General Winfield Scott sails for the Pacific NorthWest to head off the "Pig War"

Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott left New York City this day on a steamer bound for the northwest Pacific coastal island of San Juan.  He was charged there with representing the United States in a territorial dispute with the British, known as the "Pig War" from its advent in an argument over a pig, that had threatened to escalate into a unwanted military clash.  Cooler heads eventually prevailed and the islands were partitioned between the two powers.  (By John Osborne)