten but the dispute its death triggered is the reason the border is where it is today between Washington state and Canada.
The pig was part of a herd owned by the Hudson's Bay Co., a British outfit. An American farmer shot it in the summer of 1859.
Killing livestock on the frontier was a serious offense. The farmer offered to pay restitution. Hudson's Bay wanted $100, an exorbitant sum back then. The farmer balked. Both countries sent in troops, with weapons were locked and loaded.
Nearly 500 U.S. Army regulars were commanded by Capt. George Pickett, who four years later would lead the charge almost 3,000 miles away at Gettysburg. The British had 400 battle-tested Royal Marines who had fought in conflicts such as the Opium Wars. They were supported by three Royal Navy warships with 62 total guns.
Word of the showdown took weeks to reach Washington and London.
"This was a territorial dispute between a world power and a rising world power," said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., whose congressional district includes the San Juan Islands, now part of Washington state. "Who knew where it would end. It's somewhat fortunate only a pig got shot."...
The 33-word resolution, introduced by Larsen, notes the peaceful resolution of the Pig War and praises the close ties between the U.S. and Britain. Larsen said he consulted with the British Embassy before introducing the resolution....