US Presidency
1859

Whilst indulging the hope that no other subject remained which could disturb the good understanding between the two countries, the question arising out of the adverse claims of the parties to the island of San Juan, under the Oregon treaty of the 15th June, 1846, suddenly assumed a threatening prominence. In order to prevent unfortunate collisions on that remote frontier, the late Secretary of State, on the 17th July, 1855, addressed a note to Mr. Crampton, then British minister at Washington, communicating to him a copy of the instructions which he ( Mr. Marcy ) had given on the 14th July to Governor Stevens, of Washington Territory, having a special reference to an apprehended conflict between our citizens and the British subjects on the island of San Juan.