British Columbia - Periods - First Contact

Charles Barkley

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Charles Barkley (1769-1798) was a British naval officer who served on the west coast of Canada during the late 18th century. He was best known for his role as commander of the Imperial Discovery Expedition of 1791-1793, which explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America. During the expedition, Barkley mapped and surveyed the coast from present-day California to Alaska, and named many of the landmarks and features that still bear his name today. He also established trade relations with the indigenous peoples of the region, and collected specimens of plants, animals, and minerals for scientific study. Barkley died in 1798 while on a subsequent voyage to the region.

Some of the highlites of his expedition were

  1. Encounter with the indigenous peoples: Barkley established trade relations with several indigenous peoples along the coast, including the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw. He also collected information about their cultures, languages and customs.
  2. Mapping and surveying: Barkley and his crew mapped and surveyed the coast, charting the location of rivers, bays, and islands, and naming many of the landmarks and features that still bear his name today.
  3. Shipwrecks: Barkley's ship, the Imperial Eagle, was shipwrecked on the coast of Vancouver Island, causing significant delay and damage to the expedition.
  4. Illness and death: Several members of the crew died from scurvy and other illnesses, and Barkley himself died in 1798 while on a subsequent voyage to the region.
  5. Natural specimens: Barkley and his crew collected natural specimens of plants, animals, and minerals for scientific study, which were sent back to England for further study and examination.
Francis Barkley and his crew came into contact with several indigenous peoples along the west coast of Canada. Some of the notable groups include:

Nuu-chah-nulth: They are a First Nations people who live on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. They were known as skilled sailors and traders and provided the expedition with food and supplies.

Kwakwaka'wakw: They are a First Nations people who live on the northern part of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. They were known for their potlatch ceremonies and the expedition was able to observe and document these ceremonies.

Tlingit: They are a First Nations people who live in the coastal regions of Alaska, British Columbia, Canada, and the US state of Alaska. Barkley and his crew established trade relations with them.

Haida: They are a First Nations people who live in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada. They were known for their skilled artisans and the expedition was able to purchase a variety of items from them.

It is worth noting that the encounters with the indigenous peoples were not always peaceful, and some conflicts occurred as a result of cultural misunderstandings and competing interests for resources.

Timeline

  • 1791: The Imperial Discovery Expedition sets sail from England, commanded by Charles Barkley and accompanied by the ships Imperial Eagle and Chatham.
  • 1792: The expedition reaches the coast of California and begins mapping and surveying the coast.
  • 1792-1793: The expedition continues to travel north, reaching present-day Oregon and Washington, and establishing trade relations with several indigenous peoples along the way.
  • June 1793: The Imperial Eagle shipwrecked on the coast of Vancouver Island, causing significant delay and damage to the expedition.
  • 1793: The expedition reaches Alaska, completing the survey of the coast.
  • 1794: The expedition returns to England, where the collected natural specimens and information were studied and analyzed.
  • 1798: Charles Barkley died while on a subsequent voyage to the region.

Culture & Politics

Charles Barkley's attitude towards the indigenous cultures he encountered during the Imperial Discovery Expedition is difficult to determine from historical records. However, it is known that he and his crew established trade relations with several indigenous groups and they were able to observe and document many aspects of their cultures and customs. Barkley also collected information about their languages, customs and cultures which were sent back to England for further study.

It is also known that he purchased a variety of items from them and also collected natural specimens of plants, animals, and minerals for scientific study. Overall, it seems that Barkley had a keen interest in the indigenous cultures and was willing to engage with them and learn about their way of life.

However, it is also worth noting that the encounters between the expedition and the indigenous peoples were not always peaceful, and some conflicts occurred as a result of cultural misunderstandings and competing interests for resources. Additionally, as a representative of the colonizing power, it is likely that Barkley held views that were shaped by the attitudes and beliefs of his time, which often portrayed indigenous peoples as 'primitive' or 'uncivilized'.

It should be noted that the attitudes of the time were often paternalistic and dismissive of the Indigenous people, and it would be unfair to judge him based on the moral standards of today.

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Reference: Article by (Staff Historian), 2023

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