Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-29

| this important SUBJECT. Without u recognition ii
this policy on their part. 1t will bo almost lmpas-
sible to institute negotiations win any Reasonable
prospect Of success.
Until n recent period there was good reason to
believe that I should be able To announce to you
on the present occasion That nur difficulties with
Great Britain, arising out Of the Claytnn and Bull
wer treaty, had been finally adjusted III n manner
alike honorable and satisfactory t., both parties.
From causes, however, which the British govern
ment had not anticipated, they have not yet COM
pleted treaty arrangements with the republics of
| Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursuance of the un-
derstanding between the two governments. 1t IL,
nevertheless, confidently expected that this good
work will ere long lie accomplished.
Whit indulgingtbe hope that no other subject
remained which could disturb the good under,tan-
ding between the two countries, the question ari-
sing out Of the adverse claims Of the parties to the
Island of San Juan, under the Oregon treaty of
the 18th Of June. 1916, suddenly assumed II threat
eniIg prominence. In order to prevent utfortu-
nate collisions on that remote frontier. the late
Secre AIRY Of State. OIL the l1dh July. 1853, nd
dressed n note to Mr.. Champion, then British min
ister at W ashingtpn, communicating to him n copy
Of the instructions which no Mr.. Marcy had
given, on the 18th July, to GOV. Stevens, OF Wash
ington Territory, having a special reference to an
''apprehcnded conflict between our citizens and
the British subjects on the Island Of San Juan"
To prevent this, the governor was instructed that
the officers Of the Territory should abstain from
all acts ON The disputed grounds which are calcula-
ted to provoke my conflicts, 80 far as it can be
done without implying the concession to the au
tliorities nf Great Britain Of an exclusive right
over the premises. The title ought to he settled
before either party should attempt to exclude the
other by force. Or exercise complete and exclusive
sovereign rights within the fairly-disputed limits
In acknowledging the receipt on the next dry
Of Mr.. Marcy's note, the British minister express
FL his pntiro cpucurrpupe isiu the trnnriety of tho
course recommended to the cavern 'r of Washing.
ton Territory by your Mr.. Marcy'sl instructions
to that officer" and stating that he had lost no
time in transmitting u copy Of that document to
the goyeinor-gencral Of British North America
and had earnestly recommended to his Excellen-
cY To take such measures rs to him may appear
best calculated to secure. on the part of The Bri-
tish local authorities and tie inhabitants Of the
neiShborhood of the line in question, the exercise
OF the same spirit Of forbearance which is incul-
Gated by you Mr.. Marcy on the authorities and
citizens Of the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this
arrangement until the 9th July last. when Gen.
Harvey paid a visit to the Island. He iound
upon IL twenty-five American residents with their
families, aud also an establishment Of The llud-
son's Bay Company for the purpose of raising
sheep. A short time before his arrival one OF
these resi- Tents had shot IN animal belonging to
the c%olnpany, whilst trespassing upon his preml-
SEES, for which, however, he offorel to pay twice its
value but that WAS refused. Soon after 1.-The
chief factor of tho company at Victoria, Mr.. Dal-
les, son-in-law of Gov. Douglas, came to the Island
in the British sloop of-war Satellite, and threaten
cd to tako this American MIR. CUTLERY by force
to Victoria, to answer for tho trespass he had con
mittcd. The American seized his rifle and told
Mr.. Dalles if any such attempt was made he would
kill him ON the spot. The affair then ended"
Under these circumstances, the American set
tle.s presented II petition to the General, through
the United States inspector Of customs, Mr.. IIubbs,
to place IL force upon the island to protect them
from the Indians rs well us the oppressive inter
ference Of the authorities of the lIulson Bay Com
pany ut Nictorin with their rights rs American
citizens" The General Immediately responded
to this petition, and ordered Captain George +.
Pickett, 9th infantry, ito establish his company
on Bellevue, or San Juan island, on some suitable
position near the harbpr ut the southeastern extrc-
nifty" This order was promptly obcyeJ, and n
military post was established at the place dcsiyna-
tod. The farce was afterwards increased, SO that
by the last return the whole number Of troops
then on the island amounted in the aggregate to
G9l men.
Whilst ! do not deem 1t proper on the present
occasion to 90 further into the subject, and discuss
the weight which ought to be attached to the state
ments Of the British colonial authorities, contest
ing the accuracy Of the information on which the
gallant General acted, it was due to him that |
should thus present his own reasons for issuing
the order to Capt. ! ickeit. From these it is quite
clear his object was to prevent the British author
tiles on Nuncauyer's island from exercising iuris-
dictinn over American residents ON the Island of
San Juan, as we'll rs to protect them against the
incur>iuns Of tho Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger of col
lisinn between tho parties was npprehendcd. The
Brlii-h had II large nayal iorcein the vicinity: and
/. Is nut an act Vt simple justice to the admiral
ON that station to state that he wisely and dis
crcctly torhoic t, commit ANY hostile net, but de-
tcrnllicl to refer tic whoio affair to his govern l.
nlcri and await their Instructions.
This aspect IF tho matter, in my opinion, de.
maadel serious attention.. 1t would have been a
great calamity for both nations had they been pre-
cll1ta;cd int acts Of hostility not ON the question
Of title to the island, but merely concerning what
.hould he its condition during the intervening pc
rid whilst tho two governments might be en-
pl",el in settling the question to which Of them
!. lel pnG'. For this reason Lieutenant General
Scott was despatched ON the 17th September last
to Washington Territory t. take immediate com
mand TT the United States forces on the Pacific
coast should lac deem this necessary. The main
oiJect It hS mission WAS To carry uut. the spirit of
the precautionary arrangement between the late
Secretary Of State and the British minister. and
thus to preserve the peace and prevent collision
between the British and American nuthoritie,
pending tie negotiations between the two govern
mcnts. Entertaining no dnubt If the validity Of
our title, need scarcely add that, in any event.
American citizens were to he placed on a footing
at least as favorable AS that of British subjects, it
being understood that Captain P,ckett's company
should remain on the i.land. 1t is proper to oh.
serve that, considering the distance from the
scene Of action, and in ignorance of what might
have TRANSFERRED on the spot before the Generals
arrival, it was necessary to leave much to his dis.
ere'ion, and | am happy to state the e,eat has
proven that this discretion could not have iccn
Entrusted to more competent hnids. General
Scott has recently returned from his mission, hav-