Cockstock incident facts for kids

The Cockstock incident was an important event in the early history of the Oregon Territory. It led to a strict law in 1844 that made it illegal for free Black men to live there. The incident began with an argument over a horse between a Wasco Native American man named Cockstock and a free Black man, James D. Saules. This argument quickly turned into a violent fight on March 4, 1844. Three men died during the conflict. After this, some white settlers worried that African Americans might encourage local Native American tribes to rise up against both Black and white settlers.

What Caused the Cockstock Incident?

The Horse Dispute

In 1843, a Wasco man named Cockstock worked on a farm owned by a Black pioneer named Winslow Anderson. Cockstock was promised a horse as payment for his work. However, before Cockstock's contract ended, the farm and the horse were transferred to another Black pioneer, James D. Saules.

This made Cockstock very angry. He took the horse and made threats to both settlers. Saules then wrote a letter to a government official, Elijah White. Saules claimed that Cockstock had bothered settlers and had "murdered several Indians lately." Saules also wrote that he feared for his own life.

Official Orders and Resistance

Elijah White then ordered Cockstock to return the horse. A warrant was issued for Cockstock's arrest, offering $100 for his capture. White later stated that he tried to find Cockstock but could not.

Cockstock had his own complaints against Elijah White. Earlier, a relative of Cockstock's had been punished for breaking into a home. Cockstock openly disagreed with White's laws, especially how they applied to Native American tribes regarding justice and land.

The Confrontation

On March 4, 1844, Cockstock returned to Willamette Falls. He brought an interpreter and four other Wasco men. He wanted to know why settlers were "pursuing him with hostile intentions." A group of settlers, led by George LeBreton, who was a recorder for the Oregon legislature, rushed towards Cockstock. They wanted to arrest him. Some pioneers even wanted to "shoot him at any risk."

Cockstock fought back against the arrest. During the struggle, Cockstock and two white settlers, LeBreton and Sterling Rogers, were killed. It is said that Cockstock died from a broken skull, caused by Winslow Anderson's rifle.

The 1844 Exclusion Law

A New Law is Passed

On July 25, 1844, a politician named Peter Burnett proposed a new law. The legislature approved this law, which became known as the Black Exclusion Bill. This law made it illegal for African Americans to enter the Oregon Territory.

Rules for Enslaved People

The law also had rules for settlers who owned slaves. It required them to free any enslaved Black people within three years of arriving in Oregon. If they did not, those enslaved people would be immediately freed.

Furthermore, the law stated that any previously freed slaves had to leave Oregon. Men had two years to leave, and women had three years. If they did not leave, the law initially called for severe punishments. However, this part of the law was changed in December 1844. Instead of physical punishment, the law forced freed slaves who remained to be sold back into public auction.

Historian Thomas McClintock has stated that the connection between the Cockstock incident and the passing of this Exclusion Law is "unquestionable." The incident played a big role in shaping these strict rules.