James D. Saules facts for kids

James D. Saules was a sailor who became shipwrecked off the Oregon Coast in 1841. He was working with the United States Exploring Expedition at the time. After the shipwreck, he settled in the area. This made him one of the first Black settlers in the Oregon Territory. He was also involved in an important event called the Cockstock incident.

Early Life and Sailing Adventures

We don't know exactly where James D. Saules was born. Some historians think he was born in Peru, where he was first recorded. Others believe he was from the United States, perhaps Virginia. This is because he likely needed to prove he was a US citizen to join the US Navy.

Saules probably started sailing when he was about 15 years old. In 1833, he joined a whaling ship called the Winslow in New Haven. He worked as a mate, which is just below the captain.

In July 1839, Saules joined the United States Exploring Expedition. This was a very important journey led by US Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes. It was rare for Black men in America at that time to join such an expedition. Saules joined when the expedition stopped in Callao, Peru. He worked as a cook, which gave him some independence from the rest of the crew. He might have also been a musician, playing the fiddle or violin. On this ship, he visited many places, including Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and Hawaii.

Settling in the Oregon Territory

In 1841, Saules' ship was wrecked off the Oregon Coast. After this, he decided to settle down. He first lived in what is now Washington state, near Cape Disappointment. There, he married a woman from the Chinook tribe.

A few years later, he moved to Oregon's Willamette Valley. This area is near what is now Oregon City. Here, he became involved in a significant event known as the Cockstock Incident.

The Cockstock Incident

The Cockstock incident is named after a Wasco Indian man named Cockstock. This event involved several people, including James Saules.

The trouble began when Saules bought a horse from a man named George Winslow. This horse had actually been promised to Cockstock for his work. When Cockstock found out his horse was gone, he took it back. He also made threats towards the men involved.

This situation led to a conflict in Oregon City in March 1844. During this conflict, Cockstock and others were badly hurt. James Saules faced difficulties after this event. He was forced to move back to Cape Disappointment in Washington.

This incident was very important because it made some people in the Provisional Government of Oregon worried. They feared that Native Americans and Black settlers might unite against white settlers. Because of these fears, Oregon passed its first Black Exclusion Law in June 1844. These laws made it very difficult for Black people to live in Oregon.

Later Life

After moving back to Washington, Saules continued to face challenges. His wife passed away. James D. Saules is believed to have died in the early 1850s. His story is an important part of the early history of Black settlers in the Pacific Northwest.