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
Timeline
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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