Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-27
The san Inan Affair.

The san Juan Affair.
In the absence of other exciting topics, the
difficulty on our Northwestern frontier, IN rele'
renee to the Island of San Juan, is occupying
large share of pubic attention. The affair ap'
peared very trivial in the outset, but there Is no
knowing what great fire little matter may
kipdle. It would indeed be the height OF ao-
surdity for two great nations to get into war,
OF any serious difficulty, about small iSlanu Vi
very little value TO either. To this complexion
however. the affair would soon come, II IL were
left 70 the management of the United States anu
British officials on the Pacific.
Az the latest dates from Victoria, Gen. har-
ney occupied the Island of San Juan WIN i've
hundred American troops, and had placed IL - .
comnlets state of defence. Earthworks nau
been thrown up, and the harbor OF Victoria was
commanded by field pieces. The military lotve
comprised nine companies of infantry ana af'ii'
lery. :, tho
Tho Assembly of British Columbia, IN the
mean time, had requested Governor DougiaS "
enforce on the British Government tine he'es'l'y ~
of demanding the evacuation of San Juan az oil
risks. and maintaining her rights to the Asiauu,
.clandestinely, dishonorably and disnoneS'' :
invaded by the United States. In purSuanoe -
the populsr wish. Gov. Douglas called upon Tue
British Admiral in command on the Pacinc, u
disIodce the Americans, but that officer Is LOT
tunatelv prudent man, and refused to MAKE
anv hostile movement until he received oraerS
from the home government.
The views of the Administration at "asnins.
ton are probably indicated in letter from ION
RI the Baltimore Sun. The following Is an ez-
tract:
~The disputed boundary question which mas
arisen between US and the British government IS
one that is not to be soon or easily settled II
has unfortunately. become complicated with a
onestion of national courtesy. The seizure OF
the island by one party is regarded by the otnel
as a breach of national comfy, and such II Woulu
certainly have been considered by Mr. Marcy, as
one of his diplomatic letters on the suoJeGl
shows. But this point may, and probably WIN,
he GOT over by disavowsl on the part OF this
government of the proceedings of Gen. Harvey.
The assertion made, and reiterated IN some OF
onr journals. that the act was done by order from
this Government, is not entitled to credit; nelth-
ar was the movement made by the advice or
even with the knowledge Of our boundary com'
missioner, Mr.. Campbell.
"Gen. Harvey may have been actuateo siinply
by desire to afford protection to our settlers Oh
the island, irrespectively of the disputed title
But still, it was more easy for General Harney
70 take such step than for this government 10
retract it. The public feeling, especially on the
Pacific coast, has become excited on the suplecV,
and it much more readily affects the national IN IN
tsrest and honor than anything connected win
the chronic Mosquito or the Bay ISLANDS ques'
ton."
We NAV anticipate, therefore, that President
Buchanan will disavow the proceedings OF Gen'
Harnev. In another communication "lon" men
lions, perhaps for the purpose of further relleV-
inc Mr.. Buchanan of responsibility, and at the
same time excdsing Gen. Harvey, that the orders
in reference to the islands were issued during the
late Administration, but were binding on the
General, inasmuch as they had not been revoked
or modified.
The Administration has taken prompt action
to prevent an outbreak, by calling Into requlsl-
ton again the services of Gen. Scott as paci1
Gator. Upon a brief notice that distinguished
veteran took his departure from New York, on
Tuesday last, for the scene of the disturbance
A large crowd assembled to see him of, and
greeted his appearance with enthusiastic cheers
A salute of thirteen guns was fired by the Scott
Life Guard, and as the steamer passed down the
harbor guns were fred from various vessels, and
from Governors Island and Forts Hamilton and
Columbus. The occasion was one well cslcua
ted to excite popular enthusiasm. The General
is now seventy-three years of age, yet upon
notice of five or six days he started on Journey
Of as many thousand miles, to preserve the peace
and maintain American rights on the PACING
coast. Such despatch has seldom been exhibited
before, and never perhaps by one Of so advanced
an age. The ability and prudence OF Gen. Scott
aud his success heretofore as paclhcator, ID
spire universal confidence that he will accom-
plish the objects of his mission. bis campaign
in Mexico elevated him to the rank OF the
greatest generals of the age, but his success as
peacemaker in South Carolina, during the Cana
ia troubles, and on other occasions, give him
still nobler fame.