, 1859-08-19
sSan Juan Island. "
Secured 10 US BY Treaty-Our title confirmed
BY the lato Of necessity

we last W6ck lOOh OCCuhlOu W uOl6 lnb
passing events now engaging the attention
Of the public mind, in regard to the settle
ment Of the Northwest boundary between
the two contending powers, the United
States and Great Britain. So plain to our
minds is the location Of that boundary-by
the words Of the treaty-by the natural
aspect Of the question in a topographic,
photographic and geographic sense, that
we shall treat the matter as settled.
That boundary is the middle of the,
channel Of the Canal de Haro, the only
boundary referred to in the language Of
solemn treaty. The Island of San Juan is
then part Of Washington Territory. 1t
is now occupied by American troops, under
Col. CASEY, of the 9th Infantry. In the
waters adjacent are q British fleet with
some 1900 men on board, and heavy Gr-
mament, denoting by their presence there,
two things: first, obtrusively and character
istic Of John Bull-nn attempt to 6Hlly-rag
Brother Jonathan out of lands to which
they have not the shadow of right, nl-
though coveting them, assert its Importance
and our national duty to maintain our pos
session at all hazards. Second, and the
point to which we desire to call attention
the valuable fact that close under the
shore, and protecting the present fortifca-
tion occupied by the American troops, YES
sells Of the largest size, carrying the heav-
lest tarmaments, may ride safely and secure
y, demonstrating to nicely the ability to
defend said Island by naval armament or
by floating batteries, whilst an hnrbor is
afforded in which uaVies may ride.
Here is taught the pregnant fact, that it
is the duty of our national government to
locate there q naval depot. The feasibility Of
such step is no longer In doubt. Here
may be collected squadron whose presence
will be the assurance Of protection to our
people. We are assured that here feet
may cooperate with and assist in maintain
ing the land works, and that this Island
could be rendered impregnable. The re-
cent incursion Of those murderous heathens
and misereants, the northern Indians, upon
Point Roberts, whereby an American and
some sixteen of the Washington tribe of
Indians were killed-the prompt and
speedy dispatch Of the MassaeITsetts in
chase of the Indians, is on Instance Of the
benefit that a military station at that point
would confer. Weshave bat little hope
that the Massachusetts will overtake the as.
sassius We know her energetic comman-
der, Captain FAUNrLERoY will do all that
be can, but she is not fitted for the service;
she is too large, unwieldy and ponderously
slow, but with proper steamers dispatched
from the point referred to- the result would
be different, and it would be but short
time indeed, before the lower Sound coun-
try would be ridden of this great scourge,
these northern marauders, who have yet to
be taught lesson for the murderous i'm
punity with which they descend upon our
remote and defenceless settlements, and
steal the property and murder our inoffen-
sive citizens. The unavenged deaths Of
EBLY and numerous others, call upon the
government at home to look in an earnest
manner to the Importance of this question.
Outrage upon outrage speak trumpet
tongued, the appeals of our people for pro-
lection against these northern hordes. The
problem is now being solved and We desire
to avail ourselves Of the benefits growing
out Of it,. While attention is rivetted up
on this question as matter of national
honor-whle the public mind is on the gHi
rire 10 learn the facts Of the case-the true
geography, the right to hold in despite OF
every hazard, what is essential to carry out
our national honor Let US insist upon the
necessity to maintain our title, not only be-
cause we have the indisputable right by
treaty, but on the immutable, never dying
law of nature-nsossity. The British jour
nails call it the "Constradt Of the North
Pacific" If such description is just, then
must IRE be the holders of that point, and
least Of all, must We yield it to our great
rival for the empire of the world. But if
their picture of it be over painted, which
we think is not, it yet becomes Of infinite
value to US as a naval depot-a military
post-for the convenience Of our fleets, for
the protection of our inland seaboard from
foreign foes, and especially from the van
dalic invasions Of these northern savages,
who, for the past four years, have kept the
people of our Territory in constant alarm,
causing many to leave and preventing very