The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-09

The Dt1pUted BO0u0afys
We have laid before our readers all the in
selllgence ws have thus far received relative
to the origin and progress Of this dispute. A
far n we can go, the whole question lies in
nutshell. There are two channels between
yanccuver's Island and the main land, one
OF them {the Eastern) being called the Rosario
strait and the other {the Westerly being
known - the Canal de Harro. The dispute Is
q to which Of these two channels constitutes
the boundary. The British authorities claim
the Eastern channel, which would give them
the sovereignty over the Arroo Islands, lying
between vsncouvsr's Island and Washington
Territory The Americans, on the contrary,
cay that the Western channel, or Canal de
Harro, 10 the true boundary, and this would
give tho islands In question to Washington
Territory. The island Of San Juan, the princi-
pal u the Arroo Islands, 10 occupied by COM
pany of American soldiers, under the COM
mAnd Of Capt. PICKETT, . native OF this city,
and an ofiicer OF distinguished merit who acts
under the orders of General HARVEY, the COM
manding ofncer on the Pacific station. From
ali We oaA learn, the question OF right appears
70 b very nice one, the treaty not having
designated, specifically, either of the channels
In question. We should think there could
not b q fairer subject for diplomacy ana
doubtless, unless y collision should take place
between tho soldiers on both sides, it will be
settled In that manner In the meantime,
however, Governor Doc GLAs has sent troops
10 the island, and General HARVEY has sent
endorsements 10 Captain PICKETT. The last
named 10 m extremely resolute officer, and
will b. sure to offer prompt and deci-
ded resistance TO any attack that may bs
made npon him. We hardly think Cover
nor DOUGLAS would hazard such attack,
sincs the probability Ii that the act would
b disavowed by the government at home
There could, In fact, be no apology for him,
tnasmuch ~ the treaty takes no notice of the
exist ence Of two channels instead of one. 1t is
barely possible that the Colonists may attempt
to expel the American troops by force, but this
we do not expect. In his report TO the Com
mander- in. Chief, Lieut.. Gen. SCoTT,) General
HARxxY says he sent the soldiers to protect
the American settlers in the island, twenty
I'VE or thirty In number, they having been in
cluded within the Hnits OF Washington, by
the authorities Of that Territory. The Ameri-
can Boundary Commissioner, Mr. CAMPBELL,
has no doubt that the island belongs to the U.
States while the British Commissioner is
equally positive that IL belongs 10 Great Bri-
tain. The sword is the worst arbtor ill the
world in cases of disputed facts, and ii is to
be hoped that the matter will not be referred to
its decision. We have but one fear III the ques-
ton, and that fear arises out of the well known
aggressive and irritating character OF Lord
PALMxRsToSs policy, and his known an
tipathy to this country. II the DERBY gov
eminent still existed, we should have no fears
ut all But is it impossible to know to what
lengths the captious, meddling, tault-fnding
disposition Of Lord PALMERsToS may lead
him He has done more than all the British |
statesmen who have been i'll power since the |
war of 1912, to keep alive these feelings OF hos
tility towards England which that war; and |
the circumstances that led to 1t, engenuered In |
the people of this country.
We are opposed to surrendering to any claim
ant, let the consequences be what they may,
one square foot Of territory which is plainly
and undisputedly our own. Equally averse
are we to taking one foot that does not GER
tainly belong to US. The present seems to be-
q case Ia which the right of property is SO
equally balanced, that a hair might turn the
scale Most assurediy, then, it is no theme to
Tight upon. Indeed, we are convinced thai
NO respecta body of people in this country,
Notwithstanding the efforts TO get up an ex-
element 10 desirous to fight about it. LII
England we feel assured that the state OF feel
ting 10 the same. The people of that country,
II the ne wspapers afford anything like fair
index Of the general sentiment, are at this mo-
meut thoroughly aroused upon the subject OF /
q French invasion, or rather combined inya-
sion by the Con influential despousms. Itcannot
b presumed, therefore, that they, whatever
their government may do, feel any disposition
to engage In q war with us. Indeed, there is |
reason to believe that a large portion of them |
tho whole Tory party, indeed-look upon US
- the only nation upon earth from whom they |
would be likely to receive any sympathy, il |
their atruggle to preserve their free ins,itu-
tions. The Quarterly Review, in its issue OF !
July speaking of the means which Great |
Britain has at command to repel invasion. |
SAYS II would not do to man the navy by i'm
pressment; since sthe practice would be likely
to embron Us with the only nation likely TO
come to our aid
- The Fall Trade.
Appearances indicate q lively time among
this merchants this fall. The country mer.
chants are rushing in, like food when the
dam 10 cut away Three days ago there wer, |
few OF ,herl to be seen Now, they crowd tn.
hotels to overfowing.
Our merchants have it In their power to
strike great blow, and we sincerely hope
they Will make the mos, of the opportunity-t
The country merchants have shown most
laudabie desire to patronize their own people
kt Il