John Nugent (U.S. government agent)
Encyclopedia
John Nugent came to the U.S. from Ireland with his parents at an early age. In the 1840s, he worked as a journalist with the New York Herald
and in 1851 became owner-editor of the San Francisco Herald. An unpopular editorial decision caused the paper to collapse a few years later, an event from which his career never recovered although he continued in journalism and an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.
In 1848, Nugent was leaked a copy of Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
. The treaty would end the Mexican-American War after it was amended and approved by the Senate. Nugent was questioned by senators but did not reveal his source.
The part of his career that is of most interest to historians began in 1858 when President James Buchanan
appointed Nugent special agent to New Caledonia (British Columbia)
. Buchanan wanted to see how Americans and their interests were faring in the area in light of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
. Nugent quickly discovered that there was little tension and good relations between the Americans and the British.
Nugent appears to have created a rift through a dispute with Governor James Douglas
over the treatment of American citizens in the courts. He further suggested that the Americans would intervene quickly if conflict arose. This came out of the feeling he had that New Caledonia and Vancouver Island
should and would be annexed to the United States. The diplomatic difficulties were not great and the negativity fell on John Nugent personally.
New York Herald
The New York Herald was a large distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between May 6, 1835, and 1924.-History:The first issue of the paper was published by James Gordon Bennett, Sr., on May 6, 1835. By 1845 it was the most popular and profitable daily newspaper in the UnitedStates...
and in 1851 became owner-editor of the San Francisco Herald. An unpopular editorial decision caused the paper to collapse a few years later, an event from which his career never recovered although he continued in journalism and an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.
In 1848, Nugent was leaked a copy of Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the peace treaty, largely dictated by the United States to the interim government of a militarily occupied Mexico City, that ended the Mexican-American War on February 2, 1848...
. The treaty would end the Mexican-American War after it was amended and approved by the Senate. Nugent was questioned by senators but did not reveal his source.
The part of his career that is of most interest to historians began in 1858 when President James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
appointed Nugent special agent to New Caledonia (British Columbia)
New Caledonia (Canada)
New Caledonia was the name given to a district of the Hudson's Bay Company that comprised the territory largely coterminous with the present-day province of British Columbia, Canada. Though not a British colony, New Caledonia was part of the British claim to North America. Its administrative...
. Buchanan wanted to see how Americans and their interests were faring in the area in light of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
The Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, began in 1858 after gold was discovered on the Thompson River in British Columbia at its confluence with the Nicoamen River. This was a few miles upstream from the Thompson's confluence with the Fraser River at present-day Lytton...
. Nugent quickly discovered that there was little tension and good relations between the Americans and the British.
Nugent appears to have created a rift through a dispute with Governor James Douglas
James Douglas (Governor)
Sir James Douglas KCB was a company fur-trader and a British colonial governor on Vancouver Island in northwestern North America, particularly in what is now British Columbia. Douglas worked for the North West Company, and later for the Hudson's Bay Company becoming a high-ranking company officer...
over the treatment of American citizens in the courts. He further suggested that the Americans would intervene quickly if conflict arose. This came out of the feeling he had that New Caledonia and Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
should and would be annexed to the United States. The diplomatic difficulties were not great and the negativity fell on John Nugent personally.