The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-19
Naval.

BRITISH OUTRAGE ON AMERICAN SoIL.-Whilst
at st. Peters on the Upper Mississippi, a few
man conversant with them and whose authority is be-
yond question In this city where he Is we'll known The
circumstance may be regarded az trivial In ITSELF 30 far
as the fate Of the guilty concerned but be this
it may II is still invasion Of SOIL and insult
to national jurisdiction. Although it may be q
humble 1t Is not less exceptionsbe act, than the
burning of the Caroline by British soldiers in American
waters, about which much excitement created a
few years ago. In another aspect 1t Is yet more deserv
ing Of the consideration Of government 1t Is well
known to any one familiar with the United States, that
when the American trader has been forced into conflict
with the British trader the former has been compelled
70 yield, even on American soil, to the arrogance
and assumptions OF the latter. The trader of
the Hudson Bay Company is not only backed and
he supported and defended by the British govern
ment Itself AT the present time, the Hudson Bay
company mas It's own employers in the Office OF judge
jurors selected from its tenants and they take cog
nizance Of every offence even to that involving life
Even now, American citzon is held bail to answer
in court Of their creation for an alleged offence
against alaw Of their own enactment In such tribu
nal thus constituted and Influenced the result of the
trial il not doubtful Whilst their and their inso-
lence Is confined to their side Of the line and OK
ercsed upon their own and do not affect Anne
rcan citizens might be disposed to let them pass
But in their exscons and especially in the tariff
of duties which this overgrown company imposes
merchandise purchased in the United states by the ten
ants Of the company and carried into their Jurisdiction,
IL might be we'll for government to inquire whether
there is not Of conformity with the treaties sub
sisting between and Great Britain. or this here
after The outrage TO which aude has been stated
to follows Pierre Chouteau, Jr Co the success
OF the American Fur Company have trading esab
shment in the Sioux country the head waters OF the
Red River OF the North, several miles within the
American territory and from the line dividing
from the British colonies. For some time past, In
fact, ever since Me apprehendsd difficulties between
the two countries concerning the Oregon bounda-
ry the British government have kept stationed in the
vicinity of 5ekirks settlement body of regular troops
who, 1t is well understood intended, If hosti
lilies had occurred to take Fort Smelling and other posts
and property on the Upper Mississippi a short time
SINCE Of these troops as Is alleged deserted and
into the American territory, and believe
some Of them entered into the employ of the American
traders Subsequently, British officer, with force Of
regular soldiers to the American trading sta
tion and arrested these men, asserting that they
desertcrs. Against this act Of invasion OF SOIL and
insult TO our national authority the agent at the station
demonstrated. He had neither the authority, the
means OF resistance he disposed protect the
men against lawful SEIZURE but he earnestly protested
against the British government exercising this high pre-
rogatve upon our SOIL ana this too without invetiga
or the shadow Of authority from the United States
MS reinonstrance and protests unheeded the
wre seized, bound and carried back the British
possessions The fate Of the parties arrested
Known unnecessary to dwell upon the egality OF
n ACT OF tns insult IL gives to the Jurisdiction Of the
government OF the United States All we add 10,
mat Tor the truth Of the facts the testimony Of
the hgnest responsibility may be had II the govern
ment thinks proper to look to it, ST. Louis Republican
dug. III.