The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-12
Important from Washington-Our Ke-
lations with England.

Important from WasAingten-Our Ke-
lations with England.
The Pacific Ocean is to be the great field for
the development Of the American and English
branches of civilization, and both nations have
their views turned to its future. This fact has
just produced curious coincidence in Wash
ington.
II will be seen, by our special despatch, that
Lord Lyons, acting under the orders of his
government, presented yesterday to Gen. Cass
two very conflicting documents. In one of
these England thanks our government for the
assistance rendered by our naval forces to Ad-
miral Hope while endeavoring to get foot
hold in China; and in the other she demands
explanations from our government in regard
to the proceedings of Gen. Harvey in occupy
ing one of our own islands ON the other shore
of the Pacific. Our correspondent informs us
that Gen. Cass is preparing reply to the lat
ter communication, which will cover the whole
ground of our claim to the San Juan island,
SO that it can be laid before the President to-
day on his return from Wheatland.
That England should thank us for being in
the wrong on any occasion would be character
istic of her. From our error she might derive
advantage; but in the present instance we are
decidedly wrong in her behalf, and she may
well thank us. As for her demand for expla-
nations about the San Juan Island, we trust
she will receive them from General Cass in
clear and conclusive form. Let her be told
that we have occupied it for the same reasons
that would induce us to send troops to occupy
any other portion of our territory. 1t belongs
to us beyond doubt. The spirit and the let
ter Of the treaty gives it to us and the act of
Parliament defining the boundaries of the
British province of New Caledonia virtually
recognises our rights, as we have shown on
former occasion.
England is anxious to secure every point of
land she can that abuts on the Pacific. Aus
tralia and New Zealand do not satisfy her.
She must have the coast Of China, and has al
ways regretted that she gave up Chusan. The
islands that dot the Pacific are in number
less instances the subjects of some British
claim. And now while she is seek
ing a war on the eastern shore of
Asia. she assumes belligerent tone in regard
to point on the western coast of America. It
is not point where joint occupancy, as in
some other. instances Of boundary difficulty,
makes it matter for negotiation. 1t is a
question Of clear and indisputable right on our
side. But the prospective grandeur of the Pa
cifc commerce blinds her, and her old instincts
of territorial acquisition misguide her. She
claims more than belongs to her, in hopes to
make bargain and split the difference, and
puts on a warlike tone as is her wont when
ever Palmerston has her foreign affairs in hand.
These things should have no weight in the
question. If she wants piece of our territory,
let her come and take it if she can. Perhaps
her desire may not be sufficiently strong to
fight for it, but let her be told she can do SO if
she wishes. Gen. Scott is out there, and we
have troops there. More can be sent if re-
quired. We doubt not that Gen. Cass will be
able to say these things to Lord Lyons po-
litely, and yet in a way that he can clearly
comprehend. We hope he will do it.